Halong Bay Cruise from Halong International Port

Halong International Port — sometimes referred to as Hon Gai International Cruise Terminal — is one of Ha Long City’s main cruise departure points, positioned on the eastern side of the bay. Cruises departing from this port access a different section of Ha Long Bay from those using the more common Tuan Chau Marina, giving travellers a distinct perspective on the limestone karst landscape that most Hanoi-based day tour routes do not cover.

What’s Included

• Full-day private boat trip — exclusive use of the vessel for your group
• Ha Long Bay national park entrance fee
• Guided cave visit
• Kayaking through the karst formations
• Swimming stop in a sheltered cove
• Lunch served on board
• English-speaking guide
• Life jackets and kayaking equipment

Not included: transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long City (this tour departs locally — you arrange your own way to Ha Long City), alcoholic beverages, personal travel insurance, guide and crew gratuities.

Halong International Port: Location and Access

The port sits on the northern shore of Ha Long Bay, giving departing vessels immediate access to the bay’s karst landscape without the longer transit time required from Tuan Chau Marina on the western side of the city. For travellers staying in Hon Gai or the eastern part of Ha Long City, this is the most convenient departure point.

From Hanoi, Ha Long City is approximately 160 kilometres northeast — about 2.5 to 3.5 hours by road. If you are making your own way from Hanoi to join this cruise, take a limousine bus or private car to Ha Long City, then a local taxi to the port. For full transport options, see How to Get to Ha Long Bay and Ha Long Bay Cruise Boarding Point.

Full Day Itinerary

Morning — Meet your guide and board the private boat at Halong International Port. No other passengers join the vessel — your group has the boat, the guide, and the crew exclusively for the day.

Morning – late morning — Sail into Ha Long Bay from the Hon Gai side, accessing a section of the bay that standard day-tour routes from Tuan Chau rarely cover. This gives you a different spatial experience of the karst landscape — the same geological formations but from a less-trafficked angle.

Late morning — Guided cave visit. One of Ha Long Bay’s accessible cave systems, explored at your group’s pace with geological and cultural commentary from the English-speaking guide.

Midday — Lunch served on board. Fresh Vietnamese seafood menu.

Early afternoon — Kayaking session through the karst formations. The private format allows the guide to route the kayaking based on your group’s interests — more time in specific passages, a stop at a particular formation, or a route through lagoons that group tour boats don’t access.

Mid-afternoon — Swimming stop in a sheltered cove.

Late afternoon — Return sail to Halong International Port.

Private Ha Long Bay Cruise from Halong Port: What It Delivers

The private boat format on this cruise means exclusive use — your group is the only passenger group on board for the entire day. This has the same practical advantages as other private Ha Long Bay tours: freedom of movement on deck, undivided guide attention, flexible routing within the time available, and the absence of 30 other travellers’ noise and schedules.

The specific addition this tour offers is the departure point. By using Halong International Port on the eastern side of the city, the cruise accesses a different section of Ha Long Bay from the standard Tuan Chau Marina departure routes. Travellers who have already done a cruise from Tuan Chau will notice a different view of the bay — the same karst geology, but approached from a different compass direction, with different islands in sequence and different anchorages along the route.

For a comparison of private and group formats, see Private vs Group Cruise Tours.

Who Is This Cruise Best For?

Travellers based in Ha Long City’s Hon Gai area — the most practical use case. If you are staying near the international port or the Hon Gai commercial district, this tour is immediately accessible without crossing to the western side of the city.

Return visitors who want a different bay perspective — if you have done a Tuan Chau Marina departure before, the Hon Gai departure gives you a meaningfully different spatial experience of the same bay.

Those arriving by international cruise ship — Halong International Port handles large cruise ship arrivals. If you are disembarking from an international cruise, this private boat tour is one of the most efficient ways to spend a day exploring the bay before your next destination.

Small groups wanting privacy — the private format makes this a good option for families, couples, and small groups of friends.

For a shorter private experience from Ha Long City, the 4 Hour Private Boat Tour of Ha Long Bay is a half-day alternative at lower cost. For a comparable 6-hour local departure group option, the Afternoon Ha Long Bay Cruise departs from Ha Long City on a deluxe group vessel.