Halong Bay Port Of Call 2026, 2027, 2028: Essential Guide for Cruise Passengers

If your ocean cruise itinerary includes a call at Halong Bay, this guide covers everything you need for a smooth, well-planned stop: how to clear your entry permit and register with local authorities, where you’ll be picked up depending on which port your ship docks at, your transfer options to and from the pier, the full schedule of ships calling at Halong Bay through 2026–2028, and what to do with your time ashore-whether you have a few hours or an overnight window before rejoining your ship.

This guide reflects the most up-to-date information available for the 2026 season, including current port schedules, transfer procedures, and entry requirements.

With over 20 years operating in Halong Bay, Bhaya Cruises has welcomed passengers from many of the world’s leading cruise lines, including Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises, as they use their time in port to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the most diverse fleet of boats in the bay, we can tailor your visit to fit your ship’s exact dock schedule-whether that means a short-day trip, a full day on the water, or a longer 2-night Halong cruise before you return to your ship.

Your Permit to Enter the Mainland

All foreigners are required to attain visas to enter the mainland of Vietnam. However, if you are a passport holder of one of these countries, you will only need to get the Certificate of Visa Exemption. There are 02 ways to legally enter Vietnam mainland:

(1): If you directly apply for the permit, please contact Bhaya Cruises so we can advise you on the steps to complete the documents upon your arrival at Halong Bay.

(2): If you apply via your cruise bringing you to Halong Bay, it will be less complicated as you might have all the documents needed in your hands.

We highly recommend working closely with your cruise operator if you plan to visit Halong Bay.

Your Registration Status

When leaving a cruise ship, it’s necessary to register with local authorities for permission to stay in Halong Bay.

A: If you are already registered, get prepared to embark Bhaya Cruise.

If you haven’t registered yet, don’t worry! The Bhaya team will assist you with the necessary paperwork. All you need to do is provide us with your information, including your passport number and cruise ship details. We will go over the specifics with you once you book your cruise with us.

Pick-up Points

When you disembark the cruise ship, Bhaya Cruise will pick you up at four different locations.

Van Hai Port is located in Bai Chay Ward of Halong City, just a 4-minute drive from Bai Chay Bridge and directly across from Wyndham Legend Halong.

Cai Lan Port is located on Highway 18, Halong City, and it’s expanding to become one of Vietnam’s largest ports.

Vinashin Port is located in No.6A, Le Thanh Tong Street, Hon Gai Ward, Halong City.

Halong International Cruise Port is located at No.9 Halong Road, Bai Chay Ward, Halong City.

Transfer Options

Bhaya Group offers both roadway and waterway pickup options at two ports.

By road

To reach the Bhaya Cruise Centre, our shuttle bus will pick you up from the entrance of Van Hai Port and take around 30 minutes. The distance is the same between Cai Lan Port and Hon Gai International Port. If you’re arriving at Vinashin Port, which is located further to the east, it will take around 19.5 km to reach the Bhaya Cruise Centre.

Please be aware that there is an extra charge for the shuttle bus service.

If any of the passengers are interested in visiting Hanoi and have the time, we can provide a shuttle bus or a private car for their convenience. Please note that the transfer may or may not be included, depending on how the cruise was booked.

By waterway 

If weather and location permit, we’ll sail to your cruise ship dock. Otherwise, our tender boat will take you to Bhaya Group Cruise Center.

*Note: Transfer by waterway is free of charge but it is possible for only guests departing from Vinashin Port.

Port/Transfer Option	Roadway (Chargeable)	Waterway (Free of Charge)
Cai Lan Port	X
Van Hai Port	X
Vinashin Port	X	X
Halong International Cruise Port	X

List of Cruises visiting Halong Bay in 2026

Cruise line	Ship	Date
AIDA Cruises	AIDAdiva	29–30 Jan
Silversea Cruises	Silver Moon	7 Mar
Silversea Cruises	Silver Muse	28–29 Dec
Celebrity Cruises	Celebrity Solstice	16–17 Mar, 28–29 Dec
Azamara Cruises	Azamara Onward	26–27 Mar
Azamara Cruises	Azamara Pursuit	2–3 Nov
Crystal Cruises	Crystal Serenity	30 Mar
Holland America Line	ms Volendam	30 Mar
Holland America Line	ms Westerdam	24 Nov, 18 Dec, 22 Dec
Princess Cruises	Coral Princess	1–2 Apr
Princess Cruises	Diamond Princess	14–15 Dec
Viking Cruises	Viking Venus	18 Apr, 14 Oct
Viking Cruises	Viking Orion	7 May, 2 Nov
Oceania Cruises	Oceania Regatta	23 Apr
Oceania Cruises	Oceania Nautica-Aurelia	23 Dec
TUI Cruises	Mein Schiff 6	2 May
Emerald Cruises	Emerald Harmony	3, 15, 21, 29 Aug; 12, 20, 24, 30 Sep; 12, 22, 28 Oct; 1, 5, 15, 19, 23, 25 Nov; 9, 19, 31 Dec
CroisiEurope	RV Indochine	2, 5, 18, 21, 25, 28 Sep; 4, 7, 11, 14, 20, 23, 27 Oct; 5, 8, 21, 24, 28 Nov; 1, 7, 10, 14, 17, 23, 26, 30 Dec
CroisiEurope	RV Indochine II	22, 25, 29 Aug; 1, 14, 17, 30 Sep; 3, 16, 19 Oct; 1, 4, 17, 20 Nov; 3, 6, 19, 22 Dec
APT River Cruises (Travelmarvel)	APT Mekong Serenity	4, 8, 12, 18, 22, 26 Sep; 2, 6, 10, 16, 20, 24 Oct; 3, 7, 13, 17, 21, 27 Nov
Regent Seven Seas Cruises	Seven Seas Explorer	12 Nov
Windstar Cruises	Star Seeker	15 Nov; 26 Dec – 1 Jan
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection	Ritz-Carlton Luminara	22–23 Nov; 10 Dec; 14–15 Dec; 31 Dec – 1 Jan
Norwegian Cruise Line	Norwegian Jade	31 Dec

List of Cruises visiting Halong Bay in 2027

Cruise line	Ship	Date
Seabourn Cruises	Seabourn Encore	2 Jan, 6 Jan, 13 Feb, 8 Dec
Celebrity Cruises	Celebrity Solstice	4–5 Jan; 28–29 Jan; 16–17 Feb; 21–22 Feb; 4–5 Dec; 9–10 Dec; 28–29 Dec
AIDA Cruises	AIDAstella	11–12 Jan; 27–28 Feb; 21–22 Apr
Emerald Cruises	Emerald Harmony	11, 17, 21, 25, 27 Jan; 4, 8, 10, 14, 18, 22, 24, 28 Feb; 4, 8, 10, 14, 18, 22, 24 Mar; 5, 15, 19, 21 Apr; 3, 9 May; 27 Jul; 2, 20, 24, 28 Aug; 1, 19, 23, 29 Sep; 11, 13, 17, 21 Oct; 4, 8, 10, 14, 18 Nov; 2, 6, 10, 14 Dec
APT River Cruises (Travelmarvel)	APT Mekong Serenity	12, 16, 22, 26, 30 Jan; 5, 9, 13, 19, 23, 27 Feb; 5, 9, 13, 19, 23, 27 Mar; 2, 6, 10, 16 Apr; 27, 31 Jul; 6, 10, 14, 20, 24, 28 Aug; 3, 7, 11, 17, 21, 25 Sep; 1, 9, 15, 19 Oct; 2, 6, 12, 16, 20, 26 Nov
CroisiEurope	RV Indochine	2, 15, 18, 31 Jan; 3, 25, 28 Feb; 13, 16, 29 Mar; 1, 5, 8, 30 Apr; 3 May; 2, 5, 9, 12, 18, 21, 25, 28 Sep; 4, 7, 20, 23 Oct; 12, 15, 21, 24, 28 Nov; 1, 7, 10, 14, 17, 23, 26, 30 Dec
CroisiEurope	RV Indochine II	4, 7, 20, 23 Jan; 14, 17, 21, 24 Feb; 9, 12, 25, 28 Mar; 10, 13, 26, 29 Apr; 9, 12, 16, 19 Sep; 2, 5, 18, 21 Oct; 3, 6 Nov; 5, 8, 21, 24 Dec
Princess Cruises	Sapphire Princess	13–14 Jan; 24–25 Feb
Princess Cruises	Diamond Princess	23–24 Feb
Princess Cruises	Coral Princess	11 Apr
Norwegian Cruise Line	Norwegian Jade	25 Jan; 12 Dec
Holland America Line	ms Westerdam	12 Feb
Holland America Line	ms Noordam	9–10 Nov; 16–17 Dec; 21–22 Dec
Oceania Cruises	Oceania Nautica-Aurelia	23 Feb; 26–27 Apr
Oceania Cruises	Oceania Vista	27 Mar
Oceania Cruises	Oceania Riviera	18 Nov
Silversea Cruises	Silver Muse	29 Jan; 26 Feb; 3 Dec
Windstar Cruises	Star Seeker	28 Feb – 1 Mar; 25–27 Dec
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection	Ritz-Carlton Luminara	12 Mar; 6 Nov; 5–6 Dec; 10–11 Dec; 25–26 Dec; 30–31 Dec
TUI Cruises	Mein Schiff 6	27 Mar; 15 May
Azamara Cruises	Azamara Quest	29–30 Mar
Azamara Cruises	Azamara Pursuit	5–6 Oct
Viking Cruises	Vikzing Orion	15 Apr; 31 Oct
Viking Cruises	Viking Venus	21 Apr; 17 Oct
Regent Seven Seas Cruises	Seven Seas Navigator	16 Apr
Regent Seven Seas Cruises	Seven Seas Explorer	2 Dec, 24 Dec
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises	Hanseatic Spirit	29 May
Scenic Cruises	Scenic Spirit	24, 30 Jul; 7, 22, 29 Aug; 4, 16, 20, 26 Sep; 4, 14, 18, 23, 24 Oct; 6, 7, 15, 20, 25 Nov; 1, 6, 9, 20 Dec
MSC Explora Journeys	MSC Explora 3	18–19 Nov

List of Cruises visiting Halong Bay in 2028

Cruise line	Ship	Date
Seabourn Cruises	Seabourn Encore	1 Jan, 5 Jan, 29 Jan; 8 Dec
CroisiEurope	RV Indochine	2, 8, 11, 15, 18, 24, 27, 31 Jan; 3, 9, 12, 16, 19, 25, 28 Feb; 3, 6, 12, 15, 19, 22, 28, 31 Mar; 4, 7, 13, 16, 20, 23 Apr
CroisiEurope	RV Indochine II	6, 9, 22, 25 Jan; 7, 10, 23, 26 Feb; 10, 13, 26, 29 Mar; 11, 14, 20, 23, 27, 30 Apr
Celebrity Cruises	Celebrity Solstice	4–5 Jan; 23–24 Jan; 28–29 Jan; 16–17 Feb
Emerald Cruises	Emerald Harmony	6, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24 Jan; 3, 7, 9, 13, 17, 27 Feb; 2, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 22 Mar; 3, 9, 13, 19 Apr; 1, 7, 11 May
Emerald Cruises	Emerald Xara	24 Jun
Ponant Cruises	Le Soleal	6, 12 Jan
Scenic Cruises	Scenic Spirit	9, 11 Jan; 10, 12, 21 Feb; 3, 13, 15, 24 Mar
APT River Cruises (Travelmarvel)	APT Mekong Serenity	11, 15, 21, 25, 29 Jan; 4, 8, 12, 18, 22, 26 Feb; 3, 7, 11, 17, 21, 25, 31 Mar; 4, 8, 14, 18, 22, 28 Apr
Holland America Line	ms Noordam	13–14 Jan; 18–19 Jan
Windstar Cruises	Star Seeker	14, 16 Jan; 25–26 Feb; 1–2 Dec
MSC Explora Journeys	MSC Explora 3	14 Jan
Silversea Cruises	Silver Muse	24–25 Jan; 3 Mar
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises	ms Europa	28 Jan
TUI Cruises	Mein Schiff 6	5, 11 Feb; 1 Apr
Regent Seven Seas Cruises	Seven Seas Explorer	7 Feb
Regent Seven Seas Cruises	Seven Seas Splendor	4 Apr; 29 Nov
Princess Cruises	Sapphire Princess	28–29 Feb
Princess Cruises	Grand Princess	24–25 Aug
Phoenix Reisen	Artania	2 Mar
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection	Ritz-Carlton Luminara	4–5 Mar
Cunard	Queen Anne	17 Mar
MSC Cruises	MSC Magnifica	22–23 Mar
Viking Cruises	Viking Venus	26 Mar
Viking Cruises	Viking Orion	2 May
Azamara Cruises	Azamara Pursuit	11–12 Oct

For more detailed information, please check Port Halong Bay cruise ship schedule with the timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month.

To book your overnight cruise exploring Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, or Bai Tu Long Bay, contact Bhaya Cruises team for prompt support.

Things To Do When Your Cruise Is Docked At Halong Bay Port

What you can do during your call at Halong Bay depends largely on how much time your ship gives you in port-anywhere from a few hours to an overnight stay before you rejoin your ocean cruise. Here’s how to make the most of whichever window you have.

If you have a few hours (half-day excursion)

With 4 to 6 hours ashore, the priority is getting onto the water quickly. A short junk boat excursion typically covers one or two of the bay’s most accessible landmarks-such as Thien Cung Cave or Sung Sot Cave-plus a pass through the karst islets near the harbor. Kayaking add-ons are common on these shorter routes, giving you a closer look at the limestone formations without adding much time to the itinerary.

If you have a full day

A full-day call opens up a more complete picture of the bay. Typical full-day itineraries combine a cave visit, kayaking or a bamboo boat ride through a hidden lagoon, a stop at a floating fishing village, and lunch served onboard as the boat cruises between sites. This is generally the best option if your ship’s schedule allows it, since it covers the bay’s signature experiences without requiring an overnight stay.

If your ship allows an overnight stopover

On the rare occasion your ship’s itinerary includes a longer call or an overnight stay in port, an overnight cruise is worth considering. Sleeping aboard a traditional wooden junk at anchor among the limestone islands-with a sunset on deck, squid fishing after dark, and a quiet morning Tai Chi session before sunrise-offers a version of Halong Bay that a same-day excursion simply cannot match.

Choosing an operator for your shore excursion

Several local operators run shore excursions for ocean cruise passengers calling at Halong Bay. Bhaya Cruises is one of them, operating across all three bays-Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay-with a fleet built around distinct experience profiles:

• Bhaya Soul focuses on wellness, sailing toward the calmer waters on the border of Lan Ha and Halong Bay, with meditation sessions and a slower, more restorative pace-well suited to passengers looking to unwind between two legs of an ocean voyage.
• The Au Co offers a longer, culturally rich route across Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, ideal for passengers with a full day or more to spend exploring.
• Bhaya Classic covers the bay’s essential landmarks efficiently, a practical choice when your ship’s schedule is tight.
• Bhaya Legend offers fully private charters with customizable routing-a fitting option for groups or passengers seeking a more exclusive, flexible excursion.

With more than two decades of experience hosting passengers from cruise lines such as Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises, Bhaya Cruises works closely with ocean cruise operators to plan excursions that fit within your ship’s docking window, from a short shore visit to a full overnight voyage.

Contact Bhaya Cruises to arrange an excursion that matches your ship’s schedule at Halong Bay.

Frequently Asked Questions for Passengers on Cruise Ships Docked at Halong Bay Port

How much time do I typically have ashore when my ship docks at Halong Bay?

This depends entirely on your cruise line’s itinerary. Most ocean cruise calls at Halong Bay range from a few hours to a full day, with arrival and departure times varying by ship (see the schedule tables above). A smaller number of itineraries include an overnight stay in port. Check your cruise documents or daily program for your ship’s exact arrival and departure times, since this determines what kind of excursion is realistic.

Do I need a visa or special permit to go ashore at Halong Bay?

Yes. All foreign passengers need either a visa or a Certificate of Visa Exemption to legally enter Vietnam’s mainland, even for a short shore excursion. Passport holders from certain countries qualify for visa exemption for a defined stay. You can apply for your permit directly, or your excursion operator can help arrange the paperwork if you provide your passport details and cruise ship information in advance-this is usually the simpler route for a single-day port call.

Do I need to register with local authorities separately from my cruise line?

In most cases, yes. When disembarking your cruise ship at Halong Bay, passengers need to be registered with local authorities for permission to go ashore. If you’re joining an organized shore excursion, your excursion operator typically handles this registration on your behalf once you’ve shared your passport number and ship details-so it’s worth booking your excursion, and providing that information, ahead of your port call rather than on the day.

Can I book a shore excursion independently, or should I use my ship’s tour desk?

Both options exist. Many ocean cruise passengers book through their ship’s shore excursion desk for convenience, since timing is pre-coordinated with the ship’s schedule. Others book directly with a local operator such as Bhaya Cruises, which can also be a practical choice, particularly for passengers wanting a specific type of experience-such as a wellness-focused cruise or a private charter-that isn’t offered through the ship. If booking independently, confirm your excursion’s return time leaves a comfortable buffer before your ship’s scheduled departure.

What’s the best way to see Halong Bay if I only have a few hours?

Prioritize getting on the water quickly rather than trying to cover multiple sites. A short boat excursion to one well-known cave, such as Thien Cung or Sung Sot, combined with a pass through the bay’s most photographed limestone islets, gives a strong impression of Halong Bay without cutting it close on time. Kayaking can usually be added without extending the itinerary significantly.

How do I get from the port to the excursion boats?

This depends on which port your ship docks at. Bhaya Cruises, for example, offers both road and waterway transfers depending on the pier-guests arriving at Vinashin Port can be picked up directly by boat, while other ports require a short shuttle transfer to the cruise center (see the Pick-up Points and Transfer Options sections above for details specific to each pier).

What happens if bad weather affects Halong Bay during my port call?

Local authorities, not individual operators, decide whether vessels can sail on any given day, based on storm warnings, wind conditions, or fog. This mainly affects the rainy season (May-September) and periods of dense winter fog. If weather disrupts your planned excursion, a reputable operator will offer an alternative-such as a shorter route within a sheltered area of the bay-rather than canceling outright wherever possible. Given the short window of a port call, it’s worth checking the forecast a day or two ahead and keeping your excursion booking flexible if your itinerary allows.