Best Months to Cruise Halong Bay

Halong Bay is one of the seven new wonders in the world, which has attracted a large number of visitors all year round. Located in a tropical-climate area, the weather of Halong from month to month is not the same, so choosing a suitable time to cruise Halong Bay is somehow difficult for tourists. Below are all the things you need to know about the best months to cruise Halong Bay, including the detailed information about the weather, festivals and some extra tips.

There are four seasons in a year in Halong Bay. Each season has its own features, which is quite typical for the climate in North Vietnam. With an annual average temperature of nearly 24 Celsius degrees, almost all the months are the best time to take a cruise to Halong Bay. Below we uncover the best season to cruise Halong Bay. Just check out!

II. Best Months to Cruise Halong Bay

1. January/February

Overview: January and February bring milder winter temperatures to Halong Bay, making it more pleasant than December. These months coincide with Tet Holiday (Lunar New Year), creating a festive atmosphere throughout the region.

Pricing:

• Standard route in Halong is about 300,000 VND
• Higher rates for accommodations during holidays
• Tip: Book accommodations and restaurants early for better rates

Temperature:

• Average temperature: 16-18°C (61-64°F)
• Generally dry weather
• Occasional foggy days, especially in late February
• Possibility of sunny days with clear blue skies

Rainfall/sea conditions:

• Mostly calm waters
• Some foggy conditions possible
• Limited visibility on overcast days
• Creates mystical atmosphere across the bay

What to pack: Since the weather in Halong from January to February is still cold, you need to prepare sweaters, coats and scarfs. Besides, an umbrella or a hat is also necessary in case it rains in Halong Bay.

Festivals:

• Tet Holiday celebrations
• Yen Tu Festival
• Cua Ong Temple Festival
• Local food fairs

Watch out for: Although this period in Halong is not the typhoon season, the bad weather can happen some days due to the impact of cool air. On these days, you had better not go on a cruise trip to Halong Bay. Just stay at your hotel and wait for a better day.

► Also read:

• Travel Guide to Halong Bay in January
• What to do in Halong Bay in February

2. March/April

Overview: March and April mark spring’s arrival in Halong Bay, featuring warming temperatures and blooming flowers. These months coincide with Vietnamese national holidays in late April, making it a popular tourist season with festive atmospheres.

Pricing:

• Standard entrance fees remain constant
• Higher service prices during holidays
• Premium rates on weekends
• Tip: Book early for better rates

Temperature:

• Average temperature: Above 20°C (occasionally exceeding 30°C)
• Increasing sunny days
• Brief cooling from northern winds
• Early rainy season begins

Rainfall/sea conditions:

• Generally favorable for cruising
• Brief downpours possible
• Excellent visibility on clear days
• Ideal for sightseeing activities

What to pack: Since the weather is becoming hotter and hotter in March and April, you should prepare sunglasses, hats, sunscreen and long-sleeve clothes to protect your skin. Some bottles of water are also necessary for you to participate in outdoor activities in Halong. Besides, don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and summer clothes to go to the beach.

Festivals:

• Carnaval Halong (late April)
• Week-long celebrations
• International performances
• Central square parade
• Cultural exhibitions

Watch out for: The rainy days are not the ideal time to take a cruise in Halong Bay, and the early downpours of summer may prevent you from enjoying the beauty of this destination. Therefore, you should watch the weather forecast before deciding to start your journey. In addition, the period of March and April in Halong Bay is extremely crowded, so you need to book your hotel room and cruise ship in advance.

3. May/June

Overview: May and June are two hottest months in North Vietnam in general and in Halong in particular. On those burning days, what can be more thrilling than taking a cruise in Halong Bay? The breath of the ocean will ease your soul and the wind will blow away all your exhaustion. If you want to enjoy the beauty of Halong Bay in the sunshine of summer, May and June are two best months to cruise Halong Bay.

Pricing:

• Standard entrance fees
• Higher weekend rates
• Peak season pricing
• Tip: Advance booking recommended

Temperature:

• Peak temperatures up to 40°C
• Average above 30°C
• Slightly cooler near water
• Strongest UV exposure 9am-4pm

Rainfall/sea conditions:

• Increasing rainfall
• Possible storms
• Lightning and thunder risks
• Occasional cyclones
• Check weather before cruising

What to pack: Most of the time in Halong Bay, you will go on a cruise and participate in outdoor activities, so you should prepare an umbrella, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin. Since no one can deny the attraction of the beach of Halong, you should bring your own swimsuit in case you want to immerse yourself in the cool water.

Festivals:

• Long Tien Temple Festival (May)
• Traditional customs displays
• Local cultural activities
• Bai Tho Mount celebrations

Watch out for: You should be careful with the extreme weather conditions in Halong Bay at this time. The days with rough seas or burning heat are not suitable for your trip to Halong Bay. However, during the period of May and June, Halong Bay is less crowded than the previous time, so you should take this time into consideration.

4. July/August

Why: July and August are the peaks of stormy season in Halong Bay. Of all the months in a year, these two months are not the best time for a Halong Bay cruise. There are 2 or 3 storms each month that affect the sea condition of Halong Bay. If you still want to visit Halong at this time, some places of interest in the mainland are much more suitable for you than going on a cruise.

Pricing:

• Lower general rates
• Some cruise price increases
• Limited availability
• Better mainland accommodation rates

Temperature:

• Average temperature: 27°C
• Cooler than May/June
• Can drop to 24°C during storms
• Frequent cloud cover

Rainfall/sea conditions:

• Rough seas common 2-3 storms monthly
• Frequent downpours
• Murky water conditions
• Limited visibility

What to pack: In case you still want to visit Halong Bay at this time, you need to prepare your umbrella. If you are lucky enough to go on a nice day, don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and comfortable clothes to take part in outside activities.

Festivals:

• Quan Lan Festival (late July)
• Traditional fishermen celebrations
• Local maritime customs
• Cultural performances

Watch out for: The tropical storms at this time are the greatest obstacles that prevent you from entertainment activities. You need to pay attention to the weather forecast to make the best preparation for your Halong Bay cruise.

5. September/October/November

Why: Autumn has come to Halong Bay, and the weather is much more gentle. Both temperature and rainfall decline significantly, and the tourism destinations in Halong Bay are back to their crowded appearance. This is the last time of the year when you can enjoy swimming and sunbathing on the beaches of Halong, so don’t miss this precious chance.

Pricing:

• Free entry during certain celebrations
• Standard rates for cruises
• Higher accommodation rates during peak times
• Tip: Advance booking essential for hotels

Temperature:

• Average temperature: 24-26°C
• Clear blue skies
• Splendid sunlight
• Cooling to around 20°C by late November

Rainfall/sea conditions:

• Generally calm waters
• Excellent visibility
• Few rainy days
• Potential distant storm effects in Gulf of Tonkin

What to pack: Necessary items for outdoor activities are needed, and if you are interested in taking photos, remember to bring your phone or camera to take gorgeous shoots with Halong Bay as a natural background. The nights at the end of November can be a bit cold, so you need to bring your coat.

Festivals:

• Independence Day (September 2nd)
• Mid-Autumn Festival (early October)
• Traditional Vietnamese cuisine events

Watch out for: Due to the effect of the cool air in November, the sea water can be too cold to swim in. The storms at this time cannot hit the mainland of Halong, but it still has influence in the Gulf of Tonkin in general and in Halong Bay in particular.

6. December

Why: December is the coldest month in a year. Though the rain almost disappears, the cold weather may prevent you from enjoying your activities on the beach. However, the weather can be fine on some days, which is the best condition to take a cruise in Halong Bay. Instead of water-related activities, you will have a chance to explore more about the daily life of the locals living in the floating villages on the edge of Halong Bay.

Pricing:

• Lowest rates of the year
• Limited activity options
• Value accommodation rates
• Reduced cruise options

Temperature:

• Average temperature: 16°C
• Can drop to 10°C
• Strong winds possible
• Cloudy skies common

Rainfall/sea conditions:

• Generally calm waters
• Grayish water color
• Limited visibility on cloudy days
• Cold water temperatures

What to pack: If you still want to go to Halong Bay, winter clothes are the things you need to prepare when coming to Halong Bay in December. An overcoat, a sweater, a scarf and a wool cap will be very essential to protect your body from the cold wind of winter. Make sure that you are warm enough before going on the cruise to Halong Bay.

Festivals: The traditional festivals have not come, so this is not the suitable time for you to experience the life of the locals through the festivals. Christmas is a festival of the Western, but many people in Halong also celebrate this day. The central square of Halong is decorated with pine trees and colorful lights, which makes this area sparkling when the night falls.

Watch out for: The cold days of the winter will prevent you from outdoor activities. You had better stay at your hotel room on these days and leave your trip for another better one.

III. Cheapest Months to Go on a Halong Bay Cruise

If you are travelling on a budget to Halong Bay, the time from July to August is the best month to start your journey, when you can have some discounts on the hotel price and cruise ship ticket.

Due to the bad weather most of the days, there are not many tourists coming to Halong Bay in July and August. As a result, to attract more tourists, the tour package and hotel price are adjusted to be lower, and some tourism places even get rid of ticket prices for tourists.

The time of December is also the cheapest month to go on a Halong Bay cruise. At this time, many tourists will choose to visit the mountainous areas instead of the sea, so the demands for the tourism services also drop.

If you still want to enjoy the atmosphere of Halong Bay during the tourism season, you can choose to visit this site on some special occasions such as the Reunification Day, Labor Day or Independent Day. The ticket price to visit Halong Bay is eliminated on those days. The most important thing to get the best price to visit Halong Bay is to cruise on a day when other people cannot.

IV. Cruise Halong Bay During Hurricane Season

The hurricane season in Halong Bay often starts in April and ends in September. The peak of hurricane season is July and August. On average, there are 2 to 3 tropical storms hitting Halong Bay at that time, and the effects of the storms can last for more than one week.

Going on a cruise in Halong Bay during the hurricane season seems to be a crazy idea, because all tourists want to have a safe and sound journey. However, going to Halong Bay during hurricane season is not impossible. There are still some days with fine weather, when an old storm has disappeared and the new one has not come yet. On these days, you can have a trip to Halong Bay without worrying about your safety.

In addition, there are not many tourists planning their cruise to Halong Bay at the time of hurricane season, so the price of tourism services can decline, so you can save a large amount of money.

Besides, only when the safety of tourists is ensured can the cruise start, so you don’t need to worry about going to Halong Bay during hurricane season. On stormy days with heavy rains and strong winds, the cruise in Halong Bay is not allowed to depart, so you had better not try to visit Halong Bay on these days.

V. Halong Cruise Ports

There are major cruise ports in Halong Bay, including:

• Hon Gai International Port
• Tuan Chau International Port
• Bai Chay Port
• Cai Lan Deep Water Port

The most important things that need to be taken into consideration when you plan for your cruise trip are the weather and the cost. Depending on your available time, budget and itinerary, you can choose which are the best months to cruise Halong Bay. We hope that with the above suggestion, you can make your own decision about the best time to take a cruise in Halong Bay. We wish you a journey safe and sound.