Driving across the cable-stayed Bai Chay bridge in Ha Long city

Where to Stay for Bai Tu Long Bay

The best bed is often a cabin. Here is how to choose — on the water or on land.

For most visitors the answer is simple: sleep on the boat. An overnight cruise is both your accommodation and your tour, and it is the only way to be in Bai Tu Long for sunset and sunrise.

A night on land still makes sense before an early boarding, after a long cruise, or as a base for the islands. The choices are Ha Long city (Bai Chay on the west side, Hon Gai on the east), Tuan Chau island by the marina, and Van Don with Quan Lan and Co To for beaches.

Guest scores below are Trip.com’s ratings out of 5. Rates change constantly with season — every card links to Trip.com for live availability.

Where to stay

Sleep on the bay: overnight cruise ships

Trip.com lists several cruise ships as “hotels”. For the full list of Bai Tu Long itineraries with transfers and activities, see also our tour pages.

Swan Cruises Halong – Off-The-Beaten-Path Route

★★★★

4.5 / 5

Swan Cruises’ off-the-beaten-path boat, which sails the quieter Bai Tu Long route with Thien Canh Son cave and Vung Vieng.

Bai Tu Long route
Kayaking and cave visits
Meals on board

See rates & availability

La Regina Classic Cruise

★★★★

4.4 / 5

A four-star cruise from the La Regina fleet, bookable as a night on the bay from the Bai Chay side.

Four-star cabins
Overnight on the bay
Boards in Bai Chay

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Signature Royal Halong Cruise

★★★★

4.6 / 5

A well-reviewed cruise ship listed with hundreds of Trip.com reviews, boarding from the Hon Gai side of Ha Long.

Hundreds of guest reviews
Large modern ship
Boards on the Hon Gai side

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Ambassador Cruise Halong Bay

★★★★★

4.4 / 5

One of the largest and most polished ships on the bay, with a big sundeck and restaurant — more hotel than junk.

Large five-star ship
Spacious sundeck
Full-service restaurant

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Private Bhaya Legend Cruise

★★★★★

4.9 / 5

A privately chartered Bhaya Legend boat — the whole ship for your group, with crew and chef. Ideal for families or special occasions.

Whole boat for your group
Private crew and chef
Flexible itinerary

See rates & availability

See more cruises on Trip.com

Ha Long city: Bai Chay & Hon Gai

The widest choice, from waterfront five-stars to modern mid-range hotels, minutes from the cruise port and the Hon Gai piers.

Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long

★★★★★

4.6 / 5

A full resort on its own island (Reu island) just off Bai Chay, reached by the hotel’s boat. Private beach, big pools and bay views — the most “away from it all” stay in the city.

Private island and beach
Large outdoor pool
Boat shuttle to the mainland

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Wyndham Legend Halong

★★★★★

4.4 / 5

A tall five-star on the Bai Chay waterfront with bay-view rooms and a pool, a few minutes from the cruise port and the Sun World area.

Pool with bay views
Bay-view rooms
Close to the cruise port

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Novotel Ha Long Bay Hotel

★★★★★

4.4 / 5

A long-standing international hotel on the Bai Chay seafront road: reliable rooms, an outdoor pool and an easy base the night before a cruise.

Seafront location
Outdoor pool
Consistent international standard

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The Yacht Hotel by DC

★★★★★

4.6 / 5

A newer Bai Chay hotel with a strong guest score, handy for cruises boarding at the international port.

High guest ratings
Modern rooms
Bai Chay location

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Muong Thanh Luxury Quang Ninh Hotel

★★★★★

4.0 / 5

A big Vietnamese-chain tower in Bai Chay with many rooms, a pool and bay views. Often the best-value five-star in town.

Good value for a five-star
Pool and bay views
Popular with Vietnamese families

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Ha Long Dream Hotel

★★★★★

4.7 / 5

A well-rated high-rise in central Bai Chay, walking distance to restaurants, the night market area and the waterfront.

Top guest score
Central Bai Chay
Walk to restaurants

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Tru by Hilton Ha Long Hon Gai Centre

★★★★

4.6 / 5

A modern, reasonably priced Hilton brand on the Hon Gai side of the city — a practical choice for Bai Tu Long cruises that board on the eastern side.

Hon Gai side, near eastern piers
Modern compact rooms
Hilton brand reliability

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See all Ha Long hotels

Tuan Chau island

Quiet, resort-style stays next to Tuan Chau marina — convenient for cruises and scenic flights that leave from here.

Tuan Chau Resort Ha Long

★★★★

4.2 / 5

A resort on Tuan Chau island, close to the marina where many cruises board. Gardens, a pool and a beach nearby.

Next to Tuan Chau marina
Garden resort setting
Beach and pool

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Ha Long Land Tuan Chau Hotel

★★★★

4.5 / 5

A simple, good-value hotel on Tuan Chau island for an early boarding — minutes from the pier.

Minutes from the pier
Good value
Quiet island location

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See all Tuan Chau hotels

Van Don, Quan Lan & Co To

Beach resorts and homestays on the islands at the far edge of Bai Tu Long, plus handy hotels near Van Don airport and the piers.

Angsana Quan Lan, Ha Long Bay

★★★★★

4.5 / 5

The first international resort on Quan Lan island: villas and rooms behind a long empty beach, with pools and a spa. The splurge that makes the island trip.

Beachfront on Quan Lan
Pools and spa
Remote island setting

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Wyndham Garden Sonasea Van Don

★★★★★

4.3 / 5

A large resort in the Sonasea complex on Van Don island, convenient for Van Don airport and the piers to Quan Lan and Co To.

Close to Van Don airport
Pools and beach area
Gateway to the islands

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Van Don Royal Hotel

★★★

4.6 / 5

A straightforward, well-rated hotel in Van Don for a night before or after the boat to the islands.

Good guest score
Convenient for the piers
Budget-friendly

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Cô Tô Homestay 368

★★

4.0 / 5

A family-run homestay on Co To island: basic rooms, a warm welcome and a real taste of island life.

Family-run
Local home cooking
Cheapest way to stay on Co To

See rates & availability

See all Van Don & Quan Lan hotels

Which base suits you?

Base	Good for	Less good for	Budget
Cruise ship	Sunset and sunrise on the bay, all-in-one tour	Space, nightlife, flexibility	€€–€€€€
Ha Long (Bai Chay / Hon Gai)	Choice, restaurants, early boarding	Atmosphere — it is a busy resort city	€–€€€
Tuan Chau	Quiet, next to the marina	Restaurants and evening life	€€
Quan Lan / Van Don / Co To	Beaches, island life, far from crowds	Access — boats depend on the weather	€–€€€€

How to choose

One night, and the bay is the point? Sleep on a Bai Tu Long cruise. Everything else is a compromise.
Arriving late or boarding early? A night in Bai Chay or Hon Gai removes the 07:30 Hanoi pickup.
Want beaches after the cruise? Continue to Van Don and take the boat to Quan Lan or Co To for two or three nights.
Travelling as a family? Resort hotels with pools, like Vinpearl on its own island, make a good pre- or post-cruise base.

Booking tips

Book cruises and island stays two to four weeks ahead for October–November and Vietnamese holidays.
Check which pier your cruise uses and choose a hotel on the same side of the city.
On the islands, confirm the boat times with your hotel — crossings change with the season and weather.

Once your bed is sorted, pick the experience: our ranked tour comparison covers the cruises and day trips worth booking.

Accommodation links go to Trip.com. Star classes and guest scores (out of 5) were taken from Trip.com and are indicative — check the live page for current rates and availability. We do not accept payment for inclusion in this list.

Live availability

Book Bai Tu Long Bay tours — live prices

Plan your night on the bay

Make Bai Tu Long Bay the highlight of your Vietnam trip

The quieter half of Vietnam’s great karst seascape is 2.5 hours from Hanoi. Compare overnight cruises, day trips and transfers and book in a couple of taps.

Browse Bai Tu Long cruises Compare all tours

Good to know

Where to stay: FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Should I stay on a cruise or in a hotel?

On a cruise, if you want to experience Bai Tu Long itself — sunset, night and dawn on the water. A hotel makes sense before an early start, after the cruise, or for the islands.

Where is the best area to stay in Ha Long?

Bai Chay, on the west side, has the most hotels and is closest to the international cruise port. Hon Gai, east of the bridge, suits boats that board on that side.

Can I stay on Quan Lan island?

Yes — from simple guesthouses to the Angsana Quan Lan resort. Take the speedboat from Van Don.

Is Tuan Chau a good base?

It is quiet and next to the marina, good for an early cruise or scenic flight. For restaurants and evening life, Bai Chay is better.

Do cruise prices include the cabin?

Yes. Overnight cruise prices include your cabin, meals and most activities; drinks and tips are usually extra.