Last updated 5 October 2026 by the Ava Travel team in Hanoi. Season prices come from the 96 cruises Ava Travel sells, checked on our booking pages on 4 October 2026.
The short answer, using Ava Travel’s own prices: the best time to visit Halong Bay is October to November and late March to April: mostly dry, warm enough to sit on deck, and outside the storm season. May to September is hot, the best time for swimming and a little cheaper, but it is the rainy season and storms can cancel sailings, mostly from July to September. December to February is cool and often grey or misty, but calm and good for photographs.
Cruises run all year. Price changes less than people expect: on the boats Ava Travel sells, the middle saving in low season is only about $11 per person (around 8%), and 20 of 96 boats charge the same price all year.
Halong Bay month by month
| Month | Weather | Swimming | Storm risk | Cruise price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cool (about 15-20°C), grey, often misty | Too cold for most | Very low | High season |
| February | Cool, drizzle and mist; Tet holiday is busy | Too cold for most | Very low | High season |
| March | Warming, still misty some mornings | Cool | Very low | High season |
| April | Warm (about 22-27°C), clearer, pleasant | Possible late in the month | Low | High season |
| May | Hot, humid, first heavy showers | Good | Low | Low season |
| June | Hot (about 28-33°C), wet | Very good | Moderate | Low season |
| July | Hottest and wettest | Very good | Higher | Low season |
| August | Hot, heavy rain | Very good | Highest | Low season |
| September | Hot, rain easing late in the month | Good | Higher | Low season |
| October | Warm (about 22-28°C), dry, clear | Good early in the month | Moderate early, then low | High season |
| November | Mild, dry, clear skies | Cool | Low | High season |
| December | Cool, dry, can be grey | Too cold for most | Very low | High season |
Temperatures are typical daytime ranges, not guarantees. “High season” and “low season” are the price seasons used by the cruise operators Ava Travel sells: October to April and May to September.
How much cheaper is low season, really?
Less than most guides suggest. We compared the high and low season price of every 2 day 1 night cruise we sell (lowest price per person, two sharing, all meals on board):
- Middle saving: about $11 per person, or 8%.
- No saving at all: 20 of 96 boats charge one price all year, for example Annam Junk ($102), Swan ($135) and Oasis Bay ($137).
- Biggest savings: Heritage Line Ginger ($430 to $345), Nostalgia ($224 to $154), Lyra Grandeur ($245 to $195) and Capella ($225 to $190).
- On a 3 day cruise the saving doubles because it applies to both nights; on several boats it is $40 to $60 per person. See the best 3 day 2 night cruises.
So choose your month for the weather you want, not for the price. The exception is a luxury boat in summer, where the saving can be $50 to $85 per person.
Storm season: what happens if the bay closes
From about June to October, and most often in July to September, tropical storms can reach the Gulf of Tonkin. When one is forecast, the port authority stops all boats from sailing, usually for one or two days. This is a safety rule for every operator, not a choice by your cruise.
With Ava Travel, if the operator cancels the cruise, or in case of severe weather or force majeure, we move your date free of charge, or refund you in full if we cannot reschedule. If you are travelling in summer, keep one spare day in your plan after the cruise, and book the cruise early in your trip so there is room to move it.
When is Halong Bay busiest?
- Tet (Lunar New Year), in late January or February, and the 30 April to 1 May and 2 September national holidays: domestic travellers fill the boats and the road from Hanoi is slow.
- Weekends in summer, when Vietnamese families go to the coast.
- December to April for international travellers, especially Christmas and Easter. Book 3 to 6 weeks ahead for a specific boat.
For the fewest boats at any time of year, choose Bai Tu Long Bay.
Best time for each kind of trip
- Clear views and photography: October and November.
- Swimming and kayaking: May to early October; pick a Lan Ha Bay boat, where most cruises include a swim.
- Misty, moody scenery: January to March.
- Families with children: April to June and October, warm but before the peak storm months.
- Lowest price: May to September, on a boat that has a low season price.
What is the best month for a Halong Bay cruise?
The short answer, from Ava Travel: October and November, then late March and April, when the bay is mostly dry and warm enough to sit on deck. On price, the 96 cruises Ava Travel sells have a median of $165 per person from October to April and $152 from May to September, and 76 of them are cheaper in May to September. Summer is hotter, wetter and has the storm risk described below, which is why it is cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to do a Halong Bay cruise?
October and November, then late March and April. They are the driest, most comfortable months. If price matters more, May to September is cheaper on 76 of the 96 cruises Ava Travel sells (median $152 against $165 per person).
What is the best month to visit Halong Bay?
October or November for clear, dry weather and calm seas; April is a close second. If you want to swim, June to early September is warmest, but it is also the rainy and storm season.
Is it worth visiting Halong Bay in the rainy season?
Yes. Most summer rain comes as short heavy showers, the water is warm, and the bay is green. The real risk is a storm closing the bay for a day or two, so keep a spare day in your plan.
Is Halong Bay cold in winter?
Cool rather than cold: about 15 to 20°C in the day from December to February, colder on deck in the wind and at night. Bring a warm layer. The water is too cold for most people to swim.
Are Halong Bay cruises cheaper in summer?
Slightly. On the 96 boats we sell, the middle low season saving from May to September is about $11 per person on a 2-day cruise, and 20 boats charge the same all year.
What happens if my cruise is cancelled because of weather?
With Ava Travel we move your date free of charge, or refund you in full if we cannot reschedule. Cancellations are decided by the port authority and apply to all boats. More on storms, swimming and seasickness in is a Halong Bay cruise safe.
Plan your cruise
Every boat page shows the price for your exact date, so you can compare months before you book. Start with the 10 best Halong Bay cruises for 2026 or all cruises with 2026 prices, check how to get there from Hanoi, and pay securely online; we confirm your cabin and pickup within one hour. Questions? WhatsApp +84 904 251 545.
