Last updated 5 October 2026 by the Ava Travel team in Hanoi. Numbers come from the 37 Halong Bay and 10 Bai Tu Long Bay cruises we sell, checked on our booking pages on 4 October 2026.
The short answer: choose Bai Tu Long Bay if you want the quietest water and a real floating village: we sell only 10 boats there, with 167 cabins between them, against 37 boats and 866 cabins on Halong Bay, and 6 of the 10 visit Vung Vieng fishing village. For the quietest choice on each bay, see which Halong Bay cruise avoids the crowds. Choose Halong Bay for the famous sights (Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island), more swimming stops and the lowest prices, from $102 per person against $132 on Bai Tu Long.
Bai Tu Long is the northeast continuation of Halong Bay: the same limestone islands, further from the busy routes. Most of its cruises (8 of the 10 we sell) leave from Halong International Port on the Hon Gai side, not from Tuan Chau.
Halong Bay vs Bai Tu Long Bay at a glance
| Halong Bay | Bai Tu Long Bay | |
|---|---|---|
| Boats we sell | 37 (866 cabins) | 10 (167 cabins) |
| Typical boat size | 21 cabins | 16 cabins |
| Cheapest 2-day cruise (per person) | $102 | $132 |
| Middle price, Oct-Apr | $150 | $158 |
| Middle price, May-Sep | $140 | $148 |
| 3 days 2 nights | 31 boats, middle $285 | 8 boats, middle $298 |
| Main cave | Sung Sot (35 of 37 boats) | Thien Canh Son (9 of 10 boats) |
| Floating village | Rarely | Vung Vieng (6 of 10 boats) |
| Swimming stop | 22 of 37 boats | 2 of 10 boats |
| Balcony in every cabin | 16 of 37 boats | 2 of 10 boats |
| Pier | Tuan Chau | Halong International Port (Hon Gai) |
| Shuttle from Hanoi, return | $35 per person | $35-40 per person |
Prices are the lowest per person for two adults sharing a cabin on a 2 day 1 night cruise, all meals on board included. “Middle price” is the median of the boats we sell.
What is different about Bai Tu Long Bay
Far fewer boats. This is the main reason to go. The boats are small (16 cabins in the middle of the range), there are few of them, and in the evening you may see only a few other ships at anchor.
A real fishing village. Six of the 10 boats take you to Vung Vieng, a floating village where families still farm fish and pearls; you are rowed around by a local in a bamboo boat. On Halong Bay the old floating villages were moved ashore, so this is now the easiest way to see one.
A different cave. Nine of the 10 boats visit Thien Canh Son Cave instead of Sung Sot. It is smaller, but you are rarely sharing it with more than one other group.
The honest downsides of Bai Tu Long
- Little swimming. Only 2 of the 10 boats include a swimming stop, against 22 of 37 on Halong. Kayaking is common (8 of 10), swimming is not.
- Fewer balconies. Only Athena Royal and Larissa have a balcony in every cabin. If a balcony matters most, Lan Ha Bay has far more choice.
- No famous postcard stops. You will not see Sung Sot Cave or the Titop viewpoint.
- Less choice. With 10 boats, the one you want can be full on popular dates, so book early for December to April.
Bai Tu Long boats and prices
| Cruise | Cabins | Oct-Apr | May-Sep | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renea | 11 | $132 | $130 | Cheapest, almost one price all year |
| Treasure Junk | 14 | $132 | $122 | Cheapest in low season |
| Swan | 18 | $135 | $135 | One price all year |
| Signature | 12 | $140 | $127 | Family cabins |
| Athena Royal | 22 | $150 | $140 | Balcony in every cabin |
| Dragon Pearl Junks | 10 | $165 | $155 | Small wooden junk |
| Cycad | 24 | $175 | $160 | Newest ship on the bay |
| Larissa | 28 | $197 | $197 | Balcony in every cabin |
All 10, ranked with downsides, are in the best Bai Tu Long Bay cruises.
Who should choose which
- First visit, want the famous sights: Halong Bay.
- Want quiet and authentic, not bothered about swimming: Bai Tu Long Bay.
- Lowest price: Halong Bay, from $102 (Annam Junk).
- Swimming and balcony cabins: neither; choose Lan Ha Bay.
- Photography and a slow pace: Bai Tu Long Bay; the floating village at sunrise is the highlight.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bai Tu Long Bay worth it?
Yes, if you want fewer boats and a floating village more than famous caves and swimming. It costs only a little more than Halong Bay: the middle 2-day price is $158 against $150.
Is Bai Tu Long Bay part of Halong Bay?
It is the northeast extension of the same seascape in Quang Ninh province, with the same limestone islands, but it lies outside the core zone where most Halong cruises go, which is why it has far fewer boats.
How do I get to Bai Tu Long Bay from Hanoi?
By road to Halong International Port on the Hon Gai side, about 3 hours. With us the shuttle is $35 to $40 per person return depending on the boat. See Hanoi to Halong Bay transfers.
Can you swim in Bai Tu Long Bay?
The water is fine for swimming, but only 2 of the 10 boats we sell plan a swimming stop. Most offer kayaking instead. If swimming matters, ask us before booking or choose a Lan Ha boat.
Book with Ava Travel
See every boat with real cabin photos and the price for your date on Bai Tu Long Bay cruises and all Halong Bay cruises. Pay securely online and we confirm your cabin and Hanoi pickup within one hour. Questions? WhatsApp +84 904 251 545.
