For A Less Touristy Ha Long Bay Cruise Pick Bai Tu Long Bay

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If James Bond can sail through the emerald seas and towering cliffs of Ha Long Bay then so can we. This famous landscape, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, has long been popular with travellers. But the more we researched the more we heard that maybe it’s become a little too popular?

Thankfully, we found an alternative, a less touristy Ha Long Bay.  Bai Tu Long Bay is a hidden gem, offering the same stunning landscapes but with a more peaceful, more relaxed atmosphere.

Why We Chose The Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise

Ha Long Bay was always on our agenda; it would be impossible to spend two months in Vietnam without seeing the famous seascape up close. However, we read of over-crowded seas and pollution and we reconsidered.  We didn’t enjoy our time on Nusa Penida in Indonesia for exactly the same reasons; that island was also oversaturated with visitors.  

Then we discovered Bai Tu Long Bay and it seemed a perfect fit. We could cruise a less touristy version of Ha Long, offering a more pristine sea and far fewer visitors. 

What Is Special About Ha Long Bay And Bai Tu Long Bay?

Ha Long Bay is renowned for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands, called karsts. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the dramatic scenery, combined with its rich history and many legends (and more than a few movie appearances) has made the area famous.

Millions of years of erosion sculpted this dramatic landscape, creating caves, beaches, and hidden lagoons.  Visitors flock here for the experience of sailing through waters and seeing some of the more famous sites like Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island and the ethnic floating fishing villages.

Ha Long Bay Vs Bai Tu Long Bay : What’s The Difference?

While Ha Long Bay receives the lion’s share of attention, Bai Tu Long Bay offers a really good less touristy alternative.  Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay are both stunning destinations and whilst they share similarities, there are a few differences which could influence your choices.

They are both technically part of the same body of water.  Bai Tu Long is smaller but shares the same karst landscape.   For us the scenery was just breath-taking, and all that we hoped it would be.   Honestly, I wouldn’t have known the difference between the two bays. 

1. Location And Size

 2. Crowds And Tourism

 3. Scenery And Activities

 4. Environmental Impact

5. Cost And Accessibility

Where Is Bai Tu Long Bay Compared To Ha Long Bay?

Bai Tu Long Bay is found in north-eastern Vietnam, northeast of the more famous Ha Long Bay. Geographically, it stretches from the eastern part of Ha Long Bay all the way to the Chinese border. 

It is accessed from the coastal city of Ha Long, which is the gateway to Ha Long Bay cruises too. Both are approximately a 2 hour drive from Hanoi and all cruises leave from here.

Is Bai Tu Long Bay Still A UNESCO World Heritage Site?

No, only a core area of Ha Long Bay holds the UNESCO designation. However, Bai Tu Long Bay shares the same geological formations.  Whilst not officially part of the UNESCO World Heritage designation, it is considered an extension of the Ha Long Bay complex.

This means it shares the same geological and ecological features, offering visitors a similar experience albeit, a little more off-the-beaten-path.

Is Bai Tu Long Bay Less Crowded Or Cleaner Than Ha Long Bay?

Absolutely. One of the main reasons we chose Bai Tu Long was its reputation for being less crowded. During our cruise, we often found ourselves in secluded spots, with only a handful of other boats in sight.

Bai Tu Long Bay is also said to be notably cleaner.  We can’t compare but with fewer tourists there’s less chance for pollution in the water. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts by local authorities and cruise operators to maintain the bay’s cleanliness and protect its natural environment.  

As we boarded our ship, it was made clear that plastic was not allowed on board and plastic bottles had to go in the bin.  We never spotted rubbish floating, and after reading so much we did make a point of looking. 

Our 2-Day Bai Tu Long Cruise 

We booked a 2-Day Bai Tu Long Cruise and it was everything and more than we expected.

However, we knew that we wanted a quieter experience and we switched to Bai Tu Long.  We chose Signature because of their excellent reviews and we liked the smaller boat.  For the price, the cruise offered a lot and I was a little sceptical but honestly it was excellent and we had no complaints.

How Much Is A Bai Tu Long Cruise?

Our cruise cost a total 280€ (140€ each).  This was fully inclusive except for the transport from Hanoi which was extra.  We paid 20€ each for the journey from Hanoi is a VIP Mini-bus.

If you are looking at one of the more luxurious cruises, expect to pay around 500€ for 2 people for 2 nights.

What’s Included In The Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise?

Our cruise included everything; from the moment we arrived at the port. 

Top Tip : Check the small print of other tours to ensure that there are no hidden costs for additional activities. Some of the lower headline prices end up costing more with those extras added. 

We were greeted from the bus and taken to the port boarding area.  Everything was very well organised and coffee was available.  From the get-go things felt easy and professional and we quickly realised it was going to be great.

Facilities On Board

Your luggage is labelled and taken ahead of you.  From the port, you board a smaller vessel, which docks beside the ship and you board via a ramp.  It’s easy and presents no difficulties but it’s not wheelchair accessible (and the company do acknowledge this).

Our first impressions were great.  We had in our mind something more akin to our cruise around Flores in Indonesia, so we were suitably impressed but the scale of this boat.  Everything was bigger and better than we had expected.

We were allocated our cabin and our luggage was waiting for us.  The room was fabulous; exactly like the photos.  Very light, huge windows, amazing views, big comfortable bed, comfortable chairs and an impressive balcony with plenty of room to sit and enjoy the views.  The bathroom was equally impressive, very clean and with the jacuzzi bath with its own view of the glorious bay.

Upstairs we found the dining room and bar and beyond wide terraces for sitting outdoors.  From there, steps led to the top sundeck with sun loungers; although it was a tad chilly for sun bathing in March.

Despite being smaller than some of the boats in Ha Long Bay, it never felt cramped. The facilities were clean and well-maintained and the staff went above and beyond to ensure our comfort.

Our Bai Tu Long Voyage : What Did We See and Do?

Day 1

You’ll arrive, settle in your cabin, meet for a welcome drink and it will be lunchtime.

I had requested gluten free (and vegetarian) and as well as the full buffet, I was served a huge plate of food that I could never eat alone.  Trust us, you won’t go hungry on this cruise. 

Top Tip : You need to give at least 3 days notice for special dietary requests.  I noted when we booked and sent another message a week before we set sail and this was acknowledged.

After lunch we transferred to the tender for our visit to the Vung Vieng floating fishing village.  You can choose to explore alone in a kayak or be transported in a bamboo boat; we chose the latter.  For an hour you’ll slowly meander around this stunning landscape whilst the cruise manager explains what we’re seeing.

We stopped at a pearl farm en-route and had a demonstration on how oysters are fertilised to create pearls.  There is a shop but zero obligation to buy, and regardless it was very interesting to watch and see how they use the pearls in their jewellery.

Dinner was at 7pm but beforehand you could attend a cooking class; we opted to sit on the balcony to catch the sunset.

After dinner we join in the fun, night squid fishing with the crew and fellow passengers.  We didn’t catch a squid but had a great time chatting and doing a spot of star gazing.

Day 2

The day starts early but we caught the sunrise from our balcony.  The tenders arrived at 8:00am and whisked us off for a visit to Thien Canh Son cave. It couldn’t match the glory of Paradise Cave in Phong Nha but it was a great to be able to land and climb up one of these famous Karsts.  After the cave, there was time to explore the tiny island and beach before heading back to the ship.

Brunch was waiting for us upon our return and we ate whilst cruising back through Ha Long Bay to the pier.  Our bags were taken off ahead of us and we docked around midday.  We’d only been gone 24 hours but it felt like 2 or 3 days.  

How Was The Food On Board?

The food on board was excellent.  There was a choice of Vietnamese and international dishes, all made with fresh ingredients by the onboard chef.

I opted to go vegetarian and of course Gluten Free. The chef was amazing and the server was fully aware of gluten.  She explained what I could eat from the buffet and I was also given a freshly cooked plate of other gluten free goodies.   Again, there was a lot of food and I don’t believe anyone would go hungry on this trip.

Soft drinks were included but if you wished, you could purchase alcohol at the bar.

How Big Are The Cruise Ships?

Our Signature Cruise ship felt spacious but never busy; there is room for 24 passengers although on our trip there were only 18 on board. 

There were only 12 cabins, which certainly made the journey feel more like a small private cruise than a large group tour.  And being small, we were able to get to know the other passengers.

How Many Nights Do You Need For A Bai Tu Long Cruise?

You have a choice of 1, 2 or 3 day cruises in Ha Long Bay.  If you wish to visit Bai Tu Long, your only choice is either a 2 or 3 day trip. 

We bounced around the idea of three days but with hindsight, two days seemed about right.  We were only onboard for 24 hours but it felt much longer and we saw a great deal in that time.

We enjoyed the seascape, saw the amazing limestone karsts, and got to explore the ethnic floating villages.  We never felt rushed and two days is pretty much spot on. 

Best Time Of Year To Take A Cruise

The best time to visit Bai Tu Long Bay is from October to April when the weather is cooler and drier. We visited in March and whilst it wasn’t cold, it was a little misty at times, although we never had rain.

How To Get To Ha Long From Hanoi?

All cruises leave from Ha Long; a seaside resort in its own right.  Most people travel from Hanoi but it’s possible to travel from other locations in North Vietnam.  If your cruise can’t arrange your transfer, checkout the buses and trains on 12Go.  We used the VIP buses across Vietnam and all booked on 12Go.

We took the VIP shuttle arranged by our cruise but as we planned to stay a few extra nights in Ha Long we booked our own return transport with 12Go.

Ha Long is such a popular destination that there are many buses and private transfer options available. Expect the journey to be just over 2 hours (maybe longer with extra pick-ups).

The Bottom Line : Is Bai Tu Long Bay Worth Visiting?

We changed our minds a few times when booking our cruise. My FOMO definitely played a part but ultimately we decided we wanted to do was see the limestone karsts and sail in the emerald waters; the rest was just a bonus.  We kept our expectations in check but were blown away by how great this cruise actually was.

Bai Tu Long Bay does offers a quieter, cleaner but no less stunning experience.  As bystanders on a first visit, we had no idea if we were in Ha long or Bai Tu; they really do look the same. 

Bai Tu Long definitely offers a less touristy experience to Ha Long Bay and our two days were magical. We have no problems recommending our cruise for anyone planning a trip to this beautiful part of the world.

Our 2 day cruise was perfect, exceptionally good value and we could not have asked for more and we loved the quieter environment with only a handful of other boats in sight.  A very special trip and up their with our Ha Giang Loop Tour in terms of stunning landscapes and a very different experience to our Mekong Delta tour. Don’t hesitate; skip the crowds and book the 2 day Hai Tu Long cruise!

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