Ha Long Bay vs Hanoi: which to choose?
Side by side for the month you pick: real weather, how good a time it is, holidays and festivals, rough costs and getting there.
Ha Long BayPhoto: Marina Lobato / Unsplash
HanoiPhoto: BehindTheTmuna / UnsplashThat month: November
Ha Long Bay
Goodpleasant and dryHanoi
Best timeWeather
Ha Long Bay
25° / 20° · 45 mm rainHanoi
26° / 19° · 60 mm rainHolidays & festivals
Ha Long Bay
- Vietnam Culture Day Nov 24
Hanoi
- Vietnam Culture Day Nov 24
Getting there
Ha Long Bay
Pick where you fly fromHanoi
Pick where you fly fromRough daily cost
Ha Long Bay
$25 budget · $60 mid-rangeHanoi
$25 budget · $60 mid-rangeOur homestays
Ha Long Bay
None here yetHanoi
None here yetBest time to visit
Ha Long Bay
Visit from October to December for cooler, drier weather and fewer crowds. Avoid the heavy rains and heat of summer. Spring is warm with occasional showers, while summer is hot and wet with monsoon rains.Hanoi
October to December offers mild temperatures and less rain, ideal for sightseeing. Avoid heavy rains and heat from May to September. Spring is warm with occasional showers.Top things to do
Ha Long Bay
Cruise Ha Long Bay · Sung Sot Cave · Ti Top IslandHanoi
Old Quarter · Hoan Kiem Lake · Temple of LiteratureFood to try
Ha Long Bay
Seafood on the boats · Bánh cuốn · Chả mựcHanoi
Pho · Bun Cha · Cha CaRough daily costs are AI estimates per person, in US dollars, for a place to stay, food and getting around. Flight times are rough: worked out from the straight-line distance, for a non-stop flight. Average daily high and monthly rain over the last ten years, from weather records by Open-Meteo