Get to know the best time to cruise Halong Bay, including key events and festival, peak and off-peak seasons, weather and cruise price, cool things to do, nationality of cruise passengers.

Celebrations

Celebrations are wonderful occasions for you to cruise on Halong Bay for its lively atmosphere and festive decoration. The most important event must be Tết (Vietnamese New Year) taking place around Jan/Feb. You will experience a very different version of Vietnam in general and Halong in specific. Though Christmas is not a national holiday, Halong is still lightened with Christmas decorations and totally worths a visit. Some other national holidays when Halong will be packed with tourists like 30th April & 1st May ( Liberation Day & International Labour Day) and 2nd September (Independence Day). Another key event on Halong Bay is Halong Carnival - an annual street festival at the end of April/start of May. This popular destination will offer tourists a wide range of activities and entertainment.

Travel season

There are two peak seasons on Halong Bay: June & July for local and Asian travellers and December to February for tourists from frigid and temperate zone. The first peak season is the summer holiday in Vietnam and children often have 3 months off school. It's a busy time of the year when families take time out of their hectic lives to spend quality time together. On the second peak season, after the heat and humidity of the summer, the cooler temperatures - usually between 15^oC to 23^oC - are ideal for sightseeing and touristic activities. Typically, Halong Bay attracts tourists from Europe, America and other countries experiencing cold winters. If you are considering visiting Halong Bay during the second peak season, you should note that prices are generally 10 to 20% higher than the off-peak season, although you can still grab a bargain. Availability may be an issue, so book your cruise early to secure a slot  in accordance to your preference with the best price.

Temperatures in the first off-peak season, which are April & May, ranges from between 22^oC to over 32^oC, humidity is around 70%. With an average of ten hours of sunshine, water activities - like fishing, kayaking, diving and swimming - are an ideal respite from the heat. The second one lasts from August to October when it is fall and the weather turns cooler. This time of year usually attracts visitors from Europe, USA as well as other Asian countries like Japan, Korea, Singapore. During this time, cruises have lowest number of guests, which also means that popular tourist spots are less crowded and much more enjoyable. Travelling to Halong Bay at this time will guarantee you the best price, particularly if you cruise between August and October. You should be aware that August is monsoon time, choose a flexible rate so you can change your departure date if necessary.

Weather

Ha Long Bay has tropical monsoon and coastal climate, weather varies in 4 different seasons. Spring lasts only two months March & April yet it is the most beautiful season with cool to warm weather. Summer lasts from May to August with glorious shades of blue sky and emerald water which is perfect for cruising islands. During Fall - September & October, colours are soft like honey, shadows long and the atmosphere serene. The 4 remaining months is Winter and is suitable for low pace travelers who enjoy cooler atmosphere and the magical and mystical beauty of Ha Long Bay. May to June and August to September are rainy periods of the year.

No matter which period of time you choose to cruise on Halong Bay, you will surely be amazed with the beauty of this World Heritage.