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Private Halong Bay Tour – Customize Your Own Itinerary

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Overview

This Private Halong Bay Tour allows you to build a custom itinerary across one of Vietnam’s most famous landscapes. Set your own pace as you choose between viewpoints, coastal caves, island beaches, or a cruise route that matches your preferences. Whether you want relaxed sightseeing or a more active day with light outdoor options, the schedule is flexible. You can also add a local guide or car with driver if needed, making it easy to tailor the experience to your travel style.

Highlights

  • Design your own route around islands, viewpoints, or quiet coastal areas
  • Choose between beaches, limestone caves, or scenic lookouts
  • Explore Halong Bay’s landscapes at a relaxed or active pace
  • Flexible timing — from short excursions to multi-day plans
  • Customize your day with nature, photography spots, or gentle activities

Customize every part of your trip

Private Guide

Add a knowledgeable English-speaking guide for deeper insights and local expertise.

Experiences & Themes

Shape your day around food, culture, photography, nature, history, or local life.

Pace & Style

Keep it relaxed, active, or somewhere in between — you decide how the day flows.

Duration

Plan anything from a short half-day trip to a full multi-day journey.

Travel Area

Explore one town, several key districts, or an entire region at your own pace.

Transport Options

Choose how you want to get around — from a private car with driver to motorbike or on foot.

1. Personal Details

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2. Travel Group

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Adults / Teens / Kids

3. Trip Timing

Date or date range
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Example: 3 hours, half-day, full day, 2 days, 3 days…

4. Optional Services

Do you need a private car with driver?
Do you want an English-speaking guide?

5. Your Plan & Wishes

Tell us what you want to see or do, how you travel, and what kind of experience you’re looking for. If you’re not sure yet, just share a few ideas about the type of traveler you are — we’ll help design a custom itinerary that suits you.
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How it works

1. Send Your Request

Tell us your dates, wishes, and any ideas you already have.

2. Get Your Proposal

We create a custom itinerary and adjust it based on your feedback.

3. Confirm Your Trip

Once everything fits your plans, you receive the final program and payment details.

4. Enjoy a Stress-Free Experience

Your private guide/driver meets you at the arranged time and your trip begins.

Vietnamese Travel Agency

Book directly with a local Vietnamese travel agency

Secure payment

Safe payment via well-known payment gatewaysy

Local Support

Local team in Vietnam for questions and on-site assistance

Highly rated

Boek direct bij een lokaal Vietnamees reisbureau zonder tussenpersoon

What you can add to your itinerary

These are popular sights and activities you can include in your custom itinerary. You’re free to choose any combination or create something completely different.

Enjoy a Private Cruise on Halong Bay

A private cruise gives you full control over your schedule, allowing you to choose quieter areas, swimming spots, and kayaking routes. It’s a good option if you want more privacy and a personalized experience during your Private Halong Bay Tour.

A cruise boat in Halong Bay passing islands and rocks, one of the best things to do in Vietnam.

Choose a Recommended Shared Cruise

If you prefer a shared cruise, there are comfortable day and overnight options that cover classic viewpoints and limestone formations. This works well for travelers who want a smooth, well-organized experience without needing a fully private boat.

Explore Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay is a quieter extension of the karst landscape, with calm waters and fewer tourist boats. It’s ideal if you want kayaking, small beaches, and a more peaceful atmosphere.

Renea Cruise in Bai tu Long Bay

Visit the Bai Tu Long Bay Area

Bai Tu Long offers wider open spaces, fishing villages, and more remote scenery. It’s a strong alternative to central Halong Bay if you prefer a less crowded route.

Cat Ba Island

Add a Visit to Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba gives you access to beaches, viewpoints, national park hikes, and small villages. You can easily combine a night on the island with a cruise or use it as your starting point.

Combine Halong Bay Seamlessly with Other Destinations

Halong Bay connects naturally with Ninh Binh, Hanoi, and northern routes toward Sapa or Ha Giang. It’s a practical way to build a smooth, multi-stop custom itinerary with a private driver.

Need inspiration?

Included / Excluded

  • Trip planning: We design a custom itinerary based on your wishes and adjust it with you until it feels right.
  • Transportation: We can arrange a private car with driver, transfers, or other transport as needed; all options and costs are clearly listed in your proposal.
  • Guides: English-speaking local guides can be added for full days or specific activities, depending on how much guidance you want.
  • Accommodation: For multi-day trips, we normally include selected hotels or homestays in the package, unless you prefer to book your own stays.
  • Meals & drinks: Some custom tours include set meals, others leave restaurant choices flexible; we always specify what is and isn’t included.
  • Tickets & activities: Key entrance fees and activities can be built into the package, and anything paid on the spot will be clearly mentioned in advance.
  • Support: You receive clear documentation of inclusions and friendly support from Local Vietnam by email and WhatsApp before and during your trip.

Tour information

  • Halong Bay has a mix of cool winters and warm, humid summers, with the most comfortable cruising conditions from October to April. Winter months offer clear visibility, calm seas and mild temperatures, although it can feel chilly on deck. From May to September, higher humidity and occasional tropical weather can affect cruise schedules, but the landscape is at its greenest. Summer is also busier with domestic travelers, especially on weekends. For custom itineraries, the cooler months generally provide the most stable sailing conditions.
  • Any meals included in your private Halong Bay tour can be adjusted to vegetarian, vegan or allergy-related dietary requirements when requested in advance.
  • Cruise options, day boats and private charter services in Halong Bay depend on availability, particularly during peak travel seasons and public holidays.
  • All cancellation conditions for Local Vietnam apply; you can read the full policy on our cancellation policy page.

FAQ

What can I expect from a Private Halong Bay tour?
A Private Halong Bay tour gives you full flexibility to choose between a private day cruise, a classic overnight option, or a customised route including bays like Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long. You decide the pace and the type of scenery or activities you want without following a fixed cruise program.
We have years of experience with Halong, Lan Ha, and Bai Tu Long cruises and know which routes feel quieter, more scenic, or better suited to your interests. Our team combines international travel backgrounds with deep on-the-ground knowledge, giving you honest advice about cruise quality, timing, and alternatives. We help you build a personalised trip instead of choosing blindly from dozens of similar-looking options.
A cruise is the best and most complete way to see Halong Bay because the limestone islands can only be viewed properly from the water. The only real alternative is exploring Cat Ba Island, where you can hike in the national park and enjoy viewpoints overlooking the bay. If you prefer a land-based option, we can design a private Cat Ba itinerary with ferries, viewpoints, and nature trails.
Yes for private cruises, as long as the weather, tide, and safety rules allow adjustments. Small changes such as staying longer at viewpoints or skipping activities are usually fine, while bigger changes depend on the boat schedule and route. Your crew or guide will explain what is possible on the day.
Yes — all are beautiful, but each offers a different atmosphere. Halong Bay is the most famous, Lan Ha is quieter and often used for kayaking, and Bai Tu Long feels the most remote. Your private tour can focus on one bay or combine two, depending on the cruise or itinerary you choose.
Yes, Cat Ba Island is the main land-based way to experience the area. You can reach the island by ferry and explore viewpoints, beaches, and the national park with a private guide. It’s not a substitute for being on the water, but it’s a great alternative for travelers who prefer land activities or want to combine both.
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