Hai Phong To Ha Long: The 2026 "Insider Shortcut" Guide For A Seamless Journey

Choosing Hai Phong as your entry point to Ha Long Bay is the “insider’s secret” for 2026. While most travelers endure the 3-hour drive from Hanoi, arriving via Hai Phong cuts your travel time to just 60 – 90 minutes, allowing you to spend more time on the water and less on the road. At Vietnamstory, we specialize in coordinating these seamless “shortcut” transfers for Indian families and luxury travelers. This guide covers everything from the budget-friendly local bus to the door-to-port private limousine.

The route from Hai Phong to Ha Long Bay offers a captivating journey across scenic landscapes.

The Incredible Route: The CT06 Expressway & The “Bridge of Heroes”

The 75km journey from Hải Phòng to Hạ Long via the modern CT06 Expressway is more than just a road; it is a beautiful and scenic path that takes you through a landscape rich in Vietnamese history. The highlight of your journey will be crossing one of Vietnam’s most iconic and beautiful cable-stayed bridges.

As you travel, you will cross this magnificent bridge. Vietnamstory.in wants you to look closely at the three main pillars of the bridge. They are not just for support, they are a powerful symbol, designed to represent the three historic and heroic naval victories that our nation won on the Bach Dang River in the years 938, 981, and 1288 AD. It is a beautiful tribute to our history.

The journey is incredibly fast. A private car will take only about 60 minutes, while a bus will take about 90 minutes. There is a toll for using this modern expressway, usually between 50,000 to 150,000 VND. When you book a private transfer with Vietnam Story, this toll is always included in your fixed price.

Your Transport Matrix: Choosing the Best Way to Travel

You have several excellent and comfortable options for this short journey. Your choice will depend on your group size, your budget, and your preference for privacy. Let’s compare your best modes of transport.

Mode	Duration	Cost (VND)	Top Providers	Best For…
Luxury Limousine Van	75 minutes	150,000 – 300,000 per person	Hoang Phu, VIP Limousine	Solo travelers and couples seeking a comfortable, business-class-style shared ride.
Private SUV/MPV	60 minutes	1,000,000 – 1,500,000 per car	Vietnam Story	This is my top recommendation for families, especially those with 4 or more bags.
Standard Bus	1.5 – 2 hours	50,000 – 130,000 per person	Phuc Xuyen, Minh Hieu	Budget backpackers who are traveling light and are not in a hurry.
Grab / Taxi	60 minutes	900,000 – 1,200,000 per car	Mai Linh, Vinasun	Good for last-minute flexibility, but a pre-booked car is often more reliable.

Booking tip for 2026: We highly recommend you book your transport 1-2 days in advance, either through a reliable app like 12Go.asia or directly through your cruise operator. This allows you to secure the comfortable “VIP” seats in a limousine van, which offer much better legroom.

The Cat Bi Airport (HPH) Shortcut: The Smartest Way to Arrive

If you are flying into Northern Vietnam from another city like Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City, then landing at Hai Phong’s Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) is your best and most strategic hub. This is the smartest way to connect your domestic flight directly to your cruise.

The Cat Bi airport is modern and very easy to navigate. It even features a dedicated Limousine Counter right inside the arrivals terminal, where you can book your shuttle on the spot. The shuttle services from the airport run every 30–60 minutes and will take you directly to the Tuan Chau Port, which is the main cruise hub in Ha Long.

To comfortably catch a 12:00 PM cruise departure, your flight should land at Cat Bi Airport no later than 10:00 AM. This will give you enough time to collect your luggage and make the comfortable 45-minute transfer to the port without any stress.

The Scenic Detour: Taking the Ferry via Cat Ba Island

For my travelers who are not in a rush and want to have a beautiful “mini-cruise” before their actual cruise begins, there is a wonderfully scenic detour you can take. This route turns your transfer into a beautiful sightseeing experience.

From Hai Phong, you can take a taxi to the new Dong Bai Ferry Terminal. This modern terminal, which replaced the old Got Pier in 2024, has 2.5 times the capacity and has ferries that run every 30 minutes. You will take a short ferry to Cai Vieng, then enjoy a beautiful drive across the lush Cat Ba National Park, and finally take a second ferry from Gia Luan Port to the Tuan Chau Port in Ha Long.

The entire journey will take about 3 hours. But why is it worth it? For just a few extra dollars, you get a stunning preview of the magnificent limestone karst towers of Lan Hạ Bay.

The Vietnamstory Advantage: A Special Touch for Indian Families

At Vietnam Story, we understand that the transfer from the airport to the cruise is often where the most “travel stress” can happen, especially for families. We have designed our services to solve these specific challenges. We focus on the small details that make a big difference for our Indian guests.

The “Luggage-First” Vehicle: We know that Indian families often travel with 2-3 large suitcases per person. That is why we skip the standard sedans and always use larger, more comfortable vehicles like a Toyota Fortuner or a Ford Everest. This ensures that there is plenty of room for both your family and all of your luggage, for a truly comfortable fit.
Vegetarian/Jain Pit-Stops: The new expressway has several modern and clean rest stops. Our professional drivers know exactly where to find the ones with the best, clean facilities and where you can get fresh fruit, coconut water, and other snacks that meet your dietary requirements.
The Ganesh Connection: If you have some extra time in Hai Phong before your transfer, we can even arrange for a delicious and comforting meal at the Ganesh Indian Restaurant on Van Cao Street, allowing you to start your cruise journey with a wonderful taste of home.

The Key Arrival Hubs in Ha Long: Where Your Journey Ends

It is very important to know where your cruise departs from, as Ha Long has two main international ports. Knowing your drop-off point is crucial for a smooth check-in.

Tuan Chau International Marina: This is the most famous and primary port for most of the 5-star luxury overnight cruises, such as the Ambassador Cruise and the Heritage Cruise.
Halong International Cruise Port (also known as the Sun Group Port): This is a newer, very modern port located in the Bai Chay area, very close to the Sun World Theme Park and the Night Market. It is used by many of the newest luxury cruise fleets.
Bai Chay Bus Station: This is the final stop for the local buses. From here, you will need to take a short, 10-minute taxi ride to reach the cruise ports.

Your 2026 Logistics & Frequently Asked Questions

Practical tips for Indian travelers in Tuan Chau International Port

Here are the final details to ensure your journey is perfect. Let’s answer your most common practical questions.

Is Grab reliable for this route? Yes, Grab is reliable, but please be aware that the prices can spike significantly during periods of rain or during the peak flight arrival times. A pre-booked private car offers you a fixed price and complete peace of mind.
Are there “Mussala” (Prayer) rooms available? While prayer rooms are rare on the highway itself, we at Vietnam Story can coordinate with our drivers to make a stop at specific hotels or community centers in either Hai Phong or Ha Long that can offer a quiet and clean space for prayer.
Is the expressway safe to travel on at night? Yes, the CT06 expressway is a modern and very safe road. It is well-lit and is monitored by 24/7 traffic cameras.

Conclusion

The choice to travel from Hai Phong to Ha Long is more than just a shortcut, it is the choice of a smart and modern traveler. It is about valuing your precious holiday time and choosing the most efficient, comfortable, and scenic path to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. By starting your journey in Hải Phòng, you are making a strategic decision that allows you to begin your luxurious cruise experience faster, feeling more relaxed and less fatigued from a long road trip.

At Vietnamstory, we celebrate and support these smart travel decisions. Let us handle all the logistics of this “insider shortcut” for you, from your airport pickup to your seamless port drop-off. Contact us today, and let’s start planning a journey that is as intelligent as it is incredible.