halongbaycruise.infoIndependent cruise guide, Vietnam

safety

Is Halong Bay safe? Check the operator, read the advice

Is Halong Bay safe to visit? The US and Australian governments keep Vietnam at their lowest advice level, the UK FCDO advises against travel to no part of the country, and none of the three warns against Halong Bay (Vịnh Hạ Long). For a cruise, the question is the operator and the boat: check the company's license in the national tourism database, get the boat's name and QN registration number in writing, and keep the board's hotline for complaints.

  • UK FCDOAdvises against travel to no part of VietnamUpdated 21 September 2026
  • US State DepartmentLevel 1: Exercise Normal PrecautionsDated 24 June 2026
  • SmartravellerExercise normal safety precautions (level 1 of 4)Updated 24 September 2026

The advice is not blank on boats. Before an overnight trip on Halong Bay, the UK FCDO advises travelers to consider safety standards carefully. The four-step check below turns that into things you can look up before you pay for a Halong Bay cruise.

Written by Updated

Overnight cruise boats at anchor in Halong Bay
A cruise boat and tender close to a limestone island in Halong Bay.Photo: Shyamal L. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

before you pay

Check the operator and the boat

Four steps, each with what to look for. Print it or keep it on your phone; the numbers are the ones you would need on the day.

Halong Bay operator check four steps before you pay

  1. Find the travel company's license

    Open the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism database at quanlyluhanh.vn. Search by company name or license number; you can narrow it by province (Quang Ninh for Halong Bay, Hai Phong for Cat Ba) and by scope.

    A valid entry shows the company, its license number and its scope. International licenses listed for Quang Ninh companies have numbers beginning 22-. The database lists 210 companies licensed in Quang Ninh (14 November 2026). The same database publishes licence revocations and lists of companies with violations, so look there too.

    Company found, license scope covers foreign visitors

  2. Get the boat's name and registration in writing

    Ask the seller for the boat's name and its QN registration number, in writing. The UK FCDO advises checking the boat's safety record, registration and the staff's certification with the guide; the US State Department advises making sure the boat is properly registered and follows Vietnamese maritime law.

    The Ha Long Bay Management Board shows a few overnight boats on its boat list, each with its QN registration number, home port, phone and capacity: 8 boats on 14 November 2026. It is a showcase, not a full register, so a boat missing from it is not proof of anything.

    Boat name and registration number in writing

  3. Know what the deposit is, and is not

    A company licensed for inbound travel (foreign visitors to Vietnam) must hold a bank deposit of VND 250,000,000, as the authority's procedure page states; outbound or both, VND 500,000,000. A domestic tour operator holds VND 100,000,000.

    The deposit is held for the license. It is not a fund that refunds canceled cruises. The company may draw on it for a tourist's emergency return or treatment it cannot pay in time, and after a license is revoked it is released only if no complaint about obligations to tourists arrives within 20 days.

    Cancellation terms read and saved (see storm cancellations)

  4. Know where to complain

    First the seller: for refunds or changes, the UK FCDO advises travelers to contact their travel provider. On Halong Bay, the Ha Long Bay Management Board lists:

    • Hotline 0812488111
    • Information line 02033821299
    • Office 166 Le Thanh Tong, Hong Gai ward, Quang Ninh province, +84 203 3824867

    Numbers saved in your phone

Government advice for Vietnam

UK FCDO
Advises against travel to no part of Vietnam. Updated 21 September 2026
US State Department
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Dated 24 June 2026
Australia, Smartraveller
Exercise normal safety precautions (level 1 of 4). Updated 24 September 2026

Emergency numbers

  • Ambulance 115
  • Police 113
  • Fire 114
  • Search and rescue 112
  • Bay rescue center 02033622761

The national lines answer in Vietnamese only, as the FCDO states. The bay rescue center is the Ha Long Bay Management Board's monitoring, safety and search and rescue center. UK nationals can call the FCDO in London around the clock on +44 20 7008 5000.

Health advice

US CDC Vietnam page, reviewed 10 November 2026. UK TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) Vietnam page, current on 14 November 2026: recommended for most travelers, hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid. Details under health.

tour boats

On the boat: what the governments advise

UK FCDO

The FCDO states that transport and tour operators' safety and maintenance standards may not meet UK standards, and that overcrowding and poor safety standards have led to boat accidents in past years: some boats have sunk quickly and without warning. On any boat, check with the guide the boat's safety record, registration and the staff's certification, and have a full safety briefing and a life jacket. FCDO safety and security, updated 21 September 2026.

US State Department

The State Department states that the tourism industry in Vietnam is not well regulated and that safety inspections of equipment and facilities are rare. Boat travelers should make sure the boat is registered and follows Vietnamese maritime law. State Department Vietnam page, last updated 2 July 2026.

Australia, Smartraveller

Smartraveller states that boats, hydrofoils and ferries in Vietnam may not meet Australian safety standards and that vessels have sunk and people have died, including on Halong Bay. If proper safety equipment such as life jackets is missing on a tour or boat trip, it advises you to use another provider. Smartraveller Vietnam, updated 24 September 2026. Traveling with children, ask before you book whether the boat carries child-size life jackets.

What the provincial rules require

On Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh Decision 43/2024 tells the captain to inform passengers and move the boat to shelter when the weather becomes unsafe; the departure permit rests with the Inland Waterway Port Authority (Cảng vụ). On the Cat Ba bays, Hai Phong Decision 253/2025 says passengers on transfer (tender) boats must wear life jackets for the whole transfer. How the boats themselves are built and classed is on the Halong Bay junk boat page.

tickets

Tickets, touts and transfers

The Ha Long Bay Management Board advises visitors to buy tickets and boats only inside the passenger ports: do not hire boats from people outside the port. The UK FCDO states that illegal tour guides have been known to offer tours and activities that are prohibited under local regulations.

Getting to the pier: the FCDO warns that offers of free bus transfers to hotels not arranged in advance may be scams, and advises pre-arranged transport or official ride-hailing apps that supply licensed cabs, naming Grab or XanhSM.

Your passport: the FCDO states you must always carry photographic ID, and that the authorities accept a printed copy of the passport photo page and visa. It advises against handing over a passport as a deposit or guarantee, for example to motorbike rental shops or landlords.

The e-visa: Smartraveller warns that travelers have been scammed by private online visa services and travel agents and advises applying only through the Government of Vietnam's official website or offices. The US State Department says the same, and states that applications are usually processed within 3 to 5 working days. Look-alike visa sites charge more; the official route is on money and the e-visa.

Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay)
The Bai Chay cruise pier with a large cruise ship and tour boats alongside, from the cable car.Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

storm season

Storms and the storm season

Each government gives its own season, and they differ. The UK FCDO states the tropical storm season normally runs May to November and the rain season in northern Vietnam June to September. Smartraveller states the storm season is usually June to November. The US State Department states storms hit the central and northern coasts from June to December, with the worst typically in September to November. The FCDO advises being prepared to change plans at short notice.

When a storm is forecast, the port authority stops departure permits and boats stay in port. Each stop the bay board posted is in the Halong Bay cruise suspension log; what each booking site's listing says about your money is on storm cancellations.

crime

Crime and drinks

The US State Department advisory of 24 June 2026 states petty crime in Vietnam is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Smartraveller, updated 24 September 2026, names Cat Ba Island among the places in Vietnam where violent crime has occurred. State Department, Smartraveller.

The UK FCDO warns of deaths and serious illness in Vietnam from alcoholic drinks containing methanol. FCDO advice.

health

Health: what the health bodies advise

US CDC

Travelers' Health: Vietnam, reviewed 10 November 2026

  • Hepatitis A vaccine for travelers who are unvaccinated and 1 year old or older; hepatitis B for those unvaccinated, all ages.
  • Typhoid vaccine for most travelers.
  • Measles: all international travelers fully vaccinated with MMR vaccine.
  • Japanese encephalitis vaccine not recommended for short urban trips; recommended for stays in risk areas of a month or more.
  • Malaria occurs in rural areas only, none in Hanoi or Hai Phong; for the Red River Delta, chemoprophylaxis is not recommended (bite precautions only).
  • Yellow fever vaccine not recommended; as an entry requirement it is not required.
  • Dengue travel notice: Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions, updated 10 November 2026.
  • Rabies: infected dogs are sometimes found; vaccines after exposure are typically available throughout most of the country.
  • Sun protection with sunscreen of at least SPF 15.

UK TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC)

Vietnam country page, current on 14 November 2026

  • Recommended for most travelers: hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid.
  • For some travelers: chikungunya, dengue, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, measles, rabies, tuberculosis (BCG).
  • Japanese encephalitis occurs countrywide, year-round, with seasonal peaks May to October, especially in the north.
  • A risk of dengue and of Zika virus; for malaria in the listed rural areas, awareness of risk and bite avoidance.
  • Vaccination certificate requirements under the International Health Regulations: none.

Before and during the trip

The UK FCDO advises checking vaccine recommendations at least 8 weeks before the trip, and states some medicines are hard to find in Vietnam and many are fake. Smartraveller states medical care is generally below Australian standards and serious cases may need evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore, and lists insect-borne risks as dengue, Japanese encephalitis, malaria and zika.

questions

Questions about safety in Halong Bay

Is Halong Bay safe to visit?

The US and Australian governments keep Vietnam at their lowest advice level, and the UK FCDO advises against travel to no part of Vietnam. Their boat advice is the part to read: the FCDO advises considering safety standards carefully before an overnight trip, and Smartraveller says to use another provider if life jackets are missing.

How do I check that a Halong Bay cruise operator is licensed?

Search the company in the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism database, quanlyluhanh.vn, by name or license number, filtered by province. A valid entry shows the license number and scope. The database also lists revoked licenses and companies with violations. Then ask for the boat's name and registration number.

Where do I complain about a Halong Bay cruise?

Start with the company or booking site you paid, as the UK FCDO advises for refunds and changes. For problems on Halong Bay, the Ha Long Bay Management Board lists a hotline, an information line and its office in Hong Gai ward, Quang Ninh. The numbers are in the four-step check on this page.

Does the operator's deposit protect my booking?

No. A licensed travel company holds a bank deposit for its license, but it is not a fund that refunds canceled cruises. It may be drawn on for a tourist's emergency return or treatment, and complaints can hold its release after a license is revoked. Your refund depends on the listing's cancellation terms.

What are the emergency numbers in Halong Bay?

The UK FCDO lists ambulance 115, police 113, fire 114 and search and rescue 112, answered in Vietnamese only. The Ha Long Bay Management Board runs its own monitoring, safety and search and rescue center, whose number is in the check on this page. Your guide or the boat's crew can call for you.

Next: choose your cruise on the Halong Bay cruise chooser.

Sources

  1. Under Quang Ninh Decision 43/2024/QĐ-UBND, when weather becomes unsafe the captain must tell passengers and move the boat to shelter, and the decision to grant a port departure permit rests with the Inland Waterway Port Authority (Cảng vụ). Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, Decision 43/2024/QĐ-UBND of 8 Oct 2024 (in force 20 Oct 2024), Regulation on managing inland waterway vessels serving tourists on Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, 8 October 2024.
  2. Ha Long Bay Management Board advises visitors to buy tickets and boats only inside the passenger ports and not from touts on the road or outside the port do not hire boats from people outside the port. Ha Long Bay Management Board, 'Note when visiting Ha Long Bay', 6 September 2024.
  3. The Smartraveller (Australia) overall advice level for Vietnam is Exercise normal safety precautions (level 1 of 4). Australian Government DFAT, Smartraveller, Vietnam travel advice (updated 24 Sep 2026, still current 14 Nov 2026), 24 September 2026.
  4. Smartraveller states that boats, hydrofoils and ferries in Vietnam may not meet Australian safety standards and that vessels have sunk and people have died, including in Ha Long Bay. Australian Government DFAT, Smartraveller, Vietnam travel advice (updated 24 Sep 2026, still current 14 Nov 2026), 24 September 2026.
  5. Smartraveller advises that if proper safety equipment such as life jackets is not available on a tour or boat trip, travelers should use another provider. Australian Government DFAT, Smartraveller, Vietnam travel advice (updated 24 Sep 2026, still current 14 Nov 2026), 24 September 2026.
  6. Smartraveller states the storm season in Vietnam is usually June to November months. Australian Government DFAT, Smartraveller, Vietnam travel advice (updated 24 Sep 2026, still current 14 Nov 2026), 24 September 2026.
  7. Smartraveller warns that travelers have been scammed by private online visa services and travel agents and advises applying only through the Government of Vietnam's official website or offices. Australian Government DFAT, Smartraveller, Vietnam travel advice (updated 24 Sep 2026, still current 14 Nov 2026), 24 September 2026.
  8. Smartraveller lists among violent-crime hot spots in Vietnam Cat Ba Island, near Ha Long Bay. Australian Government DFAT, Smartraveller, Vietnam travel advice (updated 24 Sep 2026, still current 14 Nov 2026), 24 September 2026.
  9. Smartraveller states that medical care in Vietnam is generally below Australian standards and serious cases may need evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore. Australian Government DFAT, Smartraveller, Vietnam travel advice (updated 24 Sep 2026, still current 14 Nov 2026), 24 September 2026.
  10. Smartraveller lists insect-borne disease risks in Vietnam as dengue, Japanese encephalitis, malaria and zika diseases. Australian Government DFAT, Smartraveller, Vietnam travel advice (updated 24 Sep 2026, still current 14 Nov 2026), 24 September 2026.
  11. The US Department of State tells travelers to request a Vietnam E-visa only through the official Government of Vietnam website. US Department of State, Vietnam travel advisory and country information (page last updated 2 Jul 2026; advisory issued 24 Jun 2026), 2 July 2026.
  12. The US Department of State states that E-visa applications for Vietnam are usually processed within 3 to 5 working days. US Department of State, Vietnam travel advisory and country information (page last updated 2 Jul 2026; advisory issued 24 Jun 2026), 2 July 2026.
  13. The US Department of State states that the tourism industry in Vietnam is not well regulated and that safety inspections of equipment and facilities are rare. US Department of State, Vietnam travel advisory and country information (page last updated 2 Jul 2026; advisory issued 24 Jun 2026), 2 July 2026.
  14. The US Department of State advises boat travelers in Vietnam to make sure the boat is properly registered and follows Vietnamese maritime law. US Department of State, Vietnam travel advisory and country information (page last updated 2 Jul 2026; advisory issued 24 Jun 2026), 2 July 2026.
  15. The US Department of State states storms hit Vietnam's central and northern coasts from June to December, with the worst storms typically in September to November months. US Department of State, Vietnam travel advisory and country information (page last updated 2 Jul 2026; advisory issued 24 Jun 2026), 2 July 2026.
  16. Under Hai Phong Decision 253/2025/QĐ-UBND, passengers on transfer (tender) boats on the Cat Ba bays must wear life jackets for the whole transfer. Hai Phong City People's Committee, Decision 253/2025/QĐ-UBND (31 Dec 2025), Regulation on tourism and tourist boats on the Cat Ba bays, full text as reproduced by thuvienphapluat.vn, 31 December 2025.
  17. Decree 168/2017/NĐ-CP Art. 14 sets the bank deposit for a domestic tour operator at VND 100,000,000. Government of Vietnam, Decree 168/2017/NĐ-CP Art. 14 and Decree 94/2021/NĐ-CP, texts as reproduced by thuvienphapluat.vn, 31 December 2017.
  18. The UK FCDO Vietnam travel advice was last updated on 21 September 2026. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  19. The UK FCDO Vietnam travel advice advises against travel to no part of Vietnam. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  20. The UK FCDO advises travelers joining any boat in Vietnam to check with the tour guide the boat's safety record and registration and the staff's certification, and to have a full safety briefing and a life jacket. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  21. The UK FCDO advises travelers before taking an overnight boat trip on Halong Bay to consider safety standards carefully. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  22. The UK FCDO states that overcrowding and poor safety standards have led to boat accidents in past years and that some boats have sunk quickly and without warning. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  23. The UK FCDO states the tropical storm season in Vietnam normally runs May to November months. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  24. The UK FCDO states the rain season in northern Vietnam runs June to September months. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  25. The UK FCDO advises travelers in the storm season to be prepared to change travel plans at short notice. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  26. The UK FCDO states transport and tour operators' safety and maintenance standards in Vietnam may not meet UK standards. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  27. The UK FCDO states illegal tour guides have been known to offer tours and activities that are prohibited under local regulations. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  28. The UK FCDO warns that offers of free bus transfers to hotels not arranged in advance may be scams. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  29. The UK FCDO warns of deaths and serious illness in Vietnam from alcoholic drinks containing methanol. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  30. The UK FCDO advises using pre-arranged transport or official ride-hailing apps that supply licensed cabs, naming Grab or XanhSM. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  31. The US Department of State travel advisory level for Vietnam, dated 24 June 2026, is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. US Department of State, Travel Advisories RSS feed (Vietnam item), 24 June 2026.
  32. The US Department of State advisory (24 June 2026) states petty crime in Vietnam is common especially in popular tourist locations. US Department of State, Travel Advisories RSS feed (Vietnam item), 24 June 2026.
  33. The UK FCDO advises that for refunds or changes to travel plans, travelers should first contact their travel provider. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  34. The UK FCDO states travelers must always carry photographic ID and that the authorities accept a printed copy of the passport photo page and visa. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  35. The UK FCDO advises not to hand over a passport as a deposit or guarantee, for example to motorbike rental shops or landlords. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  36. The UK FCDO lists the emergency number for an ambulance in Vietnam as 115. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  37. The UK FCDO lists the emergency number for the police in Vietnam as 113. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  38. The UK FCDO lists the emergency number for fire in Vietnam as 114. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  39. The UK FCDO lists the national search and rescue number in Vietnam as 112. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  40. The UK FCDO states emergency numbers in Vietnam are operated in Vietnamese only. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  41. The UK FCDO 24-hour London number for urgent help when something has happened to someone abroad is +44 20 7008 5000. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  42. The US CDC Vietnam page was last reviewed on 10 November 2026. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health: Vietnam (traveler view), 10 November 2026.
  43. The US CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccine for travelers to Vietnam who are unvaccinated and 1 year old or older vaccine. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health: Vietnam (traveler view), 10 November 2026.
  44. The US CDC recommends hepatitis B vaccine for travelers to Vietnam who are unvaccinated, all ages vaccine. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health: Vietnam (traveler view), 10 November 2026.
  45. The US CDC recommends typhoid vaccine for travelers to Vietnam: most travelers vaccine. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health: Vietnam (traveler view), 10 November 2026.
  46. The US CDC states yellow fever vaccine for Vietnam is not recommended and, as a country entry requirement, is not required vaccine. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health: Vietnam (traveler view), 10 November 2026.
  47. The US CDC states Japanese encephalitis vaccine is not recommended for short-term travel to urban areas and is recommended for stays in risk areas of a month or more vaccine. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health: Vietnam (traveler view), 10 November 2026.
  48. The US CDC states malaria in Vietnam occurs in rural areas only and that there is none in the cities of Hanoi and Hai Phong; for the Red River Delta, chemoprophylaxis is not recommended (bite precautions only) malaria. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health: Vietnam (traveler view), 10 November 2026.
  49. The US CDC states all international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with MMR vaccine. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health: Vietnam (traveler view), 10 November 2026.
  50. The US CDC global dengue travel health notice (applies to Vietnam), updated 10 November 2026, is Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health: Vietnam (traveler view), 10 November 2026.
  51. The US CDC advises sun protection with sunscreen of at least SPF 15. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health: Vietnam (traveler view), 10 November 2026.
  52. The US CDC states dogs infected with rabies are sometimes found in Vietnam and that rabies vaccines after exposure are typically available throughout most of the country rabies. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health: Vietnam (traveler view), 10 November 2026.
  53. TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) lists as recommended for most travelers to Vietnam hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid vaccines. UK National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), TravelHealthPro country page: Vietnam.
  54. TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) lists as recommended for some travelers to Vietnam chikungunya, dengue, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, measles, rabies, tuberculosis (BCG) vaccines. UK National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), TravelHealthPro country page: Vietnam.
  55. TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) states Japanese encephalitis occurs countrywide in Vietnam, year-round, with seasonal peaks May to October, especially in the north. UK National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), TravelHealthPro country page: Vietnam.
  56. TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) states malaria risk in Vietnam is low in Tay Ninh, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Kon Tum and other rural areas, with advice of awareness of risk and bite avoidance malaria. UK National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), TravelHealthPro country page: Vietnam.
  57. TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) states that for Vietnam vaccination certificate requirements under the International Health Regulations are none. UK National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), TravelHealthPro country page: Vietnam.
  58. TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) states there is a risk in Vietnam of dengue and of Zika virus disease. UK National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), TravelHealthPro country page: Vietnam.
  59. The UK FCDO advises checking vaccine recommendations for Vietnam before the trip at least 8 weeks. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  60. The UK FCDO states some medicines are hard to find in Vietnam and many are fake. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, 21 September 2026.
  61. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism runs the official online database of licensed travel businesses (search by company name, license number, province and scope) at quanlyluhanh.vn. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (Cục Du lịch Quốc gia Việt Nam), travel business database quanlyluhanh.vn.
  62. In the VNAT database quanlyluhanh.vn, international travel licenses listed for Quang Ninh companies have numbers beginning 22-. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (Cục Du lịch Quốc gia Việt Nam), travel business database quanlyluhanh.vn.
  63. A search of the VNAT database quanlyluhanh.vn for Quang Ninh (all scopes) on 14 November 2026 returned a count of licensed travel businesses of 210 companies. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (Cục Du lịch Quốc gia Việt Nam), travel business database quanlyluhanh.vn, 14 November 2026.
  64. The VNAT database quanlyluhanh.vn also publishes license revocations and lists of companies with violations. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (Cục Du lịch Quốc gia Việt Nam), travel business database quanlyluhanh.vn.
  65. VNAT's procedure page states a company licensed for inbound international travel (foreign visitors to Vietnam) must hold a bank deposit (ký quỹ) of VND 250,000,000. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, quanlyluhanh.vn, procedure 'Thủ tục cấp giấy phép kinh doanh dịch vụ lữ hành quốc tế', 5 August 2020.
  66. VNAT's procedure page states a company licensed for outbound, or for both inbound and outbound, international travel must hold a bank deposit of VND 500,000,000. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, quanlyluhanh.vn, procedure 'Thủ tục cấp giấy phép kinh doanh dịch vụ lữ hành quốc tế', 5 August 2020.
  67. Under Circular 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL as amended (consolidated 2026), after a travel license is revoked the deposit is released to the company only if, counted from publication of the revocation, no complaint about obligations to tourists arrives within 20 days. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, consolidated text (VBHN 2026) of Circular 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL as amended to Circular 21/2025/TT-BVHTTDL.
  68. Decree 168/2017/ND-CP, as reported by legal databases, lets a travel company temporarily draw on its deposit when a tourist suffers an accident or life-threatening risk needing emergency return or treatment and the company cannot pay in time: yes. Decree 168/2017/ND-CP (Government of Vietnam), as summarised by legal databases, 31 December 2017.
  69. The Ha Long Bay Management Board lists its hotline (đường dây nóng) as 0812488111. Ha Long Bay Management Board (Ban Quản lý vịnh Hạ Long), halongbay.com.vn, 'Số điện thoại cần biết', 27 August 2025.
  70. The Ha Long Bay Management Board lists its Monitoring, Safety and Search and Rescue Center number as 02033622761. Ha Long Bay Management Board (Ban Quản lý vịnh Hạ Long), halongbay.com.vn, 'Số điện thoại cần biết', 27 August 2025.
  71. The Ha Long Bay Management Board lists its information line as 02033821299. Ha Long Bay Management Board (Ban Quản lý vịnh Hạ Long), halongbay.com.vn, 'Số điện thoại cần biết', 27 August 2025.
  72. The Ha Long Bay Management Board office is at 166 Le Thanh Tong, Hong Gai ward, Quang Ninh province, telephone +84 203 3824867. Ha Long Bay Management Board (Ban Quản lý vịnh Hạ Long), halongbay.com.vn, 'Số điện thoại cần biết'.
  73. The Ha Long Bay Management Board website's overnight-boat list (each with QN registration number, home port, phone and capacity) showed a number of boats on 14 November 2026 of 8 boats. Ha Long Bay Management Board, halongbay.com.vn, boat list 'Tàu lưu trú nghỉ đêm', 14 November 2026.

Photographs

  1. Overnight cruise boats at anchor in Halong Bay. Photo: Shyamal L. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
  2. Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay). Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0