What bad weather in Halong Bay?

The weather can vary a lot in Halong Bay, depending on the month you select for your cruise. When researching weather for your intended visit and the weather information will hopefully help you unravel the complexities.



Travellers to Vietnam and Halong Bay should be aware that the weather is rather unpredictable and can vary greatly even within one single day. Summer lasts from May to September when it is hot and humid and the region experiences its highest rainfall. Halong Bay is situated at the Gulf of Tokin of Vietnam. As a sub-tropical country with a long coast line, Vietnam “receives” more than 10 tropical storms or typhoons each year. Not to mention, foggy weather and monsoon which happen frequently during winter time. Bad weather like these will affect greatly on your cruise which usually lead to cancelation. However, there is charm and enchantment whether rain or shine: rainy season make the scenery more mysical and dramatic, bright sun accentuates the various shades of gray of the seascape, etc.


All cruise companies in Halong Bay need permission to be allowed to sail in Halong Bay by the Management Board of Halong Bay. In case of bad weather conditions, cruise can be postponed, shortened or cancelled and Halong Bay Management Board will be in charge of making decision. If your cruise is cancelled by Management Board of Halong Bay due to unexpected bad weather, Halongbaycruise.vn CANNOT do anything as it is for your safety.


What bad weather might occur in Halong Bay?

As listed above, many distinct features of sub-tropical weather will most likely to occur, such as: tropical storm, typhoon, thick fog, tropical monsoon, cyclone, and thunderstorm…

Tropical storm and typhoon (July – September)

Summer is the time when tropical storms break out in the area and bring heavy rainfall. The period from June to September is considered as storm weather in Halong Bay with many unpredictable weather conditions. Hence, cruises will be cancelled with short notice. In the end of summer and early autumn, there are heavy rains and powerful tropical storms with strong affection. September is often when the major storms in the south pacific tend to drift across towards Vietnam, sometimes leading to considerable damage. The chances of your cruise being disrupted by a storm is still extremely low, but it higher in September than in previous months.


Foggy weather (January and February)

In the winter, from December to the end of February, the weather is cold with strong wind. There are times of heavy fog with low visibility in December, January and February. In extremely foggy conditions that human vision is limited in short distance, the tour will be cancelled.


Monsoon (October to late March or early April)

Northeast monsoon in winter is now one of 3 most frequent reasons to force tour cancelled in Halong Bay, it is even more difficult to prepare for it in advance, sometime cause many disappointments. The northeast monsoon can also affect tropical cyclones over the sea and Halong Bay in particular. As the result, the wind and sea level is not safe for cruise during this time. Unlike cancellation tour by storms, monsoon causes tour cancellation in short time (a day or two days) then tour is fine to operate in next days.


How to deal with cancellation?

Final decision by the Halong Bay Management Board is usually known only at 3.00pm on the day of departure. Make sure to check updated news before your departure and listen to any advice that you are given on bad weather. Leave your contact details, such as your hotel in Hanoi or your mobile number in Vietnam to receive the cancellation news as soon as possible.

In case cancellation news was informed before the departure from Hanoi, contact Halongbaycruise.vn to know cancellation time and when you could get the next trip or any alternative option. There are some day trips around Hanoi that you can consider (if you would love to). Also check your hotel booking in your hotel.

In case cancellation news was informed when you had arrived at Halong Bay, the cruise operator will arrange lunch for you and transfer back to Hanoi. You can choose to stay at hotel in Halong for the next day cruise (not recommended for cancellations due to storm with bad rainy weather and customers have to wait a number of days for cruising again).
In case cancellation news was informed when you had been doing trip in the bay, the trip would be shortened, other arrangement would be made by cruise operators. If the weather is expected to be better on the next day and you are on the first day of the trip, you will be advised to stay one night at a hotel in Halong instead of overnight on cruise and your trip will continue on the next day. If the weather is bad, Halongbaycruise.vn will arrange to transfer you back to hotel in Hanoi and you can choose other alternative option (if you want).

Dreaming about an interesting trip with beautiful cabin, delicious food, and friendly staff waiting for you in Halong Bay then receiving the cancellation news, all of the passengers are disappointed but no one can change the situation. It is all for highest safety condition for visitors.

After all, the weather is known for its unpredictability nature, so there can be a lot of surprises in store for even the most carefully planned trip. But whatever month you choose to visit Halong, there is one thing for sure: you will be charmed by its beauty.

We advise you in the situation of a complete cancellation of your cruise to contact Halongbaycruise.vn to arrange re-arrange your cruise at another moment of your trip in Vietnam. If you have chosen to book your experience in Halong Bay directly with Halongbaycruise.vn, please contact our reservation team who will find the best solution for your case.

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