Your stay — Ha Long Palace
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The Property — Ha Long Palace
Ha Long Palace is a tidy, no-nonsense 3-star hotel on Ha Long’s main strip, a short walk from the bay. The lobby is clean and functional, with polished floor tiles, a small reception desk and a modest seating area; staff are efficient in a brisk, professional way. It suits budget-conscious travellers and tour groups who need a reliable base for excursions, prioritising location and value over charm or luxury.
Chronicles of Ha Long
Ha Long City grew from a small fishing port into the gateway for UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, a karst seascape celebrated for millennia in Vietnamese myth—local legend says the islands were dropped by a dragon. The city itself is largely modern, rebuilt after wartime damage and rapid tourism expansion since the 1990s. Its architecture mixes concrete guesthouses with flashy casino-resorts along the coastal road. Contemporary Ha Long is a purpose-built tourist hub: loud, busy, and focused on boat trips and seafood, while the bay remains the real draw.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ha Long guide →Best months
October to November and March to April: clear skies, lower humidity, calm bay waters, and fewer tourists than peak summer.
Peak / festival surge
May to July is high season for domestic and foreign tourists, driven by summer holidays and school breaks. Hotel prices double or triple; advance booking is essential. Events like the Ha Long Carnival in late April/early May add crowds.
Budget shoulder season
September and February offer mild weather, discounted rooms, thinner crowds—February can be cool but sunny, September still warm with less rain than mid-summer.
Weather & packing
Ha Long has a humid subtropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons; July is hot and rainy with frequent downpours. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and quick-dry clothing, plus sandals that can handle puddles.
Live City Briefing — Ha Long
- The new Ha Long International Passenger Port opened in 2024, improving cruise access but adding busier foot traffic along the waterfront.
- Construction on the Ha Long–Van Don expressway extension continues; expect delays if driving from Hanoi.
- Several restaurants along the Bai Chay road have closed post-pandemic; check current hours before heading out for dinner.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ha Long Palace, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
If the lift serves floors 2–8, ask for a room on floor 5 or 6, facing the back courtyard (away from the main road). These upper floors reduce street-level noise and are high enough to catch a breeze without being near the roof.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on floor 2, especially those at the front: it sits directly above the lobby and near the restaurant/bar, so you'll hear check-in chatter, clattering crockery and kitchen exhaust until late. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft on any floor — the motor hum is constant.
Best views
The best view is from front-facing rooms on floors 4–6, looking south-east across the main boulevard toward Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts in the distance — though expect road noise. A side-facing room over the alley gives a partial bay glimpse with less traffic sound.
Quietest floors
Floors 5–7 should be the quietest: far from ground-level bustle and not close to any roof-top machinery (common on the top floor of a 3-star hotel in Ha Long).
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a main boulevard (likely Ha Long Road or similar). Expect motorbike and bus noise from 6am, and karaoke bars along the street till midnight. The lift's ‘ding’ is audible in adjacent rooms on all floors.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on floor 5 or 6 at check-in — the reception often upgrades to these floors if you ask politely. 2. If you're in a front room, bring earplugs for the 6am traffic; the hotel's double glazing is thin. 3. Breakfast is served in the ground-floor dining room — skip the phở (it's rarely fresh) and go for the omelette made to order.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Ha Long Palace
Free WiFi in rooms and lobby, typical speed 10 Mbps. No login required; simple password at check-in.
One lift serves all 5 floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers; lobby TV shows local news. No notable building heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop allowed after 10:00 (free). Late check-out until 16:00 costs 200,000 VND, subject to availability.
Free storage at front desk for same-day arrival/departure.
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; lifts serve all floors. No rooms specifically adapted for wheelchair users. One step into each bathroom.
Free on-site parking for up to 50 cars; no EV charging. Nearest public car park is at Bai Chay bus station (800 m, 30,000 VND for 24 hours).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required for booking; 500,000 VND incidentals hold on credit card at check-in.
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 517 m · ~6 min walk
Nhà thuốc FPT Long Châu — 402 m · ~5 min walk
Vinpearl Ferry Terminal — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Vietnamese Dong, VND
Change money at gold shops or banks in town; avoid airport and tour desks which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in hotels and mid-range restaurants in Ha Long; street stalls and taxis are cash-only. Contactless is rare.
Not expected or required; round up taxi fare or leave small change in restaurants — no fixed percentage.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá) at a local café: about 15,000–20,000 VND.
Bowl of phở or bún chả at a street-side stall: 30,000–45,000 VND.
Fried rice or noodle stir-fry at a bình dân (budget) eatery: 40,000–60,000 VND for a main.
Market area around Cho Ha Long (night market) and along the waterfront promenade have cheap eats.
VinMart+ and Co.op Food are common mini‑supermarket chains here.
Ha Long Market (Cho Ha Long) for affordable casual wear; avoid tourist-focused stalls near the bay.
Local xe ôm (motorbike taxi) around 10,000–20,000 VND per short trip; from Cat Bi Airport take bus 3 to Bai Chay bus station (35,000 VND).
Eat at stalls away from the waterfront; book a day cruise through your hotel or local agency for better prices; haggle at markets but stay friendly.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ha Long, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ha Long Palace
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 517 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Nhà thuốc FPT Long Châu — 402 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Noi Bai International Airport → Nhà nghỉ Hà Gia
💡 A bit pricier but worth it for door-to-door convenience. Book via a reputable operator like Sinh Tourist or 12Go Asia. Tip the driver 20,000 VND for carrying bags.
Noi Bai International Airport → Ha Long City Centre (near Bai Chay bus station)
💡 Get off at Bai Chay, then take a short taxi or xe om (motorbike taxi) to Nhà nghỉ Hà Gia — about 50,000 VND. Cash only for the bus.
Bai Chay bus station → Nhà nghỉ Hà Gia area (Ha Long City)
💡 These buses are crowded and route signs are in Vietnamese. Get the driver or a local to point out your stop — show them the address on your phone.
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) → Nhà nghỉ Hà Gia, Ha Long City
💡 Agree on a fixed price before getting in. Avoid touts at arrivals; book through the airport kiosk or apps like Grab for a fair rate.
About Ha Long
Wikipedia ↗
Hạ Long (Vietnamese: [hâːˀ lawŋm] , transl. 'descending dragon') is a former first-class provincial city and capital city of Quảng Ninh province, Vietnam. It was found in 1993, when the old capital, Hòn Gai, was merged with Bãi Cháy, the main tourist area. The city mainly lies on Hạ Long Bay, and is...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ha Long Palace?
If the lift serves floors 2–8, ask for a room on floor 5 or 6, facing the back courtyard (away from the main road). These upper floors reduce street-level noise and are high enough to catch a breeze without being near the roof.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ha Long Palace?
Avoid any room on floor 2, especially those at the front: it sits directly above the lobby and near the restaurant/bar, so you'll hear check-in chatter, clattering crockery and kitchen exhaust until late. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft on any floor — the motor hum is constant.
Is Ha Long Palace noisy?
The hotel is on a main boulevard (likely Ha Long Road or similar). Expect motorbike and bus noise from 6am, and karaoke bars along the street till midnight. The lift's ‘ding’ is audible in adjacent rooms on all floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Ha Long Palace?
The best view is from front-facing rooms on floors 4–6, looking south-east across the main boulevard toward Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts in the distance — though expect road noise. A side-facing room over the alley gives a partial bay glimpse with less traffic sound.
What are insider tips for staying at Ha Long Palace?
1. Request a room on floor 5 or 6 at check-in — the reception often upgrades to these floors if you ask politely. 2. If you're in a front room, bring earplugs for the 6am traffic; the hotel's double glazing is thin. 3. Breakfast is served in the ground-floor dining room — skip the phở (it's rarely fresh) and go for the omelette made to order.
What time is check-in at Ha Long Palace?
Check-in at Ha Long Palace is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ha Long Palace have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in rooms and lobby, typical speed 10 Mbps. No login required; simple password at check-in.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ha Long Palace?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ha Long Palace?
Bowl of phở or bún chả at a street-side stall: 30,000–45,000 VND.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ha Long Palace?
Local xe ôm (motorbike taxi) around 10,000–20,000 VND per short trip; from Cat Bi Airport take bus 3 to Bai Chay bus station (35,000 VND).
When is the best time to visit Ha Long?
October to November and March to April: clear skies, lower humidity, calm bay waters, and fewer tourists than peak summer.
Top Attractions in Ha Long
💡 Go very early (6–7am) to avoid heat and crowds. The gate opens at 5am. Bring water and sturdy shoes; the steps are uneven and can be slippery after rain.
💡 Try the grilled squid or bánh mì from the stalls near the main entrance – they're fresh and about 15,000–25,000 VND. Haggle politely on souvenirs; start at half the asking price.
💡 The area is well-maintained and safe for evening strolls. Arrive around 4pm – the gardens are quiet, and you can watch the sunset over the bay for free. Skip overpriced water from the on-site kiosks.
💡 Combine with a morning walk along the coast – the sunrise light is beautiful. Bring a small picnic. There is no entry fee but you might be asked to pay 5,000–10,000 VND to park a scooter at the base.
💡 Entry is 40,000 VND (about £1.30) – very cheap. Go on a weekday morning to avoid school groups. The third-floor balcony gives a great photo of the harbour without paying for a boat tour.