Explore Halong Bay With Seaplane
It’s amazing if you have ever been to Halong, explored Halong Bay on luxurious cruises, and been impressed by the beauty of nature here. But you will be even more amazed and astonished when you experience exploring Halong Bay from above with a seaplane. Let’s discover the seaplane service on Halong Bay and the wonderful experiences together.
What is the seaplane service in Halong like?
A seaplane is a type of fixed-wing aircraft that can easily take off and land on water surfaces. Seaplanes are equipped with various modern devices such as GPS, storm alert systems, and weather radar. Each seaplane has 14 seats, with 12 seats allocated for passengers. Travelers will have their own compartment, allowing them to observe the surroundings through windows and use phones and cameras to capture images.
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You have two options for experiencing the seaplane service to admire Halong Bay:
- The first option is to travel by car to Tuan Châu port and then purchase tickets for a 25 or 45-minute seaplane flight experience.
- The second option is to buy seaplane tickets from Hanoi to Halong and enjoy the experience. With this option, it only takes about 45 minutes to fly from Noi Bai Airport to Halong, and an additional 25-minute seaplane flight to explore Halong Bay.
However, the cost of the second option will be much higher compared to the first option.
Seaplane flights will be quite different from regular airplane flights. You won’t feel the gradual movement of the airplane on the runway on the ground, the momentary pause, and then the acceleration and takeoff into the sky. With a seaplane, you’ll glide on the water’s surface, cutting through waves before soaring upwards. At this point, the large cruise ships and boats will gradually shrink in size. You’ll feel like entering a different world, filled with excitement and awe.
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Advantages of the Halong Bay Seaplane Service:
- Easy takeoff and landing in small geographic areas.
- Large windows frame, providing better scenic views.
- Ability to use electronic devices during the flight.
- Can fly at a low altitude of around 300m, ensuring passenger safety.
Type of Aircraft Used for Halong Seaplane Service:
- The seaplane service uses the Cessna Caravan C208B-EX, a generation of seaplanes manufactured by Cessna in the United States in 2014.
- Certified by the FAA and ICAO as one of the safest single-engine aircraft for water landings.
- Modern and eye-catching exterior design.
- Comfortable and modern interior space with 12 seats, equipped with wide view windows.
- Exciting sensations during takeoff and landing on water, offering panoramic views throughout the flight.
- Operated and managed by Hai Au Aviation airline.
Scenic Flight Itineraries:
25-minute flight itinerary:
- Halong Bay: Ga Choi Islet, Ti Top Island, Soi Sim Island
- Lan Ha Bay: Cua Van Fishing Village
- Bai Tu Long Bay: Vung Vieng Fishing Village
- Northern Cat Ba Island
- Halong City: Hon Gai Center, FLC Hotel, Linh Hon Bai Tho Pagoda, Sun World Park, Bai Chay Bridge, Vinpearl Hotel, Tuan Chau Golf Course.
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35-minute flight itinerary:
- Halong Bay: Ga Choi Islet, Titop Island, Soi Sim Island
- Lan Ha Bay: Cua Van Fishing Village
- Bai Tu Long Bay: Vung Vieng Fishing Village
- Halong City: Hon Gai Center, FLC Hotel, Linh Hon Bai Tho Pagoda, Sun World Park, Bai Chay Bridge, Vinpearl Hotel, Tuan Chau Golf Course.
- Cat Ba Island: Cat Ba Town, Beo Pier, Cat Co Ben Pier, Dragon Eye Island (the southernmost boundary of Halong Bay).
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Tuan Chau – Co To Island 35-minute flight itinerary:
- Halong Bay: Tuan Chau Island
- Bai Tu Long Bay: Van Don, Cam Pha
- Co To Island
45-minute flight itinerary:
- Halong Bay: Ga Choi Islet, Titop Island, Soi Sim Island
- Lan Ha Bay: Cua Van Fishing Village
- Bai Tu Long Bay: Vung Vieng Fishing Village
- Halong City: Hon Gai Center, FLC Hotel, Linh Hon Bai Tho Pagoda, Sun World Park, Bai Chay Bridge, Vinpearl Hotel, Tuan Chau Golf Course.
- Cat Ba Island: Cat Ba Town, Beo Pier, Cat Co Ben Pier, Dragon Eye Island (the southernmost boundary of Halong Bay).
Note: The 45-minute itinerary can be arranged upon customer request.
Halong Seaplane Ticket Prices:
Route | Ticket Price (Weekdays) | Ticket Price (Sat, Sun, Holidays) |
Tuan Chau – Halong Bay (25 minutes) | 1,600,000 VND (67 USD) | 1,800,000 VND (75 USD) |
Tuan Chau – Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay (35 minutes) | 2,000,000 VND (84 USD) | 2,250,000 VND (95 USD) |
Tuan Chau – Noi Bai Airport (45 minutes) | 7,000,000 VND (294 USD) | 7,000,000 VND |
Tuan Chau – Noi Bai Airport – Halong Bay (60 minutes) | 9,000,000 VND (377 USD) | 9,000,000 VND |
Tuan Chau – Co To Island (35 minutes) | 2,400,000 VND (100 USD) | 2,600,000 VND (109 USD) |
Experience Exploring Halong Bay from Above
When you sign up for the Halong Seaplane experience, you’ll need to travel to the designated seaplane location at Tuan Chau International Port. If you’re in Hanoi, you should head to Terminal E at Noi Bai Airport, where the pilot will welcome you to begin the journey. The flight will have two pilots: a foreign captain and a Vietnamese co-pilot, ensuring smooth communication. Before takeoff, you’ll receive comprehensive safety instructions and details about the flight route.
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During the Flight
Each seaplane is equipped with life jackets for your use. Inside the seaplane, there’s also a safety instruction card for passengers, along with drinking water and bags for your belongings.
One notable aspect is that you’re not prohibited from using your phone, allowing you to comfortably capture photos and videos of the stunning scenes of Halong Bay.
The pilots on each flight serve not only as your access to the various sites in the bay area but also as your actual tour guides. They’ll help you see the most beautiful sights, find the best angles for photos, and explain the unique features of each location.
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As you fly over destinations like Vung Vieng fishing village, Trong Mai Islet, Bai Tho Mountain, or Soi Sim Island, you’ll be introduced to the beauty of these areas.
Furthermore, you’ll directly experience the seaplane taking off, landing on water, and even enjoy live streaming comfortably. You’ll have the opportunity to take photos with the pilots in the cockpit. These moments are undoubtedly the memorable experiences everyone desires.
Conclusion
Only by admiring the panoramic view of Halong Bay from above can you truly understand why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a favorite destination for many tourists, especially foreign visitors. With reasonable ticket prices, this seaplane experience offers a remarkable journey. It’s truly worth considering the Halong Seaplane service to enjoy the splendors of the bay from a unique perspective.
Images: Vnexpress.net