THE SHORT VERSION
Lao Cai to Ha Long at a glance.
- From
- Lao Cai Lào Cai
- To
- Ha Long Hạ Long
- Road distance
- About 443 km
- Straight line
- 366 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~5 h 45 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Ha Long to Lao Cai →
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Lao Cai
Lao Cai is the provincial city on the Chinese border, the terminus of the railway from Hanoi and the gateway to Sapa. Frequent buses and minibuses link it with Sapa and Hanoi.
- Lao Cai Bus Station · Bến xe Lào Cai
Regional and long-distance buses, including services to Sapa and Hanoi.
Arriving in Ha Long
If you're joining a cruise, check which pier it leaves from. Tuan Chau and the central piers are some distance apart.
- Bai Chay Bus Station · Bến xe Bãi Cháy
Regional and long-distance services. Many tourist vans drop at hotels or piers instead.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Many Hanoi–Ha Long vans collect from Old Quarter hotels. Confirm pickup time the evening before.
KEEP GOING
From Ha Long, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Ha Long
More buses from Lao Cai
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
Sort the small things before you go.
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Lao Cai from Ha Long by road?+
About 443 km by road (366 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Lao Cai to Ha Long take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 5 h 45 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Lao Cai?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Lao Cai include Lao Cai Bus Station, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Ha Long to Lao Cai?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Ha Long to Lao Cai guide.
Where does the bus from Lao Cai arrive in Ha Long?+
It depends on the operator. In Ha Long, services use Bai Chay Bus Station. If you're joining a cruise, check which pier it leaves from. Tuan Chau and the central piers are some distance apart.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Ha Long?+
If you're joining a cruise, check which pier it leaves from. Tuan Chau and the central piers are some distance apart.
What kind of bus runs from Lao Cai to Ha Long?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Lao Cai to Ha Long bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Ha Long by bus?+
Direct buses from Ha Long include Hai Phong, Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Noi Bai Airport (HAN), Tam Coc and more. See all connections on our Ha Long bus page.
FOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Lao Cai to Ha Long bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Lao Cai (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Ha Long Bay (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →