November is the month the bay cools down. Halong Bay in November still brings the clear, settled days that made October popular, but the mornings turn crisp, the air gets drier, and a light mist can sit between the limestone islands at first light. It is a month for a fleece over your shirt, not for a heavy coat.
This guide takes the month by the clock: what the air and sea feel like at 06:00, at the kayak stop and at sunset, and which of our two ships suits the month better. For the warmer, wetter lead-in, see our Halong Bay in October guide.
Quick answer: Halong Bay in November averages about 19–26 °C (66–78 °F), with roughly 35 mm of rain over 6 days and a sea near 25 °C. Mornings are cool and sometimes misty, afternoons mild and clear. It is a good month to cruise: pack layers, sail Milalux for Halong Bay classics or Mila Grand for Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba.
What Is the Weather Like in Halong Bay in November?
Expect mild, dry-leaning weather: average highs near 25.5 °C, lows near 18.7 °C and little rain. The storm season that shapes summer is ending, and Vietnam’s national tourism site lists September to November as the best period for the bay.
The table below uses long-term averages for the Ha Long area from Climates to Travel, with humidity and rainy-day counts from the Haiphong station table on Wikipedia, which cites the Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology. They are averages, not a forecast for your sailing date.
| Measure | November average | What it means on a cruise |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 25.5 °C (78 °F) | Comfortable for kayaking, cave visits and a Titov Island climb |
| Night and dawn low | 18.7 °C (66 °F) | Cool for Tai Chi at 06:00 or 06:15; bring a layer |
| Rainfall | About 35 mm over 6 days | Far drier than summer; short showers are possible |
| Humidity | About 80% (Haiphong) | Lower than the damp winter months that follow |
| Sea temperature | About 25.5 °C | Mild water; swimming stops are optional and weather-dependent |
| Sunshine | About 5.5 hours a day | Bright afternoons, softer light than summer |
Two sources agree on the broad picture. Climates to Travel recommends late October to late November for a visit, and Vietnam Tourism describes cool, drier winters with a light mist over the bay. November sits at the start of that pattern, so you get clear days with a trace of mist rather than the grey spells of January.
⚓ Captain’s Log:
“Planning note from the cruise team: November air is stable, but the bay is an open-water setting and conditions can change. If a sailing is cancelled because of a storm, bad weather or a port authority ban, the force majeure policy applies: a full refund or a change of date by agreement. Ask us for the current outlook a few days before departure.”
How November Feels on the Water: Dawn, Afternoon and Sunset
The day runs cool at the edges and mild in the middle, so dress in layers you can add or remove. The schedules below are the published programme for each ship; times can shift with tide and weather.
Dawn and Morning
Tai Chi on the Sundeck starts at 06:15 on Milalux and 06:00 on Mila Grand. With lows near 19 °C, this is the one hour of the day when you will want long sleeves. On Milalux’s second morning the Titov Island climb starts at 07:30; the climb ends at a viewpoint over the bay, and the beach below is a place to paddle rather than commit to a swim.
Afternoon: Kayaks and Caves
On Milalux’s first day, the Pearl Farm and kayak stop begins at 14:30, followed by Sung Sot Cave at 16:00. Wear non-slip sports shoes for the cave steps. On Mila Grand’s first day, Dark and Bright Cave opens at 15:30, by kayak or by bamboo boat rowed by a local guide, inside Lan Ha Bay. Our Dark and Bright Cave guide explains how the lagoon works.
Sunset and Evening
Milalux’s Sunset Party starts at 17:45 and Mila Grand’s Happy Hour at 17:30. In November the light is softer and the sun sets earlier than in summer, so the gatherings sit close to dusk. Mila Grand serves dinner at 19:00 on the Sundeck if the weather allows, otherwise in the second-floor restaurant. That fallback is useful in a month when evening air can drop below 19 °C.
🧭 Cruise Director’s Tip:
“Treat the first and last hours of the day as the cold ones. A light jacket or fleece, a scarf and closed shoes cover Tai Chi, the evening deck and the walk to the cave. Save the sun hat for the middle of the day. If you have a favourite camera lens, bring a lens cloth: sea air can leave a film on it.”
Which Ship Suits November: Milalux on Halong Bay or Mila Grand on Lan Ha Bay?
Both work well in November; choose by route and by how much deck time you want. The two ships sail different parts of the Gulf of Tonkin, so the choice is more about scenery and rhythm than about weather.
| Milalux Cruises | Mila Grand Cruises | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Halong Bay: Pearl Farm, Sung Sot Cave, Titov Island | Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba: Dark and Bright Cave, Trung Trang Cave |
| Size | 47 m, 20 cabins | 60.20 m, 27 cabins |
| Deck life | Sunset Party on the Sundeck at 17:45 | Sundeck for 130 guests; heated outdoor Jacuzzi |
| November fit | Sheltered cave on Day 1 and an easy first morning climb | More time on open water and on the Sundeck |
| Check-in | Lounge opposite Lot 20, Tuan Chau | Private Lounge at Lot 20, Tuan Chau |
Choose Milalux Cruises if you want the best-known Halong Bay sights, a 47 m ship with warm wooden interiors and a compact 20-cabin guest list. Choose Mila Grand Cruises if you prefer Lan Ha Bay’s quieter water, a bigger Sundeck and a Jacuzzi to warm up in after a cool afternoon. For a longer comparison of the two routes, read Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay.
November Compared With October and December
November is cooler and drier than October, and warmer and brighter than December. Climates to Travel’s Ha Long figures show the slide clearly: the average high falls from 28.8 °C in October to 25.5 °C in November, and rainfall from about 160 mm to about 35 mm.
For most guests the practical effect is simple. In October you can sit out late in a T-shirt. In November you want a layer after sunset. By December the lows approach 15 °C and the bay can look grey for days, a month we cover separately in the winter guide to follow. If your dates are flexible, our season-by-season guide to the best time to visit Halong Bay lays out the full year.
What to Wear and Bring in November
Pack for a 7 °C swing between dawn and mid-afternoon: one warm layer, one light shell and shoes with grip. The checklist below is short on purpose.
| Item | Why in November |
|---|---|
| Light fleece or sweater | Tai Chi at 06:00 or 06:15 and evening on deck |
| Rain shell or compact umbrella | About 6 rain days in the month |
| Non-slip sports shoes | Cave steps and wet decks; recommended for Sung Sot Cave |
| Swimwear and a quick-dry towel | Optional swim stops and Jacuzzi on Mila Grand |
| Sunglasses and a hat | About 5.5 hours of sun a day |
| Camera lens cloth | Mist and sea air |
We keep a longer list in what to pack for a Halong Bay cruise in autumn and winter.
Booking a November Cruise: What to Check
Book early for popular dates, and ask three questions: which itinerary, which cabin and how you will reach Tuan Chau. The Hanoi to Tuan Chau transfer is not included in the cruise price, though it can be booked as an add-on.
Free cancellation applies only when you cancel more than 60 days before departure, so check the cancellation terms before you pay. Children under 5 sharing a bed with their parents travel free, and children aged 5–10 are charged 75% of the adult rate. Spa, drinks at the bar and restaurant, and tips are also extra. For help with the road from Hanoi, see our transportation page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is November a good month for a Halong Bay cruise?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable months. Average highs near 25.5 °C, about 35 mm of rain and light mist rather than storms make it comfortable for kayaking, cave visits and deck time. Mornings and evenings are cool, so bring a fleece for Tai Chi and sunset on deck.
How cold does Halong Bay get in November?
Average lows are about 18.7 °C (66 °F) and highs about 25.5 °C (78 °F). That is cool at dawn and mild by afternoon. A light jacket is enough for most guests, though a cool spell can arrive without much warning, so check the forecast shortly before you leave.
Can you swim and kayak in Halong Bay in November?
Kayaking is a highlight, and swimming is optional. The sea is about 25.5 °C, mild by northern standards, and kayaking and bamboo-boat rides run on both ships when the weather permits. Swim stops at beaches such as Titov Island or Ba Trai Dao depend on the weather and the itinerary you choose.
Is Milalux or Mila Grand better in November?
Both suit the month, so pick by route. Milalux covers Halong Bay with Sung Sot Cave and Titov Island on a 47 m ship with 20 cabins. Mila Grand covers Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba, with a 130-guest Sundeck and a heated outdoor Jacuzzi on a 60.20 m ship with 27 cabins.
Does mist affect the cruise schedule in November?
Light mist is common and usually harmless, but heavy weather can change the programme. Activities such as kayaking depend on conditions on the day, and the crew may adjust the schedule. If a sailing is cancelled for storms, bad weather or a port authority ban, a full refund or a change of date can be arranged.
Should I book 2 Days 1 Night or 3 Days 2 Nights in November?
Choose 2 Days 1 Night for a first look and 3 Days 2 Nights for a slower pace. The longer trip adds a second day on Lan Ha Bay, including Ba Trai Dao beach on both ships. See the 2 Days 1 Night itinerary and the 3 Days 2 Nights itinerary.
Plan Your Halong Bay November Cruise
Halong Bay in November rewards guests who plan for the cool edges of the day: a layer at dawn, shoes with grip and an evening on deck with a warm top. Tell us your dates, your group and which route appeals, and the team will suggest a cabin and an itinerary.
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