Ha Long to Beihai: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The Ha Long to Beihai route crosses one of the most historically significant borders in Southeast Asia, traversing limestone karsts that date back over 300 million years.

This drive connects Vietnam's UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay with China's bustling port city of Beihai via National Road 18 (QL18) and the expressways toward Dongxing, covering roughly 400 kilometers depending on your chosen crossing.

The journey typically takes 7 to 10 hours by car, including border formalities, but the real value lies in the transition from tropical karst scenery to the flat coastal plains of Guangxi.

From Ha Long City, follow QL18 west toward Uong Bi, then connect to the Noi Bai-Ha Long Expressway (CT03) for a quicker start, before joining QL18 again toward Lang Son province and eventually Mong Cai.

The border at Mong Cai (Vietnam) and Dongxing (China) is the only direct crossing between the two countries in the region; it's open daily from 7:00 to 21:00, with cross-border traffic typically slowest between 9 and 11 in the morning.

In China, Expressway G7511 leads from Dongxing directly to Beihai, a well-paved, tolled road that cuts travel time to about 2.5 hours from the border.

Fuel and Route Economics

Vietnamese fuel prices have been consistently lower than Chinese counterparts; as of mid-2025, gasoline in Vietnam averages VND 24,000 per liter, while in China it's around 8.2 yuan, so it's wise to fill up before crossing.

• Toll costs on Vietnamese expressways: ~$10 total
• Chinese expressway tolls: ~$12 for G7511
• Border crossing fees: ~$30 for vehicle paperwork (both sides)

To avoid high fill-up costs, exit the expressway at Tien Yen or my own recommendation: Cua Ong, a quiet town near the coast, with a reliable fuel station just off QL18.

Vietnamese QL18 is two-lane and heavily used by trucks, so maintain a defensive driving posture; Chinese motorways are modern and largely tolled, offering a smoother, safer ride.

For families, the Van Don Dragon Fish Park (a themed playground near the coast) is a mid-route hit, while the Dongxing Border Park (Beilun River Scenic Area) offers a safe walk for kids to see the border line.

Pets are welcome on both sides, but be aware that China requires a health certificate and quarantine at the border, so plan for a minimum 2-hour processing.

For fatigue management, plan a stop at Tien Yen after 2 hours of driving; it has a small rest area with basic food, while the first major Chinese stop is Fangchenggang, about 1 hour from the border, offering modern rest zones with shaded parking.

Hidden gems: just before Mong Cai, a narrow road to Tra Co beach offers 12 kilometers of empty sand and a view of the border river—many travelers rush past it, but it's a stop worth your time.

For timing your stops, use how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, a guide that turns scenic detours into quick breaks.

• Emergency numbers: Vietnam 113 (police), 114 (fire), 115 (medical); China 110, 119, 120
• Speed limits: 60-80 km/h on QL18, 80-100 on Chinese expressways
• Rest stop interval: every 2 hours

The route offers two distinct landscape chapters: the Vietnamese side displays dramatic limestone karst formations enveloped by thick tropical forests, while the Chinese side transitions to flat, agricultural plains.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay, covering 1,553 square kilometers, is the centerpiece for most travelers, but the lesser-known Bai Tu Long Bay, part of the same heritage area, offers a quieter drive along the coast.

Inland, the Cam Pha region has coal mines that have operated since the 19th century, with visible raw earth contrasts against the greens of the hills.

Local commerce thrives along the route: from Mong Cai's border markets peddling duty-free goods to rustic seafood stalls in Van Don serving freshly caught crabs, prices are often a third of those in Ha Long City.