2-day Bai Tu Long Bay cruise from Hanoi: Overnight junk boat

Kayaking through karst, exploring a hidden cave, cooking Vietnamese dishes, and sleeping on the water

A 2-day cruise from Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay aboard a traditional wooden junk boat, with overnight accommodation in a deluxe cabin. You kayak through limestone formations at Cap La Island, explore Thien Canh Son Cave, learn to make nem cuon in a cooking demonstration, and fish from the boat at night. The itinerary includes hotel pickup in Hanoi, all meals, and a guide who speaks English.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi or Halong to Bai Tu Long Bay

• Pick up from Hanoi hotel
• Drive to Halong Cruise Port
• Relax at waiting lounge
• Board the cruise and check in cabin
• Enjoy Vietnamese set lunch
• Kayak at Cap La Island
• Sunset party on board
• Dinner on board
• Evening activities and free time

Day 2: Explore Bai Tu Long Bay and Return

• Morning Tai Chi on sundeck
• Breakfast on board
• Visit Thien Canh Son Cave
• Freshen up and pack
• Vietnamese cooking demonstration
• Lunch on board
• Disembark at Halong Cruise Port
• Transfer back to Hanoi (if booked)

The experience

The cruise departs from Hanoi in the morning. The shuttle picks you up from the Old Quarter or Opera House area and drives three hours to Ha Long International Cruise Port. Once aboard the Renea, a traditionally styled wooden vessel with seaview cabins, you check in, have a welcome drink, and settle into your deluxe cabin with an en-suite bathroom. Lunch is served while the boat cruises into Bai Tu Long Bay, and by mid-afternoon you're paddling a kayak or bamboo rowboat through the karst landscape around Cap La Island, with time to swim and relax before returning for a sunset party on deck.

The second morning starts with optional tai chi on the sundeck at 6am, followed by a Western-style breakfast. You then explore Thien Canh Son Cave, the only natural cave in Bai Tu Long Bay, before returning to the boat to freshen up. A Vietnamese cooking demonstration teaches you to make nem cuon (spring rolls) or try your hand at fruit carving: skills you can practice right there on board. Lunch is a traditional Vietnamese set menu, and then you disembark at Ha Long Cruise Port. If you booked the transfer option, the shuttle returns you to Hanoi's Old Quarter by mid-afternoon. If you came from Ha Long, the cruise ends at the port.

The boat includes two nights of mineral water in your cabin, and evening activities range from squid fishing off the deck to Vietnamese puzzle games and board games with your group. Meals are set menus served on board (breakfast, lunch and dinner each day), and entrance fees for the cave and other sightseeing are covered. An English-speaking guide is with you throughout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter or Opera House with roundtrip shuttle bus (if booked with transfer).
• overnight stay in a deluxe seaview cabin with en-suite bathroom.
• welcome drink and sunset party.
• kayaking or bamboo boat rowing.
• entrance to Thien Canh Son Cave.
• Vietnamese cooking demonstration.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
• morning tai chi on the sundeck.
• squid fishing equipment and night fishing.
• two bottles of mineral water in the cabin.
• English-speaking guide throughout the tour.

Options for this experience

2 options

Without transfer, departing from HalongGuide in English · 12:00Start and finish at Halong Bay: Make your own way to Halong International Cruise Port before 12:00 noon for the meeting point and cruise boarding. Transfer on request: Transfers from Hanoi or Halong City are not included in this option, so pay extra if you need a transfer service. Renea Cruise or similar: boutique wooden private room with a sea-view window and standing bathroom on the first deck. Meals on the cruise according to the program. Route: Halong Bay to Bai Tu Long Bay. Starting point: Cat Ba National Park, Cat Hai, Hai Phong 05418, Vietnam.

With transfer, departing from HanoiGuide in English · 08:00Starting in the Hanoi Old Quarter: we will collect you from hotels or accommodation inside the Old Quarter area, or from Hanoi Opera House if you are staying outside it, between 8:00 and 8:30 AM. Round-trip shuttle bus. Renea Cruise or similar: boutique wooden private room with a sea-view window and standing bathroom on the first deck. Route: Hanoi to Bai Tu Long and back to Hanoi. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 12:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Youth (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Authentic Hanoi Homestay & Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the departure from Hanoi if your hotel is in the city and you want door-to-door transport. Book from Ha Long if you're already in the area and prefer to arrange your own way to the port. Either way, the overnight cabin and all meals are included, so you travel with no other bookings to manage.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 8 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is Thien Canh Son Cave like?

Thien Canh Son Cave is the only natural cave in Bai Tu Long Bay, explored on the morning of day two after breakfast. The cave visit is a guided excursion from the boat, and you return with time to freshen up before the cooking class.

Can I kayak if I've never done it before?

Kayaking happens at Cap La Island in the afternoon of day one, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The boat also offers bamboo rowboats as an alternative if you prefer not to paddle.

What happens on the first night aboard?

After dinner at 7pm, you have free time to try squid fishing from the boat, play Vietnamese puzzle games or board games with your group, or simply relax on deck. You sleep in your deluxe cabin with seaview windows and an en-suite bathroom.

Is the cooking class hands-on?

Yes, the Vietnamese cooking demonstration on day two teaches you to make nem cuon (spring rolls) or challenge yourself with fruit and vegetable carving. You learn the techniques on board and can apply them during the class.

How do I get back to Hanoi after the cruise ends?

If you book the tour with transfer from Hanoi, the shuttle returns you to Hanoi Old Quarter between 3pm and 3:30pm on day two. If you book without transfer, you arrange your own way from Ha Long Cruise Port, though return transfer to Hanoi is available on request.