2-day Ha Long Bay cruise from Hanoi: Surprise Cave & Titop Island

A couple of nights aboard a five-star ship, an overnight in Ha Long Bay's limestone landscape

A 2-day cruise from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay aboard the Athena Royal, a five-star vessel with 22 high-end cabins. Day one includes pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter, a 2.5-hour drive to the port, lunch while cruising past limestone karsts, a visit to Surprise Cave, swimming and climbing at Titop Island, and dinner with a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. Day two brings tai chi on the sundeck at sunrise, breakfast, a kayak or bamboo boat trip through Luồn Cave, and return to Hanoi by mid-afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi to Halong Bay cruise and sightseeing

• Pick up at Hanoi Old Quarter hotel
• Drive to Halong Bay with break stop
• Reception at Halong International Harbour
• Board cruise and welcome drink
• Safety briefing and cabin check-in
• Cruise and lunch in Halong Bay
• Transfer to Surprise Cave by tender
• Transfer to Titov Island for swimming and climbing
• Return to cruise and relax on sundeck
• Happy hour drinks
• Vietnamese cooking demonstration
• Set menu dinner
• Evening entertainment and activities

Day 2: Morning Tai Chi and return to Hanoi

• Morning call and Tai Chi on sundeck
• Light breakfast in restaurant
• Visit Luon Cave by kayak or bamboo boat
• Return to cruise and check out cabin
• Brunch buffet and settle bills
• Transfer by tender to Halong International Port
• Farewell and disembark cruise
• Transfer back to Hanoi (if booked)

The experience

The Athena Royal sits three decks tall: a lower deck with cabins and reception, a middle deck with an indoor restaurant and bar, and a rooftop sundeck with an open bar, coffee lounge, spa and sauna. Your suite cabin has a private seaview balcony and bathroom. The ship carries 22 cabins in five different styles, so the vessel stays intimate even when full. Pickup begins at 8:00 AM from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter if you book the transfer option. The drive to Hạ Long International Harbour takes around 2.5 hours with a break midway.

Once aboard, you check in with a welcome drink and safety briefing, then the ship leaves the harbour at 12:45. Lunch arrives while you cruise past the bay's famous limestone karsts. At 14:45, a tender takes you to Surprise Cave, one of the widest grottoes in the UNESCO World Heritage area. By 15:45 you're at Titop Island for swimming, beach time or a climb to the rock's summit. Back on deck by 17:00, you watch the sunset from the sundeck. Happy hour runs 18:00–19:00 (buy one drink, get one free, wine excluded), followed by a Vietnamese cooking demonstration at 18:30 and a set menu dinner at 19:00. Evening options include film, games, squid fishing or a massage booked through the cruise manager.

Day two starts early: a 6:00 AM wake-up call if you request it, then tai chi instruction on the sundeck at 6:30. Light breakfast follows at 7:00. At 8:00 you board a kayak or local bamboo boat to explore Luồn Cave, known for its endemic vegetation. By 9:00 you're back aboard to check out. Brunch buffet is served at 9:30. A tender returns you to Hạ Long International Cruise Port at 11:00. If you booked the return transfer, the limousine bus departs at 11:30 and reaches Hanoi Old Quarter by 14:45–15:30.

What’s included

• Suite cabin with private seaview balcony and bathroom.
• visit to Surprise Cave and Titop Island.
• dinner with Vietnamese cooking demonstration and breakfast.
• welcome drinks and entrance fees.
• roundtrip limousine bus transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter (available on the Hanoi option only).

Options for this experience

2 options

Cruise only, departing from the harborGuide in English · 12:00Starts and ends at Halong Bay: we will meet you at Halong International Cruise Port at 11:30 for the meeting point and boarding of the cruise. Transfer available on request: an extra fee applies if you need a transfer with pickup from Hanoi or in Halong City. Athena Cruise or similar, with an Executive Suite room featuring a private balcony and a standing shower on the lower deck. Meals on the cruise according to the program.

Cruise departing from Hanoi at 8:00 AMGuide in English · 08:00Pickup at the Hanoi Old Quarter area, with a roundtrip bus transfer. Athena Cruise or similar: an Executive Suite room with a private balcony and a standing shower on the lower deck. Hanoi to Halong 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 to6h before

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

GroupUp to 44

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 25

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Authentic Hanoi Homestay & Travel

Is this one for you?Book the Hanoi pickup if you're starting from the city. Book harbour-only if you're already near Ha Long Bay and prefer to join directly at the ship.

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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's included in the overnight stay on the Athena Royal?

Your suite cabin has a private seaview balcony and bathroom. Dinner, breakfast, welcome drinks, and entrance fees to Surprise Cave and Titop Island are all included. Evening activities like film, games and squid fishing are free. Massage is available at an extra cost through the cruise manager.

How long is the drive from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay?

The transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter to Hạ Long International Harbour takes around 2.5 hours, with a break in the middle. Pickup starts at 8:00 AM if you choose the transfer option.

What can you do at Titop Island?

Titop Island offers swimming on a beautiful beach, relaxing time, and a climb up the rock steps to the island's summit for views of the bay.

Is there a choice between booking from Hanoi or the harbour?

Yes. You can book the cruise with a roundtrip limousine bus transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter, or book cruise-only from Hạ Long International Harbour if you're already in the area.

What happens on the morning of day two?

You can request a 6:00 AM wake-up call. Tai chi instruction runs on the sundeck at 6:30, light breakfast is at 7:00, and at 8:00 you explore Luồn Cave by kayak or bamboo boat before returning to check out and enjoy brunch at 9:30.