2-Day Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi: Private Cabin & All Meals

You sleep on the water and wake to Tai Chi on the sundeck.

A 2-day cruise from Hanoi to Halong Bay with overnight stay in a private cabin, all meals included, and guided visits to limestone caves, islands and kayaking areas. You choose between Halong Bay proper (Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island), Lan Ha Bay (Dark and Bright Cave with local rowing boats), or Bai Tu Long Bay (Thien Canh Son Cave). Round-trip transfer from Hanoi takes two hours by highway.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Cruise and explore Halong or Lan Ha Bay

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter
• Arrive at cruise dock and check in
• Welcome drinks and cabin check-in
• Enjoy lunch on board while cruising
• Visit Luon Cave or Pearl Farm by boat
• Visit Titop Island for swimming or hiking
• Sunset party with happy hour on board
• Cooking demonstration or free time
• Dinner on board under the stars
• Relax with spa or enjoy a cocktail

Day 2: Morning activities and return to Hanoi

• Morning Tai Chi on sundeck
• Light breakfast served
• Visit Sung Sot Cave and hike
• Check out and return to boat
• Brunch on board
• Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina
• Transfer back to Hanoi
• Drop off at hotel in Old Quarter

The experience

The cruise leaves Hanoi at 8am and reaches the dock by 11:30, giving you time to settle into your cabin before lunch. The boat sails toward your chosen bay (Halong, Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long), and you spend the afternoon exploring by kayak or bamboo boat, swimming at island beaches, or visiting floating villages. Dinner and a sunset party happen on board, with a happy hour (buy two drinks, get one free) from 5:30 to 7pm. A cooking demonstration or free time fills the evening before bed.

Day two starts with Tai Chi on the upper deck at 6am, followed by light breakfast. If you booked Halong Bay, you visit Sung Sot Cave, the largest in the bay, and hike to its top for views across the limestone landscape before returning to Hanoi by 3:30pm. Lan Ha Bay guests explore Dark and Bright Cave by local rowing boat, then head back to the wharf. Bai Tu Long Bay includes a Vietnamese cooking class where you learn to make nem cuon (spring rolls) or try fruit carving. All options include brunch on the boat and return to Hanoi by 3pm.

Cabins are air-conditioned with en-suite bathrooms, and the boat carries bottled water, kayaking gear and fishing equipment. An English-speaking guide travels with you, and meals are set menus served in the restaurant. The two-hour transfer uses a high-class limousine bus on the express highway, so you spend minimal time in transit and maximum time on the water.

What’s included

• Round-trip transfer from Hanoi via express highway.
• overnight stay in a private air-conditioned cabin with en-suite bathroom.
• all meals on board (lunch, dinner, breakfast, brunch).
• welcome drink.
• Tai Chi lesson.
• cooking demonstration.
• kayaking or bamboo boat trip.
• cave visits.
• complimentary bottled water in cabin.
• English-speaking guide.
• happy hour with buy-two-get-one-free drinks from 5:30–7pm.
• squid fishing equipment.

Options for this experience

6 options

Luxury Halong Bay, 1st floorUp to 10 people · Guide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Cabin amenities include air-conditioning, a fridge, slippers, and a private balcony with a large window, plus free tea and coffee and complimentary bottled water. Also included: towels, a private bathroom with a standing shower (bathtub on request if available), slippers, and a full set of toiletries. Activities during the tours include walking in or hiking to Sung Sot cave, swimming and hiking on Titop island, and kayaking or a bamboo boat trip. Duration: 2 days, visiting Halong Bay, with 24 hours of cruising and visits to busier areas. Food and drinks: meals (vegan, halal, and vegetarian options) and services are served at a very high standard throughout the trip. Evenings: a romantic dinner on the cruise sundeck (weather permitting), karaoke, music, and a party (no large or loud party). Transfer: included, by limousine bus round trip from Hanoi's Old Quarter via the express highway, a 2.5-hour drive. Pickup is included.

Lan Ha Bay luxury, on the 1st floorUp to 15 people · Guide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00A 2-day, 1-night cruise through the less crowded Cat Ba island area or caves on the islands, including Dark and Bright caves, and kayaking and swimming in beautiful, relaxing spots. Cabin amenities include air-conditioning, a fridge, a private balcony with a large window, free tea and coffee, and complimentary bottled water. Also provided: towels, a private bathroom with a standing shower (bathtub on request if available), slippers, and a full set of toiletries. Duration: 2 days, with 24 hours overnight in Lan Ha Bay and a visit to a less touristy area. Onboard activities include a cooking class, tai chi, squid fishing, a sunset party with complimentary drinks and fresh fruit, and a buffet brunch. Evenings feature a romantic dinner on the cruise sundeck (weather permitting), karaoke, music, and a party (no large or loud party). Food is served in generous quantities at a high standard, with halal, vegan, vegetarian, and Vietnamese options. Transfer: two-way between Hanoi and the cruise harbor, by shared limousine via the express highway, a 2-hour drive.

Luxury Lan Ha Bay, 2nd floorUp to 15 people · Guide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00A 2-day, 1-night cruise through the less crowded Cat Ba island area or caves on the islands, including Dark and Bright caves, and kayaking and swimming in beautiful, relaxing spots. Cabin amenities include air-conditioning, a fridge, a private balcony with a large window, free tea and coffee, and complimentary bottled water. Also provided: towels, a private bathroom with a standing shower (bathtub on request if available), slippers, and a full set of toiletries. Onboard activities include a cooking class, tai chi, squid fishing, a sunset party with complimentary drinks and fresh fruit, and a buffet brunch. Evenings feature a romantic dinner on the cruise sundeck (weather permitting), karaoke, music, and a party (no large or loud party). Food is served in generous quantities at a high standard, with halal, vegan, vegetarian, and Vietnamese options. Transfer: two-way between Hanoi and the cruise harbor, by shared limousine via the express highway, a 2-hour drive.

See 3 more options

Luxury Halong Bay, on the 2nd floorUp to 15 people · Guide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Cabin amenities include air-conditioning, a fridge, slippers, a private balcony with a large window, free tea and coffee, and complimentary bottled water. Also provided: towels, a private bathroom with a standing shower (bathtub on request if available), slippers, and a full set of toiletries. Activities during the tours include walking in or hiking to Sung Sot cave, swimming and hiking on Titop island, and kayaking or a bamboo boat trip. Duration: 2 days, visiting Halong Bay, with 24 hours of cruising and visits to busier areas. Onboard activities include squid fishing, a sunset party with happy hour, a cooking demonstration class, tai chi in the morning, a buffet brunch, and a BBQ buffet on the sundeck. Evenings: a romantic dinner on the cruise sundeck (weather permitting), karaoke, music, and a party (no large or loud party). Transfer: included, by limousine bus round trip from Hanoi's Old Quarter via the express highway, a 2.5-hour drive.

Lan Ha Bay, luxury 5+ classUp to 15 people · Guide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00A 2-day, 1-night cruise through the less crowded Cat Ba island area or caves on the islands, including Dark and Bright caves, and kayaking and swimming in beautiful, relaxing spots. Cabin amenities include a TV, air-conditioning, a fridge, a private balcony with a large window, free tea and coffee, and complimentary bottled water. Also provided: towels, a private bathroom with a standing shower (bathtub on request if available), slippers, and a full set of toiletries. Duration: 2 days, with 24 hours overnight in Lan Ha Bay and a visit to a less touristy area. Onboard activities include a cooking class, tai chi, squid fishing, a sunset party with complimentary drinks and fresh fruit, and a buffet brunch. Evenings feature a romantic dinner on the cruise sundeck (weather permitting), karaoke, music, and a party (no large or loud party). Food options include halal, vegan, vegetarian, and Vietnamese dishes, served in generous quantities at a high standard. Transfer: two-way between Hanoi and the cruise harbor, by shared limousine via the express highway, a 2-hour drive.

Halong Bay, luxury 5+ classUp to 15 people · Guide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Cabin amenities include a TV, air-conditioning, a fridge, slippers, a private balcony with a large window, free tea and coffee, and complimentary bottled water. Also provided: towels, a private bathroom with a standing shower (bathtub on request if available), slippers, and a full set of toiletries. Activities during the tours include walking in or hiking to Sung Sot cave, swimming and hiking on Titop island, and kayaking or a bamboo boat trip. Duration: 2 days, with walking in or hiking to Sung Sot cave, swimming and hiking on Titop island, and kayaking or a bamboo boat trip. Onboard activities include squid fishing, a sunset party with happy hour, a cooking demonstration class, tai chi in the morning, a buffet brunch, and a BBQ buffet on the sundeck. Food and drinks: meals (vegan, halal, and vegetarian options) and services are served at a very high standard throughout the trip. Evenings: a romantic dinner on the cruise sundeck (weather permitting), karaoke, music, and a party (no large or loud party). Transfer: included, by limousine bus round trip from Hanoi's Old Quarter via the express highway, a 2.5-hour drive.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Halong Bay Cruise Hunters

Is this one for you?Choose your bay based on what appeals most: Halong Bay if you want the largest cave and island hiking, Lan Ha Bay for a quieter area with local rowing boats, or Bai Tu Long Bay if you'd like hands-on cooking instruction. The fixed itinerary means all three options fit the same two-day window, so the choice is purely about which caves and activities suit your interests.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay on this cruise?

Halong Bay includes Sung Sot Cave (the largest in the region) and Titop Island for swimming and hiking; Lan Ha Bay features Dark and Bright Cave explored by local rowing boat and passes the French lighthouse at Da Chong Islet; Bai Tu Long Bay centers on Thien Canh Son Cave and includes a Vietnamese cooking class where you learn to make spring rolls or carve fruit.

How much time do I actually spend kayaking or in the water?

Kayaking or bamboo boat trips happen in the afternoon of day one, typically from 2:45pm to 5pm, depending on your chosen bay. Day two includes morning Tai Chi and cave visits but no scheduled water activities before brunch and departure.

What meals are included, and are there options for dietary restrictions?

All meals on board are included: lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast and brunch on day two. Menus are set Vietnamese cuisine served in the restaurant. Beverages beyond the welcome drink and complimentary water are not included, though the happy hour offers discounted drinks.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Hanoi, or is pickup included?

Round-trip transfer from Hanoi is included in the cruise price. Pickup happens at 8am from the Old Quarter area, and the bus returns you to your hotel or a point in the Old Quarter by 3:30pm on day two.