2-day Halong Bay kayaking from Hanoi with cave and island hiking

Kayak through limestone karsts, hike to island summits, and sleep on the water in Halong Bay

A 2-day cruise from Hanoi to Halong Bay with hotel pickup and return, overnight in a 3-star cabin, and guided activities including kayaking among the islands, hiking Titov island, exploring Surprise Cave, and a Vietnamese cooking class on board. Meals, drinks and all entry fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi to Halong Bay cruise and sightseeing

• Pick up from hotel in Hanoi
• Travel to Halong Bay with break
• Arrive Halong harbor and board cruise
• Enjoy Vietnamese lunch on cruise
• Sunbathe and photo hunting on sundeck
• Visit Surprising Cave
• Hike Titov Island and swim
• Enjoy sunset with fruit and local wine
• Dinner on cruise and evening activities

Day 2: Kayaking and return to Hanoi

• Watch sunrise and have breakfast
• Kayaking in Halong Bay
• Return to cruise and check out cabin
• Vietnamese spring roll cooking class
• Relax on sundeck
• Lunch on cruise
• Travel back to Hanoi with break
• Arrive hotel in Hanoi and trip ends

The experience

The bus picks you up at your Hanoi hotel between 7:45 and 8:30am and drives to Halong Bay with a break halfway. You board the 3-star cruise at the harbor, check into your cabin, and eat lunch while the boat cruises among the islands. The afternoon opens up: free time on the sundeck, then a visit to Surprise Cave, the largest grotto in Halong Bay, followed by a hike up Titov island to see the whole bay spread below you. You can swim off the sandy beach before heading back to the boat for sunset with local wine and fruit, then dinner and the option to join a squid fishing game or simply rest.

Day two starts early if you want to catch the sunrise from the deck. After breakfast, you kayak for about an hour and a quarter, paddling your own boat among the limestone mountains and exploring the quieter corners of the bay. Back on board, the chef walks you through making Vietnamese spring rolls, and you make your own to take with you. Lunch is served while the boat heads back to Halong harbor. The bus returns you to your Hanoi hotel by late afternoon, arriving between 4:30 and 5pm.

The cruise includes a deluxe double or twin cabin, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), welcome drink, coffee and tea throughout, entry to Surprise Cave, the cooking demonstration, kayaking time, swimming and hiking, plus an English-speaking guide. Vegetarian meals are available on request. Water is complimentary in both the bus and cabin.

What’s included

• Shuttle bus with air conditioning from Hanoi to Halong Bay and return.
• 3-star cabin with deluxe double or twin bed.
• welcome drink on arrival.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) with Vietnamese dishes and vegetarian options.
• coffee and tea throughout.
• entry to Surprise Cave.
• guided hike on Titov island with beach swimming time.
• kayaking among the islands.
• Vietnamese spring roll cooking class on board.
• squid fishing game.
• sunset fruit and local wine.
• English-speaking tour guide.
• complimentary water in the bus and cabin.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 80 years) · Youth (7 to 11 years) · Child (4 to 6 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Vietnam Real Tour

Is this one for you?The bus departs from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels, so you don't need a car or separate transport to reach Halong Bay. The two-day format gives you time for both the famous cave and island hike in a single trip, plus a night on the water to settle into the pace.

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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: Youth (7 to 11 years); Child (4 to 6 years); Infant (1 to 3 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.

Do you need any experience to kayak, or is this suitable for beginners?

Kayaking is included for all fitness levels, and the itinerary describes it as exploring the bay by your own on day two morning. No prior experience is mentioned as a requirement, and the activity is listed as suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What meals are included, and can you request vegetarian food?

Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner across the two days, served on the boat with Vietnamese dishes. Vegetarian food is available on request, and coffee and tea are complimentary throughout the cruise.

Does the price include the bus ride from Hanoi, or is that extra?

The shuttle bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay and back to Hanoi is included in the price. Pickup happens at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter between 7:45 and 8:30am on day one, and the return bus drops you back at your hotel by late afternoon on day two.