2-Day Lan Ha Bay Cruise from Ninh Binh: Kayak & Overnight

Kayak hidden lagoons, swim in the bay, cook Vietnamese dishes onboard, and sleep under the stars on the water

A 2-day small-group cruise from Ninh Binh to Lan Ha Bay combines inland scenery with coastal limestone karsts, overnight accommodation on the boat, and a mix of activities: kayaking through Dark and Bright caves, swimming in clear water, visiting Viet Hai fishing village by bicycle, and learning to cook traditional dishes with the onboard chef. Pickup from Ninh Binh hotels and return to Hanoi are included. Meals, welcome drink, sunrise Tai Chi, and an English-speaking guide round out the package.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Ninh Binh to Lan Ha Bay Cruise

• Bus pickup from hotel in Ninh Binh
• Short break in Hai Duong province
• Arrive at Ben Beo Harbour, Cat Ba Island
• Board cruise and check in
• Enjoy welcome drink and safety briefing
• Lunch onboard cruise
• Cruise through Lan Ha Bay islets
• Kayak to Dark & Bright Cave
• Swim in Lan Ha Bay
• Watch sunset from cruise deck
• Join traditional Vietnamese cooking class
• Dinner onboard cruise
• Night activities: squid fishing and karaoke

Day 2: Viet Hai Village and Return to Hanoi

• Enjoy sunrise and light breakfast on cruise
• Transfer to tender for Viet Hai Village visit
• Bicycle or electric car ride through rainforest
• Visit traditional house and village school
• Return to cruise and check out
• Lunch onboard while cruising back
• Disembark at quay side
• Transfer to Hanoi
• Arrive and drop off at hotel in Hanoi

The experience

The tour starts with a morning pickup from your Ninh Binh hotel and a three-hour drive to Ben Beo Harbour on Cat Ba Island. Once onboard, you'll check in, get a safety briefing, and settle in with a welcome drink before lunch. The boat then sails into Lan Ha Bay, where the limestone karsts rise around you: an area fewer cruise ships visit because the route runs through less-traveled waters via Coc Ngoi islet and Cua Dong.

Afternoons and evenings fill with the activities that make this trip different from a standard sightseeing tour. You kayak through Dark and Bright Cave and around the islets, then swim in the bay's clear water. Back onboard, you can join the cooking class where the chef teaches you to make Vietnamese dishes, or relax on deck watching the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Dinner is served in an intimate setting, and the evening opens up: try night squid fishing from the boat, sing karaoke, or simply watch the bay at night from the top deck. You sleep onboard.

Day two starts early with sunrise coffee or photos from your cabin, followed by a light breakfast. A tender takes you to Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island, where you bicycle (or ride an electric car) through a rainforest tunnel into a valley deep in the national park. You meet local residents, visit a traditional house, and see the village school before returning to the boat for checkout. Lunch is served as you cruise back to the harbor, and the transfer to Hanoi takes about three hours, arriving mid-afternoon.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Ninh Binh and drop-off in Hanoi.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner both days).
• welcome drink and happy hour drinks onboard.
• kayaking equipment.
• entrance and sightseeing fees.
• sunrise Tai Chi.
• cooking class instruction.
• overnight luxury cabin accommodation.
• travel insurance.
• and an English-speaking guide throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (9 to 50 years) · Senior (51 and older) · Youth (5 to 8 years) · Child (3 to 4 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 72 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 19.29

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Ninh Binh FootPrint Travel

Is this one for you?Small-group cruising means you'll have fewer than a dozen people onboard, so the pace stays relaxed and the crew can give you real attention: ideal if you want to connect with other travelers and your guide rather than move through a crowded boat. The 2-day format fits the journey from Ninh Binh's countryside to the coast without rushing. A 1-day trip would skip the overnight and the village visit, while a longer cruise would add more remote anchorages.

Traveler reviews

4.88★★★★★★★★★★

8 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 8 years); Child (3 to 4 years); Infant (under 3): 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 72 h before the start.

What's the kayaking like in Lan Ha Bay?

Kayaking takes you through Dark and Bright Cave and around the limestone islets in an area few cruise ships reach. The water is clear and calm, and you paddle at your own pace through the karst landscape. Swimming stops are built into the route.

Do I have to do the cooking class, or is it optional?

The cooking class runs in the early evening onboard, and you can join it or skip it to relax on deck or at the bar instead. The chef teaches traditional Vietnamese dishes to those who want to participate.

What's Viet Hai Village like?

Viet Hai is a small settlement nestled in a valley inside a national park on Cat Ba Island, reached by bicycle or electric car through a rainforest tunnel. You visit a traditional house, meet residents going about their daily work, and see the village school. The visit lasts a couple of hours before you return to the boat.

Is the overnight stay comfortable?

You sleep in a luxury cabin onboard the cruise boat. The accommodations are described as suitable for all fitness levels, and the boat has a full catering staff preparing meals throughout your stay.

How much time is there for swimming?

Swimming happens in the afternoon after kayaking, with a dedicated swim stop in the clear waters of Lan Ha Bay around 3:20 pm. You can also swim from the boat in the evening if you choose.

What happens if I want to skip the bicycle ride in Viet Hai Village?

An electric car is available as an alternative to the bicycle for the rainforest tunnel ride to the village, so you can still visit without pedaling.