2-day Lan Ha Bay kayaking from Hanoi: Overnight cruise
Paddle through karst islands, sleep on the water, bike a quiet village
A 2-day kayaking tour in Lan Ha Bay departing from Hanoi includes pickup, overnight accommodation on a traditional boat, all meals, and guided activities. Day one brings kayaking around limestone formations, swimming off the boat deck, a cooking class and squid fishing. Day two adds a sunrise, breakfast, and a 5km bike ride through Viet Hai Village before returning to Hanoi.
Options for this experience
4 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay cruise and activities
- Pick up from Hanoi old quarter
- Transfer to Lan Ha Bay with break
- Check-in onboard at Cai Beo harbour
- Enjoy seafood lunch while sailing
- Kayak around Lan Ha Bay
- Swim and jump from boat
- Join cooking class with spring rolls
- Dinner on board
- Squid fishing and karaoke
- Happy hour on sundeck
- Overnight on boat
Day 2: Lan Ha Bay biking and return to Hanoi
- Wake up to sunrise on bay
- Breakfast on board
- Biking trip to Viet Hai Village
- Lunch on boat
- Disembark at To Beo Harbor
- Bus transfer back to Hanoi
- Drop off at hotel
What’s included
- All taxes and fees.
- English-speaking guide.
- one night onboard in a private cabin with air-conditioning and hot shower.
- breakfast and dinner both days, plus lunch both days.
- all kayaking activities and entrance fees.
- spring roll cooking class.
- squid fishing and karaoke.
- shuttle bus pickup from Hanoi old quarter at 7am (depending on your option) or from Hanoi Opera House by 7:30am.
Times
- Every day 07:00 11:30
Before you book
Operated by Vietnam Tonkin Travel
Prices and times updated 6 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The boat picks you up from Hanoi's old quarter or Opera House at 7am and drives you to Cat Ba Island, where you board around noon. Lunch is fresh seafood served while the cruise sails into Lan Ha Bay through the Cua Van area, surrounded by karst cliffs. At 2:30pm you kayak around the bay's limestone islands. At 4:30pm you swim in a nearby area by jumping from the boat's top deck into open water. Back onboard, you join a spring roll cooking class before dinner at 7pm, then stay up for squid fishing and karaoke if you want.
You sleep in a private cabin with air-conditioning, hot shower and private bathroom. Morning starts at 6am with a sunrise over the bay (weather permitting), followed by breakfast in the restaurant. At 7am the boat moves to Viet Hai harbour, where you bike 5km through the village: a quiet, flat ride through local scenery. Lunch happens back on the boat at 11am. By noon you disembark at Cai Beo harbour and board a bus back to Hanoi, arriving around 4pm at your hotel.
The group stays small, and an English-speaking guide travels with you both days. All activities, entrance fees, kayaking gear and meals are included. You bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat and a camera. The boat has a sundeck where you can join the group for drinks and conversation after dinner.
Is this one for you?Book the morning departure from Hanoi if you want the full first day in the bay. The 11:30am option starts at the harbour instead, so you skip the drive and join the boat later. Small groups mean you kayak and swim without crowds, and sleeping onboard lets you catch both sunrise and sunset without rushing back to the city.
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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 (9 to 17 years); Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4): 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 kayaking like in Lan Ha Bay?
Kayaking happens in the afternoon of day one around limestone karst islands in the Cua Van area. The route is paddled in a small group with the guide, and the scenery includes tall rock formations rising from the water.
Do I need to bring my own kayak or swimming gear?
Kayaking equipment is included and provided onboard. You bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen and any personal items you need for the water.
What's Viet Hai Village like on the bike ride?
Viet Hai Village is a quiet place on Cat Ba Island where you bike for about half an hour on a 5km route. The scenery is described as pretty, and the ride is flat and easy to manage.
How much time do I spend on the boat versus off it?
You board around noon on day one and stay onboard through the night. Day two includes a sunrise, breakfast, then a bike ride through the village from 7am to around 8:30am before returning to the boat for lunch and the journey back to Hanoi.
Is the overnight cabin comfortable?
Your cabin has a private bathroom, air-conditioning, a fan and a hot shower. Rooms are shared (double or twin) depending on the option you book, and bedding and towels are provided.
What meals are included, and are there dietary options?
Breakfast and dinner are included both days, plus lunch on day one and day two. Meals feature fresh seafood and local Vietnamese food prepared onboard. You also join a spring roll cooking class on day one. Drinks are available to purchase at the bar.
2-day Lan Ha Bay kayaking from Hanoi: Overnight cruise
2d · EN +1
from US$ 170 per person
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