3-day kayaking Ha Long Bay: Aspira Cruise to Lan Ha

Paddle through limestone karsts and fishing villages, then return to your suite each night.

A 3-day cruise from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay with kayaking, swimming and island exploration aboard the Aspira Cruise, a ship combining modern comfort with traditional design. You kayak at Light and Dark Cave on day one, bike through Viet Hai Village and paddle Ba Trai Dao on day two, then kayak around a fishing village before returning to Hanoi on day three. Meals, accommodation in a suite with private balcony, English-speaking guide, welcome drink and a cooking class are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Ha Noi to Lan Ha Bay cruise

• Pick up at Hanoi Old Quarter hotel
• Travel via new highway to Tuan Chau Wharf
• Transfer by tender boat to Aspira Cruises
• Check-in and receive welcome drink
• Cruise briefing and lunch on board
• Discover Light & Dark Cave with kayaking or bamboo boat
• Swim near the ship
• Admire sunset and relax in jacuzzi
• Join sunset party and Happy Hour
• Attend traditional cooking class or enjoy massage and fitness
• Dinner on board
• Enjoy evening activities: squid fishing, movie, spa, or relax

Day 2: Cat Ba Island and Ba Trai Dao beach

• Morning Tai Chi exercises
• Breakfast on board
• Transfer by tender boat to Viet Hai Village
• Explore Viet Hai Village by bicycle or electric car
• Stroll around village and meet locals
• Return to tender boat for lunch
• Relax and sunbathe on board
• Swim and kayak at Ba Trai Dao beaches
• Return to Aspira Cruises
• Join mini cooking class
• Dinner on board
• Rest and refresh

Day 3: Lan Ha Bay to Ha Noi

• Morning Tai Chi or gym with sunrise view
• Light breakfast on board
• Kayak or swim around fishing village
• Return to boat and check out cabin
• Brunch while cruising back to pier
• Settle bill and transfer by tender to port
• Disembark from cruise
• Transfer to Hanoi if required
• Arrive in Hanoi and end trip

The experience

The itinerary builds around kayaking and swimming in less-trafficked waters. Day one starts with a pickup in Hanoi's Old Quarter and a drive to Tuan Chau Wharf, where you board the Aspira Cruise. After lunch, you kayak or take a bamboo boat at Light and Dark Cave, then swim near the ship and join a sunset party with drinks. A traditional cooking class runs in the evening if you want it, or you can try squid fishing, use the spa, or rest in your cabin.

Day two focuses on Cat Ba Island. You start with Tai Chi on deck at dawn, then bike or ride an electric car through Viet Hai Village (a small settlement surrounded by mountains about 4 kilometers inland) to walk among the local homes and fields. Lunch is back on the ship. In the afternoon, you kayak around Ba Trai Dao to explore the limestone formations and swim, or sunbathe on deck. Another cooking class and dinner follow.

Day three is a shorter morning. Tai Chi and breakfast come first, then a final kayak around a fishing village or a swim in Lan Ha Bay. You check out, have brunch while the ship sails back, and return to Hanoi by midday. The Aspira Cruise has a jacuzzi, fitness center, massage service and restaurant on board, and your suite includes a private balcony and bathtub.

What’s included

• Accommodation in a Junior, Presidential, Senior or Executive suite with private balcony or terrace and bathtub for two or three guests.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner each day).
• welcome drink on arrival.
• entry to Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
• kayaking or bamboo boat option at each stop.
• bicycle or electric car tour of Viet Hai Village.
• two cooking classes onboard.
• squid fishing equipment.
• English-speaking guide throughout the cruise.
• sunset party with complimentary drinks and Happy Hour pricing.

Options for this experience

4 options

Balcony junior suiteUp to 15 people · Guide in English · Available from 7 Dec · 11:00Junior Suite on the boat's 1st floor, featuring a private balcony and bathtub. All meals are included. Lan Ha Bay

Balcony senior suiteUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 11:00Senior Suite with balcony: located on the 2nd floor for convenient access. The room has a private balcony and bathtub. All meals are included. Lan Ha Bay

Terrace executive suiteUp to 5 people · Guide in English · Available from 14 Nov · 11:00Executive Suite on the 2nd floor, with a terrace furnished with sunbeds. All meals are included. Lan Ha Bay

Presidential Suite with terraceUp to 4 people · Guide in English · 11:00Presidential Suite at the front of the boat, the quietest area, with a large terrace furnished with sunbeds and chairs. All meals are included. Lan Ha Bay

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 11:00

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 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$ 40

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Aspira Cruises

Is this one for you?Choose this cruise if you want kayaking and swimming included with accommodation. You stay aboard the same suite each night rather than moving between hotels, and all three stops fit within the three days.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 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 difference between kayaking and taking a bamboo boat at Light and Dark Cave?

Light and Dark Cave gives you the choice: you can paddle a kayak yourself or sit in a bamboo boat while a local rows. Both let you explore the cave and the water around it. The bamboo boat is a gentler option if you prefer not to paddle.

How far is Viet Hai Village from where the tender boat drops you off?

Viet Hai Village is about 4 kilometers from the landing point. You travel there by bicycle or electric car, so you cover the distance without walking the whole way, then stroll through the village itself to see the homes and meet locals.

Are meals included in the cruise, and what about drinks?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included each day. A welcome drink comes when you board. Drinks from the bar, massage service and other personal expenses are not included and are paid separately.

Can I choose which suite I want to stay in?

Yes. You pick your room type when you book: Junior Suite with balcony, Presidential Suite with terrace, Senior Suite with balcony, or Executive Suite with terrace. All include a private balcony or terrace and a bathtub.

Does the price include transport from my hotel in Hanoi?

The cruise price does not include transfers to and from Hanoi Old Quarter. If you need pickup and drop-off, you can arrange it separately or book transport on your own.

What happens if I'm not comfortable kayaking?

Kayaking is offered as an activity, but you have other options at each stop. At Light and Dark Cave you can take a bamboo boat instead. On day two you can sunbathe and swim rather than kayak. On day three you can swim or rest on deck. The itinerary is flexible enough to skip paddling if you prefer.