Ha Long Bay Catamaran Cruise with Cooking & Kayaking

Six hours on the water: swim, kayak, cook and watch the sunset from the boat

A luxury catamaran day cruise through Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay with six hours of cruising, premium lunch, and a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class. You swim and kayak in Lan Ha Bay, learn to make summer rolls onboard, and return by sunset. English-speaking guide and either limousine pickup from Hanoi or direct harbor check-in at 11am.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ha Long Bay2h · entry included
2. Lan Ha Bay4h · entry included

Luxury Catamaran Cruise in Ha Long Bay

• Pick up guests in Hanoi Old Quarter
• Drive to Ha Long Bay with break
• Board the cruise at Tuan Chau marina
• Enjoy lunch on board
• Swim and relax at Frog Pond, Lan Ha Bay
• Participate in cooking demonstration
• Attend sunset ceremony with tea and cakes
• Disembark at harbor
• Transfer back to Hanoi Old Quarter

The experience

The catamaran leaves Tuan Chau marina at 11:30am with a welcome drink and briefing as you head into the bay. Lunch comes first: an award-winning chef serves a premium meal paired with cocktails, wines and beers, with the bar open throughout. The boat then moves into Lan Ha Bay, where you have time to jump on the water slide, swim off the boat, or kayak in the quiet water. A trampoline sits ready if you want to stay active or simply relax on deck.

At 4pm, a cooking demonstration teaches you to make Vietnamese summer rolls from fresh ingredients, with hands-on practice so you can recreate the dish at home. As the sun drops, you gather for the sunset ceremony with complimentary Vietnamese tea, fresh fruit and cakes while the sky turns deep red and purple. The boat sails back as the light fades, and you disembark by 5:45pm.

Three options shape the day: shared limousine pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels at 7:45am (with a 2.5 to 3-hour drive and one rest stop), private limousine at 8:30am, or harbor-only departure at 11am if you arrange your own transport to Tuan Chau marina. The full day with transfer runs 12 hours door-to-door. The cruise alone is six hours on the water.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide and cruise manager onboard.
• premium lunch meal with open bar.
• six hours of cruising through Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
• kayaking or rowing bamboo boat.
• water slide and trampoline access.
• hands-on Vietnamese cooking class.
• sunset party with complimentary tea, fresh fruit and cakes.
• entrance fees for sightseeing attractions.
• shared or private limousine transfer from Hanoi (depending on option chosen) or harbor-only check-in.

Options for this experience

3 options

Cruise from the harbor only, 11:00Guide in English · 09:30 and 11:00Meeting point at Tuan Chau: please come to Block 25, Tuan Chau International Marina Terminal 2, Tuan Chau, Ha Long at 11:00 AM to check in for the cruise. Transfer pickup is not included; if you need pickup from Hanoi or Ha Long City, it costs extra. Catamaran cruise: if the catamaran is full, others with a similar itinerary and activities will be arranged. Duration: 6 hours, covering Tuan Chau Port, the catamaran cruise, Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and back to Tuan Chau Port. Premium lunch on the boat in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

From Hanoi with limousine, 07:45Guide in English · 07:00Pickup from Hanoi: pickup at your hotel or Airbnb in the Hanoi Old Quarter area between 07:45 and 08:00. Shared limousine transfer: you will share a limousine with other guests on the round-trip transfer. Catamaran cruise: if the catamaran is full, others with a similar itinerary and activities will be arranged. Duration: 12 hours, covering Hanoi, Tuan Chau Port, the catamaran cruise, Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Tuan Chau Port again and Hanoi. Premium lunch on the boat in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Pickup is included.

From Hanoi + Private Limo / 8:30Guide in English · 08:30Pickup from around Hanoi: pickup at your hotel or Airbnb anywhere in Hanoi City. Private limousine transfer: a private limousine, a better choice for guests who prefer not to share with others. Join the group on the catamaran cruise: if the catamaran is full, others with a similar itinerary and activities will be arranged. Duration: 12 hours, covering Hanoi, Tuan Chau Port, the catamaran cruise, Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Tuan Chau Port again and Hanoi. Premium lunch on the boat in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 08:30, 09:30 and 11:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Youth (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Authentic Hanoi Homestay & Travel

Is this one for you?Choose Hanoi pickup for a morning departure from the Old Quarter. Book the private limousine if your hotel is outside the main area and you need an 8:30am start instead.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 8 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is Bright Cave and do we visit it on this cruise?

Bright Cave is a natural cave in Lan Ha Bay where the itinerary mentions a local rowing boat experience, though the exact timing and whether it is a separate stop or part of the kayaking and swimming window is not detailed in the cruise schedule.

Can I book this cruise if I'm already in Ha Long Bay and don't need the Hanoi transfer?

Yes, the harbor-only option lets you skip the transfer entirely and check in directly at Tuan Chau International Marina Terminal 2 at 11am. You pay only for the cruise itself.

Is the cooking class hands-on, or do I just watch?

The cooking demonstration is hands-on: you learn the history and preparation of a traditional Vietnamese dish, then make Vietnamese summer rolls yourself so you can prepare them at home afterward.

What's included in the premium lunch?

Premium lunch is served onboard from 12 to 1pm with a choice of dishes prepared by the award-winning chef, plus cocktails, wines and beers available from the open bar throughout the meal.

How much time do we spend swimming and kayaking in Lan Ha Bay?

Swimming and kayaking happen from 3:15 to 3:45pm at Frog Pond in Lan Ha Bay, where you can use the water slide and trampoline, swim off the boat, or kayak in the quiet water. About 30 minutes to choose your activity.