Halong Bay: 2-Day Luxury Cruise, Caves & Cooking Class

Halong Bay caves, kayak adventures and sunset deck moments

You’ll float through Halong Bay’s calm waters on a two-day cruise, exploring Surprise Cave and Titop Island with a local guide. Swim or hike as you like, try your hand at Vietnamese cooking (with plenty of laughs), kayak near limestone cliffs, and wake up to sunrise Tai Chi on deck. It’s less about checking sights off a list: more about feeling what makes this place linger in your memory.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Halong Bay cruise and activities

• Pick up from Hanoi hotels (if booked)
• Meet at Tuan Chau or Sun Harbor (if from Halong City)
• Board the cruise around 11:00–11:30
• Explore Surprise Cave
• Swim or hike at Titop Island
• Enjoy lunch on board
• Relax on sundeck with drinks and cooking class
• Dinner with Vietnamese and international cuisine
• Squid fishing or karaoke at night

Day 2: Morning activities and return

• Tai Chi session on sundeck at sunrise
• Kayaking in hidden lagoons
• Enjoy breakfast on board
• Brunch while cruising back to harbor
• End of service at Halong harbor or transfer to Hanoi

The experience

I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice was the faint smell of salt in the air at Tuan Chau Harbor, or maybe it was just my nerves. Our guide, Minh, waved us over with this big grin like he’d been waiting for old friends. The boat wasn’t some shiny hotel-on-water. It felt more like a floating home, with polished wood and a gentle creak every time someone moved. I kept thinking, “Is this really Halong Bay?” because it looked almost too calm to be real.

The first afternoon blurred together: Surprise Cave was cooler inside than I thought (literally, I should’ve brought a light jacket), and Minh pointed out rock shapes that supposedly looked like dragons or elephants. Honestly, I saw more blobs than animals but everyone laughed when I said so. Later on Titop Island, people were hiking up for the view but I just floated in the water for ages. There’s something about swimming in that green bay with limestone cliffs all around. It made me feel small in a good way.

Evening was my favorite part. We sat on the sundeck with fruit and tea while the sky turned this slow gold-pink. The cooking class was less serious than I expected. My spring roll fell apart and Minh tried to show me again (“more gentle!”), but I still ate it anyway. At night some folks sang karaoke (badly) and others tried squid fishing under these weirdly bright stars. It was quieter than Hanoi. You could actually hear yourself think out there.

Waking up early for Tai Chi on deck wasn’t something I’d ever do at home, but here it felt right. After breakfast we kayaked near Dau Go Cave. Paddling close to those cliffs made them seem even bigger somehow. By lunch, everyone seemed slower: maybe just soaking up the last bits of Halong Bay before heading back to Hanoi or wherever next. Still can’t quite shake that feeling of drifting between sky and water.

What’s included

Your trip includes an English-speaking local guide from boarding onward, all entry fees for caves and islands along Halong Bay’s route, overnight accommodation in your own private cabin (shared only within your group), all main meals onboard (lunches, dinner and breakfast) plus welcome drinks, tea and coffee throughout. Activities like Tai Chi at sunrise, kayaking by Dau Go Cave, Vietnamese spring roll cooking class, squid fishing under starlight and even karaoke are all part of what you get before returning by shuttle (if booked) or making your own way onward.

Options for this experience

3 options

Holiday SurchargeGuide in English · 23:30Note: A mandatory charge applies to each guest, adult and child, on 24 Dec, 31 Dec and 1 Jan. This is charged in addition to the regular tour price.

Shared Cabin – Up to 3 GuestsGuide in English · 23:30Shared standard cabin for 2 to 3 guests per cabin. At least 2 paying guests are required. Solo travelers must choose the Single Cabin option. A shuttle bus costs an extra 300,000 VND each way; contact our operations team in advance to confirm and arrange it. Cruise and cabin availability is subject to confirmation. One child under 4 stays free per cabin; a second child pays 50% of the adult rate.

Single Cabin – Up to 1 GuestGuide in English · 23:30Private standard cabin for one guest. A shuttle bus is available for an extra 300,000 VND each way; please contact our operations team in advance to confirm and arrange it. Cruise and cabin availability is subject to confirmation. Intended for one guest only; children may not share.

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 23:30

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

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.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by SST TRAVEL

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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.

Is transportation from Hanoi included in the Halong Bay cruise?

No, transport is not included by default but you can pre-book a limousine shuttle for 300,000 VND per way per person.

Where does the Halong Bay cruise start?

You’ll meet at Tuan Chau Harbor or Sun Harbor in Halong City. Exact location is confirmed after booking.

What activities are included during the cruise?

You’ll visit Surprise Cave and Titop Island, swim or hike, join a cooking class, try squid fishing or karaoke at night, kayak near Dau Go Cave, and do Tai Chi on deck.

Are meals provided on the 2-day Halong Bay cruise?

Yes, lunch and dinner on day one plus breakfast and lunch on day two are included.

How many people share each cabin?

The cabin is private for your group only: maximum two adults plus one extra adult or child with an extra bed if available.

When does the cruise return to Hanoi?

If you book return transport to Hanoi Old Quarter you’ll arrive around 14:30–15:00 after lunch on day two.

Is there an English-speaking guide onboard?

Yes, an English-speaking guide accompanies your group throughout the tour.