Halong Bay: 2-Day Small Cruise with Kayak & Cat Ba Bike

Summary

Quiet waters, local flavors and sunrise light on Lan Ha Bay

You’ll drift through Lan Ha Bay’s calm waters on a small-group cruise, kayak under limestone arches, try your hand at rolling spring rolls with locals, and bike quiet village paths on Cat Ba Island. Meals are fresh from the bay and mornings start with sunrise over glassy water — it’s simple but leaves an echo long after you return.

What’s the experience like?

Chopsticks clinked as our guide, Minh, passed around a plate of just-caught shrimp — still warm from the kitchen. I was distracted by the scent of lemongrass drifting through the open window, but Minh had this way of making everyone laugh (even the shy couple from Lyon). We’d left Hanoi Old Quarter that morning in a sleepy haze, but by the time we reached Cai Beo Port and boarded the classic Halong Venezia cruise, it felt like we’d stepped into another world. There were only about a dozen of us — which meant you actually remembered people’s names by dinner. The cabins smelled faintly of wood polish and sea air. I liked that.

Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay was quieter than I expected — no big tour boats blaring music, just the slap of paddles and sometimes a distant rooster from Cat Ba Island. Our little group floated into Dark & Bright Cave; someone joked about getting stuck (we didn’t), and for a minute all you could hear was water echoing off limestone. Later, after swimming in water so clear you could see your toes wiggle, we watched the sky turn pinkish-orange from the sundeck. Minh tried to teach us how to roll Vietnamese spring rolls — Li laughed when I tried to say “nem rán” in Mandarin (I probably butchered it). Dinner tasted even better after all that saltwater.

The next morning started early — not because anyone made us, but because sunrise through those cabin windows is impossible to ignore. Breakfast felt unhurried; coffee tasted stronger out on deck with mist still clinging to the karsts. We took a tender over to Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island and biked beneath these tangled green tunnels where sunlight flickered through leaves. A local woman waved as she swept her porch; her dog barked once and then flopped back down. It was one of those moments you don’t really photograph right — you just remember it later when you’re back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay cruise

• Collect from Hanoi Old Quarter
• Drive to Haiphong Port
• Arrive Cai Beo Port, transfer to cruise
• Welcome onboard and check in
• Enjoy welcome drink and safety briefing
• Have lunch on board
• Visit Cat Ba Island and Ba Trai Dao area
• Kayak at Dark & Bright Cave
• Swim in Lan Ha Bay
• Watch sunset from cruise
• Join traditional cooking class
• Enjoy happy hour and dinner onboard

Day 2 — Viet Hai Village and return to Hanoi

• Watch sunrise and have breakfast
• Transfer to Viet Hai Village by tender
• Bicycle ride through rainforest to village
• Visit traditional house and meet locals
• Return to cruise and check out
• Enjoy lunch while cruising back
• Disembark at quay side
• Bus drop off at Hanoi Old Quarter

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Halong Bay cruise?

Yes, pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter is included before heading to Cai Beo Port.

What activities are offered during the 2-day Halong Bay cruise?

You’ll kayak in Lan Ha Bay, swim, bike on Cat Ba Island at Viet Hai Village, join a cooking demo, and have time for squid fishing or karaoke onboard.

Are meals provided during the cruise?

Yes, lunch, dinner, breakfast and another lunch are included with fresh local seafood and Vietnamese dishes served onboard.

How many people are on this small group Halong Bay cruise?

The boat has 10 cabins with a maximum of 23 passengers for an intimate group experience.

Is this Halong Bay cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and all areas onboard are wheelchair accessible.

Do I need to be fit for biking on Cat Ba Island?

No special fitness required; electric cars are also available if you prefer not to bike.

Where does the cruise start and end?

The tour starts with pickup in Hanoi Old Quarter and ends with drop-off there after returning from Lan Ha Bay.

What’s included

Your two days include hotel pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter, all meals onboard featuring fresh seafood from Lan Ha Bay, kayaking equipment for exploring caves and islets, swimming stops in clear water, a guided biking trip or electric car ride through Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island (with visits to homes and schools), plus a cooking class demonstration. Deluxe cabins have air conditioning and private bathrooms; tea, coffee and bottled water are always available in your room before heading back to Hanoi at sunset.