Halong Bay Catamaran Cruise: Kayaking, Cooking Class & Sunset

Kayak into limestone caves, cook Vietnamese summer rolls, watch the sunset from the water

A six-hour catamaran cruise through Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay combines kayaking or bamboo boat rides to the Bright-Dark Cave, a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class, and sunset tea on deck. The luxury vessel includes premium lunch, a jacuzzi and water slide, and an English-speaking guide navigating the less-crowded Lan Ha Bay alongside Halong's UNESCO heritage waters.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ha Long Bay4h · entry included
2. Lan Ha Bay1h · entry included

Luxury Catamaran Cruise in Halong Bay

• Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina Terminal
• Board the cruise at 11:30 AM
• Cruise from Halong Bay to Lan Ha Bay
• Lunch on board from 12:00 to 13:00
• Kayaking or bamboo boat to Bright-Dark Cave
• Visit Frog Pond and swim in Lan Ha Bay
• Cooking demonstration of Vietnamese summer rolls
• Sunset ceremony with tea and cakes
• Return sail and disembark by 18:00

The experience

Lan Ha Bay sits southeast of Cat Ba Island as a quieter extension of Halong Bay, ringed by around 300 karst islands and limestone rocks. The catamaran departs Tuan Chau Harbor at 11:30 and heads into this less-visited landscape, passing through the geological formations that define both bays. Lunch comes onboard between noon and 1 p.m., then the day splits into water and learning: either kayak or take a bamboo boat to the Bright-Dark Cave, a limestone chamber straddling the border of Halong and Lan Ha, then swim at Frog Pond in the shallows of Lan Ha Bay.

At 4 p.m., a cooking demonstration teaches the history and technique of a traditional Vietnamese dish, moving from fresh ingredients through preparation so you can make Vietnamese summer rolls yourself: skills that travel home to your own kitchen. The class is hands-on and informal, built around one dish you'll actually learn to execute. Between activities, the jacuzzi and water slide on the upper deck stay open. The boat's upscale interior and personalized service run through the whole day.

Sunset ceremony begins at 4:30 with complimentary Vietnamese tea, fresh fruit, and cakes as the sky deepens into reds, purples, and yellows. The return sail to Tuan Chau takes the final hour, with disembarkation by 6 p.m. The whole arc (water, food, light) fits into one afternoon without rushing.

What’s included

• Premium lunch meal on the boat.
• free use of the jacuzzi and water slide.
• entrance fees and an English-speaking guide.
• six hours of exploration across Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
• sunset afternoon tea with fresh fruit and cakes.
• kayaking or bamboo boat access to the Bright-Dark Cave.
• swimming at Frog Pond.
• hands-on Vietnamese cooking class where you make summer rolls.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:15

Book up to1h before

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

GroupUp to 90

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 25

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Authentic NINH BINH

Is this one for you?The boat departs from Tuan Chau Harbor in Halong Bay itself, so if you're staying in Halong or can arrange your own transport there, you board directly without a separate transfer. If you're based in Hanoi or elsewhere without a car, you'll need to arrange separate transport to the harbor, but the cruise itself handles everything once you arrive: the guide, the meals, the activities, and the return timing all fit into one afternoon on the water.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

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

What's inside the Bright-Dark Cave that makes it worth the kayak or bamboo boat ride?

The Bright-Dark Cave sits in the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve at the border of Halong and Lan Ha bays, a limestone chamber with two distinct sections created by the geology of the region. The cave is named for its contrasting light and shadow zones, and the surrounding area holds the geological character of both bays plus nearby fishing villages where locals live in balance with the sea.

How does the cooking class work? Do I actually make something?

Yes, you make Vietnamese summer rolls yourself during the demonstration. The guide teaches the history of the dish, walks through ingredient selection and preparation methods, then you have a turn making them. The skills transfer directly to your own kitchen at home.

Is Lan Ha Bay really less crowded than Halong Bay?

Lan Ha Bay is less visited and less inhabited than Halong Bay, with the same karst landscape but fewer tourist boats. The catamaran routes through Lan Ha as the quieter alternative while still covering both bays in a single day.

What time does the boat leave and return to the harbor?

The catamaran boards at 11:30 a.m. at Tuan Chau Harbor and disembarks by 6 p.m., making it a six-hour cruise. If you're booking from Halong, arrive by 11:15 a.m. at Block 25, Tuan Chau International Marina Terminal 2. If you're staying elsewhere, plan your own transport to the harbor.