Ha Long Bay 3 Day Tour: Sung Sot Cave & Kayaking

Three bays, three different crowds—which one matches your pace?

You board a cruise in one of three bays—Ha Long, Lan Ha, or Bai Tu Long—with meals, a private cabin, and a guide included. Days mix kayaking through caves, swimming, hiking, and optional activities like Tai Chi and squid fishing. Transport from Hanoi is included both ways, and you're back in the city by mid-afternoon on day three.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and cruise activities

• Pick up guests in Hanoi Old Quarter
• Transfer to Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay or Cat Ba Island
• Check in cruise and welcome drinks
• Enjoy lunch on board while cruising
• Visit Luon Cave or Pearl Farm by bamboo boat or kayak (Halong Bay)
• Swim or hike on Titop Island (Halong Bay)
• Kayak in caves and grottos (Halong Bay)
• Explore Lan Ha Bay by kayak and swim (Lan Ha Bay)
• Visit local village and bike or trek on Cat Ba Island (Lan Ha Bay + Cat Ba)
• Kayak and swim at Cap La Island (Bai Tu Long Bay)
• Enjoy sunset party and happy hour on board
• Cooking demonstration or free time
• Dinner on board
• Relax with spa or enjoy evening activities

Day 2 — Morning activities and exploration

• Morning Tai Chi on sundeck
• Breakfast on board
• Transfer to day boat for exploration
• Kayak and swim in Tung Sau area (Halong Bay)
• Visit Me Cung Cave (Halong Bay)
• Relax on sundeck or spa treatment
• Enjoy lunch on day boat
• Biking or electric car tour and visit local village (Lan Ha Bay)
• Kayak around Tai Quéo cave and swim at Ba Trai Dao beaches (Lan Ha Bay)
• Visit Vung Vieng fishing village and kayak at Cong Dam (Bai Tu Long Bay)
• Trekking and biking on Cat Ba Island, visit Trung Trang cave
• Swim at Cat Co 3 beach and kayak from cruise (Cat Ba Island)
• Sunset party and happy hour on board
• Dinner on board
• Evening free time with music, dancing, or squid fishing

Day 3 — Final visits and return

• Morning Tai Chi and breakfast on board
• Visit Sung Sot Cave and hike to viewpoint (Halong Bay)
• Visit Dark & Bright Cave by rowing boat (Lan Ha Bay)
• Explore Thien Canh Son Cave (Bai Tu Long Bay)
• Visit Viet Hai Village and bike tour on Cat Ba Island
• Check out and enjoy brunch on board
• Disembark at Tuan Chau or Ha Long cruise port
• Transfer back to Hanoi
• Drop off at hotel or Old Quarter

The Experience

You're staring at the map thinking you'll do Ha Long Bay, but then you see there are actually three options, and suddenly you're not sure which one. Ha Long Bay itself is the famous one—limestone cliffs, Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island for swimming and hiking. Lan Ha Bay is quieter, less touristy, better for kayaking through Dark and Bright Cave without the boat traffic. Bai Tu Long Bay is the least crowded of all, with floating fishing villages and areas where bigger cruise ships can't reach. The pickup starts at 8am from Hanoi's Old Quarter, and you're on the water by lunchtime.

The rhythm is the same across all three: mornings start with optional Tai Chi on deck, then breakfast, then you're either visiting caves, kayaking through limestone formations, or swimming depending on which bay you chose. Meals happen on board—two lunches, one dinner, one breakfast—and they're set menus, Vietnamese style. Your cabin is air-conditioned with hot water, and you get a welcome drink when you board, fresh fruit, mineral water, and a cold handkerchief because the humidity hits different out there. The cooking demo happens on one of the evenings, and there's a sunset party with a happy hour (buy two drinks, get one free) most nights. Squid fishing happens after dark if you want to try it, or you can just sit with a drink and watch the water.

The second day is the full exploration day—caves, kayaking, swimming, whatever your bay offers. Ha Long Bay cruises visit Luon Cave by bamboo boat or kayak, then Ti Top Island where you can hike to the top for views or just swim. Lan Ha Bay takes you kayaking through Dark and Bright Cave and around the limestone karsts, plus there's a biking option on Cat Ba Island if you book that version—you'd bike through a rainforest to a local village, meet people, see how they live, then trek to Trung Trang Cave. Bai Tu Long Bay includes Vung Vieng floating village where you interact with locals, kayaking at Cong Dam, and if weather allows, Thay Cave. The third morning is shorter—you visit one more cave (Sung Sot in Ha Long, Dark and Bright again in Lan Ha, or Thien Canh Son in Bai Tu Long), have brunch, and you're back in Hanoi by 3pm or 3:45pm depending on traffic.

The transfer is two to three hours each way on the highway, and they pick you up from your hotel or a meeting point in the Old Quarter. Groups stay small enough that you're not crammed in, and the guide speaks English. If you're traveling with an infant, they sit on your lap, and specialized seats are available if you need them. The whole thing is built for people who want the bay experience without arranging boats, caves, meals, and transport separately—it's all locked in, which is what makes three days feel manageable instead of logistical.

What’s included

Your three days include round-trip transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter (2–3 hours each way), all meals on board (two lunches, one dinner, one breakfast), a full air-conditioned cabin with en-suite bathroom and hot water, welcome drink and fresh fruit basket, English-speaking guide, kayaking or bamboo boat rides through caves, swimming in designated areas, Tai Chi classes, squid fishing, local rowing boat rides, and entertainment. Depending on your bay choice, you'll visit Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island (Ha Long), Dark and Bright Cave with optional Cat Ba Island biking and trekking (Lan Ha), or Thien Canh Son Cave and Vung Vieng floating village (Bai Tu Long).

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Halong Bay Cruise Hunters

Is this one for you?Right for travelers based in Hanoi who want a full bay experience without arranging transport, meals, and lodging separately. The three-day format means you're away from the city for one full night cycle, which is what makes visiting caves, kayaking, and swimming feel unhurried rather than rushed.

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Top questions

What's the difference between Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay?

Ha Long Bay is the most famous and visited, with caves like Sung Sot and islands like Ti Top. Lan Ha Bay is quieter and better for kayaking; it also offers a Cat Ba Island biking option. Bai Tu Long Bay is the least crowded, with floating villages and remote areas larger cruises can't reach.

Are meals included?

Yes. Two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast are included on board. They're set menus, Vietnamese style. A cooking demo happens on one evening where you can learn to make a simple dish.

How long is the drive from Hanoi?

Two to three hours each way on the highway. Pickup is between 8am and 8:30am from the Old Quarter or your hotel, and you're dropped back by 3pm to 3:45pm on the final day.

What's included in the cabin?

Air-conditioned en-suite cabin (double, twin, triple, or single depending on your booking), hot water, welcome drink, cold handkerchief, fresh fruit basket, and two bottles of mineral water.

Can I kayak or swim?

Yes. Kayaking is included in all three bay options—through caves, around limestone karsts, or in designated swimming areas. Swimming happens weather permitting. You can also try squid fishing at night or skip it for downtime.

Is this suitable for families with young children?

Yes. Infants sit on an adult's lap. Specialized infant seats are available. The pace is relaxed, and there's plenty of time to rest in your cabin between activities.

What language is the guide?

English-speaking guide is included.

What if the weather is bad?

Swimming is weather-dependent. Caves and kayaking typically proceed unless conditions are severe. The cruise operator will adjust the itinerary if needed.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

It's suitable for all fitness levels. Hiking to cave tops and island summits is optional; you can stay on the boat or take a gentler walk instead.

Can I book just one bay, or is it a package?

You choose which bay when you book—Ha Long, Lan Ha, or Bai Tu Long. Each is a separate 3-day/2-night cruise. The Cat Ba Island biking option is an add-on to the Lan Ha Bay tour.