Halong Bay Cruise: Overnight from Hanoi with Kayaking & Meals

Summary

Halong bay overnight cruise with kayaking and cooking class from hanoi

You’ll drift through Halong Bay’s limestone islands by cruise boat, kayak into quiet coves, learn to make spring rolls with local crew, and wake up to sunrise over calm water. This overnight tour from Hanoi includes transfers, all meals (with fresh seafood), and moments that stick with you long after you’ve left the bay.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t think I’d ever wake up to that kind of silence — just the soft slap of water against the boat and a weirdly comforting mist hanging over Halong Bay. The drive from Hanoi took a few hours (I dozed off, not gonna lie), but the crew’s welcome at the port made me feel like I’d landed somewhere special. Our cabin was small but cozy, and the sheets smelled faintly of laundry soap and sea air. Lunch was already being served when we set off — I tried something with lemongrass that I still can’t pronounce.

It’s hard to describe how unreal those limestone islands look when you’re actually gliding past them. Our guide, Minh, had this way of telling stories about the bay’s legends without sounding like he’d told them a thousand times before. We kayaked for maybe an hour — my arms are still sore thinking about it — but drifting close to those cliffs, you hear birds echoing off the rock and sometimes catch whiffs of salt and wet stone. Later, Minh showed us how to roll spring rolls on deck; Li laughed when I tried to say “nem rán” in Vietnamese (I definitely butchered it). Dinner was all seafood — crab, shrimp, some fish I couldn’t identify but tasted sweet.

I woke up early (not sure why) and just watched the sun come up behind those jagged peaks. There was tai chi on deck if you wanted — I mostly just sipped tea and listened to the low hum of other boats moving through the fog. Breakfast was simple: bread, fruit, strong coffee. By mid-morning we were heading back to port, and honestly, I wasn’t ready to leave yet. Maybe nobody ever is.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Transfer to Halong Bay and cruise

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter
• Drive 3.5 hours to Halong Bay
• Check in on cruise ship
• Lunch on board
• Cruise and visit Thien Cung Grotto
• Enjoy kayaking or cooking class
• Dinner with fresh seafood
• Relax on cruise at night

Day 2 — Morning cruise and return to Hanoi

• Optional early tai-chi class
• Watch sunrise on the bay
• Breakfast on board
• Cruise back to port
• Transfer 3.5 hours to Hanoi

Top questions

How long is the Halong Bay cruise from Hanoi?

The cruise lasts 2 days and 1 night, including transfers from Hanoi.

Is hotel pickup included for this Halong Bay overnight cruise?

Yes, pickup from hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter is included in your booking.

Are meals provided during the cruise?

Lunch, dinner (with seafood), and breakfast are included onboard.

What activities are available on the cruise?

You can go kayaking, join a cooking class for Vietnamese dishes, visit Thien Cung Grotto, or try tai chi in the morning.

Will there be an English-speaking guide on board?

The cruise crew speaks English; however, a tour guide does not escort you on board.

Are vegetarian meal options available?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at time of booking.

How long is the transfer between Hanoi and Halong Bay?

The drive takes about 3.5 hours each way between Hanoi and Halong Bay port.

Is kayaking included in this Halong Bay tour?

Yes, kayaking is included as one of the activities during your cruise.

What’s included

Your overnight trip includes shuttle bus transfer from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter both ways, all meals on board (lunch, dinner with fresh seafood, breakfast), two bottles of mineral water per day in your cabin, kayaking gear for exploring hidden corners of Halong Bay, plus a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class led by friendly crew members before returning back to Hanoi.