2-day Halong Bay kayaking from Hanoi: Cruise with cave and island
Two days on the water instead of rushing through in an afternoon
A 2-day cruise from Hanoi to Halong Bay with overnight cabin, all meals, kayaking, cave entry and round-trip transfer included. You pick up in the morning, spend the night aboard an air-conditioned cabin, and return to Hanoi the next day. The itinerary varies by bay option (Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay) each with different caves, islands and kayaking routes, so you choose the one that fits your interests after booking.
Options for this experience
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Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Halong Bay or alternative bay visit
- Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter
- Visit Sung Sot Cave
- Visit Ti Top Island and hike
- Kayak around floating village and islets
- Overnight on cruise
Day 2: Kayaking and bay area exploration
- Kayak around Cua Van Floating Village
- Visit Lan Ha Bay area and Bright and Dark caves (if Lan Ha Bay option chosen)
- Visit Cat Ba Island area (if Lan Ha Bay option chosen)
- Visit Thien Canh Son Cave (if Bai Tu Long Bay option chosen)
- Breakfast and lunch included
What’s included
- Round-trip transfer from Hanoi's Old Quarter.
- overnight stay in an air-conditioned cabin.
- dinner, breakfast and welcome drink.
- English-speaking guide.
- kayaking around Cua Van Floating Village and limestone islets.
- cave entry (Sung Sot, Bright and Dark, or Thien Canh Son depending on your bay option).
- island visits (Ti Top, Cat Ba or Vung Vieng).
- local rowing boat and fishing equipment if you want to try them.
- hot water on board.
Times
- Every day 08:00 09:00
Before you book
Operated by Asia Vacation Travel
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The bus picks you up between 8:00am and 9:00am from your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter and drives toward the bay. A 2-hour express route or 3.5 hours on the normal road, depending on traffic. By early afternoon you board the cruise, check into your cabin, and the day shifts from land to water. Dinner comes on board, along with a welcome drink and time to settle in before the overnight.
The next morning brings breakfast, then the kayaking. You paddle around Cua Van Floating Village and the limestone islets nearby, moving at your own pace through the water. If you booked the Halong Bay option, you also visit Sung Sot Cave and hike Ti Top Island; Lan Ha Bay adds the Bright and Dark caves and Cat Ba Island; Bai Tu Long Bay takes you to Thien Canh Son Cave and Vung Vieng Floating Village. An English-speaking guide is with you throughout, and the boat crew handles the rowing boats and fishing equipment if you want to try that instead of kayaking.
Check-out happens between 9:30am and 11:00am. The return transfer gets you back to Hanoi by late afternoon. The operator sends your pickup time and final itinerary 1–2 days before departure, so confirm your hotel address when you book.
Is this one for you?Choose this if you have two days and want to overnight on the water. The three bay options differ in which caves and islands you visit, so pick based on what interests you most.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Vietnamese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.
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 6 days before the start.
What's the difference between the Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay options?
All three are 2-day cruises from Hanoi with kayaking, overnight cabin and meals included. Halong Bay visits Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island; Lan Ha Bay includes the Bright and Dark caves and Cat Ba Island; Bai Tu Long Bay features Thien Canh Son Cave and Vung Vieng Floating Village. Each bay has different rock formations and floating villages, so the choice depends on which sights appeal to you most.
Does the price include the transfer from my hotel in Hanoi?
Yes, round-trip transfer from Hanoi's Old Quarter is included. Pickup runs between 8:00am and 9:00am, and the return drop-off happens in the late afternoon after check-out. You need to provide your hotel address when you book so the operator can arrange the exact pickup time.
What meals are included on the cruise?
Dinner on the first evening and breakfast on the second morning are included. The boat also provides hot water, a welcome drink, and you can order additional drinks and meals on request: some options include a surcharge if you pay by credit card on the boat.
Can I kayak if I've never done it before?
Yes, kayaking is suitable for all fitness levels. The guide leads you around the floating village and islets at a pace you can manage. If you prefer not to kayak, the boat crew can set you up with a local rowing boat instead, or you can stay on deck and watch the landscape pass.
What time do I need to check out of the cabin?
Check-out is between 9:30am and 11:00am on the second day. The crew cleans cabins early because new guests board the same afternoon, so an earlier departure helps the turnaround. After check-out, you have breakfast and then kayak or explore before the return transfer to Hanoi.
Is the cabin air-conditioned?
Yes, the cabin is fully furnished with air-conditioning. The boat also has hot water available throughout your stay. Cabin style and location vary by the cruise option you choose, options range from budget to ultra-luxury, so you'll see the specific cabin type when you check availability.
2-day Halong Bay kayaking from Hanoi: Cruise with cave and island
2d · EN +1
from US$ 139.49 per person
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