Halong Bay 3-day cruise: Kayaking, caves, all-inclusive

Three days on the water: caves, kayaking, island stops, and nights aboard

A 3-day, 2-night cruise from Hanoi to Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay or Cat Ba Island with all meals, a guide, kayaking, bamboo boat trips and cave exploration included. You choose your route: the busiest scenic areas with Ti Top Island and Sung Sot Cave; the quieter Lan Ha Bay with jungle biking on Cat Ba; the remote Bai Tu Long with fishing villages; or a combination with trekking. Pickup from Hanoi's Old Quarter is included, and the boat is your accommodation each night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and cruise embarkation

• Pick up guests in Hanoi Old Quarter
• Transfer to Halong Bay cruise dock
• Check in and welcome drinks on cruise
• Enjoy lunch while cruising Halong Bay
• Visit Luon Cave or Pearl Farm by boat
• Visit Titov Island for swimming or hiking
• Sunset party with happy hour on board
• Cooking demonstration or free time
• Dinner under the stars on cruise
• Relax with spa or enjoy cocktails

Day 2: Exploration and activities on the bay

• Morning Tai Chi on sundeck
• Breakfast served on cruise
• Transfer to day boat for exploration
• Visit caves and kayak in bay areas
• Enjoy traditional Vietnamese lunch
• Relax with spa or sunbathe on sundeck
• Happy hour and cooking demonstration
• Dinner on board
• Evening entertainment and free time

Day 3: Final sightseeing and return

• Morning Tai Chi and light breakfast
• Visit Sung Sot Cave and hike
• Check out and return to main boat
• Brunch served on cruise
• Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina
• Transfer back to Hanoi
• Drop off at hotel in Old Quarter

The experience

The day starts with pickup between 8am and 8:30am from Hanoi's Old Quarter, then a three-hour drive to the cruise dock. Once aboard, you check into your cabin (double, twin, triple or single depending on your booking), and the itinerary splits by route. On the Halong Bay option, the first afternoon brings lunch while cruising past limestone formations, then a choice of kayaking or bamboo boat trips to Luon Cave or a pearl farm, followed by swimming or hiking at Ti Top Island. The Lan Ha Bay route takes you through less-crowded waters where you kayak around Dark and Bright Cave and swim in clear water. Bai Tu Long Bay focuses on the quietest areas: you kayak at Cap La Island and visit Vung Vieng fishing village to see how locals live. The Lan Ha Bay plus Cat Ba option adds biking or an electric car tour through jungle trails to a village in the national park. Every evening includes a sunset party on deck with complimentary fruit and juice, then dinner and free time: some nights offer a cooking demonstration or karaoke.

Day two follows a similar rhythm: optional Tai Chi on the sundeck at dawn, light breakfast, then a full day of exploration. On Halong Bay, you visit Me Cung Cave and can relax in the outdoor jacuzzi or book a spa treatment. Lan Ha Bay guests bike or walk through villages and kayak around Tai Quéo Cave, a tunnel cave that opens onto a lake. Bai Tu Long travelers visit Vung Vieng fishing village and kayak at Cong Dam, with a chance to see Thay Cave if weather permits. The Cat Ba option includes a moderate trek up a local mountain, a visit to Trung Trang Cave, and swimming at Cat Co 3 Beach. Lunch is served on board both days, and happy hour runs from 6pm to 7pm with a buy-one-get-one-free drink deal.

The final morning begins with Tai Chi and breakfast, then a last activity before checkout. Halong Bay cruises visit Sung Sot Cave, the largest in the bay, where you walk inside and hike to the top for panoramic views. Lan Ha Bay guests kayak to Dark and Bright Cave one more time. Bai Tu Long travelers explore Thien Canh Son Cave and attend a Vietnamese cooking class. You learn to make Nem Cuon (spring rolls) or try fruit carving. By 10am to 11am, you're back at the dock with brunch served on board. The return drive to Hanoi takes about three hours, with drop-off at your hotel in the Old Quarter by 3:30pm to 4pm.

What’s included

• Pickup from Hanoi's Old Quarter.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner on all three days).
• a live guide in English or Vietnamese.
• cabin accommodation for two nights.
• kayaking.
• bamboo boat trips.
• cave visits (Luon, Me Cung, Sung Sot, Dark and Bright, Thien Canh Son or Trung Trang depending on your route).
• island stops and swimming.
• happy hour with a buy-one-get-one-free drink deal.
• sunset parties with complimentary fruit and juice.
• cooking demonstration on select routes.
• return transfer to Hanoi.

Options for this experience

7 options

Balcony cruise on Lan Ha Bay, 4-starGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00 and 09:00Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island tours with visits to less touristy areas: Lan Ha Bay, biking to Viet Hai village on Cat Ba Island, swimming, snorkeling and tai chi, and more. Enjoy high-quality food at every meal during the trip. A modern, safe 2-hour transfer by highway express is included.

4-star Halong Bay cruise with balconyGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, kayaking in Luon Cave, and Ba Trai Dao Beach, plus Me Cung Cave or the Floating Village and Lan Ha Bay. Balcony cabins feature a private balcony, an en-suite bathroom and a standing shower. Onboard activities include squid fishing, a cooking demo class and happy hour. Transfers run both ways between Hanoi and the cruise dock, about 3 hours each way.

5-star Lan Ha Bay itineraryGuide in English or Vietnamese · 09:00Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba: Cat Ba Island, Dark and Bright Caves, kayaking and swimming, biking through the jungle, village visits, and animal spotting. Balcony cabins have a private balcony, and you can request a bathroom with a bathtub (jacuzzi or not) or an en-suite bathroom with a standing shower. Onboard activities: cooking demo class, tai chi class, squid fishing, sunset party, happy hour, and plenty of good food and drinks. Cabin upgrades: pay US$39 per person for a cabin on the 2nd floor, or US$59 per person for a cabin with a large balcony and a bathroom with bathtub on the 2nd floor. Transfers run both ways between Hanoi and the cruise harbor via highway express, about 2 hours' drive. 100% of travelers recommend it.

See 4 more options

5-star Halong Bay itineraryGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, kayaking in Luon Cave, Ba Trai Dao Beach, Me Cung Cave or the Floating Village, and Lan Ha Bay. Balcony cabins have a private balcony, and you can request a bathroom with a bathtub (jacuzzi or not) or an en-suite bathroom with a standing shower. Onboard activities: squid fishing, a cooking demo class, morning tai chi and happy hour. Cabin upgrades: pay US$39 per person for a cabin on the 2nd floor, or US$59 per person for a cabin with a large balcony and a bathroom with bathtub on the 2nd floor. Transfers run both ways between Hanoi and the cruise dock by shared limousine via highway express, about 2 hours each way. 100% of travelers are happy.

Trekking-Biking-Kayaking tourGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Two nights on the boat in a great cabin with a large window or balcony and a private bathroom with a standing shower. Great activities: kayaking around the bay, trekking on Cat Ba Island, biking through the jungle and visiting a local village, and swimming in clean water. Additional activities: cooking demo class, sunset party, tai chi exercises, squid fishing and karaoke. All meals included: Day 1 lunch and dinner; Day 2 breakfast, lunch and dinner; Day 3 breakfast and lunch. A great tour from Hanoi through Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and the Cat Ba Island area. Transfers take 2 to 3 hours from Hanoi by highway express.

Bai Tu Long Bay tour, 2 nightsGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Ocean cabins, great tour: visit and hike Thien Canh Son Cave, wild beaches, islands, and less touristy areas, plus kayaking and swimming among the islets. Onboard activities included: squid fishing, a cooking demo class, a sunset party and optional tai chi. Transfers run both ways between Hanoi and the cruise harbor, about 3.5 hours each way. 100% of travelers are happy.

Seaplane and 2-night cruiseGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Modern window cabins with a private bathroom stocked with full toiletries. Onboard activities included: squid fishing, a cooking demo class, a sunset party and morning tai chi. Transfer 1: a one-way bus or limousine transfer to or from Hanoi is included, depending on seaplane availability and timing. Transfer 2: if seaplane timing does not work, customers pay extra for a one-way car or high-speed boat, costing US$80. Visit Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 45

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Halong Bay Cruise Hunters

Is this one for you?Book the Halong Bay route if you want the most famous caves and islands in the busiest scenic areas. Choose Lan Ha Bay with Cat Ba Island if you prefer quieter waters and want to bike or walk through jungle villages. Pick Bai Tu Long Bay for the most remote experience with fishing villages and the smallest crowds. The Cat Ba option adds trekking and cave exploration on the island itself if you want more active exploration.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): 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 24 h before the start.

Which route should I pick? Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Bai Tu Long or Cat Ba Island?

Halong Bay visits the most famous spots: Ti Top Island for swimming and hiking, and Sung Sot Cave, the largest in the bay. Lan Ha Bay is quieter and includes biking or walking through jungle villages on Cat Ba Island. Bai Tu Long is the most remote, with visits to fishing villages and the smallest crowds. Lan Ha Bay plus Cat Ba adds trekking and cave exploration on the island itself.

What meals and drinks are included?

All three days include breakfast, lunch and dinner on the boat. Happy hour runs 6pm to 7pm with a buy-one-get-one-free drink deal on the first two evenings. Complimentary fruit and juice are served at the sunset party. Alcohol, soft drinks, water and spa treatments cost extra.

Is the cooking class included, or only on some itineraries?

The cooking demonstration is included on the Bai Tu Long Bay route on the final morning. You learn to make Nem Cuon or try fruit and vegetable carving. Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay options offer a cooking demo on the first evening as an alternative to free time.

What activities can I do each day?

Kayaking and swimming are available on all routes. Halong Bay includes bamboo boat trips to caves and hiking at Ti Top Island. Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba add biking or electric car tours through jungle villages. Bai Tu Long includes visits to fishing villages. All cruises offer optional Tai Chi at sunrise, sunset parties, and evening activities like squid fishing, karaoke or film screenings.

Does the price include pickup from my hotel in Hanoi?

Pickup from Hanoi's Old Quarter between 8am and 8:30am is included. If your hotel is outside the Old Quarter, let the operator know your address when you book so they can arrange pickup from your location.