Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay Cruise: Caves, Tai Chi & Cooking Class

Summary

Halong Bay cruise with caves kayaking tai chi and local food

You’ll float between Halong Bay’s limestone towers, wander inside Sung Sot Cave, try your hand at Tai Chi as dawn breaks over the water, and taste home-style Vietnamese food on deck. With a local guide leading you from Hanoi pickup to sunset parties and kayaking near Luon Cave, this overnight cruise feels both relaxed and quietly surprising.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way our driver grinned when he picked us up in Hanoi’s Old Quarter — he joked about the traffic (“same every morning!”) and pointed out a tiny café where he said the egg coffee was “dangerous but good.” Three hours later, stepping off the bus at Tuan Chau Port, the air tasted salty and thick. Our guide Linh handed me a cold welcome drink and asked if I’d ever tried squid fishing. I hadn’t — she laughed and said we’d see how lucky I was after dark.

Lunch on the Le Journey Cruise was noisy in a friendly way: clinking bowls, someone’s phone playing quiet pop music, chopsticks tapping. The boat slipped past these wild limestone islands that looked like they’d just been dropped into the bay. In the afternoon we hiked up Titop Island (I sweated through my shirt — no shame), and then wandered into Sung Sot Cave. The air inside felt cool and damp, almost echoey. Linh pointed at rock shapes with her flashlight; I tried to see what she saw (“dragon!”) but mostly just got lost in all those shadows.

I woke early for Tai Chi on the deck — not sure my balance was much good, but the sun coming up over Halong Bay made it feel worth it anyway. Later we kayaked near Luon Cave, bumping paddles with another couple who were laughing too hard to steer straight. Breakfast tasted extra good after that (the pho broth was almost sweet). Packing up felt weirdly sad — I could’ve watched that green-grey water for days.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi to Halong Bay and Cave Visit

• Pick up at Hanoi Old Quarter hotel
• Transfer to Ha Long Bay with break
• Arrive at Tuan Chau Cruise Port
• Board Le Journey Cruise and have lunch
• Explore Sung Sot Cave and hike
• Visit Titop Island for swimming and hiking
• Return to cruise for sunset party and cooking class
• Enjoy happy hour drinks
• Dinner on sundeck
• Evening entertainment on cruise
• Overnight on cruise

Day 2 — Morning Activities and Return to Hanoi

• Join Tai Chi class
• Breakfast on cruise
• Kayak around Luon Cave and grottos
• Return to cruise and prepare for check-out
• Brunch and relax on sundeck
• Arrive at Tuan Chau Cruise Port for check-out
• Transfer back to Hanoi
• Drop off at hotel

Top questions

How long is the Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay cruise?

The tour offers either 2 days & 1 night or 3 days & 2 nights onboard.

Is hotel pickup included from Hanoi?

Yes, round-trip transfer from hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter is included.

What activities are included on this Halong Bay cruise?

You’ll have kayaking or bamboo boat rides, swimming at Titop Island, hiking in Sung Sot Cave, Tai Chi sessions, cooking classes, sunset parties, and more.

Are meals provided during the cruise?

Yes, all main meals are included: lunch on arrival day, dinner onboard, breakfast and brunch before disembarking.

Do cabins have private bathrooms?

Yes, every cabin has its own private bathroom with hot water; suite cabins also have bathtubs.

Can I join if I’m traveling with children or infants?

Yes—infants must sit on an adult’s lap but families are welcome.

Does this cruise go to both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay?

The 4-star route visits Halong Bay (Sung Sot Cave & Titop Island); 5-star cruises visit Lan Ha Bay (Lang Tra Bau & Quan Y Cave).

Is WiFi available onboard?

There’s free WiFi in public areas of the cruise ship and office.

What’s included

Your trip includes hotel pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter by bus or limousine with bottled water for the road; all entry tickets for caves and islands; an overnight cabin with private bathroom (hot shower guaranteed!); all meals from lunch to brunch; kayaking or bamboo boat rides; a Vietnamese cooking class; Tai Chi at sunrise; happy hour drinks; plus free WiFi in public spaces before heading back to Hanoi in comfort.