Halong Bay & Lan Ha Cruise: Kayak, Caves, Cooking & Pickup

Summary

Lan Ha’s quiet lagoons, fresh seafood lunch and sunrise tai chi on the deck

You’ll float through Lan Ha Bay’s quieter waters with a local guide, kayak into hidden lagoons, try your hand at Vietnamese cooking, and wake up to Tai Chi as mist drifts over limestone cliffs. Full meals and hotel pickup are included—so you can just show up and let yourself drift for a while.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if Halong Bay really looks like those photos? I did too—until we got picked up in Hanoi’s Old Quarter (our driver texted us the night before, which made me weirdly nervous). The bus ride was longish but not bad—there’s a stop for coffee halfway—and then suddenly you’re at Tuan Chau harbor with all these other travelers shuffling around. Our guide, Minh, handed out welcome drinks and grinned a lot. He kept calling Halong “the dragon’s bay,” which I liked.

I didn’t expect Lan Ha Bay to be so quiet compared to Halong proper—just this soft green water and limestone cliffs everywhere. Lunch was already waiting when we boarded the Lotus Cruise: fish with ginger and some kind of crunchy salad I still can’t name. There was a bit of time to just sit on the balcony (every cabin has one) and listen to the water slap against the hull. Later, Minh showed us how to roll spring rolls—mine fell apart but nobody cared—and then we tried kayaking in a lagoon where everything echoed weirdly off the rocks. My arms still felt it the next day.

After dinner (lots of seafood again), some people did karaoke or tried squid fishing off the back deck. I mostly just watched the lights flicker on the bay—there’s something about that kind of quiet that sticks with you. Next morning was early: Tai Chi on the sundeck while mist curled around the cliffs. Not sure I did any of it right but Minh said “just breathe.” We visited Dark & Light Cave by bamboo boat; our rower pointed out monkeys in the trees but honestly I was more focused on not dropping my phone in the water.

The drive back to Hanoi felt slower somehow—I guess after two days floating through Lan Ha Bay, city traffic feels extra loud. If you want a Halong Bay cruise that actually lets you slow down (and includes pickup, all meals, and a local guide who’ll probably remember your name), this is it. Sometimes I still think about that first quiet morning on deck—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi to Halong Bay cruise and activities

• Pick up from hotel in Hanoi
• Rest stop en route to Halong Bay
• Arrive at Tuan Chau harbor, check in
• Board Tender Boat to Lotus Cruise
• Welcome drink and safety briefing
• Lunch on cruise while cruising Halong and Lan Ha Bay
• Relax on sundeck or kayak in Lan Ha Bay
• Happy hour and cooking class on cruise
• Dinner on cruise
• Squid fishing or relax on sundeck
• Overnight on cruise

Day 2 — Morning Tai Chi, caves, and return to Hanoi

• Morning Tai Chi on sundeck
• Breakfast with bay view
• Visit Dark and Light Cave, kayak or bamboo boat
• Relax and pack cabin
• Check out and lunch on cruise
• Return to Tuan Chau port by Tender boat
• Transfer back to Hanoi
• Drop off at hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Halong Bay cruise?

Yes, round-trip hotel pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter is included with booking request.

How many nights does this Lan Ha Bay cruise last?

This is a 2 day 1 night cruise tour with overnight stay in a private cabin.

Are all meals provided during the cruise?

Yes, lunch, dinner, breakfast and complimentary drinks are provided onboard.

What activities are available on this cruise?

You can kayak in Lan Ha Bay, visit caves by bamboo boat, join cooking classes and try squid fishing or karaoke at night.

Is there an English-speaking guide on board?

Yes, an enthusiastic English-speaking local guide accompanies you throughout the tour.

Are private balconies available in every cabin?

Yes, each cabin has its own private balcony with ocean views.

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

You’ll see both areas but most activities focus on quieter Lan Ha Bay.

What time do we return to Hanoi after the cruise?

You’ll be dropped off at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter between 3:00-3:30pm on day two.

What’s included

Your trip covers round-trip expressway transfers from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels, entrance fees for Dark & Light Cave plus kayaking equipment, one night in a private ocean-view cabin with balcony and bathroom onboard Lotus Cruise (16-18 cabins total), all meals including Vietnamese seafood lunch and dinner plus breakfast and drinks like tea or coffee in your room. You’ll also have an English-speaking local guide throughout—with activities like Tai Chi at sunrise, cooking class demonstrations, squid fishing after dinner or karaoke if you’re feeling brave before heading back to Hanoi by late afternoon.