Halong Bay one-day cruise from Hanoi: Vietnamese cooking class

Learn to make Vietnamese summer rolls while sailing past limestone karsts.

A one-day catamaran cruise from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay includes hotel pickup, premium seafood lunch, kayaking or bamboo boat through Bright-Dark Cave, a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class, and return transfer. You'll paddle through a private lagoon, swim at Frog Pond in Lan Ha Bay, and watch the sunset from the water before heading back to the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ha Long Bay2h · entry included
2. Lan Ha Bay2h · entry included

Luxury Halong Bay Catamaran Cruise

• Pick up from Hanoi hotels
• Drive to Halong Bay with break
• Board the catamaran at Tuan Chau Marina
• Enjoy welcome drink and briefing
• Have premium lunch on board
• Kayak or bamboo boat to Bright-Dark Cave
• Relax, swim, or use water slides at Frog Pond
• Participate in Vietnamese cooking demonstration
• Enjoy sunset ceremony with tea and cakes
• Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina
• Return drive to Hanoi hotels

The experience

The catamaran leaves Tuan Chau Marina at 11:30 AM after pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels between 7:45 and 8:15 AM (the drive takes about two and a half hours). Once aboard, you get a welcome drink and briefing before lunch at noon: an award-winning chef serves premium seafood and Vietnamese dishes paired with cocktails, wines and beer. The bar stays open throughout the meal.

From 2 PM you kayak or take a bamboo boat through Bright-Dark Cave, paddling into a private lagoon ringed by rock walls while your guide shares the folklore of Halong Bay. At Frog Pond in Lan Ha Bay you can jump on the trampoline, slide down the water slide, swim, or stay aboard and relax. You have an hour to yourself here. The cooking demonstration starts at 4 PM: you learn the history and technique of a traditional Vietnamese dish, then make summer rolls yourself so you can recreate them at home. At 4:30 PM, complimentary Vietnamese tea, fresh fruit and cakes arrive as the sunset fills the sky with deep red, purple and yellow. The boat returns to Tuan Chau Marina by 5:30 PM, and if you booked the transfer, the limousine drops you back at your Hanoi hotel by 8:30 or 9 PM.

The catamaran has a jacuzzi and water slides built in, so you can move between activity and relaxation throughout the day. An English-speaking guide is with the group the entire time. Dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) can be accommodated if you note them at booking.

What’s included

• Kayaking or bamboo boat through Bright-Dark Cave.
• premium seafood and Vietnamese lunch with drinks.
• hands-on Vietnamese cooking class.
• water slides and jacuzzi access.
• complimentary tea, fresh fruit and cakes at sunset.
• entrance fees and sightseeing as per itinerary.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• hotel pickup and return transfer (in transfer options only).

Options for this experience

4 options

Cruise only from the harbor, 11:15Guide in English · 11:15Start and finish at Halong Bay: please come to THE HALONG CATAMARAN CRUISE, Lot 25, Tuan Chau Port, Tuan Chau Marina, at 11:15 AM to board the cruise. Important note: please contact us by email or WhatsApp before 10:00 AM on the day of travel to confirm your booking. Transfer not included: an extra fee applies if you need pickup from the Halong area or Hanoi City. Duration: 6 hours, Tuan Chau Port, Halong Cruise by catamaran, Tuan Chau Port. Catamaran cruise or similar: if the catamaran cruise is full, we arrange a similar one with the same service and activities. Premium lunch and cooking class. Jacuzzi and water slides. Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay route.

From Hanoi with shared limousineGuide in English · 07:45Pickup only from the Hanoi Old Quarter: we collect all guests from their hotel in the Old Quarter area and drive them to Halong Bay via the expressway. Round-trip shared limousine: guests share the limousine with other guests on both legs of the journey. Duration: 12 hours, Hanoi, Tuan Chau Port, Halong Cruise by catamaran, Tuan Chau Port, back to Hanoi. Premium cruise in Halong Bay: we use the Catamaran Halong Cruise for this tour; if it is fully booked, we arrange another vessel with the same itinerary and service. Premium lunch served on board in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Pickup is included.

From Hanoi with private carGuide in English · 08:00 and 08:30Pickup from around Hanoi City. Round-trip private car: we use a private car (4-seater, 7-seater or 16-seater) depending on the number of people in your booking. Join a group on the catamaran cruise: we use the Catamaran Halong Cruise for this tour; if it is fully booked, we arrange another vessel with the same itinerary and service. Duration: 12 hours, Hanoi, Tuan Chau Port, Halong Cruise by catamaran, Tuan Chau Port, back to Hanoi. Premium lunch served on board in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Pickup is included.

From Hanoi with private limousineGuide in English · 08:00 and 08:30Pickup from all places in Hanoi: we collect guests from any location around Hanoi City (within 10 km of the Old Quarter). Round-trip private limousine: the best choice for guests who prefer not to share a limousine with others. Join a group on the premium cruise: we use the Catamaran Halong Cruise for this tour; if it is fully booked, we arrange another vessel with the same itinerary and service. Duration: 12 hours, Hanoi, Tuan Chau Port, Halong Cruise by catamaran, Tuan Chau Port, back to Hanoi. Lunch served on board in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Pickup is included.

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 07:45, 08:00, 08:30 and 11:15

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Live guideEnglish

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.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Authentic Travel in Vietnam

Is this one for you?Book the cruise-only option if you're staying near Halong Bay or arranging your own transport. Choose a transfer option if you're based in Hanoi and want pickup from your hotel and a full day without driving yourself.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly do I learn in the Vietnamese cooking class?

The cooking demonstration teaches you to make Vietnamese summer rolls, starting with the history and ingredients of the dish, then walking you through the preparation method so you can make them yourself. You'll have the skills to recreate them in your own kitchen after the class ends.

Can I kayak if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Kayaking or bamboo boat are both options for the Bright-Dark Cave visit, so you can choose based on your comfort level. The bamboo boat is a relaxed alternative if you prefer not to paddle.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is premium seafood and Vietnamese dishes served on board from noon to 1:30 PM, paired with cocktails, wines and beer. The bar remains open throughout the meal service.

How much time do I have to swim and relax at Frog Pond?

You have one hour at Frog Pond in Lan Ha Bay to swim, use the trampoline and water slide, or simply stay on the boat and rest. It's a break in the middle of the day to enjoy the natural setting.

Do I need to arrange my own transfer from Hanoi, or is it included?

Transfer options depend on which package you book: you can book the cruise alone from Tuan Chau Marina (arrive by 11:15 AM), or add a private limousine, shared limousine, or private car pickup from your Hanoi hotel. If you choose a transfer option, pickup happens between 7:45 and 8:15 AM and return is around 8:30–9 PM.