Halong Bay Overnight Cruise: Kayak Lan Ha Bay

Paddle into limestone coves from your floating hotel.

A 2-day overnight cruise departing Hanoi explores Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay aboard a three-deck luxury ship with modern design and wood accents. You kayak into hidden coves, visit Medical Military Cave on Cat Ba island, and eat all meals on board. The ship includes a restaurant, bars and sundecks; shuttle bus and English-speaking guide are part of the booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi to Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay

• Board boat in Ha Long Bay
• Relax on luxury cruise
• Enjoy lunch and dinner on board

Day 2 — Lan Ha Bay to Hanoi via Medical Military Cave

• Arrive at Gia Luan pier
• Visit Medical Military Cave
• Relax on boat before checkout
• Have lunch on board
• Disembark at Got Ferry Terminal
• Take shuttle bus to Hanoi
• Arrive back at hotel or home

The Experience

The cruise leaves Hanoi in the morning and arrives at Halong Bay by lunch. You board a ship measuring 28 meters long with three decks, wood and iron design, and enough space to move between the restaurant, bars and open sundecks. The first afternoon takes you out on the water toward Lan Ha Bay, where you'll kayak a local rowing boat into the limestone formations. Dinner is served on board that evening.

Day two starts with breakfast before the boat heads to Medical Military Cave on Cat Ba island — a field hospital carved into the mountains during wartime, now open as a museum walk-through. You return to the ship by mid-morning, have time to relax on deck, then eat lunch before disembarking at Got Ferry Terminal. The shuttle bus returns you to Hanoi by 3 p.m. All meals — two lunches, one dinner and one breakfast — come with the booking, along with bottled water and the services of an English-speaking guide throughout.

The two-night stay means you unpack once instead of moving between hotels, and the kayaking happens from the boat itself rather than as a separate excursion. The ship's three decks give you room to spread out between activities, and the fixed schedule means transport, meals and timing are arranged before you arrive.

What’s included

• Round-trip shuttle bus from Hanoi.
• all meals on board (two lunches, one dinner, one breakfast).
• local rowing boat for kayaking in Lan Ha Bay.
• visit to Medical Military Cave on Cat Ba island.
• English-speaking tour guide.
• complimentary bottled water.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Halong Bay Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want to sleep aboard a ship instead of switching hotels, and want kayaking and cave exploration built into the same itinerary — the fixed 2-day schedule keeps transport, meals and sightseeing together without you arranging any of it separately.

Traveler reviews

4.22★★★★★★★★★★

9 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is Medical Military Cave and how much time do we spend there?

Medical Military Cave is a historic field hospital built into the mountains of Cat Ba National Park during wartime; the tour includes a guided walk through the cave on Day 2 before returning to the ship for lunch.

Are meals included in the overnight cruise price?

Yes, all meals on board are included: two lunches, one dinner and one breakfast, plus complimentary bottled water throughout the cruise.

Do I need my own kayak, or is one provided?

A local rowing boat is provided for kayaking in Lan Ha Bay; you paddle from the ship into the limestone coves as part of the tour.

What time does the shuttle bus pick me up in Hanoi, and when do I return?

The shuttle bus picks you up from your hotel in Hanoi on Day 1 morning and returns you by 3 p.m. on Day 2; the exact pickup time is confirmed when you book.

Is the tour guide English-speaking?

Yes, an English-speaking tour guide is included throughout the 2-day cruise.

What is the ship like — is it crowded?

The ship is a three-deck luxury vessel measuring 28 meters long with a wood and iron design; it includes a restaurant, bars, an elegant dining area and sundecks, providing space to move around between activities.