3-day Lan Ha Bay kayaking cruise from Hanoi: Viet Hai Village
Kayak through limestone karst and pedal a quiet village instead of watching from a boat.
A 3-day cruise from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay combines kayaking and cycling across less-visited scenery—Viet Hai Village, Three Peaches Beach, Dark & Bright Cave—with accommodation in a Junior Suite, roundtrip shuttle bus from Hanoi Old Quarter, meals, and an English-speaking guide. Tai Chi at sunrise, cooking demonstrations, and squid fishing happen on the boat; you choose between cycling or an electric car tour at Viet Hai on day two. Suitable for all fitness levels.
3d
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1 — Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay cruise
- Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter
- Travel to dock 35 Tuan Chau
- Check in Doris Cruise
- Have lunch on cruise
- Rest on cruise
- Kayak and swim at Tra Bau area
- Enjoy sunset party and cooking demo
- Have dinner on cruise
- Evening entertainment and squid fishing
Day 2 — Viet Hai Village and Ba Trai Dao
- Practice Taichi on sundeck
- Have breakfast on cruise
- Transfer to Viet Hai Village by boat
- Cycle or electric car tour in Viet Hai Village
- Have lunch on daily boat
- Kayak around hidden islands
- Swim at Ba Trai Dao beaches
- Return to Doris Cruise
- Enjoy sunset party and cooking demo
- Have dinner on cruise
- Evening entertainment and squid fishing
Day 3 — Lan Ha Bay and return to Hanoi
- Practice Tai Chi on sundeck
- Have breakfast on cruise
- Explore Dark & Bright Cave by bamboo boat
- Relax and check out cabin
- Enjoy buffet lunch on cruise
- Dock at Tuan Chau Harbor and end cruise
- Return to Hanoi by limousine
- Arrive in Hanoi
The Experience
The day starts with a 2.5-hour shuttle bus pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter at 8am, arriving at the dock by noon. You board the Doris Cruise and settle into your Junior Suite with private balcony, then head straight to Tra Bau for your first kayaking session—the backdrop of Kong Skull Island movie—or use the Jacuzzi on the sundeck if you prefer. Life jackets, towels and dry bags are provided. Sunset brings a cooking demonstration with complimentary cakes, fruit and tea, followed by dinner and evening squid fishing on deck.
Day two splits your time between water and land. After breakfast and optional sunrise Tai Chi, you transfer to a day boat heading to Viet Hai Village. Here you choose: cycle around the village or take an electric car through it. Lunch happens on the day boat, then you kayak around hidden islands in the afternoon and swim at Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches Beach) before returning to the Doris for another sunset party and dinner.
The final morning offers early Tai Chi and breakfast with views of the bay's limestone islets. You explore Dark & Bright Cave by local bamboo boat—rowed by the locals—then return to your cabin to pack. After a final buffet lunch, the shuttle bus takes you back to Hanoi, arriving around 3pm. The itinerary holds tight: every meal, transfer and activity is arranged, so you show up and move through the day without building it yourself.
What’s included
- Roundtrip shuttle bus from Hanoi Old Quarter.
- Junior Suite cabin with private balcony and air-conditioning.
- all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
- kayaking equipment and life jackets.
- bamboo boat rowing at Dark & Bright Cave.
- cycling or electric car tour at Viet Hai Village.
- sunrise Tai Chi demonstration.
- cooking class on the cruise.
- welcome drinks and sunset party with complimentary refreshments.
- English-speaking guide.
- entrance fees and taxes.
Operated by Doris Cruise
Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want to paddle and pedal instead of sit and watch—the kayaking and cycling put you in motion through the landscape, which is what separates a 3-day cruise like this from the versions that keep you on deck. Small groups work best here, since the day boat and kayak sessions operate with a limited number of people at a time.
Traveler reviews
Compare the 13 similar options
3-day Lan Ha Bay kayaking cruise from Hanoi: Viet Hai Village★ 4.89 (715)3dENUS$ 540
Lan Ha Bay 2-Day Cruise: Kayaking, Biking & Cat Ba IslandSmall-group cruise from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay with kayaking, biking through Cat Ba National Park, and meals included. Max 23 passengers, overnight onboard.★ 4.85 (211)2dEN · DE +2US$ 131View ›
Cat Ba Cruise: Lan Ha Bay Kayaking & Viet Hai BikingTwo-day cruise from Cat Ba Island through Lan Ha Bay with kayaking, swimming, a cooking class and overnight on the boat★ 4.74 (70)2dEN · VIUS$ 109View ›
Lan Ha Bay Day Trip from Hanoi: Kayaking, Lunch & CruiseFull-day Lan Ha Bay cruise from Hanoi with kayaking, swimming, lunch and Viet Hai village visit. Includes round-trip transfer, guide, water activities. 13 hours total.★ 4.97 (1,269)12h–13hEN · VIUS$ 48View ›
Lan Ha Bay cruise from Hanoi: Kayak, swim and explore Cat BaDay cruise from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay with kayaking, swimming and lunch included on the Serenity Grandeur★ 4.95 (135)12h–13hEN · VIUS$ 52View ›
Lan Ha Bay Snorkeling Tour: Kayak and Swim from HanoiSnorkel and kayak in Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi with a small-group cruise, fresh seafood lunch and hotel pickup included★ 4.90 (103)15h–16hEN · VIUS$ 38View ›
Snorkeling in Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi: Kayaking, swimming & lunchFull-day snorkeling cruise from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay with kayaking, swimming and lunch included — the route starts at the quietest pier on Cat Ba Island★ 4.90 (102)12h–13hEN · VIUS$ 52View ›
Hanoi, Ninh Binh & Halong: 3-Day Cruise, Caves & Balcony CabinWake up in Ninh Binh’s rice fields, kayak Lan Ha Bay, and share a meal at a local bungalow. Includes Hanoi pickup, 5-star cruise with balcony cabin, and all meals.★ 4.83 (542)3dENUS$ 150View ›
Halong Bay, Lan Ha & Bai Tu Long: 3-Day Cruise with Caves & Cat BaWake up to misty limestone peaks, kayak quiet bays, and wander Cat Ba Island villages on this all-inclusive 3-day Halong Bay cruise. Includes pickup and local meals.★ 4.51 (174)3dEN · VIUS$ 319View ›
Halong Bay Cruise: 2-Day Kayak, Caves & Island Tour w/ PickupFloat past limestone islets, kayak hidden caves, swim at Titop Island and taste fresh seafood on a Halong Bay cruise. Includes Hanoi pickup, all meals, private cabin.★ 4.52 (110)2dEN · VIUS$ 175View ›
Lan Ha Bay Cruise: Kayaking, Viet Hai Village & Cooking ClassFloat through Lan Ha Bay’s quiet waters, kayak hidden spots, cycle to Viet Hai village, and join a Vietnamese cooking class. Includes meals, pickup & small group.★ 4.86 (336)2dENUS$ 127View ›
Hanoi to Halong & Ninh Binh cruise: 3 days, 10-cabin ship, bamboo boatsThree-day Hanoi tour combining Lan Ha Bay cruise with Ninh Binh. Includes meals, cave kayaking, bamboo boat rides, bike tours, and overnight stays.★ 4.80 (64)3dENUS$ 224View ›
3-Day Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay Cruise: Balcony Cabin, Kayak, CavesCruise through Ha Long and Lan Ha bays for 3 days with a private balcony cabin, kayaking caves, cooking class and squid fishing from Hanoi.★ 4.85 (403)3dEN · VIUS$ 100View › 
Top questions
What's the difference between kayaking and taking a bamboo boat on this cruise?
Kayaking puts you in control of the paddle at Tra Bau on day one and around the hidden islands on day two; the bamboo boat, rowed by locals, is the option for exploring Dark & Bright Cave on the final morning. Both are included, and you can choose based on the moment and how you feel.
Do I have to cycle at Viet Hai Village or can I skip it?
Cycling is one option on day two; you can choose an electric car tour of Viet Hai Village instead. Both are included in the price, so the choice is yours at the time.
What's included in the meals on the cruise?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served each day. Day one includes a welcome lunch and sunset party with complimentary cakes, fruit and tea. Day two and three follow the same pattern. Drinks in the restaurant and minibar are not included, and you can bring cash if you want to order extras.
How far is Hanoi Old Quarter from the dock, and how long is the bus ride?
The shuttle bus picks you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter at 8am and takes 2.5 hours to reach the dock at Tuan Chau. The return journey on day three follows the same route, arriving back in Hanoi around 3pm.
What should I bring for kayaking and swimming?
Bring a swimsuit, sandals or water shoes, sunglasses, a camera or phone, and warm clothes depending on the weather. The cruise provides life jackets, towels and dry bags to keep your camera and phone safe while you're on the water.
Is there a guide with the group the whole time?
An English-speaking guide is with the cruise throughout the three days, leading the kayaking sessions, the village visit and the cave exploration. The guide is included in the price.
3-day Lan Ha Bay kayaking cruise from Hanoi: Viet Hai Village
3d · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 540 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.89715 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider
