2-day Halong Bay kayaking cruise from Hanoi: All-inclusive luxury

Kayak into caves and cook dinner on the water in two days flat

A 2-day all-inclusive cruise from Hanoi to Halong Bay combines kayaking through Dark n Bright Cave, visits to Tra Bau Floating Village, cooking classes and tai chi on deck, with round-trip transfer, all meals and a 5-star cabin included. The itinerary is fixed, so the timing and transport are arranged. You arrive at the port and board. The day unfolds without planning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi to Halong Bay and Floating Village

• Pick-up from Hanoi hotel
• Transfer to Tuan Chau International Port
• Check-in at cruise port
• Board Le Journey Cruise and welcome drink
• Lunch on cruise
• Explore Tra Bau Floating Village with swimming and hiking
• Sunset party and cooking class on board
• Happy hour drinks
• Dinner on sundeck
• Evening entertainment: music, games, karaoke, squid fishing
• Overnight on cruise

Day 2: Cave Exploration and Return to Hanoi

• Join Tai-Chi class
• Buffet breakfast
• Explore Dark n Bright Cave by kayaking or bamboo boat
• Return to cruise and prepare for check-out
• Brunch and relax on sundeck
• Check-out at Tuan Chau International Port
• Transfer back to Hanoi
• Drop-off at Hanoi hotel

The experience

The journey starts with a morning pickup at your Hanoi hotel and a three-hour transfer to Tuan Chau International Port. You board Le Journey in the early afternoon, settle into your cabin, and lunch is served as the cruise departs. By mid-afternoon you're kayaking or taking a bamboo boat through Tra Bau Floating Village, then swimming off the deck before returning for a sunset party and cooking class where you prepare dinner yourself. The evening includes a happy hour (buy two drinks, get one free), dinner on the sundeck if weather allows, and the option to fish for squid or play board games before the overnight.

Day two starts before dawn with an optional tai chi class on deck, followed by a full breakfast. The morning's main event is kayaking or bamboo-boat exploration of Dark n Bright Cave (the cave system that gives the tour its name) before you return to the cruise to pack and check out. Brunch happens on the sundeck while the boat heads back to port, and you're dropped at your Hanoi hotel by mid-afternoon. The cabin is a 5-star deluxe with a private bathroom, hot water shower and bathtub. Wifi is free in the public areas.

All activities, meals and cave entry are included in the price. The guide speaks English and Vietnamese. If you prefer to skip the transfer and arrange your own way to the port, there's a cruise-only option at checkout.

What’s included

• Round-trip transfer from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Port.
• 5-star deluxe cabin with private bathroom and hot water.
• all meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast, brunch).
• kayaking or bamboo-boat access to Dark n Bright Cave and Tra Bau Floating Village.
• swimming, cooking class, tai chi class and happy hour.
• cave entry and village entry.
• bottled water.
• free wifi in public areas.

Options for this experience

2 options

Cruise only for 2 days and 1 night, without transferGuide in English or Vietnamese · 11:00Cruise only for 2 days and 1 night, without transfer. Guests check in themselves at the meeting point. All meals and ticket entrances are included on the cruise. The meals and activities ticket covers one breakfast, two lunches, one dinner, a sunset party and teabreaks. Departure point: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.

Le Journey 5-star luxury cruise on Lan Ha Bay: all-inclusive, 2 days and 1 nightGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Two days and one night aboard the cruise, with all activities and entrance tickets included, such as kayaking and cave exploration (the list continues). Meals included: one breakfast, two lunches and one dinner, plus a sunset party and teabreaks. Shuttle bus pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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 08:00 and 11:00

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Le Journey Halong Bay Cruise

Is this one for you?Book the all-inclusive option if you're arriving in Hanoi with a free two days and want the whole trip arranged: transfer, cabin, meals and activities are locked in, so you show up at the hotel pickup and the itinerary carries you through. Choose the cruise-only option if you're already in the region or prefer to arrange your own transport to the port.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Dark n Bright Cave like when you get there?

Dark n Bright Cave is a limestone formation in Halong Bay that you explore by kayak or bamboo boat. The cave has two chambers, one darker and one brighter, which is where the name comes from. It's part of the second morning's itinerary before you return to the cruise.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the port, or is transport included?

Round-trip transfer from your Hanoi hotel to Tuan Chau International Port is included in the all-inclusive option. The driver picks you up in the morning and drops you back at your hotel on day two. If you book the cruise-only option, you arrange your own way to the port.

What happens during the cooking class?

The cooking class runs for an hour on the first evening after you return from Tra Bau Floating Village. You prepare dinner yourself on the cruise, then eat what you've made. It's one of several evening activities alongside the happy hour, karaoke, board games and squid fishing.

Is there a choice of cabin types?

The 2-day cruise includes a 5-star deluxe cabin with a private bathroom, hot water and a bathtub. You can upgrade to a presidential suite cabin for an additional $50 per person at checkout.

What meals are covered?

All meals are included: lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast and brunch on day two. The first evening also includes a happy hour with a buy-two-get-one-free drink offer.

Can I book this with a group but have my own cabin?

If you're traveling as part of a group but want a single cabin for yourself, you can book it separately at checkout rather than as part of the group reservation.