2-Day Lan Ha Bay Kayaking from Hanoi: Small-group cruise

Kayak emerald waters and sleep on the bay

A 2-day cruise through Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi with kayaking, swimming, biking and a hands-on cooking class, all aboard a traditional boat in a small group. Pickup from Hanoi old quarter or Opera House in the morning. Meals, guide and entrance fees included. Overnight in a private cabin with air-conditioning and hot shower.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay cruise and activities

• Pick up in Hanoi old quarter
• Check-in onboard at Cat Ba island
• Cruise through Lan Ha Bay landscapes
• Enjoy seafood lunch on board
• Kayak around Lan Ha Bay
• Swim near the boat
• Participate in spring roll cooking class
• Dinner on board
• Join squid fishing and karaoke
• Happy hour on sundeck
• Overnight on boat

Day 2: Lan Ha Bay biking and return to Hanoi

• Watch sunrise on the bay
• Breakfast on board
• Bike to Viet Hai Village
• Lunch on board
• Disembark at Beo Harbor
• Bus transfer back to Hanoi
• Drop off at hotel

The experience

The boat leaves Hanoi in the early morning and reaches Cat Ba Island by midday, giving you time to settle into your private cabin before lunch. From there the cruise enters Lan Ha Bay (the less crowded neighbor to Ha Long Bay), where you'll kayak through limestone karst formations and swim in a sheltered area. The afternoon moves at its own pace: you paddle where the guide takes you, jump from the boat into the water, and return to cook fresh spring rolls with the crew before dinner. After dark, squid fishing and karaoke happen on deck if you want them, or you can watch the sunset and sunrise from the boat without joining in.

The second morning starts early with breakfast and a bike ride through Viet Hai Village: a 5km loop through farmland and local life that takes about half an hour. Lunch is served back on the boat before you disembark at Cai Beo Harbor and take the shuttle bus back to Hanoi, arriving around 4pm. The whole trip runs on a fixed schedule, which is what keeps kayaking, swimming, biking, cooking and two nights' sleep inside two days without you building any of it yourself.

The boat holds a small group, and you share meals in the restaurant with whoever else booked the same departure. Your cabin has a private bathroom and air-conditioning. The guide speaks English and stays with the group throughout.

What’s included

• All entrance fees and kayaking equipment.
• biking through Viet Hai Village.
• hands-on Vietnamese spring roll cooking class.
• English-speaking guide throughout.
• private cabin with air-conditioning, hot shower and bathroom.
• 2 lunches, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast onboard.
• shuttle bus from Hanoi old quarter (7am option) or Opera House.

Options for this experience

4 options

Double or twin room, departing from HabourGuide in English · 11:30

Family or triple room, departing from HabourGuide in English · 11:30

Double/twin from HanoiGuide in English · 07:00Starting point: Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi, Vietnam, pickup is included

Triple or family room from HanoiGuide in English · 07:00Starting point: Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi, Vietnam, 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 07:00 and 11:30

Book up to15h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 85 years) · Youth (9 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 60

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Lan Ha Legend Cruise Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book the early morning Hanoi pickup if you're arriving in the city and need transport included with your tour. Choose the harbor departure if you're already on Cat Ba Island or prefer to arrange your own way there.

Traveler reviews

4.89★★★★★★★★★★

119 verified traveler reviews

5 ★109

4 ★8

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 17 years); Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4): 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 difference between the Hanoi pickup and the Halong harbor options?

The Hanoi pickup option includes a shuttle bus from Hanoi old quarter or Opera House at 7am, so you board the boat at Cat Ba Island around 12:30pm. The harbor option means you meet the boat at Cai Beo Harbor in Cat Ba at 11:30am, which requires you to arrange your own transport to the island. Both options include the same 2-day cruise, meals and activities.

Can I choose a double or triple cabin, or do I have to share?

You choose at checkout: double or twin cabins are available, and so are family or triple rooms. All are private cabins with a bathroom, hot shower and air-conditioning.

What happens if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Swimming is optional and happens in a nearby sheltered area where you can jump from the boat. The guide will be present, and the water is calm. You're not required to swim if you don't want to.

Is the cooking class hands-on, or do I just watch?

The cooking class is hands-on. You make Vietnamese spring rolls with fresh ingredients onboard as part of the afternoon activity. No prior cooking experience is needed.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Included: all entrance fees, kayaking equipment, biking in Viet Hai, English-speaking guide, private cabin, 2 lunches, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast, and the shuttle bus (on the Hanoi pickup option). Not included: beverages, tips, and a surcharge applies during Lunar New Year (Feb 5–9, 2027) and on Dec 24 & 31 if you book the gala dinner option.

How far is Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi, and how long is the drive?

Cat Ba Island, where you board the boat, is roughly 150km from Hanoi. The shuttle bus takes about 3 hours to reach Cai Beo Harbor on the island.