Kayaking Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi: Cooking class at sunset

Paddle into less-crowded limestone karsts, then learn to cook on the water

A full-day boat tour from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay with kayaking, swimming, lunch and a cooking class at sunset. The tour includes pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter or Cat Ba town, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees, and visits to a traditional fishing village and a local fish farm. You kayak through hidden caves, swim at Ba Trai Dao Beach, and make spring rolls aboard the boat as the sun sets over the bay.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hanoi Old Quarter4h · entry included
2. Lan Ha Bay3h

Lan Ha Bay Full Day Boat Tour

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter
• Transfer to Got pier by bus
• Speed boat to Cai Vieng harbour
• Bus to Cat Ba town, drop at Beo harbour
• Pick up from Cat Ba hotel to Ben Beo Pier
• Receive tickets for Cat Ba Archipelago bay route
• Board boat to Lan Ha Bay
• Pass Cai Beo Fishing Village
• Kayak through hidden caves
• Lunch on board with vegetarian options
• Swim at Ba Trai Dao Beach area
• Visit local fish farm
• Join spring roll cooking class
• Enjoy sunset over Lan Ha Bay
• Return by bus to Cat Ba hotels or Hanoi
• Arrive in Hanoi Old Quarter

The experience

The day starts early: pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter at 5:00 am, then a bus ride to Got pier on the coast, a short speedboat hop to Cai Vieng, and another bus to Ben Beo Pier in Cat Ba town by 8:30 am. If you're staying in Cat Ba, the bus picks you up from your hotel instead. Once aboard the boat, you pass Cai Beo Fishing Village (the most traditional fishing settlement in northern Vietnam), before heading into Lan Ha Bay itself.

The kayaking happens mid-morning through hidden caves in the bay's limestone landscape. After paddling, you return to the boat for lunch (vegetarian options available) served on deck. Then the boat moves to Ba Trai Dao Beach at Three Peach Islets, where you swim in some of the clearest water in Lan Ha Bay and walk white sand beaches ringed by steep green mountains. The afternoon includes a stop at a local fish farm, where you see how fishermen live and work on the water year-round.

The cooking class starts as the sun begins to set: you make spring rolls aboard the boat while watching the light change over the bay. The boat returns to Ben Beo Pier by evening, then you either take the bus back to Hanoi (arriving around 20:30–21:00) or return to your Cat Ba hotel. The whole day runs about 12 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off in Cat Ba town (or round-trip bus from Hanoi Old Quarter).
• entrance fees to Lan Ha Bay.
• lunch on the boat with vegetarian options.
• kayaking through hidden caves.
• swimming at Ba Trai Dao Beach.
• visit to a traditional fishing village and a local fish farm.
• cooking class making spring rolls at sunset.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Pickup and drop-off in Cat BaGuide in English · 08:30Pickup and drop-off: we collect and return guests to all hotels in Cat Ba town. For locations outside this area, please come to our office at 168, 1/4 Street before 8:30 am. Pickup is included.

Pickup in Hanoi, drop-off in Cat BaGuide in English · 05:30Bus and ferry one-way ticket, pickup from the Hanoi Old Quarter: we only collect guests from hotels in the Hanoi Old Quarter. 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 05:30 and 08:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 10.27

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Beka Travel

Is this one for you?Book the Hanoi pickup option if you're based in the city and want a single departure point that handles the full journey. Choose Cat Ba pickup if you're already on the island and prefer a shorter morning start. Either way, the 12-hour day packs four different activities (paddling, swimming, cultural stops and cooking) into one route, so you're not choosing between them.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 8 years); Infant (under 5).

What's the difference between Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay?

Lan Ha Bay is less touristy than Ha Long Bay and sits just south of it. The tour visits traditional fishing villages and quieter limestone formations, with fewer large cruise ships passing through.

Do I need kayaking experience to paddle through the caves?

No. The kayaking is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the guide leads you through the hidden caves at a pace the group can manage. The caves themselves are the main attraction, not the difficulty of reaching them.

What does the cooking class teach, and how long does it take?

You learn to make spring rolls while the boat heads back to harbor at sunset. It's a hands-on class, not a demonstration, and happens over the final stretch of the day as the light fades over the water.

Is lunch included, and are there vegetarian options?

Yes, lunch is served on the boat and included in the tour price. Vegetarian dishes are available. Let the guide know your preference when you board.

What time do I need to wake up if I'm staying in Hanoi?

Pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter is 5:00–5:30 am. The bus ride to Got pier takes about two hours, with a short break on the highway. If you're in Cat Ba, pickup is at 8:30 am from your hotel.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes the bus transfer (Hanoi to Cat Ba if you book that option), entrance fees to Lan Ha Bay, lunch, pickup and drop-off in Cat Ba town, an English-speaking guide, kayaking, swimming, and the cooking class. Drinks on the boat are not included.