halong bay cruise worth it

Finding Alexx

| Bucket list adventures around the globe

Asia , Vietnam · March 23, 2020

Is Halong Bay worth it? An honest Halong Bay cruise review

Real talk: Not all destinations are as they seem on Instagram. I don’t want to burst any bubbles or ruin any bucket lists here but I’m all about sharing the misadventures as well as the adventures, so I wanted to give you an honest Halong Bay cruise review and give you some Halong Bay alternatives too. Read on to find out, is Halong Bay worth it ?

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But first, a disclaimer!

Let me prefix this by saying that everyone has different experiences when they travel somewhere. Weather can impact your enjoyment of a place, expectations can affect how you feel when you’re faced with the reality, and the people around you can make or break it.

I had many people tell me that Halong Bay was one of their life highlights, and with perfect weather and a great group of travel buddies on your boat I can totally see how this could be true.

But in the interest of showing the reality of travel rather than just the highlights, I think it’s important to share honest experiences even when they might not look like what you would normally post on social media. Sometimes there’s rubbish, sometimes it rains, sometimes a place doesn’t live up to what you were hoping for, and that’s totally okay.

Let’s all commit to sharing authentic travel experiences truthfully, rather than just the infinity pools and the cocktails, and then other travellers have a more realistic idea of what to expect when they visit for themselves.

ALSO my three weeks in Vietnam were one of my top trip highlights and it’s definitely one of my favourite countries, so one unsatisfying experience doesn’t taint a whole destination.

What is Halong Bay?

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Vietnam, and it’s probably graced your Instagram feed multiple times in the past. It’s famous for bright emerald water, an infinite number of jagged limestone karsts protruding from the ocean, and white wooden junk boats sailing around the islands. It is, in a word, otherworldly.

This tourist hot spot quickly became Vietnam’s most recognisable icon when it was picked out by UNESCO in 2000, and it sees over six million tourists a year.

How do you get from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

Most Halong Bay cruises offer a pick up and drop off service from your Hanoi hotel. If your tour doesn’t offer this service or if you want to spend extra time in Halong Bay before or after your cruise, you can choose a private driver , shared bus transfer , shared minibus or a train.

The distance between Hanoi and Halong Bay is about 170km, and a private driver will get you from A to B in three hours (not accounting for any stops). You can book a Halong Bay private transfe r on Klook from £56 for up to three people.

The best value option for getting from Hanoi to Halong Bay and back is a shared transfer, you can jump on a tourist bus from £4 or ride in style in an air-conditioned minibus from £8 .

There’s a Hanoi to Halong Bay train too and prices start at £2.50, but it’s a six or seven hour journey so I don’t think it’s worth it.

About my Halong Bay cruise

There are day trips from Hanoi to Halong Bay, or overnight cruises for two, three or more days.

I opted for the three-day two-night cruise, as I liked the idea of having one full boat day without hours on a bus. This meant we managed to explore deeper into the bay on a day boat, where there were far fewer people, which made a big difference.

I booked this two-night deluxe cruise on Klook for £193 for a single room (vs £295 for two people in a double room). All of the cruises I saw have a single supplement, except for a couple which will pair you with another traveller, not necessarily the same age or gender as you.

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The boat company my trip was with was Phoenix Cruises, who have 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Overall the Phoenix team were brilliant! Hotel pick-up and drop-off were smooth and easy, our guide was hilarious and super friendly, and the staff were always eager to help.

If you’re looking for a bit of a boat party kind of vibe then consider booking a trip to Castaways Island , the private island that is run by Vietnam Backpackers Hostel.

Or if you’re feeling fancy, check out this five star luxury cruise with President Cruises.

About the Halong Bay boat

Our boat was pretty decent, there’s a huge deck with seating upstairs as well as a dining room inside. My cabin was big enough for me but two people and luggage would be a bit of a squeeze, but that’s boats for you! The boat is meant to have free WiFi but unfortunately ours was broken.

You can’t get hungry on the boat, the meals were HUGE. All meals are included while you’re in the bay, and they bring out 8-10 dishes per table for you to choose from so there’s plenty there.

The food was a mix of both Vietnamese and Western food, and they can cater for dietary requirements too. Drinks are separate and cost around £1 for a soft drink, £2 for a local beer and £3-4 for a cocktail.

Our boat had 14 cabins and there was a huge variety of passengers from different countries, different backgrounds and different ages.

Unfortunately one of these passengers was racist, sexist and smoked like a chimney and hacked his lungs out publicly, despite the prevalent worries about coronavirus (this was mid-February 2020). I can normally ignore rude people but unfortunately when you’re stuck on a boat for 48 hours with someone that can be tough!

Luckily I had some pretty awesome other boatmates too. On the first night there was a bunch of five American university students who were part-way through a Semester at Sea study abroad programme, and we spent hours chatting about how to tie travel into their lives when they go back home. I’m sure one of them is reading this, so thought I better give them a shout out ????

Why my Halong Bay experience wasn’t ideal

Unfortunately, our experience at Halong Bay was hampered a bit by some angry weather, and pollution and tourists behaving badly didn’t help.

Don’t get me wrong, the bay was still beautiful, but the fog, rain, cold weather, crowds and rubbish did mean it didn’t quite meet my expectations and I want to be completely honest about that so you know what to expect.

The weather

Obviously no one can do anything about this, but the rain, fog and cold did really impact our time on the boat. Northern Vietnam gets cold in January and February (Halong Bay’s average high in winter is only 20°C with a low of 8°C), but the rain was somewhat unusual for that time of the year.

The best time to visit Halong Bay according to locals is October to December in terms of weather, but those months also bring the biggest crowds.

The fog did look beautifully eerie, but not being able to see the vastness of the never-ending limestone islands did somewhat ruin the magic that I was expecting.

Getting wet was the real kicker though, especially on the day boat where we had no warm and dry cabins and no change of clothes. Six hours of sitting in clothes wet from kayaking and I was a shivering mess!

Halong Bay overtourism

The Halong Bay cruise (and most cruises) include a number of activities like island visits, kayaking, seeing caves and visiting oyster farms. These activities are incredibly touristy, with hoards of other travellers arriving moments after you, all lining up to climb a mountain or explore a cave with camera flashes constantly going off in your face. Boomers, am I right?

Overtourism is something I’m passionate about and it’s a topic I want to try and focus on more in my travels, so I’ll admit I’m disappointed in myself for adding to the Halong Bay problem. Not only does overtourism affect the authenticity of a destination, natural landscapes and ecosystems, it actually negatively affects tourists’ enjoyment of the destination too. So it’s literally a lose-lose situation!

Day two of the cruise, the full boat day, meant that we could take a day boat further into the bay away from the one day and overnight trips, and even the reprieve from that alone made a big difference and definitely made the two-night trip worth it.

It’s also worth noting two things…

1) I am aware I, too, am a tourist. I’m totally a part of this problem too, and I wish I had read up more about the unfortunate Halong Bay overtourism before I went, which is why I’m sharing this with you guys.

And 2) My visit was mid-February at the height* of the coronavirus panic in Asia and when travel restrictions were in place, which meant what I experienced was probably 30-40% less busy than usual. I can’t imagine what a fully populated Halong Bay would be like.

*Editor’s note: I wrote this at the start of March where it seemed like mid-Feb was the height of the corona hysteria, now I’m editing this in my childhood bedroom at the end of March because I had to pause my trip and come home and self-quarantine as international borders close. The world has changed so much in three weeks!

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Tourists behaving badly

What’s worse than way too many tourists? Way too many irresponsible tourists.

The most frustrating instance of this was on one of the kayaking trips where a boat of visitors started throwing plastic-wrapped food, like packets of chips and chocolate bars, at the monkeys on the shore and laughing when they tried to eat them.

Not only is it harmful to feed wild animals, but what do they expect the monkeys to do with the rubbish? Put it in the bin? Sigh.

There were also pockets of floating rubbish all through the bay from where boats were obviously anchored the night before.

Halong Bay seems to have a ban on single use plastic that’s enforced on the boats (no plastic water bottles or snacks) but there are still plenty of local row boats who come around with bags of chips, lollies and soft drinks, plus I’m sure many people bring their own food on board and discard the rubbish overboard without thinking.

The final verdict of my Halong Bay cruise review

Halong Bay is undeniably beautiful, and I don’t blame anyone for having it at the top of their bucket list. If you managed to see it with less people (a two or more night cruise is best for that) or if you had brilliant weather then I imagine I don’t doubt it would be a Vietnam highlight, and if you managed to get both a quiet spot and brilliant weather then you win!

But for me, taking into account the drizzly cold, the litter pockets and the hoardes of tourists, I wouldn’t say I regret Halong Bay, but I also wouldn’t say I’ve added it to my ‘best things I’ve ever seen’ list.

Alternatives to Halong Bay

But wait, it’s not all doom and gloom (or rain and litter in this case)! There are a few options of places to visit to get a Halong Bay-esque experience without the crowds.

Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba Island was one destination that people raved about to me while I was planning my trip, and I wish I had the strength to overcome the Halong Bay FOMO and visit Cat Ba instead. Bad Alexx!

Cat Ba Island is actually the biggest island in Halong Bay, but it’s a destination worth visiting in its own right. From sleepy fishing villages (most in Halong Bay have been shut down by local government to ‘protect the ecosystem’ i.e. make way for more tourist boats), to thick jungle, to secluded grottoes hidden amongst the towering cliffs, Cat Ba and its own Lan Ha Bay are a brilliant escape from the Halong madness.

The good news is you can actually do a trip to both Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island if you really do want to see both. This two night adventure spends a night on the boat in Halong Bay and a night in a hotel or resort on Cat Ba Island, the best of both worlds.

Bai Tu Long Bay

A couple of people recommended Bai Tu Long Bay too, which is slightly north of Halong Bay but seemingly far from the well-trodden tourist trail. The cruises in Bai Tu Long Bay are more expensive but have smaller boats than in Halong Bay, so they’re a bit more private and exclusive. Guaranteed you’ll have less crowds and rubbish up here.

Tam Coc and Ninh Binh

Known as the ‘Halong Bay on land’, the mind-blowing landscapes of the Ninh Binh province, a couple of hours’ drive inland from Hanoi, are another of Vietnam’s hidden gems. With a similar silhouette of giant limestone karsts but with emerald rice paddies in place of turquoise waters, the views in Ninh Binh and nearby Tam Coc were definitely a trip highlight for me.

There are no junk boats but there are row boats, bicycle routes, caves to explore and mountains to climb.

If you’re planning on going, do you think you’ll keep it in your itinerary or consider one of the Halong Bay alternatives? And if you’ve been before, do you think Halong Bay is worth it or do you agree with me? Tell me in the comments!

Looking for Halong Bay cruises or Halong Bay alternatives? Check out all the day trips and overnight cruises right here on Klook .

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Read more about my 52 in 52 adventure here , see all of my blog posts from the trip here , or check out my Instagram @findingalexx to see all of my travel photos.

All the basic details from my big 52 in 52 trip:

How do you find your flights? Skyscanner ! I use the Everywhere tool to find the cheapest place to fly to each Tuesday Do you fly every week? Not every week no, once I have the destination I check trains and buses to see if there’s any other transport options aside from flying. If so, I usually book these using the Trainline app. How do you book your accommodation? I book all my hotels, hostels and apartments on either booking.com or Hostelworld . Do you have travel insurance? YES, I always travel with travel insurance and you should too. I’m insured for an annual policy with Worldcare NZ . Do you offset your carbon credits? I sure do! I always offset when I book if the airline gives me the option (Ryanair does), and I also offset all my flights using Co2nsensus.com . What luggage do you travel with? I travel with a 75cm Samsonite Cosmolite suitcase , a matching Samsonite Cosmolite 55cm cabin luggage hardcase , and a cheap laptop backpack . What camera do you use? You can see the full list of what’s in my camera bag right here . What laptop do you use? I have a super portable HP Spectre x360 13.3″ laptop, which is an absolute dream to travel with. For more FAQs about my 52 in 52 trip, see this post .

I travelled on the Halong Bay two night cruise as a guest thanks to my ongoing partnership with Klook. As always, all opinions are my own and are based on my own personal experience.

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June 27, 2022 at 4:59 pm

Hi, thank you for this detailed, authentic article. We’re planning to go to Northern Vietnam mid to late December and have decided to skip Halong Bay because it seems very similar to the Phi Phi islands. And with limited time, we’ve decided it would be better to visit other destinations. That said, Tam Coc is a place we are considering but I’ve read a few accounts of how over touristy it is and tourists getting inundated by vendors pushing their wares to the point of ruining the experience- did that happen to you at all?

June 28, 2022 at 2:19 am

I didn’t have that experience in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh was a bit more intense in terms of the commercial aspect, but for me Tam Coc was quite calm and peaceful. However I was there in Feb 2020 when borders had already shut to some countries so I definitely didn’t see it at its busiest, my experience might have been more positive than if I had visited in a normal time!

August 18, 2022 at 2:13 am

I had plans to visit bali but my flight was through Vietnam and had some layover. I got tempted and kept a four days gap and got my Vietnam VISAs to explore some of Vietnam. I also underestimated the distance between Ha Noi and HCM and hence within these four days, I planned to travel from HA Noi to Ho Chi Minh. I will enter Vietnam at HaNoi and my flight to Bali will be from HCM. So, booked a flight after spending two days in HAnoi to HCM. Sorry for boring you with a lot of info.

I have only two days in Hanoi and hence booking one night two days trip will mean zero time for exploring Hanoi. So, I will have to settle with just one day, day trip to Hanoi. That means, I will be part of the ‘Problem’ and will be able to explore only one of the crowded areas of the Hay Long bay.

I am travelling with parents and in fact, the trip is for them to visit an international location for the first time. I have been to places but they haven’t and I am joining to make them feel comfortable. They are in their 70s.

Do you think we should still include a day trip to Halong bay or are there any alternatives that you have in mind?

Can you suggest the two days itinerary? We will reach early in the morning and will have two full days with us before our flight in the morning of the third day from Hanoi to HoChiMinh city. PArents are healthy but can only walk 200-300 meters and would not want to make extreme for them as they have total 12 days trip to Vietnam and Bali.

Our budget is medium and not very luxurious!

Thank you in advance!

August 18, 2022 at 6:30 am

Hanoi is a really cool city with lots to do, but if your parents aren’t very mobile then it might be tricky as the city is definitely made for walking or motorbiking, cars are limited on where they can go.

I would suggest doing a day trip to Halong Bay like this one: https://www.klook.com/activity/44865-hana-premium-cruise-halong-bay-high-way/?aid=5164

And you can read my Vietnam itinerary for more suggestions on what to do in Hanoi for two days: https://findingalexx.com/3-week-vietnam-itinerary

HOoe this helps!

September 23, 2022 at 5:34 pm

Just wondering how you got from Ha Long Bay to Nihn Bihn? What is the quickest and cost effective way to get there 🙂

September 24, 2022 at 12:53 pm

My Halong Bay cruise included transport to and from Hanoi, so I caught that back to Hanoi and then booked a bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh 🙂

January 23, 2023 at 8:05 pm

Hi there: Thank you for your detailed description of the Halong Bay. We are at the point of adding to the over tourism problem. We have a specific question, namely we get into Hanoi midmorning and we have that night and the next day and night at most to spare before moving on to Da Nang. Within those time constraints, would you recommend exploring Ha Noi over a day and a half or try to forego the city in favor of the cruise. We will be traveling in late May and none of us have any mobility restrictions. Thanks in advance for your opinion

March 23, 2023 at 11:05 am

Hey! I’m so sorry for the late reply, you might have already booked but I will give you my thoughts anyway. Honestly it is totally up to your preferences, Hanoi is an amazing city with plenty to see and do in 1.5 days, and if you’re a foodie then I’d say you should do a food tour which will take up half a day of that time so then you’d want the next day to see more of the city. If you are more keen on natural landscapes and don’t mind a very hectic day of bus/boat/bus with (probably) lots and lots of other tourists then you could still do the Halong Bay day trip, I’d just suggest not having super high expectations as the chaos/amount of tourists/rushed nature might not give you the best experience if that makes sense!

September 29, 2023 at 5:13 am

Very much appreciate your candid and detailed descriptions of your travel experiences. So helpful.

December 29, 2023 at 1:41 pm

Hi Alex, Thank you so much for your honest assessment of Ha Long Bay. We are seriously thinking of going to Vietnam ( have been to Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos several years back) I am 68, hubby is 73 in good shape, minus the aches and pains. We will work with a high end tour operator who has an excellent reputation. You were there for three weeks and since we are coming from the east coast of the US want your opinion if not only 3 night cruise is worth it in Halong Bay or the other places you mentioned, but Vietnam in general (ie Hoi Ann, Hue, etc). We would like to combine two weeks in Vietnam with a week of a beach vacation somewhere else like southern Thailand -maybe even Palawan islands in the Philippines if not to far. Thoughts on Vietnam would be much appreciated!

January 3, 2024 at 12:34 pm

Hi Sandra! With two weeks in Vietnam you could do a few nights in Halong Bay or one of the alternatives (Bai Tu Long, Cat Ba, Lan Ha) + spend some time in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. I’d recommend keeping your visit to 3/4 destinations in those two weeks though otherwise you’ll be spending a tonne of time on buses/in cars/planes getting from A to B. Thailand would be an easy option, just check the season to avoid heading to the wrong side during the wet season. Palawan is a little trickier because I don’t think there are direct flights from Vietnam to Puerto Princesa at the moment so I thiiiink you’d need to go via Manila which would make it a long trip. I’m not totally sure though so best to check your options on Skyscanner!

January 21, 2024 at 5:37 pm

I’ve got lots of great ideas from your various reviews and articles. Thank you. We are pushed for time and I had initially planned 2 nights Hanoi, 1 night Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise, 1 night Tam Coc. Private transfer between places so we go point to point. I’m wondering if we slow down the pace and just go to Hanoi and Ninh Binh. I visited Halong Bay on a boat cruise over 20 years ago and found the diesel fumes and water pollution startling – and that was way back then. Was hoping Bai Tu Long might be different but I’m not sure.

We travel a lot, travel light and move around well (family with kids) but are definitely not boat/tour/group kinda people – we like to travel independently and hang with locals.

January 22, 2024 at 11:42 am

Hey Kate, based on your travel preferences I would say perhaps skip Bai Tu Long Bay and spend more time in Ninh Binh instead, you’ll be more likely to find authentic local experiences there. If you or the kids are particularly keen to see the limestone karst landscapes then Bai Tu Long would definitely be better than Halong Bay, but if you aren’t into boats/sightseeing then there’s probably no need to make the trip and waste a day/night.

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Visiting Halong Bay: tips to plan your cruise

Apr 18, 2019 • 7 min read

Dotted with jagged limestone pinnacles,  Halong Bay  is one of Vietnam’s biggest attractions. The vast majority of its 10 million visitors a year arrive aboard day and overnight cruises.

The multitude of trips on offer can be overwhelming: here’s the skinny on Halong Bay to get you started.

Make the most of your visit

Halong Bay retains much of the otherworldly magic conjured up by 1969 jungle-clad islands and islets rising from deep emerald waters. Getting there is increasingly straightforward, thanks to the 2018 building of an expressway connecting Halong City and Hanoi , and the opening of Van Don International Airport (with flights to Ho Chi Minh City , and international flights coming soon) a mere 50km from Halong Bay.

But the bay's popularity has taken its toll. Concerned about overcrowding, water pollution and litter, the Vietnamese government has imposed strict regulations.

Today, boats must follow one of five prescribed routes through the bay, meaning overnight cruises leaving roughly from the same place at the same time play follow-the-leader as they hit the major highlights of the bay almost in frustrating concert. In addition, swimming is only allowed at a few designated beaches, with drones surveilling the skies to make sure boat captains comply.

Especially with these rules in place, your choice of cruise can make or break your Halong Bay experience.

Luxury cruises

Want to spoil yourself? Halong Bay has some sumptuous cruise options that are basically luxury hotels on water. You’re paying for the experience of five-star amenities here – not for any particular divergence from the typical cruise itinerary – but if you want to live it up from a swanky sun-lounger while watching the sun set over a vista of craggy jungle-topped islands, you can’t really go wrong.

For a luxury cruise, bank on spending around US$300–350 for a cabin.

Pros:  It’s a serious treat. While the cost may seem high, it typically includes higher quality meals and amenities on board, such as a spa or gym, as well as entry to Halong Bay.

Cons: Those who are after good value should probably look at midrange options. Overnight trips (marketed as two-day/one-night trips) usually involve 24 hours or less on the actual boat, which can rankle given what you pay for the experience.

Budget and midrange cruises

Most Halong Bay visitors go for midrange or budget cruises, but there is a huge range when it comes to price and value for money. At one end of the scale are some ultra-budget boats where conditions are rustic at best; at the other are some excellent midrange options offering cosy hotel-style cabins, knowledgeable on-board tour guides and kayaking stops. If purse strings are tight, for facilities, comfort and safety considerations, it’s sometimes better to choose a day cruise with a midrange operator rather than a bargain-basement overnight trip.

Budget cruise prices start from US$60 per person for a day trip. Paying between US$110 and US$130 should get you a worthwhile overnight midrange cruise.

Pros: Competition is fierce, which means plenty of operators add freebies into the itinerary, such as kayaking and private minibus transfers from Hanoi.

Cons: You have to wade through a lot of options, which can be confusing. It’s worth doing your pre-trip research.

Day cruises

If you’re pressed for time, do as many locals do and see Halong Bay on a day cruise from Tuan Chau Marina in Halong City . Cruise boats can be rented by the hour (around US$30 per hour for a boat that accommodates up to 20 passengers) or you can join other passengers aboard a four- to six-hour cruise for about US$50 per person. Options vary greatly, so check whether the price includes lunch.

Pros: Day cruises are cheap and easily organised tours right on the spot in Halong City, plus there’s free entertainment on board provided by karaoke.

Cons: Can be crowded and noisy, with only time enough for a few stops. Did we mention the karaoke?

Most decent midrange Halong Bay cruises will offer an hour or so of kayaking (some charging an extra fee). Paddling around the karsts allows you to experience the limestone towers from a completely different angle: up close and without the constant thrum of an engine in the background.

For more experienced kayakers, there are also kayak-only trips. These trips are run by a handful of operators based in nearby Lan Ha Bay (off Cat Ba Island ) rather than Halong Bay itself, though Lan Ha’s islet-scattered sea has as much wow factor as Halong Bay and is much less visited.

Full-day kayaking trips from Cat Ba Island cost between US$25 and US$30 per person.

Pros: In one of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destinations, a kayak trip is a way of escaping the crowds.

Cons: On a full kayaking tour, you’re only going to see a sliver of the area. To see more, it’s a better idea to take a cruise that includes a kayaking stop.

One of the most important reasons to steer away from the ultra-budget cruises is safety. After a boat sinking (and the loss of 12 lives) in 2011, new safety regulations were brought in for Halong Bay cruise boats, but scrimping on safety does still go on with some fly-by-night operators.

In particular, check that any kayaking stops are accompanied by a guide. Because of the variable and surprisingly strong currents close to the karst islands, a safety-conscious operator won’t allow kayakers to paddle off from the boat by themselves.

Booking tips

Most trips leave from Hanoi, but you can also base yourself in Halong City. When you're booking, bear these tips in mind:

• The Halong Bay entry fee is US$13 per person for a day cruise and US$25 for an overnight cruise. This is generally included in your ticket, though it's worth double-checking for the cheapest cruises. Activities like kayaking and island bike rides may cost extra.
• When comparing prices, check whether a transfers between Hanoi and Halong Bay are included, and if so, whether it’s one-way or round-trip, and if it uses the new expressway or not.
• While the Ha Long–Hai Phong Expressway has cut travel time between Hanoi and Halong Bay to 2½ hours, that really only applies to private vehicles which don’t stop to pick up any other passengers and which don’t make the usual 30-minute comfort stop halfway through the journey. Aboard a shuttle bus, plan for a three to 3½-hour ride.
• Check closely to see whether overnight cruise rates are priced by cabin or by person. Single travellers should expect to pay 70-80% of the full cabin price.
• The itinerary on a one-night cruise can be very packed, with shore excursions, kayaking, swimming and hiking all included, leaving little time to actually just sit and watch the amazing scenery during daylight hours. If you have the time, a two-night itinerary is much more leisurely, with the bonus of visiting sights with fewer people around.

Arranging a tour

Some recommended operators:

• Vega Travel offers good-value overnight and two-night tours with comfortable cabins, and kayaking included. Highly recommended by travellers.
• Cat Ba Ventures runs tours out of Cat Ba Island, taking in both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
• Indochina Sails has a traditional Chinese junk that’s been fully fitted out with all mod cons.
• Handspan Adventure Travel has a proper sailing ship, so you don’t have to put up with that pesky engine hum. Handspan also runs full kayaking tours in nearby Lan Ha Bay.
• Hai Au Aviation offers Vietnam’s only seaplane flights, including a 25-minute scenic flight over Halong Bay which presents a completely different perspective. From the air, the islands truly do resemble the undulating body of a dragon, the meaning of 'Halong'.
• L’Azalée Private Premium Cruise has the bay’s only single-cabin cruiser for an ultra-luxe experience, but expect to pay dearly for the privilege.

One of the best times to visit Halong Bay is November – there are blue skies aplenty, temperatures are moderate and there’s a good chance of calm seas. From May to September, tropical storms can whip up without much warning. This is also high season in Halong, particularly from June to mid-August when domestic tourism peaks.

February to April is often cool and drizzly, and the fog can make visibility low, though also adds an ethereal atmosphere. Year-round, cruises and tourist boats sometimes need to alter their itineraries, or trips can be cancelled with little warning depending on the weather and sea conditions. If you’re booking a cruise, check the fine print for the refund procedures.

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Guide to Halong Bay, Vietnam: How to Choose the Best Cruise

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Halong Bay is a stunningly beautiful bay in Northern Vietnam where over 1,600 islands and islets rise up from the turquoise waters of the South China Sea. Most Vietnam itineraries include a trip to Halong Bay.

As you cruise through the bay in one of the famous ‘junk boats,’ you’ll pass by countless towering limestone rock formations surrounding the luxury cruise ship. The bay was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is today one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Vietnam .

The most popular way to explore Halong Bay is to cruise on a ‘junk boat’ which is actually a liveaboard cruise ship. Most junk boats have around 15-20 cabins so the groups are more intimate than what you would normally expect from a cruise ship.

Read on to learn all about when to go, what to pack , and how to choose the right boat for your Halong Bay cruise!

Don’t forget to check out our web story: Guide to Halong Bay, Vietnam !

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

Complete Guide to Halong Bay

How to get to halong bay.

Halong Bay is located about 100 miles east of Hanoi . Transportation to and from the bay is often included in your Halong Bay cruise ship package. They will pick you up from your hotel at around 8:00 in the morning. The standard included transportation package is to ride in a large but comfortable and air-conditioned bus, or you can pay extra for a private car.

There is a brand new highway that has cut the travel time from Hanoi to Halong Bay down to about 2.5 hours. However, it is a toll road and some cut-rate cruise operators will choose to take the old road rather than pay the toll. This adds almost two hours to the time you’ll be sitting in a bus or car so make sure you confirm with your travel agent or cruise operator that you will be taking the new highway.

It’s also possible to travel directly between Halong Bay and  Ninh Bình which will save you some time if you’re planning on visiting both and don’t want to return to Hanoi in-between.

Note: If you book your Halong Bay cruise through Booking.com rather than through a local travel agent, make sure you read the fine print. You may need to pay an additional $25-40 USD per person for a round-trip transfer to/from Hanoi.

When to visit Halong Bay

Junk boats operate year-round so you can go on a Halong Bay cruise at any time, as long as you don’t mind a little rain.

The best time to visit is from October until March when temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is light, if at all. Of course, you’ll also have to contend with more crowds during that time and should plan on booking your tour in advance .

April to September is hot and humid and experiences the highest rainfall of the year, with August being the wettest month.

How Many Nights to Spend on a Halong Bay Cruise

Most Halong Bay cruise itineraries will pick you up in Hanoi at around 8:00 am and get you to the boat around 12:00 pm. You’ll have lunch on the boat, enjoy a few afternoon activities, have dinner, and then you’ll depart the boat the next day around noon if you choose the 2-day/1-night option. This 2-day/1-night cruise option is the most popular way to see Halong Bay.

We opted for the 3-day/2-night Halong Bay cruise option which felt more relaxing as we had an extra night on board and didn’t feel so rushed to unpack and then repack our luggage. We also found that the day 2 activities were far less crowded and rushed so we were able to enjoy them more.

There is also a 2-night option where you’ll spend the second evening at a hotel on Cat Ba Island.

How to Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise

Do Your Research

Many tourists opt to book their ‘junk boat’ Halong Bay cruise through the many tourist agencies around Hanoi. There are literally dozens of boat options so the tourist agencies will generally only show you their top one or two in order to keep you from getting overwhelmed (or so they say).

Local travel agents can sometimes get you better prices than what you can find online, but before entering a travel agency do some research on Booking and  TripAdvisor  to find the top-rated cruise boats. Then you can compare the rates offered by travel agents against the rates offered online.

Local tour companies are also happy to arrange tours that include both a day in Ninh Bình and an overnight cruise in Halong Bay  which can be a good option to consider if you’re short on time in Northern Vietnam.

If you’re already in Hanoi you can also ask at the reception desk of your hotel as almost all Hanoi hotels offer similar services to travel agencies.

A few things to consider when booking your Halong Bay cruise:

• How many cabins are on the ship?
• What is included in your package? Water and other beverages are often an extra charge.
• What activities are listed?
• What do the reviews say on Booking.com or Tripadvisor?

Don’t Skimp on your Halong Bay Cruise

You can save a bit of money by choosing a lower-end cruise line or by forgoing a private balcony off your room. And most of the ships do offer a similar schedule of activities so no matter what boat you pick, you’ll get to see the highlights of Halong Bay.

But if you want to really enjoy your time onboard, opt to pay a bit more for a private balcony and a nicer room with more amenities.

Our Halong Bay Cruise Recommendations

A trip to Halong Bay can be an amazing experience, but with many of the boat companies you’ll wind up feeling like you’re simply on a tourist conveyor belt. If you want to make it a true once-in-a-lifetime experience consider these options:

Peony Cruise

Peony Cruises  only recently began sailing in October 2018, so their boats are brand new and state-of-the-art. They’ve incorporated both luxury and style into their immaculate, spacious staterooms. And to top it off, their boats operate in a different area of the bay than most of the other cruises so you’ll have a more unique itinerary with fewer crowds! Sailing with Peony Cruises is a truly amazing experience!

Check prices on Booking.com

Athena Elegance Cruise

Athena Elegance Cruise  is a new addition to the Halong Bay cruise ships so you’ll appreciate that the furniture and appliances are free from the wear and tear of other boats. With 3 decks, 21 spacious and luxurious cabins, a rooftop sundeck, coffee lounge, bar, and sauna, you won’t even want to get off of this gorgeous ship to explore the bay!

Check Prices on Booking.com

Era Cruises

Era Cruises  is the ultimate in world-class service and style! You’ll forget that you’re even on a boat (aside from the amazing bay views from your private soaking tub). Rooms are huge and elegantly decorated, there is an onboard fitness center and spa, the food is delectable, and you’ll be treated like royalty by the amazing staff.

La Pinta Cruise

La Pinta Cruise  has a mission of “safety – elegance – sophistication”, and those words really sum up what to expect from your onboard experience. They offer 16 spacious cabins but the real advantage of La Pinta is that they take a different tour route which will allow you to avoid a lot of the crowds and have a more relaxing Halong Bay experience.

What to Pack for Your Halong Bay Cruise

You’ll need your passport to travel to Halong Bay and your tour guide will ask for it during your bus ride to the area. Be sure you have it in your handbag for easy access rather than stored in your luggage under the bus.

Snacks for the Bus Ride

The bus ride to Halong Bay takes around 2.5 hours and most make one stop at a massive souvenir store. They’ll drop you off on one end and pick you up on the other 30 minutes later. The souvenir store has clean western-style toilets and sells everything from giant Buddha statues to traditional clothing, gold jewelry, and everything in-between.

Everything at these souvenir shops is outrageously expensive, especially the snacks. Think $10 USD for a bag of peanuts. If you think you might get hungry or thirsty during the bus ride, best to pack your snacks rather than wait to buy them there.

Bottled Water

Some of the higher-end boats may provide drinking water while onboard but for many, it is an extra charge. You’ll likely get a bottle on the bus and two in your cabin, but you’ll then have to pay for the rest while on board.

You’ll want to pack a swimsuit both for swimming at Ti Top Island and for kayaking around Halong Bay. Don’t worry about bringing a beach towel. Your cruise ship will provide you with one as you are getting off the boat.

Tennis Shoes with Traction

There are a few reasons that tennis shoes would come in handy during your trip to Halong Bay. You’ll climb a lot of stairs during your visit to Surprise Cave and Ti Top Island (if you choose to visit the lookout) so you’ll find that you are more comfortable in tennis shoes rather than flip flops.

The caves can also be quite slippery after heavy rainfalls, so you’ll appreciate having shoes with some traction. These hiking shoes by Merrell are lightweight, super durable, and have a breathable mesh lining to keep your feet cool.

Sun Protection

You’ll love lounging on the rooftop deck of the cruise ship, soaking in the views of the limestone pillars surrounding you. Some boats have a lot of shady areas while others are full sun. You’ll also probably spend some time kayaking in the hot midday sun. Be sure you have the proper protection for your skin and hair so you don’t get scorched.

You may also want to pack a foldable sun hat for extra protection for your face.

Waterproof Cell Phone Case

If you want to snap a few photos while kayaking around Halong Bay, you’ll want to invest in either a waterproof cellphone case or a waterproof camera. This  universal waterproof case  is inexpensive and super easy to use if you think your phone is in danger of getting splashed.

What NOT to Bring on Your Halong Bay Cruise

Every Halong Bay cruise ship includes meals during your stay, but not all include alcohol and other beverages. And while the drinks will certainly cost you more than what you’d expect in Vietnam, they generally aren’t outrageous. Expect to pay about $1 USD for water and soda, $3 USD for juice, $2.50 for beer, and $6 for wine on a moderately priced boat. The fancier the boat, the higher the drink prices of course.

While you may be tempted to bring your own alcohol on board, be aware that most of the boats charge a ‘corkage fee’ for any beverages that you don’t buy on the ship. This includes any drinks from the enterprising local ladies on tiny rowboats cruising around the bay trying to sell various sundries to cruise boat passengers.

Expect to pay an additional ‘corkage fee’ of $20 USD on wine and $1 USD on any beer or soda that you bring with you. At the end of the day, you’ll end up paying the same amount as if you just buy your drinks from the cruise ship bar.

Note: The ‘corkage fee’ doesn’t apply to water, snacks, and souvenirs so if you want to support the locals you can always buy a couple of bottles of water or some trinkets. 

Activities Around Halong Bay

Listed below are a few of the most popular activities that are generally included in junk boat tours around Halong Bay. Surprise Cave and Ti Top Island are the two most popular activities and will probably be a part of your visit regardless of how long you stay.

Morning Tai Chi

Most cruise ships offer an early morning relaxing tai chi lesson on the rooftop deck.

Sung Sot “Surprise” Cave

Sung Sot Cave, also known as “Surprise Cave”, is one of the most popular destinations in Halong Bay, and for good reason. You’ll start by climbing a long set of stairs where you can stop along the way for fantastic views of the bay below. And once inside the cave, you’ll follow the path that winds around the fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. It’s a massive cave that is well-lit and easy to navigate with or without a guide.

Keep in mind that Surprise Cave gets very crowded and would be difficult to access if you have any issues with mobility.

Ti Top Island

Ti Top Island is another major stop along the Halong Bay cruise tour route. You’ll have time to lounge on the beach, swim in the sea, or climb to the lookout high above for the most incredible 360° views of the bay. The stairs to the top are very steep and no doubt you’ll be sweaty and out of breath by the time you reach the top.

This is another crowded spot in the bay. There is a changing area to change into your swimsuit but the toilets are squatty potties so you may want to plan ahead.

Onboard Cooking Class

A “cooking class” may be offered on your last day on the ship. Ours was a brief lesson in rolling rice paper spring rolls. So not EXACTLY cooking, but it was fun anyway.

Me Cung (Maze) Cave

Me Cung Cave has a few different chambers to explore. You’ll get to see the beautiful Maze Lake from an opening in the cave wall and you’ll get to experience the interesting acoustics as you get deeper inside.

You’ll need to either crab walk or crawl through two very small cave openings so if you have trouble with your back or knees this may be challenging. And this cave gets quite slippery after heavy rain so wear those tennis shoes!

Kayaking at Luon Cave and Lake

This was our favorite activity of our Halong Bay cruise tour experience. You’ll kayak through a cave and into a large lake that is surrounded by massive walls and lush vegetation on all sides. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a monkey along the banks of the lake.

Pearl Farm Visit

This is a brief trip to a pearl farm where millions of oysters are being manipulated to create unnatural pearls and thousands of oyster shells are being cleaned every month. The tour ends in the incredibly overpriced gift shop.

Alternatives to Taking a Halong Bay Cruise

If everything described above seems too “touristy” for you, there are other ways to explore this part of Vietnam. You can:

• Head straight to Cat Ba Island, stay in a hotel there, and arrange a more personalized boat trip around the bay.
• Pass on Halong Bay and instead choose to explore the less-crowded but also incredibly beautiful Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay.
• Choose a cruise company that offers an alternative route to Ha Long Bay such as  La Pinta Cruise .

We hope this post helps you to choose a Halong Bay cruise boat that is right for you!

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About the Author:

Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag. Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her! These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

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1 thought on “guide to halong bay, vietnam: how to choose the best cruise”.

Hello there, thanks for all the cruise info – we’re a couple, early 50s, adventurous, like small groups, pretty relaxed, long term travellers – with that in mind, which of the four Halong Bay cruise companies you’ve reviewed would you choose? Thank you!

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9 Halong Bay Cruise Reviews By Travel Bloggers (Which Is Best?)

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Home » 9 Halong Bay Cruise Reviews By Travel Bloggers (Which Is Best?)

I don’t see how you can go to Vietnam and not book in a cruise on Halong Bay. In my opinion, it is one of those “must-do” items that belongs on your itinerary. Unfortunately, way too often do I hear travelers complain about their experience on their cruise – which is sad really because it was one of my favorite things from all our trip to Vietnam.

In actual fact, we loved our cruises so much that we compiled a lovely guide on the  best cruise in Halong Bay  that we can recommend. I think that choosing the right cruise will have a big impact on whether you enjoy the Bay. So to ensure that you choose the cruise that is right for you, we wanted to check in with some of our favorite travel bloggers to see which cruise they chose.

Halong Bay Cruise Package Reviews by Travel Bloggers

Here are some  favourite Halong Bay Cruise  Packages as recommended by other bloggers. They include a bit of an outline about what is included in the price, as well as talk about both the positives and negatives of their experience.

Indochina Junk| 1N2D Itinerary

– Recommended by Suzanne from  The Travelbunny –

We explored Halong Bay with Indochina Junk on a 24-hour trip. Indochina Junk has a permit to visit a quieter part of the bay away from all the other tourist boats. Bai Tu Long Bay translates as Baby Dragon Bay and is where we spent our time in Halong Bay.

The Dragon Pearl had traditional teak paneling, ornate decoration, and areas to relax and enjoy the passing scenery. We anchored amid limestone karsts and enjoyed an excellent seafood lunch served on deck. Later, we moored near a small island and explored Thien Canh Son Cave, kayaked, and watched the sunset.

The food on board was amazing and included in the price. Some drinks were also included. Dinner was a Thai feast of epic proportions. There were around 18 guests on board.

Our cabin had a double bed and private bathroom with a shower, toilet, and basin. In the morning we got up early and watched the sunrise over Halong Bay with a steaming Vietnamese coffee. After breakfast, we visited a floating village on our way back to the port.

I can highly recommend Indochina Junk. It’s not the cheapest but it’s a first-class experience, and more importantly, a safe experience. The company is a sustainable business and has developed a ‘Green Halong Bay’ program to help protect the bay against rubbish. They have also set up a school in Vung Vieng fishing village and provide job opportunities for local people.

Note from Jolene:  We also recommend Indochina Junk, you can  read about our 2N3D Halong Bay Cruise here .

Click to Check Price for Indochina Junk Cruises

Bhaya Cruises| 2N3D Itinerary

– Recommended by Kylie from Visiting Dordogne –

We spent a fabulous 3 days, 2 nights with Bhaya Cruises on board the Bhaya Classic II boat in beautiful Halong Bay with our two children (aged 4 and 5 at the time). Halong Bay is truly stunning, however, the Bhaya boat and staff made our experience exceptional.

We had two rooms to accommodate the four of us, both lovely and spacious with private en-suite bathrooms and generous windows to take in the views.

Everything was included with the exception of alcohol or the occasional soft drink for the kids. Right from the start, we were treated to delicious food (more than we could eat), with the amazing 5-course dinners both night’s real highlights, as well as yummy breakfasts on the deck admiring the early morning views of the bay.

Our excursions included kayaking through a beautiful cove, cycling on Cat Ba Island, visiting a traditional floating village, checking out a pearl farm (more interesting than you might imagine), swimming in the South China Sea, and an amazing cave walk on the final day. While on board we were also able to participate in a spring roll-making lesson on the top deck, tai chi each morning, and nighttime squid fishing. Pre-dinner drinks also gave us a great opportunity to meet our fellow passengers.

Was there anything that could have improved the experience? Well maybe fewer boats in Halong Bay, but it’s certainly hard to hold Bhaya responsible for that! And the extended 3-day cruise also meant that we traveled beyond most of the other boats giving us a touch more seclusion and adding to a brilliant overall experience.

Click to Check Price for Bhaya Cruises

Au Co Cruises | 2N3D Itinerary

– Recommended by Holly from  Four Around the World –

We took a 2 night Halong Bay cruise with Au Co Cruises with our daughter, who was only 14 months at the time. We knew a Halong Bay cruise was a must for the first visit to Vietnam, however, we wanted to have the reassurance of a child-friendly cruise ship. Au Co considers itself to be a luxury cruise option, with several upgrade suite options.

We stayed in a standard deluxe cabin, which is beautifully decorated in dark wood grain and decor items. Each cabin has a private balcony so you can enjoy the view from your own cabin. We loved enjoying the tranquil afternoons before dinner with a view from our balcony.

All meals and snacks are included in the cruise cost and the food is extravagant. We enjoyed multi-course feasts and local cuisine. All excursions are also included in your cruise package, with visits to caves, a local village, kayaking adventures, and island visits during the 3-day cruise. You also get to book yourself an included session in the boat jacuzzi, situated on the deck so you can relax with incredible views.

We loved our experience, from the food to the onboard entertainment, the excursions, and the staff. They doted on our daughter the whole time and were wonderful at keeping her entertained throughout the trip and excursions. There was nothing that comes to mind that needed improving. It was a wonderful cruise experience.

Click to Check Price for Au Co Cruises

Galaxy Premium Cruise | 1N2D Itinerary

– Recommended by Ania from  The Travelling Twins –

Family trip:  2 Adults and 2 Young Kids

Our Accommodation on the Boat:  One Deluxe Double and one Deluxe Twin Cabin

Included in the price:

• Full Cabin Facilities
• All meals on board.
• Welcome drink.
• Cookery demonstration.
• Entrance and sightseeing fees.
• Fishing equipment.
• English speaking guide.
• Shuttle bus (Round trip from Hanoi).
• Fruit and local wine party

What we loved about it:  Besides being awestruck with the beauty of Ha Long Bay we especially loved the food served on our cruise. It was delicious and the staff was fully accommodating to our family’s different food intolerances. In the evening on the first day, they threw a small party and after that, we tried squid fishing. We didn’t manage to catch any squid but we all had great fun. As well as sightseeing from the boat we climbed up to a spectacular viewpoint and on the second day, we visited caves. The sightseeing was all well organized. Later, we all (including the kids) participated in a hands-on cookery class to make spring rolls, and to top it off we went kayaking.

What could have been better?:  Not much. If we had to pick, then the room was comfortable rather than “de-luxe” and for the kayaking, we had to keep up over quite a bit of distance, so it felt a bit more like exercise than sightseeing.

Click to Check Price for Galaxy Halong Cruises

Emotion Halong Bay Cruise | 1N2D Itinerary

– Recommended by Kate from  Tear-Free Travel –

We went as a couple on the beautiful Emotion Halong Bay cruise. The cruise along Halong Bay is breathtaking, and we thoroughly enjoyed the included activities.

Our 1-night cruise included kayaking and swimming, a tour of Sung Sot cave, and a tour of a floating fishing village. We particularly liked our cave tour – ‘Surprise cave’ is a beautiful walkable cave tucked into the edge of the bay.  There is also a 2-night cruise option if you would like to see more of Halong Bay and participate in more excursions.

We had a very comfortable room that was clean and well appointed. The bed was very comfy and I did not feel much movement on the ship.

The crew was very nice and helpful with any requests we had. Although the food was not 5-star, we enjoyed the traditional dishes and felt we got great value for the price of this cruise.

Click to Check Price for Halong Emotion Cruises

Oasis Bay Party Cruise | 2N3D Itinerary

– Recommended by Jess from  Unearth The Voyage –

Going on a cruise through Halong Bay when visiting Vietnam is definitely a must-do. There are so many different types of cruises you can choose from; luxury, eco-friendly, adventure, or a party cruise.

When we visited Halong Bay we were backpacking with friends, so we decided a party cruise would be our best option. We chose to go with Oasis Bay Party Cruise, and we had such a great time!

If you choose the 3 days 2 nights cruise, you will spend one night on the cruise boat and one night on a private, gorgeous island. The cost for 3 days and 2 nights is $199.00USD for one person and includes accommodation in a private room on the boat the first night, and shared accommodation on the island the second night. All meals are included as well as a small cooking class where they teach you to make Vietnamese spring rolls.

On the first day the cruise boat goes to a cave where you can take your time exploring around, and then the boat stops off at some cliffs where you can enjoy cliff jumping, kayaking, and swimming. One of the best parts of the cruise is spending time on the private island where you can take kayaks and explore the karsts all around the island. Also, when it gets dark you can enjoy watching bioluminescent plankton right off the coast.

The only thing that isn’t too great about the cruise is that once you are on it, you are stuck with the group of people who also signed up for the cruise. Since it is a party cruise, make sure you want to party as that is what most everyone wants to do!

Click to Check Price for Oasis Bay Party Cruises

Halong Hideaway Cruise | 2N3D Itinerary

– Recommended by Patrick from  German Backpacker –

Deciding on the right Halong Bay cruise can be difficult, there are so many choices ranging widely in quality and price. Since I’m a solo backpacker in my mid-20ths, I didn’t want to spend a fortune and while I tried to avoid the typical “booze cruise”, it’s been important for me to have a fun and social atmosphere on the cruise. After lots of research, I decided to go on the Halong Hideaway Cruise, organized by the Central Backpackers Hostel in Hanoi.

This cruise actually takes you to a more remote part of Halong Bay around the area of Cat Ba Island, south of where the typical day tours go. While you spend the days on the cruise ship exploring the stunning nature, you will spend the night on a private island. People can decide between 2 days or 3 days on the tour, I went for the latter option which gave me an extra day where we explored one of the islands by bicycle and went on a short hike to a nice viewpoint. Besides that, there was lots of time to go swimming, kayaking, and to enjoy the beautiful landscape.

The evenings on the islands were social with music and drinking games. Summing it up, I enjoyed the tour and it’s certainly a great budget option for backpackers. However, keep in mind that the tour certainly targets a younger crowd with most people being in their late teens or early twenties (I actually felt quite old!).

Halong Princess Cruise | Day Cruise

– Recommended by Karolina from  Lazy Travel Blog –

One of the best attractions in Vietnam is the misty cruise through the limestone karsts of Halong Bay. It may be quite difficult to find the right cruising company to take you there. With so many to choose from and the possibility of being scammed, picking a reputable company is really important. After going through several reviews on Trip Advisor, we chose the Princess Cruise company which seemed to have a lot of positive reviews.

It was just me and my husband on the cruise, so it is definitely a great tour for couples.  A one-day cruise was the best option for us. The trip started early in the morning when we were picked up from the shore by small speed boats. Upon boarding, we were very much impressed by the luxurious design of the 3-tiered Halong Princess. On top of the comfortable transportation, our package included a knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide, a buffet meal, and 2 sites to visit: The Surprise Cave and Tip Top Island.

What we loved about it is that we could explore the magical surprise cave. Although my husband and I loved the view from the top of Tip Top Island, it was not easy climbing up 600 steps. We can’t really say anything negative about the tour except that we wish we had more time for sightseeing.

Kangaroo Café Halong Bay Cruise | 2N3D Itinerary

– Recommended by Sarah from  ASocialNom ad –

My husband and I took a 3-day, 2-night cruise to Halong Bay with Kangaroo Café Tours. While this meant we had 2 days in the area, we elected to stay one night on Cat Ba Island in order to experience land and sea.

Our price included transfers, accommodation on the boat, the island, and our food while aboard the boat. It didn’t include any drinks on the boat or island (even water), but there are drinks to purchase from the boat and also from passing market boats.

We had a private cabin, and our tour also included kayaking in the bay. The cabin was comfortable and clean if a little cramped. Our room on Cat Ba island was the same – clean, and comfortable, but small. The food provided was plentiful, but plain, not at all like the Vietnamese Food I’d become accustomed to. It’s a great way to see Halong Bay, both from the water and the land and I’d recommend it.

My only gripe was not being able to find out the prices of drinks before you actually got to the boat, even when we asked when booking we were told vaguely, ”the people on the boat will tell you that”.

Final Thoughts

Make sure you read up on when the  best time is to visit Halong Bay . We have also compiled a handy guide on  how to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi , as well as  how to get from Sapa to Halong Bay .

Don’t forget that we have LOADS of resources to help you plan your trip on our  Vietnam Travel Blog  hub. Also, make sure to check out other  best places to see in Vietnam  here. Enjoy your planning!

Jolene Ejmont

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Halong Bay Cruise (How To Choose The Best Tour)

By Author Emily Junda

Posted on Last updated: March 24, 2024

Categories Vietnam

A Halong Bay Cruise was definitely a highlight of our 3-month trip to Southeast Asia. The “floating” limestone islands are like a fantasy world in real life.

In this guide, we will share all the details for the best time to visit, duration, how to book a cruise, and the best choice overall for a Halong Bay Cruise, etc.

There are tons of different companies that offer a Halong Bay Cruise. And not every cruise is equal. There are more budget-friendly overnight cruises and day trips, up to luxurious cruises that can extend to 5 days or more.

Additionally, many cruises will provide transportation to and from Hanoi, which can be super convenient. 

So let’s dive into all the details so you can have the best Halong Bay Cruise!

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy .

What is Halong Bay, Vietnam

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covers over 107,000 acres. There are 1600 islands and islets that are made up of limestone pillars. Most of the islands and islets are uninhabitable to humans and serve as a home to birds and marine creatures. 

Halong Bay is used for tourism, marine transport, fisheries and the daily activities of people living and conducting their business in Halong Bay.

While the landscape is stunning to any passersby, there is even more than meets the eye. Due to coastal erosion many of these natural limestone islands have formed arches and caves. And depending on the tide, there are beaches people can hang out on.

Best Time To Visit Halong Bay

Fall season (September-November) is the best time to visit Halong Bay.

• September: 77 – 98°F (25 – 37°C)
• October: 71 – 82°F (22 – 28°C)
• November: 66 – 77°F (19 – 25°C)

Weather is pretty moderate with a lower chance of rain and storms. But you can expect this time to be the most crowded and peak pricing. Temperatures can be relatively hot and rainy in early September and will start to get a bit more chilly toward the end of November. So ideally, October is the best month for a Halong Bay Cruise.

Spring season (Mar-May) can be another great time to visit Halong Bay. Temperatures tend to be 65 – 90°F (18.5 – 32°C) While temperatures start out moderate in March and will gradually become more hot and humid toward the end of May. It’s typically less crowded and you can snag some great deals on a Halong Bay Cruise during this time.

Winter season (December-February) is the second busiest time for Halong Bay cruises. This is mainly due to the holidays like Christmas, New Years, & more importantly, Tet (Vietnamese New Year) Temperatures during winter can range between 58 – 68°F (15 – 20°C). But because of the temperatures, swimming is less ideal during this time.

Summer season (June-August) is the least popular time to visit Halong Bay. It is considered the rainy season in Halong Bay and you can expect heavy rainfall and possible typhoons. 

Summer temperatures range from 78 – 98°F (25.7 – 37°C) and are very humid. But with that being said it can also be the least crowded, you can find some great prices on cruises, and warm temperatures for swimming in the bay. 

If you can time the weather correctly to avoid rain, summer season has the longest daylight hours. Plus less pollution and fog for the clearest blue sky days. Therefore, it can also be a great time for photography.

How Long On A Halong Bay Cruise?

There are tons of different cruise lines and durations for Halong Bay cruises. With cruises as short as 4 hours long to extended trips of 5 days/4 nights out on the water. 

If you are short on time, then you might choose a half-day cruise. But for the effort to get to Halong Bay, it is likely you might want to explore the area for longer.  

We would highly suggest at least doing an overnight cruise in Halong Bay. And personally, it felt very rushed on our overnight cruise, so I think we would have enjoyed the 3-day, 2-night cruise better, just to be able to enjoy the scenery a little more.

And if budget isn’t an issue, there are private charters that go for 5 days/4 nights. These charters get to explore deeper into the bay and escape the crowded areas. 

How Much Is A Halong Bay Cruise?

The price for a Halong Bay cruise differs significantly depending on the season you choose to go. Plus the further in advance you book, the better pricing you are likely to get. 

Jake and I visited in January 2023 & paid $169 USD per person for a 2-day/1-night cruise . 

For a half-day cruise in non-peak season, you can expect to pay as low as $20 per person. And upward to thousands of dollars for a 5-day cruise in peak season. But in general, I’d say it’s typical to pay around $150 per person for an overnight Halong Bay Cruise.

There is an additional surcharge for single cabins. It’s typically around $50 and due at the time of cruise check-in.

Also if you are planning to cruise on Christmas, New Year, and National Holidays, there is typically a surcharge of 15%. 

How To Choose A Halong Bay Cruise

There are a few different factors when choosing a Halong Bay Cruise. Such as duration, price, star-rating, and experiences on board.

First, start with the duration you want for the cruise. We suggest at least an overnight 2-day cruise. But if you have the time and money, you might splurge for a 3-5 day trip instead. And if you are short on time, the half & full-day cruises still pack in a lot of adventures and sightseeing that will be worth the money. 

Next is certainly price. As I mentioned above, the earlier you book, the cheaper the cruise tends to be. And if you visit in non-peak season, you can likely grab a great deal. If you book during holidays, do expect an additional surcharge. 

Check the star rating of the boat. The lower the star rating, likely a lower quality boat that maybe needs some updating. And you will likely get a more inexperienced crew (this isn’t always bad). Obviously, if you choose a 5-star boat, the rooms and service should hopefully reflect the star rating. 

It can be hard to find the “star rating” on websites like Viator and Get Your Guide. Although if it is a 5-star boat, then the tour company will likely add it to the title. Otherwise, you can expect many of the cruises to be 3 or 4-star ratings. 

Do be a little wary about the pictures shown of the boat and rooms. These pictures were likely taken before much wear and tear from guests. You will be traveling on salt water and on a moving vessel. Therefore, some of the rooms and other features on the boat might be a little worn out. 

Our room was pretty well kept, but the exterior of the boat looked in rough shape. There are also tons of different room options, such as having your own private balcony or private suite room, etc. Obviously, the nicer the room, the higher the price.

Lastly, you might choose a certain cruise ship depending on the onboard experiences. It is likely your cruise will do a kayaking trip, cave exploration, cooking demonstration, and exercise class. 

Most of the places visited are the most popular tourist attractions. But if there are certain areas you really want to see over others, then you might need to explore deeper into the details of a specific cruise ship. (More details below about popular stops on a Halong Bay Cruise).

How To Book A Halong Bay Cruise

There are tons of helpful Halong Bay tour companies that can help you book a Halong Bay Cruise. Our personal favorite websites for choosing local tours are Viator and Get Your Guide. These websites help set up transportation, provide local tour guides (typically an English-speaking guide), and communicate well before the tour starts. 

Top Halong Bay Cruises:

Half Day (4-Hours) Halong Bay Boat Tour from Halong City

This is one of the cheapest cruises through Halong Bay and only lasts about 4 hours long. While this tour might be short, it certainly is not a lazy cruise ride. Guests will have the opportunity to kayak, visit Dong Thien Cung Cave, and pass by Hon Ga Choi Island (aka kissing rock). If you are looking for one of the best budget cruises, this might be your best option. 

Transportation from hotels in Halong City is included. If traveling from Hanoi or another nearby city, you might need to find your own transportation. We use 12GoAsia for the best prices on buses, trains, and taxis. 

Do note there is an additional entrance fee for Halong Bay which is 290K VND ($12.50 USD) per person. Plus 142k VND ($6 USD)/person if you want lunch on board. 

Full Day – Ha Long Bay Cruise w/ Titop Island & Luon Cave

If you are looking for a full-day adventure in Halong Bay, then this might be the best cruise for you. This action-packed cruise line offers transportation to & from Hanoi. Plus a kayaking adventure at Luon Cave, swimming at Titov beach, a visit through Sung Sot Cave, and Ti Top Island. 

2-Day 1-Night Cruise From Hanoi: Ha Long – Bai Tu Long Bay

This is the cruise Jake and I went on when we visited Halong Bay. It is action-packed and you get to see so many of the best attractions in a short time. You get to go kayaking, squid fishing, visit a local cave, spend time at a beach, have a happy hour sunset party, do an early morning Tai Chi class, and enjoy a cooking class. 

The trip is all-inclusive, but there is an additional charge for transportation to and from Hanoi, plus alcoholic beverages. 

3-Day Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise & Private Balcony Room

This 3-day cruise is on a 5-star cruise ship and offers all the bells and whistles. With a luxury balcony room and more. Day 1 follows a similar itinerary to other overnight cruises.

But on day 2, guests board a smaller boat to explore some of the areas that the cruise boat cannot go through. Then, you head to Viet Hai Village and take a bicycle ride to enjoy the scenery along the village roads and rainforests.

Later, you visit a local family’s house to see the daily life of the local people. Then, guests head back to the boat and continue cruising further into Lan Ha Bay.

If you are looking for a more budget-friendly 3-day cruise, consider the Halong Explorer 3-Day 4-Star Cruise .

Do note some 3-day cruises will pair with overnight guests. Therefore, the day you go explore via a small boat, the larger boat is picking up new guests. This is dependent on whether or not all the guests choose 2 or 3 days.

4 Days Cruise: Halong, Bai Tu Long, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba Island

This cruise is a great option if you want to explore the Halong Bay area immensely, and just have time to enjoy the area on water. There is also a swimming pool on board. 

This trip is all-inclusive, but additional costs apply for transportation and alcoholic beverages. Do note this Halong Bay tour leaves from Tuan Chau Marina.

5 Days Bai Tu Long – Lan Ha – Halong Bay on Private Cruise

This luxury cruise can accommodate up to 9 guests in 3 different rooms on your own private charter. It’s one of the best options to get off the beaten path and explore some of the less crowded areas in the bay. 

This trip is all-inclusive but does not include airfare & transportation to and from Hanoi. This trip is certainly the most expensive, but you will get to explore the best attractions along Halong Bay. Do note this tour leaves from Tuan Chau International Marina.

Popular Stops On A Halong Bay Cruise

• Sung Sot Cave (aka Surprise Cave)
• Thien Cung Cave
• Ti Top Island
• Dark and Bright Cave
• Thien Canh Son Cave
• Dau Go Cave
• Kayaking or bamboo boat trip in Cong Do and Cap La Islands
• Hon Ga Choi Island (aka kissing rock)
• Ba Trai Dao Beach
• Fighting Cock Islet
• Tung Sau Pearl Farm
• Explore floating fishing villages

How To Get To Halong Bay?

Halong Bay is located in Northern Vietnam, about 3 hours East of the city of Hanoi. Many tours will provide transportation or offer assistance for how to get to the cruise port. 

Do note there are a few different starting locations. The two most popular harbors are Halong International Cruise Port (aka Bai Chay or SunWorld Port) & Tuan Chau Port . There are a couple more around the bay, but tourism cruises most likely won’t leave from those ports. 

If transportation isn’t included in your cruise tour package, then make sure you are going to the right port when booking your own transportation. Taxis will be very expensive at the ports. 

If traveling from Hanoi or a nearby city, use 12GoAsia to book your transportation. You can also book transportation from other nearby cities. 

What To Wear On A Halong Bay Cruise

Refer to the “best time of year” segment of this post for the appropriate clothing depending on the temperatures you might encounter. But here are items you should bring year-round.

• Rain jacket
• Swimsuit (depending on time of year)
• Sunglasses (Croakies optional)
• Fancier outfit for happy hour party/dinner (optional)
• Hiking outfit
• Hiking shoes/Sneakers

Should You Tip On A Halong Bay Cruise

While tipping isn’t customary in Vietnam, Halong Bay Cruises are looked at as luxury travel. Therefore, it became very apparent toward the end of the cruise that tipping is well accepted on the boat. 

The tipping brackets on our boat were broken down into a few different categories: 

• Staff (servers, bartenders, boat drivers, etc)

I’d say 5-10% is a decent place to start if you want to give a tip. Then, you can divvey this up to the staff members. If you feel like they did an exceptional job, you can tip upward of 20+% (this will certainly make their day!).

Is A Halong Bay Cruise Worth It?

Our Halong Bay overnight cruise was a memorable experience. If you are traveling around northern Vietnam, then a tour should certainly make the bucket list.

While we got to experience a lot of the bay in just a 2-day, 1-night cruise, I would highly suggest extending it to a 3 or 4-day cruise if you have the time and money.

Cruising in Halong Bay isn’t as cheap as many of the other places in Vietnam. But the natural beauty and panoramic views of the limestone cliffs are not to be missed.

Related Posts

If it’s your first time traveling to Vietnam, check out these helpful tips to know before traveling to Vietnam .

A similar, yet unique experience to Halong Bay is a boat tour in Ninh Binh . They call Ninh Binh the “Halong Bay on Land”. And if you enjoy the mountains, you certainly can’t miss Sapa, Vietnam .

Check out our countries page for other awesome travel plans.

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How to Find The Best Halong Bay Cruise – All you Need to Know

Posted on Last updated: January 19, 2023

Categories Asia , Travel Tips , Vietnam

How to find the best Halong bay cruise? What is the difference between the overnight Halong bay cruise, the day-trip, and the 3 and 4-night options? How much should I spend on a Halong Bay cruise? Where can I find the best Halong Bay cruise deal? And most of all –  is the Halong Bay cruise worth it? There are so many questions in the air for anyone who decided to visit one of the most famous  UNESCO World Heritage sites in Asia . Hell, I’ve been to plenty of countries and on numerous tours and still had troubles to find the best Halong Bay cruise.

In this guide, I won’t give you a hundred different cruise links to chose from, neither would I encourage you to get the most luxurious boat out there. No,  this Halong Bay cruise guide will explain the details behind the cruises and help you make a decision that will best fits your expectations and budget.

So let’s start with the most important question:

Is The Halong Bay Cruise Really Worth it?

Short and clear – absolutely yes! Halong Bay is by far the most popular place in Vietnam and welcomes more than  6 million tourists per year!  The bay is a cluster of around 1600 mostly uninhabited limestone islands and islets, so the best way to enjoy it is to sail lazily around them.

The biggest islands in the area the  Cat Ba  and  Tuan Chau . Some of the longer cruises offer overnight stays on Cat Ba Island and cycling tours around it.

The beauty of the place is hard to describe in words, so I’ll let my photos speak instead.

There is a curious story about Halong bay’s origin . The legend says that when Vietnam started to develop into a country, invaders from the North came to enslave the Vietnamese people. The Jade Emperor saw that and felt sorry for the Vietnamese, so he sent the Mother Dragon and her children to protect the country.

The dragons incinerated the enemies  with their divine fire then spilled out jade and emerald boulders into the sea to create an impenetrable protective barrier. To honor the dragons, the locals renamed the bay to  Ha Long meaning – Descending Dragon .

How to Find The Best Halong Bay Cruise?

Choosing the right cruise is a bit overwhelming. To satisfy the need of the 6 million yearly visitors, there are  more than 200 cruise options to choose from .

Yes, 200 different cruise options which, at first glance, have their own route and schedule. Well, that’s only at first glance. After experiencing the cruise myself, doing detailed research about it and consulting with fellow travelers, I concluded that  most of the Halong Bay cruises offer the same stuff .

The few differences that make or break your experience are the price, the state of the boat and the competence of the crew.

Halong Bay cruise prices can be categorized into two brackets – regular and luxury. The regular boat prices are roughly  between 100 and 200 USD  ( per person, per night ), while the luxury ones start from 200 and  may reach even 1000 USD . I would suggest  GetYourGuide  for the regular cruises and  Booking.com  for the luxury ones.

The state of the boat

There are two types of boats  to chose for your Halong Bay cruise.  The old-school wooden junk boat  and a new   modern ship . Naturally, the old boats are cheaper than the new ones, but surprisingly, the  difference in quality is not that big .

If you pick a good, well-maintained junk boat cruise, you won’t only have a more authentic experience, but you may even find yourself on a better boat than some of the luxury travelers around you.

The competence of the crew

This one is crucial. You need a guide who  speaks good   (or at least understandable )  English , a guide who would schedule your route so you can avoid the crowds and give you enough time at the highlights without rushing you to go back.

The good cook , waiters, driver ( from Hanoi ) and a captain that won’t crash your boat into the rocks ( this one should be easy to find ) are also an essential ingredient for your perfect Halong Bay cruise experience.

So how to find a cruise that tick all the boxes?

It’s quite simple actually –  read some comments!  Since you found this blog post, you’re already on the right course! First, pick up a few cruises that fit your intended budget from either GetYourGuide or Booking. Then start reading some comments. Ideally, you need a cruise with  more than 50 guest reviews .

Since nowadays, it’s a common thing to buy fake reviews, don’t put too much weight on the positive ones and focus on the negatives. You’d be surprised how bad of choices there are.  From crews losing people on kayaks to rat-infested cabins!  Those are extreme cases though, and they are pretty easy to avoid.

Castaway Tip Some cruises try to hide the lousy guest experiences by offering refunds in exchange for deleting negative comments. This is why the overall scores on Booking and TripAdvisor are a bit inflated.

If you are not that into online booking, you may book something on the spot in Hanoi . There are thousands of hole-in-the-wall tour operators in the Vietnamese capital, and if you have good haggling skills, you may score a very sweet deal with them. Before you book something, always ask for the boat’s name and do your own research so there won’t be any ( rats ) surprises.

Halong Bay Overnight Cruise or a Day-Trip?

The Halong Bay cruises all cover the same highlights ( with slight variations ), so the only choice you have to make is how long you want to spend in Halong Bay.  The most popular options are the day trip from Hanoi and the overnight stay .

Halong bay day-trip cruise

The day trip  departs from Hanoi around 8:00 AM and arrives at Halong Bay around noon . The typical itinerary would show you some of the curiously named rock formations near the harbor ( The Fighting Cock, Incense Burner and the Stone Dog ), would let you go out kayaking and will visit the Thien Cung cave ( Heavenly Palace Grotto ). Lunch and transfer back to Hanoi are also included in the price .

I’m not a big fan of this option. You’d spend most of the day in the car and have just a few hours to scratch the surface of the beautiful Halong Bay. I can also imagine that all of the activities would be very rushed in order to fit the schedule.

   See Also:   The Awesome Hanoi Facts and Photos

Halong bay overnight Cruise

The overnight Halong Bay cruise, in my opinion, is the best combination of budget and adventure. Since you don’t need to go back the same day, your boat would go further down the bay giving you a  few hours of scenic sail around the islands .

The itinerary includes the Ti Top island, the Sung Sot ( Surprise ) cave, kayaking or bamboo boat around the monkey-infested Secret Lagoon, late-night squid fishing, Thai-Chi lessons in the morning and a Vietnamese cooking class.  Not to mention the beautiful sunset or the stargazing you can enjoy from the upper deck . You got all three meals included in the price. Some cruises also offer fruit snacks.

Castaway Tip All drinks (besides tea and coffee) need to be bought on board for quite inflated prices. Make sure you have a bottle (or two) of water with you for the overnight stay.

Halong bay multiple nights cruise

The 2 and 3 night stays include everything the overnight stay has with some extra activities like a pearl farm and floating village visits, cycling around the Cat Ba island, and even small onboard parties.

Bai Tu Long Bay

Bai Tu Long Bay is situated behind Halong Bay and offers similar types of limestone island views. It’s not as famous as Halong thus having way fewer boats and much clearer waters. It’s located quite a far though so cruises to  it would generally be more expensive . If budget is not your concern, the  Bai Tu Long Bay is definitely worth a visit , maybe even more beautiful than Halong Bay!

My Halong Bay cruise experience

Halong Bay was the  biggest highlight of my Vietnam bucket list ideas , so I wanted to enjoy it for more than a few hours. I didn’t want to spend a fortune though so the  overnight cruise was my best option .

My boat requirements were simple –   a junk boat ( to have more authentic experience ) and clean cabins. As for the crew, I had no expectations whatsoever, but I hoped to find a  non-pushy staff that won’t ask for tips every 15 mins. My research led to  Dragonfly Cruise  which seemed to tick all the boxes. Since my additional google research on them found nothing fishy,  the Halong Bay cruise was booked!

Halong Bay Overnight Cruise – Day 1

The first day started with a pick up from my Hanoi hotel at 8 AM. The van was comfortable enough, and my guide had understandable English ( something quite rare in Vietnam ).

At noon we arrived at the Halong Bay harbor  and boarded the Dragonfly ship. We were previously consulted what type of cabin we want – 2 single beds, a double bed or a single cabin ( yes, Dragonfly cruise offer solo cabins too! ).

In about an hour, we were invited to lunch. Our group was of 12 people divided into two tables.  Each table got more than five dishes fitting all dietary requirements . There was chicken, pork, seafood and tofu dishes, alongside Vietnamese salads and traditional North-Vietnamese sauces.

In the early afternoon, we reached the  Ti Top Island  – a popular stop for all overnight cruises. It’s a small island with two highlights – a beach and a viewpoint. We got an hour to spend so naturally I decided to climb to the viewpoint and get  the iconic Halong bay panoramic photo .

Beside the viewpoint, I wouldn’t say there was anything interesting on the Ti Top Island, but if you’re looking for the best photo spots around the bay, Ti Top is a must-visit.

Castaway Fact The Vietnamese named the Ti Top Island after the second Soviet man in space (the American astronauts are not very popular there ) – Gherman Titov. Ti Top is the Vietnamese way to pronounce Titov.

The second stop was the  Hidden Lagoon  which is a perfect place to enjoy some kayaking. For those who don’t fancy kayaks (like me), there was a  bamboo-boat option  with a driver ( captain? ).

The biggest highlight of the Hidden Lagoon for me was the  monkey families living around it . If you want to get a better view of them, I suggest getting the bamboo boat option and instruct your driver ( captain? ) to go near the furry scoundrels.

Back on the boat, We got to  enjoy a beautiful sunset , before going down for dinner ( same style as the lunch ). After dinner, the group went for some  squid fishing . Since I’m not a fan of any animal-harming activities, I decided to skip this one and go stargazing on the deck instead.

Halong Bay Overnight Cruise – Day 2

The second day, due to the recommendation of our guide, started with a 6 AM breakfast. The idea was to  go to the Surprise Cave earlier and avoid the crowds . Sacrificing some sleep for a better experience is a trade I’m always happy to make, so that plan was ideal for me.

The legend behind Surprise Cave’s name is not nearly as cool as the Halong Bay dragon story. Some years ago,  when the French found the cave they were amazed by its beauty , and someone exclaimed: “Grotto des Surprises” which translates to Cave of the Surprising Things, later shortened to just Surprise Cave.

Honestly, I don’t fancy caves that much. While most of them are beautiful at first, they look pretty much the same to me and are almost impossible to get a good picture.

The Surprise Cave, however, managed to surprise me!  There are plenty of natural sculptures inside that, with some help of your guide, would turn your walk into a theatre. There are dragons, a King Kong, a lucky turtle and even a map of Vietnam.

The cave is a fun place to spend an hour or so, and it also comes with a pretty scenic viewpoint at the end. Oh, I forgot to mention, the early wake-up plan did work well, and we had the cave to ourselves.  Thank you,  Dragonfly cruise !

Once back on board, our boat started the journey back to the harbor while we began preparing for our last activity – the cooking class. Well, it wasn’t really a class, but more of a quick lesson on  how to make North-Vietnam spring rolls  ( which are very different than the South-Vietnam ones ). Each person made three rolls, which were later fried and served as a brunch.

Going back was, again, an hour or two of lazy sailing around the stunning limestone islands until we reached land around noon. The transfer van came shortly after we disembarked and we were on our way back to Hanoi.

The Best Halong Bay Cruises

Best halong bay overnight cruise.

The Dragonfly Cruise  I used is a  fantastic value for its price . The junk boat is well maintained, the cabins are clean, the crew is top-notch and even go the extra mile by mixing up the route to avoid the crowds.  I can’t think of a single thing they could’ve done better .

Best Halong Bay day-trip cruise

The Hong Hai day trip cruise  has has plenty of amazing review which makes it a  scam-proof option . The transportation van is comfortable, the boat crew is polite and understanding, and the price is excellent.  Everything you need for the perfect Halong Bay day-trip .

Best Halong Bay Luxury Cruise

Orchid Ha Long Cruise  is my pick for the best luxury Halong Bay cruise. The high-end boat offers free Wi-Fi, massage center, spa and even a gym ( although I’m not sure anyone uses it ).  The best of all are the cabins . Pure luxury with  huge panoramic windows  that let you enjoy the scenery even while taking a bath! During my cruise, I didn’t spend a lot of time inside, but I suspect that if I had taken the  Orchid Ha Long Cruise , I would’ve hardly spent any time outside my cabin!

   See Also:   The Ultimate Thailand Itinerary

Halong Bay FAQ

How to get to halong bay.

Halong Bay is situated approximately 165 kilometers east of Hanoi. Almost every cruise will include a pick up from your hotel and transportation to the bay. If you want to do it by yourself though, you can  take a bus or book separate transfer service .

When is the best time to visit Halong Bay?

The dry season in Northern Vietnam is between October and May. The bad thing is, the Vietnamese winter is also in these months ( December, January, February ). To make sure you get warm weather and skip the rainy days,  try to plan your visit during October – November or March – April.

Is there Internet in Halong Bay?

There’s hardly any connection around the Bay and as I understand most of the boats don’t offer Wi-Fi. The popular overnight spot, however, is open enough to provide some connection so if you have a Vietnamese SIM card you’re good to go.

Halong Bay Cruise Tips & Scams

Check the weather cancellation policy.

Before committing to any cruise, make sure you check the weather cancellation policy. Especially if you travel during the wet season.

If you book through a Vietnamese tour company, never accept the price they give you and haggle your way to a better offer. Don’t be afraid to leave and check with other company. There are thousands of them all around Hanoi.

The Transfer Scam

Always make sure the cruise you pick offers a transport back to Hanoi. The cases of this transfer-back-not-included scam are rare, but it’s always better to double-check.

The Drink Scam

Drinks are never included in the price ( at least I didn’t find a cruise where they are ). If you get a drink with your meals, always check with the crew if you need to pay for it later.

That’s all from me, I hope you find the best Halong Bay cruise . ———————————— If you haven’t planned your trip there yet, find out how I plan my trips! ———————————— I have 12 bucket list ideas for Vietnam. See my impossible bucket list of 1700+ adventures!

Is Halong Bay on your bucket list?

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What to expect on an overnight cruise to Halong Bay, Vietnam

• July 27, 2023
• curious goose

This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use these links, with no extra cost to you.

Halong Bay is one of the most popular and well known sites in Vietnam. It is considered a spectacle of natural beauty and has been awarded Unesco world heritage status due to its dramatic scenery and biological importance. The area consists of over 1600 small islands and inlets, most of which are uninhabited.

As soon as I started planning our month-long trip to Vietnam, Halong Bay was at the top of my list of places I wanted to visit. It is one of those ‘Bucket list’ places to see in Vietnam. The best way to see Halong Bay is on an overnight cruise, but there are so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming.

If you’re thinking of booking an overnight cruise to Halong Bay, you might be wondering exactly what that entails. I know I did! Let’s be honest, the cruises are not cheap and if you’re like me, who was on a backpacking budget, you’ll want to know what you are getting for your money.

In this post I’ll be sharing all the details of my overnight cruise in Halong Bay, including my honest review and opinion of the whole experience.

1. How to pick the best Halong bay cruise for you? 2. What is the Athena cruise ship like? 3. What is the itinerary for a 1 night / 2 day Halong bay cruise? > Itinerary Overview > Detailed Itinerary 4. My review of the 1 night, 2 day Halong bay cruise with Athena 5. Was it worth the price we paid? 6. Final thoughts of our Halong bay cruise

How to pick the best Halong bay cruise for you?

There are three main options available for cruising Halong Bay: a day cruise, a 1 night / 2 day cruise and a 2 night / 3 day cruise. Most of the cruises offer a hotel transfer from Hanoi (either included in the price or as an extra cost). You can easily reach Hanoi from many places in Vietnam, by train, plane or bus . The time allowed for the journey from Hanoi to Halong bay is around 2 hours and so if you chose a day trip, you would spend half of your time in the coach, rather than on the boat.

There are also lots of places to stay in Halong Bay , so you can also take a cruise directly from there.

There are many different cruise companies operating in Halong bay , each of them have slightly different itineraries – they may also change their itinerary slightly throughout the year. Therefore, if you want to see a specific attraction in Halong Bay, make sure you read the itinerary before booking.

There are also some budget cruises, so if you are travelling or backpacking on a budget in Vietnam, there are still some great options available for you.

The cruise I selected was a 1 night, 2 day cruise on the Athena cruise ship, which I booked via Azotour. I travelled to Vietnam in May 2022, which was not long after the country re-opened to tourists. This meant that not all of the cruise companies were back up and running yet, so Azotour helped to find me a cruise that fitted my dates and requirements.

(Disclaimer: the Athena cruise itinerary may have changed slightly since I took this cruise, so again, check before booking, but hopefully this post will still give you a good idea of what to expect when cruising in Halong bay).

What is the Athena cruise ship like?

The ship I was on was the Athena. It has 21 bedrooms, most of which are standard bedrooms, but there are also some suites too. All of the rooms have balconies and en-suite bathrooms, as well as a kettle and fridge. The bedrooms are small but very luxurious and the beds were so comfortable! It was definitely a nice change to the firm mattresses we had been used to in our budget hotels! We were lucky enough to be upgraded to a Premium Suite, located at the back of the ship. The suite was only a little bigger than the standard sized rooms, but it didn’t matter as we weren’t in the room that often. The main advantage of the Premium Suite was that it had a much larger balcony off the back of the boat, perfect for watching the sunset and sunrise.

Most of the rooms are located on the ground floor and the first floor. The ground floor is also where you also get on and off the ship. The dining room is located on the first floor, with floor to ceiling glass windows on three sides and on the third floor you will find the sundeck, with a bar, seating and a small hot tub in the centre (there are also two further suites on this level).

Everything about the cruise ship felt plush, new and well looked after and maintained. The staff were incredibly friendly and professional and the cruise manager kept us updated with the activities and made sure we had everything we needed.

Our Premium Suite and balcony on the Athena cruise ship

What is the itinerary for a 1 night / 2 day Halong bay cruise?

As I mentioned previously, each company has different itineraries, however this was our itinerary on the Athena at the time of cruising.

Itinerary overview:

08.30 Transfer from Hanoi

12.00 Welcome at cruise port

12.30 Transfer to cruise ship via tender boat and check in

13.00 Depart Halong bay harbour and enjoy buffet lunch in the restaurant

14.45 Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave (surprising cave)

15.45 Transfer to Titov Island – option to climb to viewpoint and swim

17.15 Return to cruise ship

17.30 Option to take part in Vietnamese cooking demonstration

18.00 Happy hour on sundeck

19.00 Dinner in the restaurant

20.30 After dinner, option to try squid fishing

06.15 Option to take part in Tai Chi on sundeck

06.45 Light breakfast in the restaurant

07.30 Transfer by tender to Luon Cave for kayaking or trip in bamboo boat

09.00 Return to cruise ship

09.30 Check out of rooms and enjoy buffet brunch in restaurant

10.45 Transfer by tender back to Halong bay port

12.00 Board bus back to Hanoi

Detailed itinerary

Below I’ve shared the full details of my 1 night / 2 day cruise of Halong Bay so you know what to expect before booking your trip:

Day 1 on board the Athena Halong bay cruise

Day 1 on board the Athena cruise was a busy day, jam packed with delicious food and great activities.

Checking in and setting sail

The luxury bus picked us up from our hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter at 8.30am. We stopped to pick some more people up, then we were on our way. The journey from Hanoi to Halong bay cruise port is just under 2.5 hours, but we stopped three times on the way there for a rest break / toilet break! It did feel a bit like the driver was trying to stall a little bit to slow down and stick to the schedule.

Once we were at the cruise port, we were greeted by the cruise manager who checked dietary requirements with us, then we waited for about 30 minutes in the cruise terminal before boarding the tender boat which would take us to the cruise ship.

We left our bags on the tender and made our way to the dining room for a welcome drink – a refreshing watermelon juice – and a safety briefing. After the short welcome, we collected our bags and checked into our rooms.

After checking into our rooms, we set sail to Halong bay and it was time to head back to the dining room to check out the buffet lunch! The lunch was really nice. Options included fried rice, chicken wings, fried sweet potatoes, spring rolls, salad, steamed fish, stir fried vegetables and chicken soup. There was also a selection of fresh fruit and desserts such as sweet coconut rice, profiteroles, and a little coconut cream sponge cake. Tea, coffee and water were also available. If you wanted any other soft or alcoholic drinks you just ordered them with the waiter and charged it back to your room.

The ship stopped and anchored up in Halong bay around 13.45, but we weren’t due to start the first afternoon activity until 14.45, so we weren’t sure what to do with ourselves at first! But we spent the time just relaxing on the sundeck and taking in the view of being surrounded by beautiful limestone island mountains.

Excursion 1: Sung Sot Cave

At 14.45 (they were very punctual throughout our trip!), we boarded the tender boat and went to the first stop which was Sung Sot cave (known as ‘Amazing’ or ‘Surprising’ cave). The cave is one of the biggest attractions in Halong bay. It consists of 3 chambers with the last one being quite large. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much after seeing the Marble Mountains in Da Nang, and the Paradise cave in Phong Nha but it was quite impressive and much bigger than I had anticipated.

There’s 118 stairs to walk up to reach the entrance of the cave and once you’re at the top you’ll be greeted with gorgeous views across the bay. You follow the path around the cave in a big U shape. At times we felt a bit herded through by other people. We like to take our time to really look around and stop to take photos, but it seemed some people just weren’t as interested and marched through. We just let them pass so we could enjoy looking around. The path through the cave is quite smooth and you can easily wear flip flops. It won’t take long to visit the cave and soon we arrived at the tender pick up point, where we were taken to our next stop – Titov Island.

Excursion 2: Titov Island

Titov Island is a small island with a beach and a viewpoint. The walk to the viewpoint is 400m up a set of stairs. It is a steep, but short climb, and there is a handrail to help. Again, wearing flip flops is fine. At the top of the viewpoint you will be rewarded with almost 360 degree views of the bay.

Although the view was impressive, I was a bit disappointed by the number of boats I could see. Not just cruise ships and day trip boats but also huge freight boats and oil tankers. It was a shame really because it kind of ruined the scenery. You could also see the outline of the buildings in the city on the mainland, which was when I realised that we were not actually as far out as I had thought.

The small beach on Titov island was rough sand and the water was murky and not that clean, it was possibly quite polluted from all the boats and oil tankers around the bay. Titov Island is very much there for tourists. There are toilets, showers and several snack bars as well as beach chairs which you can rent. It’s so hard not to make comparisons when you are travelling but I was expecting it to be similar to Nang Yuan Island, off the shores of Koh Tao in Thailand, which although had amenities, felt cleaner, more natural and less commercialised. Despite the boats, the view was really the highlight of this island. I was a bit disappointed with the beach itself if i’m honest.

Back to the ship

After our afternoon visiting Sung Sot Cave and Titov Island, we arrived back on the ship at around 5pm, where we had some free time until dinner. There was an option to take part in a Vietnamese cooking lesson to make fresh spring rolls but we decided to skip that and enjoy relaxing in our room and on our balcony. We surfaced from our room at 6pm, in time for happy hour (of course!). All the drinks were buy one, get one free, except for wine. We were lucky enough to have gorgeous weather during our trip and sitting on the sundeck watching the sunset over Halong bay was just perfect.

Evening meal

The evening meal was a 5 course set menu and was pretty much all seafood! Luckily, at the start of the day, the cruise manager checked with us if there was anything we didn’t eat because my husband, Lee, doesn’t eat seafood! We didn’t think to tell them when we made the booking as normally there’s always a couple of options to choose from and there’s almost always a chicken or vegetarian dish! Luckily they swapped the seafood elements for beef or chicken for him.

Our dinner menu

Course 1: Seafood soup (chicken soup for Lee)

Course 2: Papaya salad with squid cake (breaded chicken for Lee)

Course 3: Beef noodles

Course 4: Seabass with 2 large shrimps, 2 oysters and rice (Lee had chicken, beef and vegetables with rice)

Course 4: Melon and dragon fruit (unless it’s covered in pastry or sat on top of a cheesecake, fruit is not a dessert!)

Course 5: Tea and Coffee (not really a ‘course’)

Apart from the disappointing ‘desert’, the evening meal was nice. The presentation was lovely, as you would expect from a luxury cruise, and it tasted good. However, I think I preferred some of the buffet food we had at lunch!

After dinner there was an option to do squid fishing, which to be honest, I forgot about because we were enjoying ourselves chatting to other people we had met on the ship. Some of the Vietnamese guests did karaoke on the sundeck after dinner too (you’re never far away from a karaoke machine in Vietnam, even on a luxury cruise in the middle of the sea it seems!).

The odd thing on our ship was that half of the guests were foreigners and half were Vietnamese and they pretty much kept us apart the whole time. I suppose on the tender boats it made sense so that the cruise manager could give instructions to them in Vietnamese and to us in English. But for the evening meal, instead of being given individual plates of food like we were, they had everything served to them as big sharing portions. Perhaps it was because they were in big groups, and most of the foreigners were in couples, or maybe it’s just because that is how Vietnamese food is often served. I’m not sure, but it felt weird that there was this segregation.

Day 2 on board the Athena Halong bay cruise

Day 2 started with an option to do Tai chi at 6.15am on the sundeck, although I skipped it, deciding to enjoy the comfortable bed for just a bit longer! A buffet breakfast was served at 6.45am and was a selection of cereals, pancakes, pastries, toast and fruit.

Excursion 3 – Kayaking

At 7.30am we got on the tender to Luon cave to do some kayaking (if you didn’t want to kayak, there were some bamboo rowing boats you could take instead. You would need to pay for the driver to take you, but I think it was only 30k vnd pp). The cave is actually only 35m long so more of an arch to be honest! You go under the arch and you are in a small circular lagoon in the bay. Although the bay is very pretty with limestone cliffs covered in trees and calm, green-blue water it was quite small and once you’d seen it there wasn’t much else to do or see.

We were given 45 minutes for kayaking, which was more than enough given the size of the lagoon. Back on the ship, we had 1 hour of free time before check out. It was weird that we had to get up so early for kayaking when we then had an hour of free time before checking out. We sort of felt like we were just hanging out, but it was nice to sit on the balcony as the sun started warming up.

Kayaking in the small but pretty Luon cave

Time to check out

At 9.30am we had to check out of the room leaving our bags outside of our door. We had a buffet brunch, which was a selection of bacon, sausage, fried chicken, bread dumplings, noodles, salad, fried rice and fruit with juice and tea and coffee.

After brunch we relaxed on the sundeck as we sailed back to the port. We had to wait for the tender boat and then once we were in the cruise terminal we waited another 30 mins for the bus.

The bus took about 3 hours and stopped halfway for a rest. It felt like a long day since we got up at 6am and left the boat at 10.45!

My review of the 1 night, 2 day Halong bay cruise with Athena

Staying on the Athena ship did feel like a real treat, particularly for us as we had spent the previous 5 months backpacking on a budget. It was really luxurious and the staff and service was really good.

The food we had was delicious, particularly the buffet lunch and the two breakfasts. The additional drinks we ordered were more expensive than what you might pay in a typical bar on land, but this wasn’t a typical bar and I didn’t think the drinks were as expensive as I had anticipated.

The excursions were really good. We managed to fit a lot into the 2 days (or 2 half-days if you think about it!) and the itinerary and organisation of everything was really smooth and professional.

It did feel like there was a lot of waiting around, which is a shame because I would rather be on the boat for longer, after all that’s what I’d paid for! It would have been better if we hadn’t had so many rest stops on the way to Halong bay. This would have meant we could have boarded sooner and also not have to get up so early on the second day to fit everything in before having to check out.

However, I do understand that they need to do this in order to have back to back bookings. As soon as we checked out of our rooms at 9.30am, housekeeping were straight in turning it around for the next guests to board.

Was it worth the price we paid?

We paid £270 for our 1 night, 2 day cruise with Athena for two people. The actual cost was £250 but we ended up having to pay a bit more as we didn’t want to pay by bank transfer (we prefer to pay with credit card so that we have added protection). The only way to pay by credit card was via paypal, which meant we were charged a credit card fee and also had to deal with paypal’s rubbish exchange rate!)

If you break down what we got for our £270, we had one night of luxury accommodation, 4 meals for two people, 3 excursions on the ship, transfers to and from Hanoi in a luxury bus, plus the experience of cruising around Halong bay. So although it blew our £60 per day backpacking budget, I think it was actually good value for what we got and the experience we had.

Final thoughts of our Halong bay cruise

Although Halong bay is beautiful, it is nowhere near as beautiful and untouched as Phang Nga Bay in Phuket , or Ang Thong Marine park near Koh Samui, Thailand (in my opinion). To be honest, I think it will be hard to beat the Phang Nga bay tour we did, it is one of my personal favourites from our travels in Asia!

All that being said, I did have a great time on our Halong Bay cruise. It was one of the things I really wanted to do when visiting Vietnam and I’m so glad we did. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed it. We saw some beautiful scenery, enjoyed some delicious food and were spoiled with a bit of luxury and great service – what more could you want from a little trip?!

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The Allure of Halong Bay: Is An Overnight Cruise Worth It?

The jagged limestone peaks jutting out of the calm, emerald waters create an almost magical scene in Vietnam’s Halong Bay. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been enchanting visitors for decades with its natural beauty and allure.

One of the most popular ways to experience Halong Bay is by booking an overnight cruise. But with cruise prices starting around $200 per person, you may be wondering – is it actually worth spending the money? What can you really expect to get from one of these Halong Bay cruises?

I recently spent a night aboard a Halong Bay cruise to find out if it lives up to the hype. Read on for a completely transparent account of my experience and whether or not I think a Halong Bay cruise is worth your hard-earned travel dollars.

Choosing a Halong Bay Cruise Tour Operator

There are literally hundreds of cruise companies offering overnight Halong Bay tours. Prices and amenities can vary widely across the different operators.

After doing some research, I decided to book with Genesis Regal Cruises. This mid-range cruise line had excellent reviews and offered good value at $320 total for two people.

I easily booked through HalongBayTours.com . The site lets you easily compare different cruise options across various price points.

Arriving for Our Halong Bay Cruise

After a 3-hour van transfer from Hanoi, we arrived at the Genesis Regal Cruise office. Staff warmly welcomed us with fresh juices before escorting us to our boat. As we sailed through the bay to reach our cruise ship, we caught enticing glimpses of Halong’s towering peaks.

I could barely contain my excitement! After seeing breathtaking photos for so long, I couldn’t believe I was finally gazing upon the majestic seascape of Halong Bay with my own eyes.

Settling In Onboard Our Halong Bay Cruise

Stepping onto the cruise ship, we were impressed by the elegant yet cozy aesthetics. Our room attendant showed us to our clean, comfortable room equipped with a mini-fridge, TV, and small private balcony.

After freshening up, we headed to the dining room for a tasty Vietnamese lunch. Genesis Regal easily accommodated our gluten-free, dairy-free dietary needs.

Looking at our detailed itinerary, I saw that they pack in loads of sightseeing. For travelers who crave action, this rigid schedule is ideal. For a more relaxed pace, it may feel overly regimented.

Visiting Kai Tho Cave By Bamboo Boat

After lunch we sailed to our first excursion – bamboo boat ride through Kai Tho Cave. Local boatmen poled us through the cave’s tiny entrance into an interior grotto surrounded by towering peaks.

As our boat glided through the ethereal space, the silence was broken only by gentle plips of water drops and the occasional echoing shriek of bats above. We then emerged into a peaceful inland lagoon ringed by verdant jungle.

The relaxing pace gave us time to admire our surroundings. While undeniably touristy, it still made for a pleasant and scenic experience.

Back on board, I was finally able to soak in views from our private deck. Gazing out at the scattered armada of crafts, I noticed a tiny boat paddling between ships, with someone waving items for sale. After negotiating a 30% discount on souvenirs, I happily completed my first-ever “floating market” transaction!

Admiring Dazzling Halong Bay Views at Sunset

As the failing light cast a golden glow over the landscape, we headed up to the top deck for cocktail hour. Mingling with other passengers, we secured a perfect spot to watch the sunset.

The vivid hues reflecting off the water were positively mesmerizing. Cameras clicked furiously around me as we all tried capturing these fleeting moments of magic. I couldn’t imagine a more breathtaking sunset scene.

After the show ended we headed to dinner, welcomed by candlelight and red lanterns. The 5-course meal was fresh and beautifully presented. Lobster was even on the menu – fancy!

Later on deck, a Vietnamese woman performed popular songs on her guitar. Two British newlyweds were fêted with sparkling wine and cake. The convivial ambience made me feel like I was at a dinner party with friends rather than crammed onto a tour bus.

Attempting Squid Fishing Under the Stars

As one of the last activities I definitely wouldn’t consider squid fishing an essential inclusion. But for something different, a small group of us tried dangling lures off the back of the boat, hoping for a bite.

After 45 minutes without even a nibble, we called it quits. But the crew told tales of epic 10 squid nights, so maybe other visitors will have better luck!

Waking Up to Halong Bay’s Spectacular Scenery

Rising before sunrise, I was initially miffed about getting up so early. But dragging myself to the deck proved worthwhile. We were rewarded with a sublime sunrise backdrop of glimmering water and peaked islets materializing through ethereal mist.

My favorite sight was gazing right from our balcony though, with no crowds, just calm bay vistas accompanying my coffee. I let the splendid scenery wash over me, etching these lovely images into my memory.

Capping Off Our Cruise with Kayaking

Guides next led us to shore for a final excursion – kayaking! Paddling through isolated coves and channels, we could truly soak up the astounding landscape. With barely another soul around, we felt alone amidst Halong Bay’s natural splendor.

This adventure topped off a practically perfect cruise itinerary. As our ship cruised back towards port, I experienced pangs of regret. I now understood why many travelers opt for 2-night cruises. I simply didn’t want this dreamlike experience to end!

Is Booking a Halong Bay Cruise Worth the Cost?

Without hesitation, I can declare booking an overnight Halong Bay cruise is 110% worth the splurge! This once-in-a-lifetime experience was worth every penny.

Halong Bay’s mythical appearance simply has to be seen first-hand. No photo can do justice to the awe you’ll feel beholding those towering islets magically emerging from vibrant green waters.

The cruise also lets you safely access stunning viewpoints and remote caverns. And you’ll slumber overnight amidst the tranquil bay. For these reasons alone, the cruise makes all the difference versus attempting a hasty day trip from Hanoi.

By booking through an agency like HalongBayTours.com, you’re also getting tremendous value. When you factor in comfortable lodging, all meals, drinks, sightseeing and transfers, what you receive is unmatched at this $200 per person price point.

The crews also excel at catering to visitor needs. So don’t hesitate booking a cruise if you have dietary restrictions, activity limitations, etc.

Tips for An Awesome Halong Bay Cruise Adventure

• Book a room with a balcony to fully capitalize on the sublime views
• Pack light layers as temperatures fluctuate
• Don’t shy away if traveling solo – the communal dining and excursions facilitate mingling
• Consider splurging on a 2-night cruise to avoid feeling rushed
• Accept that this is a touristy experience – just sit back and enjoy the sublime scenery!

Have any other questions about booking a Halong Bay cruise? Let me know in the comments!

And if you want even more travel inspiration, sign up below to receive our newsletter with new destination guides delivered right to your inbox each week. Happy Travels!

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Cat Ba Island – Lan Ha – HaLong Bay Cruise Review + Tips

What is the best value for your money and time on a HaLong Bay cruise? These are  our tips and full HaLong Bay cruise review to help you make the best choice.

In this post, we share what we learned from our experience on Venezia Cruises 3-day 2-night Lan Ha Bay itinerary and from extensive research on HaLong Bay. We compare 2 night and 1 night cruise itineraries as well as HaLong Bay vs. Lan Ha Bay / Cat Ba Island. 

Table of Contents

Is HaLong Bay worth it?

Many people recommended Ninh Binh as an alternative, which is sometimes referred to as “Ha Long Bay on land”. I would say Ninh Binh is an excellent, budget-friendly alternative – and it’s even closer to Hanoi.

That said, there’s a reason this spectacular bay is on so many travel bucket lists.

The first day of our trip there was an unusual, immense fog that limited visibility significantly … and it was still amazing. So in short, yes, HaLong Bay is worth a visit.

I suppose if you’re not a fan of boats or you get seasick, you might want to skip this destination. Seeing it from the water is really the best thing to do here.

Is it worth staying overnight in HaLong Bay?

The answer to this really depends on your budget. The cheapest way to see HaLong Bay is on a day trip from Hanoi. If you’re on a budget, you can do a day cruise and be back in Hanoi at night.  

You can see the highlights of HaLong Bay, which are the karst islands, in one day. Unless sleeping on a boat is an important experience for you, I’d say the main advantage of staying overnight in Ha Long Bay has to do with transit time .

The drive from Hanoi to HaLong Bay takes a minimum 3 hours , so going back and forth in the same day means you’re spending a majority of that day in transit. It’s not ideal.

Check out transportation options to Ha Long Bay on BookAway > Check out accommodations in HaLong Bay on Booking.com >

Is a HaLong Bay cruise worth it?

Many visitors opt for a one night HaLong Bay cruise. To save money, you could also stay overnight in Ha Long City or on Cat Ba Island, then do a day trip by boat into the bay.

Check accommodations in Ha Long on Booking.com > Check accommodations in Cat Ba on Booking.com >

Compared to the cost of living in Vietnam, cruise prices are fairly expensive . The cost of a one night cruise would get you a couple weeks of food and accommodations elsewhere in Vietnam.

Whether the value of a HaLong cruise is worth it is definitely subjective .

Though it was a splurge, I’m glad we did it. I haven’t met anyone yet who regrets their choice to book an overnight HaLong cruise, though I’ve read some reviews of folks disappointed with the quality of accommodations.

Check overnight cruise prices on Booking.com >

Is a 3 day 2 night HaLong Bay cruise worth it?

The 2 day 1 night cruise seems to be the most common choice, and you get the full experience of sunset and sunrise among the islands.

That said, if you have the budget to pay for a special experience, I would recommend booking a 2 night cruise in HaLong Bay. This is what we did. Here’s why.

• More time to enjoy, less transit time. After the long journey to the port on Cat Ba Island, I was very glad we did not have to turn around the next day and board the bus back to Hanoi! Staying an extra night allowed us to relax and not feel rushed.
• A special day 2 itinerary. On our cruise boat , it was a small minority of passengers who stayed an extra night. While our ship went back to port to drop people off, we got to take a private excursion with one other couple. We all agreed the second day itinerary was incredible – visiting a floating fish farm, kayaking and seeing monkeys in the trees, and a multi-course lunch cooked by our fisherman-driver on his boat.

Is a Cat Ba Island / Lan Ha Bay Cruise worth it?

According to the guide on our cruise, there are some 600 boats registered to the main Ha Long Bay port. It gets extremely crowded on that side of the bay.

What not everyone may know is that there is another overnight cruise port on Cat Ba Island which has much less boat traffic . Around Cat Ba Island, the bay is called Lan Ha Bay.

Lan Ha Bay and HaLong Bay are two sides of the same body of water, and the border is somewhat arbitrary. In other words, both offer the same magical islands and captivating scenery .

Our cruise itinerary started from Cat Ba Island’s Ben Beo port and sailed through both Lan Ha and HaLong. The guide said the only way you might know when we cross over to HaLong Bay is you’ll start to see a lot more boats and many are larger ships. 

If you’re deciding between Lan Ha Bay vs. HaLong Bay, our guide recommended Cat Ba Island / Lan Ha Bay for overnight cruises and Ha Long Bay for more convenient day tours.

Cat Ba Island / Lan Ha Bay Cruise Review 2023

Whether or not you take the same boat that we did, we hope this review of our experience and our HaLong Bay cruise tips will give you a sense of what it’s like, if it’s the right trip for you, and how to prepare. 

Venezia Cruises Review: Onboard the Ship

Venezia Cruises , which operates out of Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay, offers a one night cruise and a two night cruise on the same boat. 

There was a local crew of about 4 young guys, a captain, and the tour guide (who is a freelancer so he’s contracted by multiple cruise companies, not just Venezia). The crew managed bedroom turnovers each day, dining service at each meal, and assisted with activities like setting up kayaks.

Bedrooms on the Venezia cruise boat

Venezia is billed as one of the luxury cruises in Lan Ha Bay. I wouldn’t be surprised if Venezia’s quality is better than average for the region, however, it might feel more “standard” than “luxury” to some Western travelers.

Due to the sea air, some surfaces were a tiny bit sticky and some facilities or furnishings were a little bit worn. It felt clean but not spotless .

The private bathroom seemed a bit dated but there was piping hot water. Our toilet seat was clearly mismatched, being smaller than the toilet bowl, but this didn’t cause any practical issues.

There was an AC unit, though we didn’t use it. A small closet contains life jackets and some hangers for clothes.

Water bottles are also given free before every excursion, however, you must pay for the same water bottles from the bar if you’d like water at a meal.

We did have some flecks on half of the window, which looked like some muck got splattered on it. It seemed to be permanent, so not a cleanliness issue and it didn’t actually affect our view.

We also struggled to dry our swimsuits, clothes, and shoes in the room. Our things always felt a little damp and some even started to smell of mildew. Just something to be aware of – and granted, this may be less of an issue if you visit during sunnier days.

Check price and availability for Venezia Cruises >

Some things to be aware of when cruising HaLong Bay

There are some aspects of the HaLong cruising experience that can affect your experience, regardless which cruise you choose. I hope none of this is a turn off, but rather helps set your expectations and prepare.

• Smells – We smelled exhaust more often than I anticipated. Whether it was our ship, neighboring ships, or the tender boat that goes back and forth for boarding and excursions, the scent of exhaust can’t be escaped. Also, and not necessarily unsurprising, our toilet area occasionally had an odor. As mentioned before, the damp enclosed room can also generate mildew.
• Noises – There were also a few times where I was surprised to hear noises like barking dogs or loud music out on the water. The dogs were guarding some of the floating fish farms. The music came from another boat, most likely doing karaoke, at night.
• Trash – The amount of trash floating in the water seems out of hand, and it may be worse since the pandemic. Waste processing facilities and employing people to collect it from the water all costs money, and the tourism sector is still recovering after being shut down. Hopefully this problem can be remedied soon.
• Seasickness – We’re not particularly susceptible to seasickness but we did feel a little queasy at times. The boat rocked very noticeably when we first boarded and were waiting in port. There are also certain parts of the bay that are more open and tend to get more waves. The majority of the time, the boat was fairly still, including at night.
• Crowds – Even with Vietnam’s tourism numbers still not fully recovered and being somewhat “off the beaten path” in Lan Ha Bay, it’s not a remote nor a solitary experience. Overnight cruises from Cat Ba island tend to leave at the same time, so there can be a couple hundred passengers waiting at the port together.While our boat was sometimes on its own among the islands, we could see 5-6 other boats when anchored overnight. And there were large tour groups kayaking, which meant we sometimes had to wait for other kayakers to pass before entering a cave.

The final thing I think it’s important to share is in regards to over-tourism. I don’t have answers to this issue, but it’s important to be aware of so that we can find ways to improve.

With some pressure from responsible travelers, I hope Ha Long Bay will find responsible ways to protect and uplift this magical area and its people.

Venezia Cruise Itinerary Review 2023

One thing I want to highlight in our Venezia Lan Ha Bay cruise review is the itinerary. Among the biggest benefits of going with this company is avoiding excessive crowds while still getting an amazing experience of the bay and Vietnamese culture.

Here’s an overview of what we did on Venezia Cruises.

Day 1 Cruise Itinerary

Venezia Cruises can coordinate your transportation from Hanoi or Ninh Binh, or you can arrange your own transportation like we did. You’ll need to get to Ben Beo (the port) on Cat Ba Island by noon.

Book transfers to Cat Ba Island on BookAway >

There was a small delay in room turnovers when we arrived, so we waited on the boat about 30 minutes before accessing our rooms. The free welcome drink was hot peach tea, so we enjoyed that and explored the decks.

Our fellow passengers were mostly from France and the US, with a few other countries (Germany, Brazil, UK) represented. There were a range of ages, several couples, a solo woman, a traveling family with teens one night, and parents with a baby the second night.

After moving into our rooms, lunch was served in the upstairs dining room and we started cruising into the bay. They set two long, communal tables with open seating. Surprisingly, no chopsticks were provided, only Western utensils.

Meals are included in the cruise price, but any drinks must be purchased separately at the bar.

They provided extra options for vegetarians and those who don’t eat seafood, which featured prominently on the menu. While nothing was super spectacular, everything was very tasty.

We’re pretty sure we had a different cook on the second day, as almost nothing was spicy on day one, while most dishes had some kick on day two and three.

We followed our guide around the karst islands and pulled up the kayaks onto a beach. We followed him under cave – literally crawling on hands and knees – to another hidden beach. This was about 2:30-4pm.

The weather was unusually foggy and cool our first day, and we passed on the option to swim back at boat.

The evening’s dinner was another multi course meal. It included a soup, a variety of seafood dishes, meat or vegetarian dish with cooked vegetables, and fruit for dessert. There was a different menu the second night, so if you choose to stay an extra day, you don’t get any repeat meals.

After dinner, there’s an option to try your hand at squid fishing off the front of the boat. (The other option was karaoke, but I’m not sure anyone ever took the guide up on this.)

It’s pretty simple: just a hook, line and pole under a bright light. No casting or bait. Simply pull straight up if you see a squid close to your hook! In our two nights, only one small squid was caught… and not by Jedd, despite his enthusiasm!

We slept comfortably. There is some light from the boats on the bay, so we opted to close our curtains overnight. You can hear when people open their doors in the hallway, but otherwise, it was quiet and the walls seem soundproof.

Day 2 of the 3 day cruise itinerary

If you’re on the two day, one night cruise, then you go with the guide for a morning excursion, have another meal, and return to the harbor terminal before noon. If you’re on the three day, two night itinerary, then you get picked up by a private boat for a day excursion.

We had the option to swim, or even jump off the top of the boat. Having seen the trash and pollution, we were a little wary of swimming, but one of our traveling companions enjoyed himself in the water.

By the time the driver brought us back to the Venezia, there was a fresh group of passengers returning from their first kayak trip.

Day 3 – Final Cat Ba Island cruise day

There was a nice wide and scenic, paved path about 4 kilometers to the village. The ride was mostly flat apart from two short hills, which some folks walked up with their bikes. Everyone could go their own speed, staying roughly together as a group of 15-or-so from our boat.

We were back on our boat by 9:40am and checked out at 10am, setting out our luggage before brunch.

We were treated to yet another multi course meal, just three hours after breakfast. We filled out a feedback form, waited for the tender, and road with our luggage in two groups to Ben Beo harbor back on Cat Ba Island. The guide stayed until most participants had been picked up by various transport companies.

And that concluded our 3 day Halong Bay cruise from Cat Ba Island.

All in all, we were very happy with the level of service and the itinerary on Venezia Cruises. While I’m sure there are more luxurious HaLong Bay cruises out there, this one suited our budget and avoided massive crowds.

If you’re considering cruises from Hanoi, or debating between Lan Ha Bay vs Ha Long Bay, I hope our Lan Ha Bay cruise review and tips will help you decide if it’s worth it for you.

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to budget, comfort level, activities, and convenience. If you’re hoping to stay away from crowds (where possible), enjoy off-the-beaten path or cultural experiences, and get a good value, definitely consider a Cat Ba Island cruise departure.

If you have questions or recommendations of your own regarding Lan Ha Bay / HaLong Bay overnight cruises, please share in the comments below!

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Hi, just throwing out another alternative to Halong Bay cruises. We recently did a 3 day/2 night cruise with Dragon Legend to Bai Tu Bay. Bai Tu Bay is accessible by fewer cruise companies & is not crowded at all. The boat is smaller with 24 cabins and feels intimate. ( their Dragon Pearl is even more intimate with 12 cabins but smaller rooms ). Also, like you, I highly recommend 2 nights, as our 2nd day was the highlight, with a bbq on a private beach on a remote limestone karst island. And, yes, half the the people left after the 1st day, so there were only 13 of us for the remainder of the cruise. The crew was delightful & the food great, even better the 2nd & 3rd day.

Thanks for adding this recommendation! It looks like Dragon starts from Ha Long harbor and then ventures further east than most.

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Vietnam Must-Do: A Halong Bay Cruise

Categories Vietnam

Last Updated on December 5, 2023

As I am sitting on the little balcony of my cabin, a cup of green tea in hand, our boat slowly gliding through the waters of Halong Bay, I can’t help but being in complete awe. We pass one limestone rock after another, all of them rising out of the water in different shapes and sizes. No two rocks are the same, some look like sharp pinnacles rising in the air, some look like thin towers, others are massive islets, often with a little cove in which I regularly spot deserted, sandy beaches.

Table of Contents

Why A Halong Bay Cruise is A Must-Do In Vietnam

1,600 of these little islets make up Halong Bay, a large bay in the north of m Vietnam, close to the border with China. UNESCO recognize the incomparable beauty of this natural wonder in 1994 and declared the area as a World Heritage Site – and how could they not!

I’ve seen limestone rocks before, not too far from here actually, on Thailand’s Andaman Coast, and also surrounding Palawan Island in the Philippines. But I’ve not seen anything like this anywhere in the world. The coast of the Andaman Sea is well known for its limestone karst, which is remarkable in its own way, but being here in what feels like literally an ocean of limestone rocks, Thailand’s limestone karst and islets feel small and insignificant.

It was a gamble to come here in April: the weather can be hit-or-miss, and overcast skies are common. But I was willing to take the risk. November is apparently the best month to visit Halong Bay, with blue skies on most days but less tourists than in December when a lot of people take a vacation.

For a while, the only noise cutting into the silence is the splashing sound of my paddles when they hit the water, and I treasure the silence. Somehow we managed to leave all the other boats that were in the bay with us yesterday behind us, something that seemed almost impossible, since all Halong Bay cruises follow a strict schedule.

Why you should do a 2-night cruise

Of course it is still a memorable experience if you don’t have time for an extra day, but for me, doing the long ride from Hanoi two days in a row (3 hours to Halong, 3 hours back), would’ve been a bit too much time spent on a bus.

Since Halong Bay was one of my favorite places in Vietnam, I was glad I spent two nights there instead of just one.

Read on for my full guide to Halong Bay: How to find the best cruise, the best time to visit Halong Bay, what to consider before booking a Halong Bay cruise and what to pack for your trip.

How to find the best Halong Bay cruise

Finding the right cruise was not an easy task. Just google ‘Halong Bay cruises’ and you’ll see dozens of different cruise operators, but luckily also dozens of helpful articles outlining how to find the best Halong Bay cruise. The Lonely Planet dedicated an entire page to this topic in its Vietnam travel guide , warning that the cheapie cruises are often underwhelming. I didn’t plan on taking a luxury cruise, but mentions of rats on roaches on cheaper cruises steered me towards the fancier ones.

Thanks to the Geeky Explorer , I found out that you can book cruises via Booking.com, my favorite hotel booking website which I’d used exclusively throughout Vietnam. I didn’t end up booking one of the options Bruno recommends on his website, but I took a look at all the cruise options that were available for my dates and then shortlisted a handful that had a great review score.

After reading through the most recent reviews on Booking.com, I cross-referenced TripAdvisor to see reviews from people who had booked through other websites or directly with the cruise company, and that’s how I eliminated a number of cruise companies until there were only these left:

• Paloma Cruise (from US$296 overnight per cabin)
• Sunlight Boutique Cruise (from US$230 overnight per cabin)
• Oriental Sails (from US$216 overnight per cabin)
• Athena Cruises (from US$290 overnight per cabin)
• Secret Halong Cruise   (from US$236 overnight per cabin)
• Scarlet Pearl Cruises   (from US$444 overnight per cabin)
• Orchid Ha Long Cruise   (from US$398 overnight per cabin)
• Indochina Sails Cruise   (from US$318 overnight per cabin)
• Stellar of the Seas Cruise (from US$537 overnight per cabin)

Paloma and Athena Cruises were the two that sounded the best to me, and the ones I had eliminated were out because reviewers had complained about the lack of creative vegetarian food options, dated rooms or expensive drinks on board. If you are planning a Halong Bay cruise, I recommend reading recent reviews to see what people liked and disliked.

What is a 1-night Halong Bay cruise like?

And I agree: on a one-day cruise, you arrive at the port around noon, board the boat around 12.30pm, have lunch, followed by an hour of free time on board. Then there is an excursion in small boats / kayaks in the afternoon to visit a sea cave, and the rest of the afternoon is spent on the boat so that you can enjoy the scenery from the sun deck. The next morning, you get up at 7am for an early breakfast and a visit to Thien Cung Cave, one of the most striking caves in Halong Bay. The boat arrives at the port at 10.30am, which means you’re not even 24 hours on the cruise. (Since the boats all follow the same schedule, the itinerary should be similar for other cruise companies).

Things To Know Before You Visit Halong Bay

How much does it cost to visit halong bay.

Halong Bay National Park admission VND40,000 (~US$1.75)

The caves & fishing villages between VND30,000 and 50,000 (~US$1.30 – US$2.20)

High-quality cruises that offer comfort, good food, a welcoming crew and a nice boat range from US$130 to US$450 per night (based on double occupancy). Note that prices vary quite a lot depending on what time of year and what time of week you are visiting (weekends are pricier than weekdays).

Extreme luxury cruises are also available, starting at US$450 for a 1-night cruise and around US$800 for a 2-night cruise (double occupancy). These cruises are more intimate, with only two to five cabins per boat.

If you only have time for a day trip to Halong Bay, tours start at US$60 from Hanoi (don’t expect much comfort).

If you want to travel from Hanoi to Halong City and scope out cruises there, you can take a direct bus for VND70,000 – 80,000 (US$3.25) . The journey takes 2 hours in ideal conditions but can take up to 4 hours if there is traffic.

There are plenty of accommodation options in Halong City (also known as Bay Chai ), ranging from backpacker hostels to fancy resorts. If you want to base yourself there to scope out Halong Bay cruises, here are three excellent hotels for very little money:

• D’Lecia Ha Long Hotel – double rooms from US$33 per night, breakfast included
• Ha Long Essence Hotel – double rooms from US$23 per night
• Halios Hotel Halong – double rooms from US$18 per night, breakfast included

When to visit Halong Bay?

Peak season in Halong Bay is between late May and early August , that’s when it is the busiest and you’ll have to book your cruise well in advance.

January to March are quite cold and it often is drizzling. Don’t expect great conditions for photography.

May to September is the period when you can encounter tropical storms.

November is the best time to visit – You can expect sunny and blue skies and the least amount of tourists.

What to know before you book a Halong Bay Cruise

The cruise boats are small Chinese-style junk boats , typically with 10 to 15 cabins. Larger boats have up to 23 cabins.

Important to know about prices:

• Room rates double in June / July
• August also has high season prices because of the summer vacation
• Some places charge more on weekends (Friday and Saturday night)

What is included in a Halong Bay cruise?

Halong Bay cruises usually include a stop at least one cave (Dau Go Cave or Thien Cung Cave which are both on the same island, Ile des Merveilles ), a floating village, and a small island, no matter if you book a 1-night or a 2-night cruise.

As for drinks and food: check with your cruise company prior to the trip what exactly is included in your cruise. The majority of cruises include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The same goes for National Park fees / entrance fees for the caves – check with your cruise operator to see if these fees are included in the price of your cruise.

Note: Tips are not included in your cruise.

What to know before visiting Halong Bay

Make sure you check the weather forecast before you head to Halong Bay – especially if you are somewhat flexible with your dates. If you’re visiting Hanoi first and there’s rain in the forecast for Halong Bay, it’s worth waiting a couple of days for better weather (unless you’re visiting Vietnam during monsoon season).

What to pack for your Halong Bay Cruise

The majority of cruises charges for drinks – even if it says “all inclusive”. All inclusive usually includes drinks at breakfast (coffee & tea). Water is also not included (some cruises provide free drinking water, but usually only one small bottle per day), so I’d recommend packing a few bottles of water , unless you want to overpay for water on the boat.

If you want any other drinks and don’t want to buy them on the cruise, you might want to stock up on the beverage of your choice before heading to Halong Bay.

If you’re a big snacker, you may also want to buy a few of your favorite snacks before you board the boat.

Other things I packed for my Halong Bay cruise:

• Portable charger for my phone, camera, headphones (you can charge your devices in your cabin, but just in case there’s a power outage)
• Sturdy footwear for the cave excursion (would be difficult in flip flops)

Remember that you are only spending one or two nights on the boat, so you don’t really need all that much.

Well-rated tour companies that offer Halong Bay cruise packages

Check Tripadvisor for the most recent reviews for each company:

• Indochina Sails
• Vega Travel

Alternatives to Halong Bay Cruises

Several people told me that they found Halong Bay too touristy and too crowded. And considering how many boats cruise around Halong Bay every single day, they aren’t wrong. But Halong Bay is the number one tourist destination in Northern Vietnam for a reason: it is such a beautiful place, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. For me, it was similar to the Camino de Santiago. There are several routes that you can walk across Spain, and the main pilgrimage, the Camino Frances, has become insanely popular and crowded. I knew that I could’ve walked a less busy trail, but I wanted to start with the classic, most iconic route.

Cat Ba Island & Lan Ha Bay

Halong Bay can be completely avoided if you head to Cat Ba Island instead. Cat Ba Island is located just south of Halong Bay and belongs to the Cat Ba archipelago, which is made up of around 366 islands. From there, trips to the lesser visited Lan Ha Bay , equally as stunning as Halong Bay, can be arranged as day trips or overnight cruises.

The cruises leaving Cat Ba Island promise to take visitors to more remote parts of the bay, ultimately getting you away from the more crowded Halong Bay. If you are looking for a tranquil getaway, you may want to base yourself on Cat Ba Island and take a cruise from there.

Cat Ba Town has been developing quickly and may not be the prettiest place on the island to base yourself, but that’s where day cruises and overnight cruises to Lan Ha Bay leave from, and you can book your cruise right there in one of the many tour offices, or check out Cat Ba Ventures .

Expect to pay between US$20 – US$30 for an all day cruise around Lan Ha Bay.

For places to stay, check out these top-rated hotels on Cat Ba Island .

How to get to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi

This article has great recommendations for good Lan Ha Bay cruises: The Best Cruises in Lan Ha Bay

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The Unknown Enthusiast

Is Halong Bay Worth Visiting? Our Experience & Tips

Halong Bay is one of the top destinations in Vietnam and is an incredible UNESCO World Heritage site.

It’s undeniably famous, but with that popularity comes a lot of tourism, which can make people wonder: Is Halong Bay actually worth visiting? Or is it too touristy and overrun? If I go, will it be a good experience, or should I spend my precious time in Vietnam elsewhere?

To be honest, Halong Bay has developed a bit of a bad reputation as being overcrowded, dirty, and underwhelming. So while we went into our trip a little wary, we ended up having a fantastic time in Halong Bay.

The only way to experience Halong Bay is by doing a cruise, whether it’s a day cruise lasting a few hours, a 2 day/1 night cruise, or something a bit longer.

So, the experience you have in Halong Bay is going to be directly related to the cruise that you pick , and to some extent, your expectations going in.

After a flurry of research, we ended up booking this 2-day/1 night cruise of Halong Bay and had an incredible experience. It’s truly one of my happiest memories of traveling in Vietnam!

Halong Bay is definitely worth it… if you’re on the right cruise. I’m convinced that this is hands-down the best cruise in Halong Bay. It’s 2 days/1 night, takes you away from the crowds into neighboring Bai Tu Long Bay, has excellent food, fun activities, beach time, a beautiful wooden boat, and a fantastic tour guide.

A Little Bit of Information About Our Cruise

The cruise we did provided round-trip transportation from Hanoi. This is very common in cruise tours in Halong Bay.

We were actually coming from Ninh Binh before going to Halong Bay, so we just arranged our own transportation in a luxury van to the bay and met up with our group there (and then rode the bus back with them to Hanoi at the end to catch a flight to Ho Chi Minh City ).

Our boat was a small, wooden “junk boat” – one of only 6 historic wooden boats left in the bay. There were just 20 passengers on the ship, along with a personable and vivacious tour guide. This combination of friendly and engaging guide with a small group immediately made the experience feel intimate and cozy.

Our cruise left from the port in Halong Bay and then immediately cruised into neighboring Bai Tu Long Bay. This was incredible because it got us away from the crowds of other boats and into a more serene and quiet environment. There were a couple of other small boats moored by us at night, but it was still a very peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.

So, technically, this was a cruise into Bai Tu Long Bay, not Halong Bay. However, the bays are virtually identical, and all cruises depart from the same port in Halong Bay (and also sail through Halong to get out to Bai Tu Long).

We cruised around for several hours and then got the chance to enjoy some activities, which I’ll get into in the next sections.

Is Halong Bay Worth It? 7 Reasons You Should Visit

In the following sections, I’m sharing several aspects of visiting Halong Bay that definitely made it worth the time, effort, and money.

1. The Scenery is Truly Breathtaking

Truly, it was just insane to look out the window of your Halong Bay cruise boat and see these massive cliffs rising up out of the water everywhere you looked. It was a little bit foggy when we started, so it almost felt like something out of a fantasy novel, with the outlines of ridge after ridge of sheer cliffs rising out of the fog.

2. It’s Actually Remarkably Clean

Only a few years ago, Halong Bay had the reputation of being extremely dirty, with a ton of trash floating in the water, especially right in the port.

Thankfully, in 2020, the city of Halong made a concerted effort to clean up the bay, and today there continue to be boats out picking up any trash that might have dropped into the water.

During our boat cruise in Halong Bay, the water was incredibly clean – we saw maybe 1 or 2 pieces of trash in the water the entire time we were on our cruise. And we actually saw a small boat out picking up any of the infrequent trash that was found in the water.

It’s important to note that the water in Halong Bay is naturally murky, but not due to pollution. Instead, it is because the limestone from the cliffs runs off and dissolves in the water, creating murkiness.

So although there are coral reefs in the bay, you actually can’t see them very well when snorkeling. On a clear day, though, the water is still a beautiful turquoise color.

3. It’s Totally Possible to Get Away From the Crowds in Halong Bay

One of the biggest complaints I’ve heard about Halong Bay is the crowds – the bay is filled with other boats and the activities you do and places you visit are packed with other travelers.

And yeah, if you just take a day trip from Hanoi for the afternoon and take a 3 hour cruise, you’re never going to get far enough into the bay to really get away from other boats. And some overnight cruises still keep you close to dozens of other boats.

However, neighboring Bai Tu Long Bay is a great Halong Bay alternative that sees far, far fewer visitors. Only a few cruises go into these bays, making it a fantastic option for anyone wanting a serene nature experience, away from crowds, and surrounded just by water and mountains .

Most of the time we were the only boat in sight, cruising in and of out the karsts in calm, quiet waters.

4. The Food is Fresh and Fantastic

Of course, it’s really not a big surprise that a coastal destination would have good seafood, but it’s worth mentioning here, because the seafood you can eat in Halong Bay is varied, high quality, and delicious.

As someone who likes some fish and seafood, but not all kinds, I was really impressed with the quality and variety offered on our Halong Bay cruise.

We tried everything from prawns, to oysters, to fish soup, to sea bass, to squid, to stuffed crab. Everything was undeniably excellent quality, and I really appreciated the opportunity to sample so many types of seafood available in the bay (even if every type of seafood wasn’t my personal favorite).

5. Plenty of Exciting and Interesting Activities

An overnight cruise in Halong Bay will give you the chance to experience quite a few activities in and around the bay. The most common activities include kayaking, swimming, visiting caves, visiting floating villages, and fishing.

On our cruise to Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, we kayaked through the bay to a small, private beach, where we had the chance to relax on the beach and swim for an hour or two.

We also visited a cave in Bai Tu Long Bay that was used long ago by villagers to shelter in during storms. This cave has beautiful rock formations covered in glistening, ancient coral.

We got to enjoy activities on board the boat, such as sunrise tai chi, a cooking demonstration, and storytelling about the legends of Halong Bay. And we even were able to try squid fishing off the boat at night!

>> Ready to Book? Check prices and availability for our Halong Bay cruise here

6. Halong Bay Cruises Are Quite Affordable

Okay, so I’ll start this section out by saying that our Halong Bay cruise was definitely the most expensive item in our Vietnam travel budget . Compared to prices in the rest of Vietnam, Halong Bay cruises are comparatively expensive.

However, if you live in the United States or Europe and are visiting from there, the cost of an overnight cruise, particularly when you consider everything that is included in the price, is an excellent value and very affordable.

7. It’s a Bucket List Destination

Look, in some ways, this type of bullet point gets a bad rap, sometimes particularly among travel bloggers, where the idea is that it’s cooler to not like the big attractions and only like going super far off the beaten path where no one else is.

And I love a secluded, unknown destination as much as the next person. (I am the enthusiast of the unknown , after all.)

But also, the big, bucket list destinations can be fantastic. And while I don’t travel JUST for the “check mark” on my list, I do love being able to go to a bucket list spot, experience it, enjoy it, and then be able to say “ I’ve been there! ”

I’m sure some of that satisfaction comes from being a person who gets enjoyment from making a list and checking things off (where are my other list makers at?). But some places live up to the hype – and I think Halong Bay, under the right circumstances, is one of those places.

How to Get to Halong Bay

There are a whole host of tours that run from Hanoi to Halong Bay, a journey that takes approximately 4 hours by bus. You can easily join a tour group going to Halong Bay that will take care of all transportation logistics for you.

If you prefer to arrive in Halong Bay yourself, or your tour doesn’t offer round-trip transportation, it is easy to hop on a bus or a luxury van yourself and get taken to Halong Bay from destinations in northern Vietnam. There are no trains that go from Hanoi to Halong Bay.

Additionally, many hotels in Hanoi will store your luggage for you if you want to leave some bags behind while heading to Halong Bay.

Best Time to Visit Halong Bay

Weather-wise, spring and fall are the best times to visit Halong Bay, as the weather is milder and less rainy during these months (Mar-May, Sept-Nov). Summer is extremely hot and much rainier.

However, during fall time prices and crowds are much higher than other periods of the year.

Potential Cons To Visiting Halong Bay

While I certainly believe exploring Halong Bay is worth it, these are a few of the negatives you may experience:

>>There Are a Lot of People in the Port

When you arrive at the Cruise Port, there will be a lot of people, there’s no getting around it. There’s one main hall where a whole bunch of cruises gather their passengers and depart from, so when you arrive, you will be with many other people.

>>The Cruises Had a Very Specific Itinerary

The cruise we did, and it seems like most cruises are this way, definitely had a very specific itinerary that they followed. Thankfully, our cruise staff and the tour guide were so friendly and made sure that everything we did felt special and new for us.

>>The Cruise You Book May Not Be Your Style

Be sure that you’re booking the right cruise for your travel style. If you want serene, quiet, and immersed in nature, the cruise we did is probably also a great fit for you.

However, if you want to party and enjoy a more boozy cruise, then the cruise we did isn’t going to be a good fit (although our cruise did have an open bar throughout the trip).

>>No Matter How Long You Stay, It Won’t Be Enough

Whether you do a one night or multi-night cruise, I can assure you, it won’t be enough time! I loved cruising through the bay and was sad to leave.

The Wrap-Up – Is Halong Bay Worth Visiting?

I definitely think that it’s worth the time, effort, and money to visit Halong Bay… but with the caveat that the cruise you choose to do is going to greatly impact what your experience is like.

For that reason, I’d highly recommend the 2-day/1 night cruise into Bai Tu Long Bay that we did. The route, the itinerary, the activities, the food – really, everything was perfect!

Stephanie is the author of The Unknown Enthusiast. She's visited 21 countries and 37 of the 50 US states (but her first love will always be France). When she's not traveling, she enjoys reading, taking naps, playing games, eating popcorn, and spending time with her husband (Matthew) and 4 daughters. Stephanie lives in Alabama, USA.

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The Best Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise: A Halong Bay Alternative

Discover the 7 Best Halong Bay Luxury Cruise Options

This website contains no sponsored content. The content is written entirely on my own and is based on my personal experience and extensive research. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the  disclaimer  for more information.

Want to pamper yourself at the best Halong Bay Luxury Cruise? Choose from these 7 Halong Bay Cruise options for the most bang for your buck!

I have spent countless hours researching the best Halong Bay luxury cruise not only before my trip to Vietnam with my toddler, but also when I had to help out my cousins and family members plan their trip. As part of my research, I have studied the rooms, offerings, itineraries, and onboard services of countless Halong Bay cruises. That’s also how I am now fully equipped to write this article for you so that you have to spend hours researching the best luxury cruise in Halong Bay.

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Le Theatre Cruise offers the most value for money thanks to its excellent onboard amenities and itinerary.

Our top pick of the best Halong Bay cruise is the Le Theatre Cruise .

I have personally stayed on this cruise with my family and in my opinion, it offers the most value for your money .

However there are many options of luxury Halong Bay cruises that offer more amenities and different onboard experiences. So read through this entire post to figure out which Halong Bay luxury cruise is best for you.

My Top 3 Picks: Best Halong Bay Luxury Cruise

Le Theatre Cruise

✅ Most value-for-money luxury cruise

✅ Clean, spacious

✅ Excellent food and itinerary

Genesis Regal Cruise

✅ Swimming Pool, Jacuzzi

✅ Spacious Rooms and sundeck

Rita Cruise

✅ Excellent rooms and sundeck

✅ Top-class food

Best Halong Bay luxury cruise

1. le Theatre Cruises – Wonder on Halong Bay

⭐️  Rating:  9.2+ with 500+ reviews | See availability on Booking.com

🛳️ Know the cruise:

✅ Types of rooms : Junior Suite, Executive Suite, Panorama Suite, Le Theatre Suite, Family Suite, Junior Connecting Suite ✅ Bathtub in all rooms ❌ Swimming Pool ❌ Hot tub / Jacuzzi ✅ Spa (Additional charge)

🗓️ Itinerary : 2 days 1 night in Lan Ha Bay

As I stated earlier, I stayed on this cruise with my family and absolutely loved my time here.

In fact, I even have a detailed video of my experience on this cruise. You can see the full video below or read more about this luxury Halong Bay cruise below.

The primary reason why I love the Le Theatre Cruise is that it offers a luxury cruise experience for a relatively lower price .

Yes, it doesn’t come equipped with a jacuzzi or a swimming pool but when you are on the cruise for just 24 hours, the lack of these facilities hardly matters.

What matters are the quality of the room, the hospitality, and the cruise itinerary. Le Theatre excels in all these three areas.

Its rooms are beautifully done, neat, and new. Whether you opt for a Junior Suite, Executive Suite, Panorama Suite, Le Theatre Suite, Family Suite, or a Junior Connecting Suite – you would still get an attached balcony and a truly luxe bathtub that looks over the spectacular limestone-filled blues of Halong Bay. Another luxurious addition to the cruise is its fancy Japanese-styled toilet with warm bum showers, seat warmers, etc.

You can pick a room as per your budget without skimping on luxury.

The hospitality is top-notch. The staff is very accommodating. From giving us a 3-person kayak so that we could kayak with our toddler to cooking special baby-friendly food and vegetarian food – we felt well-pampered throughout our time on the cruise .

If you eat meat or have no food restrictions, you’ll be pleased with the lavish spread for lunch, breakfast, and brunch. The set menu for dinner extends over multiple generous and delicious courses.

Its lounge area, dining area, and all the little nooks and corners of the cruise are decorated in a royal color palette full of royal blue, rich whites, and browns.

In terms of its itinerary, this cruise travels over Lan Ha Bay – the less commercial area neighboring Halong Bay cruise. So even when you step out of the cruise for sightseeing stops, you’ll not be bothered by large loud crowds.

Overall, the brand new Le Theatre Cruise is one of the best luxury cruise in Halong Bay delivering an incredible bang for your buck and making luxury accessible even on a smaller budget.

“We loved our stay at Le Theatre cruise and were glad we chose this cruise to see Halong Bay. The boat itself was absolutely stunning and our room was spacious and very well appointed. But it was the food that ended up being what we were looking for the most. I didnt have high expectation coming in since it was fullboard and usually for this kind of fullboard experience the food would just be so so, but everything was absolutely outstanding. Shout out to the entire staff for their effort and attention. This was 10/10 recommendable!” – Binti | (Read more reviews)

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

2. Genesis Luxury Cruises

⭐️  Rating:  9.3+ with 950+ reviews | See availability on Booking.com

Know the cruise:

✅ Types of rooms : Premium Suite, Senior Suite, Executive Suite, Junior Family / Triple Suite, Senior Family Suite ✅ Bathtub in all rooms ✅ Swimming Pool ✅ Hot tub / Jacuzzi ✅ Spa (Additional charge)

Itinerary : 2 days 1 night in Halong + Lan Ha Bay 3 days 2 nights in Halong + Lan Ha Bay

Unlike Le Theatre Cruise – which is a mid-range traveler’s dream for the kind of luxury it offers, Genesis Regal is truly a top-luxury Halong Bay cruise. It doesn’t skimp on its offerings at all.

You’ll get everything from a swimming pool to a jacuzzi to a spacious private bathroom with a bathtub . Plus, what I find impressive is that their itinerary is spaced out to let you enjoy the cruise’s many luxurious offerings.

A few standout features that I absolutely must mention:

• The sheer luxury of every room, complete with private balconies and bathtubs.
• The fact that it’s the only cruise with all the beds facing the sea
• The delectable meals with both authentic Vietnamese food as well as global cuisine renditions are a feast for both the eyes and the palate
• The unparalleled service, where every crew member seems to have an innate ability to anticipate your every need.
• The regal color palette, design, and decor of the cruise with the smallest of details being paid enough attention

“The Genesis cruise was a highlight of our trip to Vietnam! The ship is beautiful and well-appointed (the bedroom and bathroom were very spacious and modern, the public areas like the pool / dining area / lounge deck were nicely decorated and relaxing). The meals served throughout the cruise was delicious and plentiful, and there were great options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The activities offered for passengers (rowboat trip through caves, kayaking, spring roll making class, swimming) were spaced out nicely and kept us busy while we got to explore the natural beauty of Halong Bay! The staff throughout the entire cruise was very kind, hospitable, and hard-working to create a pleasurable stay for guests. The Genesis cruise office helped us arrange transport to-and-from Hanoi a few weeks in advance, and the shuttles all arrived on time. – Alexander | Read more reviews

3. Orchid Classic Cruise

⭐️  Rating:  9.2+ with 300+ reviews | See availability on Booking.com

✅ Types of rooms : Suite with Private Balcony, Orchid Exclusive Suite, Family Suite with Private Balcony ✅ Bathtub in all rooms ❌ Swimming Pool ✅ Hot tub / Jacuzzi ✅ Spa (Additional charge)

The highlight of this luxury Halong Bay cruise is that its rooms are spacious . Moreover, to add to the luxury, the Orchid Classic only has 14 rooms onboard – making your time on the bay a private, luxe affair.

You’ll not be disturbed by large crowds and all the amenities will be at your disposal without wait times.

In fact, Orchid Cruise was amongst the very first luxury cruises of Halong Bay. Its all-wooden interiors and spacious rooms with private bathtubs and balconies set the standard of room quality high in the world of Halong Bay cruises.

Some standout features of the cruise are

• Large spacious rooms with a balcony and a spacious bathroom – equipped with a clean bathtub, a shower area
• The beautiful sundeck area with a welcoming jacuzzi
• Onboard experiences for the entertainment of guests like Vietnamese movie screenings and tai chi sessions
• Top-notch onboard hospitality and personal attention. You get meals made to suit your dietary preferences and the staff including its support staff, customer service staff, and pick-up and drop-off agents ensure that your end-to-end experience is hassle-free

“Beautiful boat. Rooms were deluxe, service was perfect. Food was beautiful and delicious and plentiful. The chef catered to special diets and that food was delicious and extravagantly presented. The activities were well planned and timed. The tour guide was informative and helpful. This was a fantastic experience” – Wells | Read more reviews

4. Peony Cruises

⭐️  Rating:  8.9+ with 350+ reviews | See availability on Booking.com

✅ Types of rooms : Deluxe Room, Premium Deluxe Room, Peony Exclusive Suite, Family Deluxe Room, Family Premium Deluxe Room ✅ Bathtub in all rooms ✅ Swimming Pool ✅ Hot tub / Jacuzzi ✅ Spa (Additional charge), Sauna, Gym

I think by now you must have realized that the majority of the offerings on almost all the luxury cruises sailing through Halong Bay are similar. The itinerary of both the 2 days 1 night and the 3 days 2 nights variants is also mostly the same.

So what sets the experience apart is the quality of the service and the quality of the vessel or the cruise itself. Peony cruises have been serving customers on the Ha Long Bay cruise for over 20 years and their experience reflects in the quality of experience they deliver.

The rooms are absolutely clean and well-maintained. The bathrooms are equipped with all the modern amenities including a fancy Japanese toilet seat and a roomy bathtub.

The color combination of the decor exudes classic European vibes and every corner on the cruise right from the balconies to the sundeck to the restaurant ooze luxury.

The restaurant dials it a notch up – with its exquisitely plated delicious food. Attention to detail and the quest to deliver luxury is seen even from the choice of music played at the restaurant as well as on the sundeck – so you know you are sipping your cocktail or chilling in the hot tub or pool in the most relaxing, luxe way possible.

If you are fitness freak, Peony cruise is also equipped with a trendy gym. The itinerary is also one that moves through the less crowded areas so you get to soak in the best views without hustling through crowded beaches.

” The views are amazing and the activities are fun, but what made our trip especially good was the service. I have never experienced this level of luxury and service, where every meal of the day feels like a fine dining experience. I want to mention bobby in particular, who really made our cruise enjoyable!” – Joey | Read more reviews

5. Doris Cruise

⭐️  Rating:  9.1+ with 500+ reviews | See availability on Booking.com

✅ Types of rooms : Junior Suite, Triple Suite, Honeymoon Suite, Executive Suite, Family Suite ✅ Bathtub in all rooms ❌ Swimming Pool ✅ Hot tub / Jacuzzi ❌ Spa (Additional charge)

Itinerary : 2 days 1 night in Halong Bay

Doris Cruise is very similar to Le Theatre in size, number of cabins, and offerings. But the benefit of this cruise is that it is usually priced cheaper than Le Theatre and unlike Le Theatre, it even comes with a hot tub or a jacuzzi.

The staff on this cruise elevate the experience. They accommodate guest requests promptly and host the guests with kindness. Even though the food on this cruise is not as fancy as the food served on Peony or Genesis Regal, the food tastes great and the meals have enough variety to cater to various needs.

Its vegetarian and vegan options are widespread, making this an ideal cruise for Indian travelers.

The cruise, just like the other Halong Bay cruises, mentioned on this list, sails along the less touristy areas around Halong Bay. The large sundeck also allows for a comfortable Tai Chi session at sunrise against gorgeous backdrops.

Overall, if you want value for money, a clean modern cabin, remarkable hospitality, and a spacious sundeck with a small pool, this cruise is your best luxury Halong Bay cruise bet.

“We got the cheapest room and it was so luxurious! The staff are lovely and very attentive, special thanks to James and Jessica. Food was amazing and so many vegetarian options.” – Antonia | Read more reviews

6. La Regina Royal Cruise

⭐️  Rating:  8.7+ with 80+ reviews | See availability on Booking.com

✅ Types of rooms : Noble Suite, Imperia Suite, Grand Royal Suite, The Era Suite, ✅ Whirlpool Bath in all rooms ❌ Swimming Pool ✅ Hot tub / Jacuzzi ✅ Spa (Additional charge)

Let me be honest with you all – La Regina Royal Cruise could be a hit or a miss in terms of its activities and food. But its rooms are magnificent and spacious for the price you pay. The suites are particularly

Each room comes with a unique offering in the form of a whirlpool bath – which also makes for the lack of a common swimming pool.

What’s also lovely is that they have an open-air dining area to help you make the best of a good weather day when sailing. The indoor dining is also lavishly done.

The sundeck is also big enough to accommodate its guests in the evening without making the ambiance too noisy and chaotic.

But the areas where you’ll have to be firm with the staff at the time of booking are

• food : make sure you ask for enough availability and variety and demand that your dietary preferences be accommodated
• pace of the activities: many guests have reported that the sightseeing excursions are rushed and that guests are not shown the beauty of the caves and the local flora and fauna as well as they as other cruise operators.

“We actually got upgraded to the La Regina Grand and the room was the best room I’ve ever stayed in! The food was incredible and so much of it. The staff were lovely and helpful with our dietary needs (vegetarian). Can not fault this cruise.” – Pepy | Read more reviews

7. Rita Cruise

⭐️  Rating:  9.2+ with 130+ reviews | See availability on Booking.com

✅ Types of rooms : Deluxe Room, Senior Suite, Royal Suite with Jacuzzi, Presidential Suite, Triple Suite, Family Suite, Deluxe Family Suite ✅ Bathtub ✅ Swimming Pool ✅ Hot tub / Jacuzzi ✅ Spa (Additional charge)

I may have saved the best cruise for the very end. Rita Cruise is a spacious vessel that sails through Lan Ha Bay. It comes equipped with a swimming pool, a jacuzzi as well as a spa.

The level of luxury you experience on this cruise is unmatched. From the cleanliness of the rooms to the royal design to sophisticated amenities made available to the guests – the level of luxury on this cruise is totally worth the higher price you pay for it.

The food standard is top-notch. You’ll be pampered with delicious food that will leave you full. Regardless of your dietary preferences, you will have enough variety and options – for their set meals as well as their buffets.

The activities on board are also nicely timed leaving enough time to relax as well as explore the natural beauty around. Enough time is allocated to kayaking and swimming, letting you make the most of the views around.

Even the onboard activities are delivered with personal attention. Guests are made to feel welcome as the kind hosts attend to them at the sundeck party, the cooking sessions, karaoke, or fishing.

There are also plenty of little luxe nooks all around the cruise for lounging, clicking pictures or simply unwinding.

“everything was as good as the photos. A wonderful experience on HaLong Bay. Something everyone should do, and this boat really was special. The food was 1st class, cabins were very luxurious and the bathrooms were really wonderful. Staff exceptional.” – Tania | Read more reviews

FAQs About Luxury Cruises in Halong Bay

Does a halong bay luxury cruise include free hanoi pick-up and drop.

Usually, a complimentary pick up and drop is offered to those who book top-tier suites on cruises. For those booking lower-end cabins like the Junior Suites or Executive cabins need to pay an extra USD 30-40 per person for two-way transport in a limousine

Is an overnight cruise on Halong Bay worth it?

An overnight cruise on Halong Bay is absolutely worth it for those seeking luxury, relaxation, and unwinding against the backdrop of a gorgeous emerald bay and limestone cliffs. Read my in-depth article on whether Halong Bay is worth it here

Should I do a 2 or 3-day cruise in Halong Bay?

The 3 days 2 night Halong Bay cruise is ideal for those who have the budget to spend on a cruise and the time and interest to explore some of the less visited areas in and around Halong Bay at a slower pace than the overnight cruises sailing Halong Bay

🤩 I recommend the Le Theatre Cruise for the best luxury cruise experience on a moderate budget

Final Thoughts: Halong Bay 5-star Cruises

While many of the luxury cruises in Halong Bay are similar or comparable in terms of their cabin size, amenities and offerings, the ones listed above are the top Halong Bay cruises. Many other cheaper variants that you’ll see on booking platforms will either be too big and packed with tourists or ones that sail along crowded Halong Bay beaches dampening the overall experience.

So depending on your budget, choose a Halong Bay cruise that traverses the less touristy areas, and comes equipped with a clean, modern bathroom, bathtub, and add-ons like a swimming pool and jacuzzi. Given that you’ll be cut off from the mainland, make sure the food served on the cruise caters to your dietary preferences.

• How to spend 1 day in Hanoi: A practical itinerary
• Is Halong Bay worth visiting? An Honest Review
• How many days are enough in Hoi An
• The best street food tours in Hanoi for food lovers
• How to travel to Vietnam with a kid – An in-depth guide
• What to buy in Vietnam? A souvenir guide
• The Best Things to do in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
• All other Vietnam articles

Vrushali Ketkar is a lawyer turned travel blogger. She has travelled to 14 countries. She travels like a regular working woman with family. Her lawyer-level research skills make her a destination expert and help her get the most out of my trips. Today, her travel articles and videos help thousands of people across the world plan their trips to various parts of the world.

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Purses & Planes

Is Halong Bay Worth It? Everything You Need to Know

Researching your trip to Vietnam and find yourself wondering, ‘Is Halong Bay Worth it?” Here’s everything you need to know about visiting one of the most famous natural wonders of Vietnam.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure  here .

Halong Bay is said to be one of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous places on Earth. Well.. at least it used to be.

With its emerald waters and unique rock formations, it really is a unique natural beauty that looks otherworldly.

In this post, I’m going to share my experience at Halong Bay, all the different options for visiting, and whether I think Halong Bay is actually worth it.

Your FREE Hanoi Checklist

Planning your trip to Vietnam? Here’s your FREE Hanoi Checklist printable to take with you on your trip so you don’t miss a thing!

About Halong Bay

Located in Northeastern Vietnam, Halong Bay is a natural wonder presenting a stunning landscape of emerald waters and over 1,600 limestone cliffs.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers an area of approximately 1,553 square kilometers, making it one of the most iconic and picturesque destinations in Southeast Asia.

Halong Bay Essentials

Halong Bay Legend

The name “Halong” actually translates to “Descending Dragon,” and there’s a beautiful legend that surrounds the formation of the bay.

According to the legend, the bay was created when a dragon descended from the heavens, its tail gouging out valleys and crevices that were later filled with water, creating the stunning seascape we see today.

Recent Mass Tourism

In the past few reports, Halong Bay has stated that in 2019 it received over 4 million tourists. In 2022, it is believed that due to over-tourism from lockdowns, Halong Bay received over 11 million tourists.

Halong Bay is not only one of the most visited wonders in Vietnam but all of Southeast Asia.

Let’s Talk Trash

I’m not going to lie. the amount of trash floating in Halong Bay is pretty horrifying.

While locals will point at tourists, I saw many locals themselves litter right into the waters. At the end of the day, it’s not just one kind of person’s fault, it’s really everyone’s, and I’m sure the mass tourism aspect doesn’t help.

Just keep this in mind while visiting so you can lower your sanitary expectations and as always, be a responsible tourist and don’t litter.

How to Visit Halong Bay

Luckily, Halong Bay can be incorporated into Vietnam itineraries in a number of ways. It can be a full one-day trip or a 2-3 night stay.

After hearing so many conflicting opinions on whether Halong Bay was worth it, I opted for just a day trip and was really happy with my decision.

When I began my research on Halong Bay, I was confused about the ‘norms” for visiting. Initially, I was looking into options for staying in the actual city. To my discovery and after hearing other travelers’ experiences, staying in the city of Ha Long is not the way to go.

Most of what to see is in the bay itself and not the city.

Of course, there are exceptions! I’m sure some travelers have stayed in Ha Long and loved it. If you are staying at a nice resort and waking up on the vibrant waters, I can imagine it is a lovely experience. There are some truly amazing-looking hotels on the bay like Premier Village and Vinpearl Resort .

Day Trips to Halong Bay

I personally opted for the day cruise in Halong Bay.

Day trips to Halong Bay can be a great option because it gives you the perfect taste of the experience as you still get the lunch buffet. wine at sunset, hiking viewpoints, kayaking, swimming, and cave exploring.

That’s right, all this in one day! The day tours jam-pack all the activities you get in most of the overnight cruises.

While the day trips did not seem as popular as options online, many travelers I met said if they could have found a day trip tour, they would have opted for that instead of the 2-3 night cruises.

Overnight Halong Bay Cruises

Overnight cruises on Halong Bay can be an awesome experience if you’ve got the time in your itinerary.

By day explore hidden caves, kayak through lagoons, and soak up the sun on the deck. Evenings are for indulging in seafood feasts under a starlit sky and partying with fellow travelers.

Waking up to the limestone cliffs emerging from the misty waters would certainly be something to remember!

Day Trips VS Overnight Cruises

While the price difference between a Halong Bay day trip and an overnight cruise is minimal, it is ultimately your time that you will have to make the call.

Essentially, the day cruises pack in all the activities you do on an overnight cruise. The overnight cruises just give you more time to do these activities such as hiking, kayaking, and swimming. Additionally, you will get a more luxurious experience on the overnight cruises.

In short, if Halong Bay is one of your ultimate bucket-list destinations, I say go for an overnight cruise.

If you’re debating if Halong Bay is worth it, then opt for a one-day trip, just so you can get a glimpse of what the natural wonder has to offer.

When to Visit

Like any outdoor experience, weather can really make or break your time in Halong Bay. Most of the activities at Halong involve water so seeing the bay during a time when it is warm will be best.

April – October is an ideal time to visit.

Believe it or not, Vietnam does get cold. I would avoid visiting during December – March.

Best Things to Do in Halong Bay

Most Halong Bay Tours do the same things more or less. Here is what you can expect from your Halong Bay Cruise Experience

1. See the Impressive Caves

Anyone planning a trip to Halong Bay must put cave exploring at the top of their list.

Filled with mysterious formings and bodies of water, Halong Bay is home to many stunning caves waiting to be explored.

2. Swim in the Emerald Waters

Of course, no trip to Halong Bay is complete without a dip in the majestic vibrant waters.

3. Go Kayaking

This was one of my favorite activities we did in Halong Bay! The crazy rock formations create a kayaker’s paradise.

4. Eat Seafood

Enjoy fresh seafood with an unforgettable view. Eating seafood in Halong Bay is a must-do!

5. Hike the Viewpoints

Get the best view of the bay from viewpoints high above the waters. This spectacular view will truly take you out of this world!

6. Enjoy a Sunset Wine Tasting

As the sun begins its descent, snag a glass of wine and find a comfortable spot on the deck. The play of colors in the sky, the tranquil waters below, and the silhouette of the karsts create an unreal backdrop for your tasting experience.

7. Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba is the largest island in Halong Bay. While you won’t be able to see Cat Ba during a one-day cruise, overnight cruises should take you to see this paradise island.

People often rave about Cat Ba that it was one of their favorite parts of their Halong Bay experience.

The Final Verdict – Is Halong Bay Worth it?

Hopefully, by the end of this in-depth blog post, you’ll have decided for yourself if Halong Bay is worth it.

All in all, I think Halong Bay is worth it. You’ve come all this way to Vietnam, perhaps you’ll never get to return again! You don’t want to miss out on one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world.

The real question that you should be asking yourself, and hopefully this post will give you a better idea – is exactly how much time you should dedicate to Halong Bay.

From cruising through the bay’s iconic landscapes to exploring hidden caves, and savoring seafood feasts, Halong Bay offers an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re seeking adventure or tranquility, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has something for everyone.

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I would like to visit Halong Bay in the future so thanks for sharing your experience. It’s a shame about all the rubbish! We saw the same issue in many places and yes, we also witnessed locals littering. We just have to do our part and not add to the problem.

I have not been to Vietnam yet, but when I do, Halong Bay will be on top of my list. It is amazing that there are about 1,600 limestone cliffs, I will also make sure I see the impressive caves here. It is totally a shame about the rubbish thrown by locals and tourists. It happens in many beautiful places in the world.

I feel like it’s impossible to miss the main symbol of Vietnam – Halong Bay. Like you, I would choose a day cruise to see this natural wonder. Thanks for sharing your experience.

I love that this is a straight forward and honest post. What a pity about the trash, but Halong Bay is iconic and I think it should be on the list. I would love to visit the caves and do some hiking. Thanks for sharing!

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Overnight Cruise Halong Bay – Is it Worth It?

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Our honest review about the Halong Bay cruise we have done. Including how many days to cruise Halong Ba and how to find the best overnight cruise in Halong Bay for you!

When looking for the best Halong Bay overnight cruises, we stumbled across BEST SELLER- 2 Day/1 Night Cruise with All-Inclusive in Halong by Halong Bay Cruise Hunters who have amazing reviews.

There are plenty of options and we are going to explain how you can find the best Halong Bay cruise for you. We have chosen a 2 day/1 night 5* cruise in Lan Ha Bay.

Read on and find out whether we think our overnight cruise in Halong Bay was worth it.

Is a Halong Bay Cruise Worth it?

What to expect on halong bay overnight cruises, what kind of food can you expect on an overnight cruise in halong bay, what other travellers say about 1 night cruise halong bay, what does the halong bay overnight cruise include, how much does the overnight halong bay cruise cost, how long do you need to cruise halong bay, how to choose the best halong bay cruise, what is the best month for a halong bay cruise, conclusion: should you book the halong bay boat cruise overnight, overnight cruise halong bay – our honest review.

Let’s be honest: We loved our Halong Bay cruise. But we must say that we were also incredibly lucky. We did get one of the best rooms on the ship (nobody knew we were travel bloggers. It was either luck or kindness because we had borrowed our tour guide a pen). Our cabin was glorious with a spacious balcony and a private jacuzzi.

We liked most parts of our cruise:

• Halong Bay itself is a must-visit!
• Transfers ran smoothly.
• Our tour guide, boat captain, and the rest of the personnel were lovely.
• We LOVED our cabin.
• The food was plenty and delicious.
• The activities we did (beach time and kayaking) were great fun.

The only thing we didn’t like was the bar. The music was too loud and drinks were too expensive. But we didn’t mind. We just hopped in our jacuzzi and spent the evening on our balcony.

We absolutely think a Halong Bay cruise is worth it. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason! Yes, we are geology nerds, but cruising through these limestone islets is just such a cool and unique experience.

Whether you go on a day cruise or an overnight cruise, Halong Bay Vietnam is absolutely worth a visit.

Disclaimer: We’re going to talk about the Lan Ha Bay tour because that’s the one we took. The other options are described here .

Our tour started with a pickup in Hanoi.

Once we arrived on the boat, we were served lunch. Afterwards, we could move into our room and the cruising started.

In the afternoon, we were brought to an islet where we could enjoy some beach time and swim in the sea.

The buffet-style dinner was the fanciest meal of the trip. Afterwards, there was the possibility to buy drinks at the bar. Drink prices were pretty high by Vietnamese standards.

The morning started with a light breakfast. After that, it was time for our favourite activity of the trip: Kayaking. We were given thorough directions and headed off to explore the limestone islets, caves, and cliffs on our own.

We were served a rich brunch before leaving the boat.

The transfer back was smooth again.

All meals on board were buffet style so there was something for everyone – from traditional Vietnamese cuisine to French fries. The vegetarian guests seemed to be happy as well.

The Halong Bay cruise reviews are amazing:

⭐ Rating: 5.0 / 5 (2474 reviews)

A must do in Vietnam The whole experience was amazing from start to finish. After being collected from our hotel in Hanoi we were taken to our transfer boat which then took us out to the main boat. There we were greeted by all the members of staff who were charming throughout! Our room was incredible and extremely comfortable, we also loved the views from the balcony. Everything was really well organised and punctual, and the food on board was great. In terms of activities, all of them were fun but we particularly loved the kayaking and swimming in Lan Ha Bay.

– Sophie (see more  reviews )

• Round trip transfer from Hanoi to cruise dock (2-3 hours).
• Fully furnished cabin with A/C.
• Private bathroom, hot water, walk-in shower.
• Kayaking or bamboo boat trip, beach time, swimming.
• Tai chi, cooking class, fishing equipment (not on all cruises).
• Tour guide.
• Happy hour with free juice.

Check the Halong Bay overnight cruise price :

Cruise Halong Bay Tips

Personally, we think 2 days / 1 night is the sweet spot to cruise Halong Bay Vietnam. It’s amazing to see Halong Bay during sunset, at night and in the quiet morning hours.

If you have less time, a day cruise is a great option to see the highlights. If you really want to go in depth, there are also 3 days / 2 nights cruises available.

Finding the best cruise in Halong Bay can seem like a challenge so let us break it down for you:

You have three basic route options for the best cruises in Halong Bay:

• Halong Bay – The UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most crowded.
• Lan Ha Bay – To the Northeast of Halong Bay, similar landscapes but much quieter.
• Bai Tu Long Bay – to the South of Halong Bay, similar landscapes but much quieter.

Concerning the best cruise ship for Halong Bay, you have again three options:

• Budget cruise Halong Bay – 3*
• Deluxe cruise Halong Bay – 4*
• Luxury cruise Halong Bay – 5*

We personally chose a 5 star cruise in Lan Ha Bay as the best Halong Bay overnight cruise for us.

The peak season with cooler temperatures is from November to March. Off-season with higher temperatures and humidity is from April to October. In August and September, storms may lead to tour cancellations.

Yes! We thoroughly enjoyed our Halong Bay cruise. Personally, we think it’s well worth staying overnight in Halong Bay. We loved seeing the sunset, the sunrise, and Halong Bay at night.

We also enjoyed interspering our Vietnam backpacking trip with a more luxurious experience and a stay in a more luxurious room.

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. You would help us a lot if you do so. Thanks.

More Vietnam resources:

North Vietnam Itinerary – 7 to 10 Days Vietnam Itinerary

Our Vietnam 7 day itinerary covers Hanoi, Halong Bay, Tam Coc, and Sapa. If you’re looking for a 10 days in Vietnam itinerary, just add the Ha Giang Motorbike loop to your route.

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Ha Long Bay, is it worth visiting?

Ha Long Bay is one of the symbol of Vietnam. As I always heard my grandfather saying after he visited it in the 1940’s, it is the one of the most beautiful place on earth.  The bay features thousands of limestones karts and isles which contrast with a intense green water colour  ( but nowhere as beautiful as the Fiji water ) .  Although field with caves which are visible through kayaking on the Bay. It is a must see of tourist during their visit to the country and usual starting point is from Hanoi.

Pros and Cons to visit Ha Long Bay

Where to find a reliable cruise to ha long bay.

In the city center of Hanoi, thousand of agencies offer tours packages from 60$ (from 1* or 2** options) to 150$ or more (from 3*** options). If you would like to book a tour just head up to Hang Buom street and you will be able to compare the different prices and packages.

2D/1N vs 3D/2N tours, how to choose?

This will depend on your budget, the season and obviously your will to discover Ha Long Bay. The  and just have one kayak excursion. While the 3D/2N tour will give you the opportunity to stay and sleep either at Cat Ba or Monkey Islands which are the most popular for their fishing villages and trek on the islands. You can also start your tour from, or end your tour in Ninh Bihn .

What to expect in term or value for price and the main scam to avoid?

In few words what to remember.

To resume, the choice of visiting Ha Long Bay will remain to each one as it would be a personal decision. We didn’t have a great experience which doesn’t mean it can’t be a pleasant trip. We believe that under better circumstances with weather and travel service we would had appreciate it more. At the end Ha Long Bay has been listed to the UNESCO’s World heritage for a reason. Our only wish after our visit, would be for the Vietnamese Government to not let its Jewel dying and take measures to regulate uncontrolled Cruise Services and worrying increase of pollution. 

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Hoi An Guide for Tourist

Follow us / suivez nous / seguici, julie & andrea.

We have the dream to travel the world and live unique experiences that becomes stories.

Nous avons le rêve de voyager dans le monde et de vivre des expériences uniques qui se transforment en histoires.

Abbiamo il sogno di viaggiare in tutto il mondo e vivere esperienze uniche che diventano storie.

10 Reasons To Love Capella Cruise - Best Halong Bay Cruise For Families

T he choices are plentisome (and overwhelming) when it comes to cruising Ha Long Bay. As you walk down the port in Ha Long City, and then watch further into the bay, dozens and hundreds of boats and ships of all shapes and sizes, fill up the incredible landscape. So which one should you choose when traveling with children?

We have three kids and wanted to overnight several nights on Ha Long Bay. We went with Capella Cruise and we can’t recommend them enough! Here are 10 things to know about the best Ha Long Bay cruise for families on Capella Cruise:

1- Capella Cruise Has The Only Water Slide In Ha Long Bay!

Probably not your number 1 priority when shopping for an Ha Long Bay cruise, but hey, for all it’s worth, our family loved it and its spices up the cruise! Also… if your kids see it and you’re on another ship… good luck!

2- Capella Cruise Family Rooms

The family rooms are the first reason we considered Capella Cruise, amongst the hundreds of other choices!

On most other cruise lines, you get very small cabins, and when you travel with children, they sleep on narrow beds, hard mattresses, and the beds go up in the walls during the day. On Capella Cruise, however, the Family Suite is a very large, 2-room suite, with the parental room and its gigantic bed, and a kids’ room with three individual beds. The mattresses and the bedding are the very best!

Every bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with a standalone tub over viewing the bay! The Family Suite has a built-in tub, but the view is just as fantastic! And everyone has a large balcony as well!

In the room, you will find refillable water bottles, with water stations scattered around the ship, as well as Crocs for the whole family, to wear in the cabin or around the ship.

3- Daily Water Activities

Every day after lunch, Capella Cruise anchors in a beautiful bay, surrounded by some of the most gorgeous scenery our planet has to offer.

For a few hours, you are free to kayak anywhere in the bay. Our kids absolutely loved it – they even took naps on the kayak! We spotted locals’ graves on some of the islands, purple crabs, and giant jellyfish (they don’t sting and are a sight to see)!

The use of kayaks is free and included with your cruise – you will be given a life jacket. You can also rent stand-up paddle boards if you wish.

It is during water activities that the slide is open, and you are welcome to swim in the bay as well, enjoy the pool and hot tub, or just jump off the boat, if that’s what your active kiddos prefer to do!

4- All-Inclusive Excursions

Alright – the real reason you are coming to Ha Long Bay, Vietnam and what makes a good experience, great! The excursions are all included in the price of the Capella Cruise!!

You may be very happy to just cruise along the bay and take in the scenery – however, going out and experiencing the islands is the only way to fully take it in.

Depending on the the length of your cruise, you can experience the following excursions, with guides from the ship:

• Bicycle (or golf cart) tour on Cat Ba Island – the only inhabited island in Ha Long Bay: there you will partake in a foot fish massage, tasting of interesting local wines (think cobra wine!!), get a quick geography lesson, and cycle through gorgeous nature
• Three Peach Beach: a quick but sweet stop over at this golden sand beach. The water, a little cold for our liking, was beautiful, and our kids preferred to build a fort on the beach instead. Love that Capella Cruise brings all towels and water bottles on board the speed boat, so you don’t have to!
• Dry cave visit: after a quick speed boat trip, followed by a 15-minute car ride to another part of Cat Ba Island, visit this beautiful dry cave, accompanied by a guide from the ship. Dong Trung Trang is super fun, and unlike most caves, it is over ground, so the temperature is quite warm.
• On disembarkation day, board a bamboo boat to this ocean Dark & Bright Cave, where you can hope to spot one of only 80 langur monkeys left in the world. The government is trying to bring them all to this area of Cat Ba island, to help with conserving and growing the species, as it is one of the most endangered species on the planet. Quick tip – keep an eye out for moving foliage!

5- The Food!!!

We could not believe the gastronomic journey that was Capella Cruise. As with excursion, everyone has the same first dinner, second dinner, and so on. We sailed for 3 nights and all three dinners were incredible!

Dinner is a set menu, but before embarking, you will be asked about food allergies and preferences. From there, the chef will make the necessary changes. I am allergic to oysters and was brought other seafood when oysters were on the menu. We saw several vegetarians being served a totally different menu than ours.

Typically, breakfast and lunch are buffets, though we’ve had a sit-down lunch as well.

We loved being served lunch on embarkation day, as well as breakfast + brunch on disembarkation day. So no one went hungry between leaving the ship and getting back to Hanoi.

6- Different Lengths Of Stay Every Day

This one is a bit of a hard concept to grab, especially if you are used to cruising. With Capella Cruise, your family can choose to cruise 1, 2, or 3 nights (that is, until a new ship is added to the fleet). Because Ha Long Bay is fairly small, the ship anchors in the same anchorage every night, and moves back towards the port to pick up new passengers every day.

While the ship moves back closer to Ha Long City, if you are in between two nights, you will be away on your excursion. On any given day, day 1, 2, and 3 excursions are offered, and depending on which day of YOUR cruise it is, you will partake in that program. So everyone’s Day 1 is the same, no matter the day of the week you embarked.

Here’s the schedule, to help you decide on how many night work best for your family (if you ask me, 3 nights is a must!):

1 NIGHT – lunch and water activities upon embarking the ship, then happy hour en route to the night anchorage, dinner and squid fishing. The next morning, wake up early to visit the Dark & Bright Cave, before enjoying a brunch and disembarkation around 11AM

2 NIGHTS – Embarkation day is the same as for 1-nighters, but as you wake on your first morning, you will board a speed boat to Cat Ba island and enjoy the bike (or golf cart) tour and everything that visit entails, and some beach time at Three Peach Beach. Your second day will be the Dark & Bright Cave / brunch / disembarkation.

3 NIGHTS – Adding on to the 2-night itinerary from above, on your last full day, you will board a speed boat to Cat Ba island and visit Dong Trung Trang Cave! Disembarkation days is Dark & Bright Cave / brunch / disembarkation.

At the end of each excursion, the speed boat will take you back to the anchorage near the city, when you will have lunch shortly after the new guests embark. From there awaits a daily afternoon of water activities.

7- Squid Fishing

Depending on your level of comfort with fishing, this can be a really neat thing to experience. We had never even heard of squid fishing, but squid is plentiful in Ha Long Bay and every night, sailors can fish with the crew. The squid is prepared fresh the following day and it is a very cool experience offered by Capella Cruise, where the kids are more than welcome to join!

8- Getting To Ha Long Made Easy

While we did not use the premium shuttle offered by Capella Cruise, know that it is available. It will pick you up in Hanoi city and drop you off at the cruise terminal, and take you back again after the cruise.

9- Daily Snacks and Happy Hour

Between water activities and dinner, there is about an hour of sailing. We recommend hitting the top decks for a 360-view and for free snacks.

The tropical fruits are amazing and plentiful and Capella Cruise adds some other finger food. It is best enjoyed watching the sun set on this UNESCO World Heritage Site, cocktail in hand, during the buy-2-get-1-free Happy Hour.

10- Daily Cooking Demonstrations

Every night, between Happy Hour and dinner is a cooking demonstration. A member of the crew will teach guests how to make the famous spring rolls. Sailors can partake in the class and roll their own rolls, which are later fried and enjoyed as the night falls!

A really neat Capella Cruise experience!

Best Halong Bay Cruise For Families With Kids

While I am sure other cruise lines do a fine job at hosting families, we can’t recommend Capella Cruise enough when cruising overnight with kids on Halong Bay!

The crew is incredible, the Family Room is extraordinary, and the offerings are second to none. You will love the food, the kindness of the people, the included excursions, and all of the activities on board and in the water.

We have loved our 3 nights with Capella Cruise and can’t thank them enough for hosting us. All opinions are our own.

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