Hanoi: 2-Day Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay Cruise with Kayaking

The best part of this two-day bay cruise is the mix of scenery and activity. You paddle your own kayak, swim near Three Peaches Islet, watch the sunset from the boat, and then ride a bicycle through Cat Ba National Park to Viet Hai Village. It is more than a quick boat ride past limestone islands.

I like the quieter Lan Ha Bay route and the easy rhythm of the trip. You get time to relax between activities, while the spring-roll class, squid fishing, music, and village visit keep the cruise from feeling like two long days on deck. Guide Hi is praised for keeping the schedule active without making it feel rushed. The main drawback is the long road transfer from Hanoi, plus the fixed group itinerary and single supplement of $45.

Key points to know before booking

• Quieter sailing areas: The cruise spends time in Lan Ha Bay as well as Ha Long Bay, with less crowded sections highlighted as a major part of the experience.
• A useful mix of activities: Kayaking, swimming, squid fishing, cooking, and a bicycle ride to Viet Hai Village give you several ways to experience the bay.
• Comfortable overnight setup: Your deluxe cabin includes air conditioning, hot water, an en-suite bathroom, and a bottle of mineral water.
• Meals are covered: The package includes two lunches, one dinner, and breakfast, along with a welcome drink.
• Long transport days: The shuttle takes about three hours each way, with a 30-minute break in Hai Phong.
• Good value at $128: The price covers transportation, meals, cabin, guide, entrance fees, and listed activities, though personal expenses and the single supplement cost extra.

Why two days works better than a quick bay trip

Ha Long Bay is famous for its tall limestone formations rising from the water. The trouble with a short visit is that the road from Hanoi takes a large part of the day. A two-day cruise gives you enough time to get on the water, take part in activities, eat on board, and sleep among the islands rather than rushing back after a few hours.

This cruise also includes Lan Ha Bay, where the schedule emphasizes quieter areas. That matters if you want the famous karst scenery without spending every minute in the busiest part of the bay. You still see Ha Long Bay, but the trip puts equal weight on Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island.

At $128 per person, the price is strong for a two-day package. You are paying for the round-trip shuttle, one night in a private deluxe cabin, three meals on board, entrance fees, a guide, kayaking, swimming, fishing equipment, and entertainment. It is not a bare-bones overnight boat trip.

You should still budget for personal expenses. The single supplement is $45, and the package does not cover anything not specifically listed. Bring cash for small purchases and extras.

The Hanoi to Beo Harbor transfer

Pickup from hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is scheduled around 7:00 a.m. You can also meet the shuttle at 160 Tran Quang Khai Street at 7:15 a.m. The road journey takes about three hours, with a 30-minute stop in Hai Phong.

The timing deserves attention. The schedule gives arrival at Beo Harbor around 11:30 a.m., with staff waiting in the harbor area at about 11:50 a.m. These times are close enough that you should follow the confirmed pickup instructions carefully and keep your phone available on the morning of departure.

The long bus ride is the least exciting part of the experience, but it is a normal tradeoff for reaching Cat Ba and the bay from Hanoi. The return follows the same pattern, with roughly three hours on the bus and an expected arrival back in Hanoi around 4:00 p.m. Do not plan a tight evening connection.

At Beo Harbor, staff welcome you and take you aboard. A welcome drink starts the cruise, and your cabin includes air conditioning, hot water, and a private en-suite bathroom. That private cabin makes a real difference after a day in the sun and on the water.

Lunch among the islands

The first lunch is served while the boat moves through the island scenery. This is a good use of time because you can eat without giving up the first views of Lan Ha Bay.

The schedule gives roughly two hours for the first Lan Ha Bay visit, including lunch, a guided introduction, free time, and sightseeing. You will want to keep your camera close, but do not spend the whole meal looking through it. The scenery is best enjoyed from the deck, where the changing angles of the islands become part of the cruise.

The package includes two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast. The food receives strong praise, with one especially positive comment about the meals and the spring-roll activity. Since meals are served on board, you avoid the need to find restaurants during the cruise, though the menu and meal choices are not specified in the tour details.

Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay

The main active portion of the first afternoon is a kayaking session. You paddle your own kayak through the bay, giving you a closer view of the water and islands than you get from the larger cruise boat.

The schedule allows about three hours for the bay visit, including kayaking, swimming, sailing, and sightseeing. That does not mean three solid hours of paddling. You will have time to switch between activities and enjoy the setting without turning the session into a workout.

Bring swimwear, sunglasses, and a change of clothes. Swimming is weather permitting, so poor conditions can affect this part of the program. The tour provides kayaking equipment, but you should follow the guide’s instructions and keep personal items secure.

The quieter sections of Lan Ha Bay are a major reason to choose this trip. You still get the dramatic limestone scenery associated with Ha Long Bay, but the route is designed to include less crowded areas. That can make kayaking feel calmer and more personal, even though the overall cruise follows a set group schedule.

Swimming near Three Peaches Islet

Swimming is scheduled at Three Peaches Islet, described as being to the east-south of Ha Long Bay. This is a simple but welcome break after the kayak outing.

The schedule places swimming around 3:30 p.m., which gives you a chance to cool off before returning to the boat. If you prefer not to swim, you can use the time to relax and enjoy the view. The package does not promise swimming in all weather, so treat it as a planned activity that may change with conditions.

You should bring your own swimwear and cash, and keep valuables to a minimum. The tour provides fishing equipment for the evening activity, but the details do not mention towels or personal waterproof storage, so pack accordingly.

Sunset, spring rolls, and an evening on board

Back on the boat around 6:30 p.m., you take part in a cooking class focused on fresh spring rolls. This is a short hands-on activity rather than a full Vietnamese cooking course, but it adds a useful local touch to the evening.

Dinner follows, then the boat offers squid fishing, karaoke, and music at the bar. The tone is social and informal. If you want a quiet night, you can simply enjoy the bay after dark and skip the entertainment. If you like group activities, the evening gives you a chance to meet the people sharing the cruise.

The sunset party is one of the more relaxed parts of the trip. It is not a formal performance or a major shore excursion. Think of it as a pleasant period on the boat, with the light changing over the islands and time to have a drink or join the activities.

You sleep on board in the deluxe cabin. Air conditioning and hot water are included, but the tour details do not specify cabin size, bed arrangement, or how rooms are assigned. Solo passengers should note the $45 single supplement.

Breakfast in a quiet bay and the ride to Viet Hai

Day two begins with breakfast at 7:00 a.m. in a quiet bay. This early start gives you time to see the water before the day’s main excursion.

At 8:00 a.m., you begin a five-kilometer bicycle ride to Viet Hai Village. The village sits among the jungles and high mountains of Cat Ba National Park. The route adds a land-based view of Cat Ba, a useful change after a day spent on the water.

The bicycle ride is not just transportation. It gives you a slower look at the island and its natural surroundings. You will want comfortable clothing and shoes, especially if you are not used to cycling. The tour details do not state the bicycle type, road surface, or level of physical difficulty, so ask the operator if you have concerns about the five-kilometer ride.

A visit to Viet Hai makes this cruise different from an itinerary that stays entirely on the boat. The village portion is scheduled for about three hours and includes a guided visit, tea, walking, and breakfast in the listed stop details. The main day-by-day plan places breakfast before the bicycle ride, so expect the exact order to follow the guide and boat schedule.

One unusual detail from the experience is a fish-foot massage, which is mentioned in the praise for the trip. It may be part of the village visit or an optional local activity, so ask your guide whether it is included in your departure.

Returning through Cat Ba and back to Hanoi

Lunch is served on the boat around 10:45 a.m. Afterward, the group returns to Beo Harbor and disembarks around noon. A bus then takes you back toward Hanoi, with another break in Hai Phong.

The return transfer ends at the original Hanoi meeting area or at the listed drop-off points, including Blue Swimmer Adventures and Hoan Kiem. Hotel drop-off is also described for the return, so confirm the exact point when you book.

The second road journey is worth planning around. The advertised arrival is about 4:00 p.m., but road conditions can affect timing. Keep your evening flexible, especially if you have a train, flight, or another paid activity.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would choose this trip if you want more than scenery but do not want a nonstop adventure schedule. The itinerary gives you active moments, then puts you back on the boat for meals and rest. Kayaking, swimming, cycling, and squid fishing make it a good fit for people who like variety.

It also suits anyone who wants a private cabin without paying for a high-end luxury cruise. The room has the basics that matter most on an overnight boat: air conditioning, hot water, and an en-suite bathroom.

Families and couples may like the range of activities, but the schedule still requires early starts and long bus rides. It may be less suitable if you want a completely private or silent cruise, since karaoke, music, and group activities are part of the evening.

The tour is not suitable for people over 95 years old. It also does not accept electric wheelchairs. If mobility is a concern, ask about the harbor boarding, kayak access, bicycle ride, and village walk before reserving.

What to pack for two days on the bay

Keep your packing simple. You will need:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimwear
• Sunglasses
• Cash
• Comfortable clothes for cycling and walking
• A change of clothes after kayaking or swimming

Your cabin includes a bottle of mineral water, but bringing a reusable bottle can still be useful. The listed inclusions do not mention towels, insect protection, or waterproof bags, so pack those if you need them.

The guide speaks English or Vietnamese, and an optional audio guide is also listed in those languages. The live guide is especially useful during the harbor transfer, activity changes, and Viet Hai visit, when timing matters.

Should you book this Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay cruise?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced overnight cruise with a private en-suite cabin, several included activities, and time in quieter parts of the bay. The best features are the Lan Ha Bay kayaking, the Three Peaches Islet swim, the evening cooking class, and the bicycle ride to Viet Hai Village. The strong rating of 4.6 from 45 ratings fits the trip’s main strengths: scenery, friendly staff, good meals, and a schedule that leaves room to relax.

Think twice if you dislike long bus journeys, early mornings, group entertainment, or fixed departure times. The cruise is not a fully private escape, and the swimming and some outdoor activities depend on weather. For most people who want a well-rounded two-day introduction to Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Cat Ba Island, the $128 price offers solid value.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts two days and includes one night on board the cruise boat.

Is transportation from Hanoi included?

Yes. Round-trip shuttle bus transportation is included. Pickup is available from hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter at about 7:00 a.m., or you can meet the shuttle at 160 Tran Quang Khai Street at 7:15 a.m.

What meals are included?

The package includes two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast, all served during the cruise.

What activities are included?

Kayaking, swimming when weather permits, squid fishing, music entertainment, a spring-roll cooking class, and a bicycle ride to Viet Hai Village are included. Fishing equipment is also provided.

What is included in the cabin?

You receive a fully furnished deluxe en-suite cabin with air conditioning and hot water. A welcome drink and one bottle of mineral water are also included.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available, subject to the booking conditions.