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

Two bays, one small boat, plenty to do. This two-day cruise pairs the famous limestone scenery of Ha Long Bay with the quieter waters of Lan Ha Bay, then adds kayaking, swimming, a village visit, and an overnight cabin. I like the mix of active outings and easy time on deck, plus the price includes meals, transport, entrance fees, and a private en-suite cabin.

I especially like the chance to kayak through a calmer part of the bay and cycle to Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island. The main drawback is the long road transfer, about three hours each way, so a good part of your first and last day is spent on the bus rather than the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Kayak through Lan Ha Bay: You paddle on your own through a quieter section of the bay, weather permitting.
• Swim at Three Peaches Islet: The stop gives you time in the water rather than only a quick photo pause.
• Sleep in a deluxe cabin: Each cabin has air conditioning, hot water, and a private bathroom.
• Cycle 5 kilometers to Viet Hai Village: The ride passes through the Cat Ba National Park area and ends at a small mountain village.
• Enjoy a full onboard program: Meals, a cooking class, squid fishing, music, and sunset time fill out the evening.
• Round-trip transport is included: Pickup is available in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with a stop in Hai Phong along the way.

Why this two-day bay cruise works

The best reason to choose this trip is variety. A one-day bay outing can give you fine views, but it often feels like a race between boat stops. Here you have an overnight cabin, two lunches, dinner, breakfast, kayaking, swimming, and a morning village visit.

I also like the route’s quieter side. Ha Long Bay is famous and photogenic, but Lan Ha Bay gives you a less crowded setting for kayaking and sailing. The scenery remains dramatic: pale limestone islands rise from the water in every direction, while the boat moves between sheltered coves and open stretches of bay.

The cruise is not a luxury yacht experience in the private-island sense. It is a reasonably priced, activity-filled overnight boat with deluxe cabins and a set schedule. At $128 per person, the value comes from having transport, meals, activities, admission fees, and accommodation bundled together.

You should expect a busy two days, but not a punishing one. One guide, Hi, is praised for keeping the pace comfortable while still offering enough to do. That balance matters here. You can kayak, swim, cycle, and join the evening activities, yet you also have time to sit quietly and watch the islands pass.

The Hanoi to Beo Harbor transfer

Your day starts around 7:00 or 7:15 in Hanoi. If your hotel is inside the Old Quarter, the shuttle bus can pick you up there. Otherwise, you go to the meeting point at 160 Tran Quang Khai Street at about 7:15.

The road journey takes roughly three hours, with a 30-minute break in Hai Phong. This is the practical tradeoff for starting from Hanoi. You avoid arranging separate transport to the coast, but the first day is not a full morning on the water.

You should arrive at Beo Harbor around 11:30. Staff meet you in the waiting room at about 11:50, then you board the cruise and receive a welcome drink. Keep your passport or ID card handy, and carry some cash for personal expenses.

The transport returns you to Hanoi on the second afternoon. After disembarking at Beo Harbor around noon, you take the bus back through Hai Phong and reach Hanoi at about 4:00. The listed drop-off points are Blue Swimmer Adventures and Hoan Kiem.

Day one: lunch, kayaking, and Three Peaches Islet

Once onboard, lunch is served while the boat sails through the islands. This is a smart start because the view begins immediately, and you do not lose time waiting for a separate sightseeing stop.

After lunch, you have about two hours around Lan Ha Bay. The exact order can vary, but this section includes a guided visit, free time, and sightseeing from the boat. I would use the first part of the afternoon to settle into the cabin, then keep your swimwear and sun protection easy to reach.

At about 2:30, you take a kayak into the bay. The attraction is not a long, technical paddle. It is the chance to move at water level, pass close to the rock formations, and enjoy a quieter stretch away from the larger cruise traffic. You paddle independently, so you get more control over your pace than you would on a fully guided group kayak.

At 3:30, the boat heads to Three Peaches Islet for swimming. The stop is in the southeast of Ha Long Bay and is weather permitting. Bring sunglasses and swimwear, and remember that wet clothes can make the rest of the afternoon uncomfortable if you have nowhere convenient to store them.

The swimming stop gives the day a welcome change of rhythm. After hours of road travel and boat sightseeing, getting into the water makes the outing feel more like a holiday and less like a moving museum visit. Still, conditions can affect the activity, so do not treat swimming as guaranteed.

Sunset, spring rolls, and squid fishing after dark

Around 6:30, you return to the cruise for a cooking class. The featured dish is a fresh spring roll, a simple activity but a good fit for the setting. You are not just watching scenery from a deck. You get a small hands-on introduction to a familiar Vietnamese food.

Dinner follows, with all meals served onboard. The package includes two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast. The food receives particularly strong praise, with meals described as exceptional. That is important on a boat, where you cannot easily choose a restaurant later if dinner disappoints.

The evening program includes a sunset party, fishing equipment for squid fishing, music, karaoke, and dancing at the bar. You can join in or use the evening as quiet time on deck. The schedule gives you options rather than forcing every activity on everyone.

Squid fishing is seasonal and weather dependent in practical terms, even though it is included as an activity. It is best viewed as a pleasant evening diversion, not a guaranteed catch. If you prefer a peaceful night, the cruise’s quiet bay setting should also give you room to simply watch the sky and water.

The deluxe cabin and what the price covers

The cabin is described as fully furnished and includes air conditioning, hot water, and a private en-suite bathroom. A bottle of mineral water is provided in each cabin, along with the welcome drink on arrival.

For $128 per person, you receive:

• Round-trip shuttle transport from Hanoi
• A deluxe en-suite cabin
• Two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast
• Entrance and sightseeing fees
• Kayaking and fishing equipment
• Swimming, when weather allows
• A professional English-speaking guide
• Music entertainment and the cooking class

That is a fair package for an overnight bay cruise, especially because the expensive parts of the trip are already combined. You should budget separately for personal spending and any service not named in the inclusions. A single supplement of $45 applies if you want a cabin without sharing.

The word deluxe should be read in context. You get the essential comforts for a night on a cruise boat, not a large hotel room. If you need a lot of cabin space, ask for the cabin details before booking. If you mainly want a clean private room, air conditioning, and hot water between activities, the setup covers those needs.

Day two: cycling into Viet Hai Village

The second morning begins with breakfast in a quiet bay at around 7:00. This early meal is followed by the trip’s most distinctive land activity: a bicycle ride of about 5 kilometers to Viet Hai Village.

Viet Hai is a small settlement in the middle of jungle-covered hills on Cat Ba Island, within the Cat Ba National Park area. The route gives you a break from boat scenery and lets you see a more rural side of the island. The village visit lasts around three hours and includes a guided tour, a walk, tea, and sightseeing.

I like this part because it adds a human scale to the trip. Limestone islands and open water can begin to blend together after a while. A village visit gives the morning a clear purpose and lets you experience the island beyond the cruise deck.

The bicycle ride does require reasonable mobility. The tour is not suitable for people over 95, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. The provided information does not give a detailed accessibility assessment, so you should ask the operator directly if cycling, walking, or boat boarding may be difficult for you.

Lunch is served on the boat at about 10:45. That early timing may feel unusual, but it allows the group to eat before disembarking at Beo Harbor around noon. You then board the bus for the return trip to Hanoi.

The quieter side of Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay

The scenery is the star, but the route choice shapes how much you enjoy it. Lan Ha Bay is highlighted as a quieter area, which makes it useful for kayaking and slower sightseeing. Ha Long Bay brings the name recognition and famous limestone formations.

You will spend much of the cruise looking outward, so choose this trip if natural scenery matters more to you than formal attractions. The program does not focus on museums, monuments, or long historical talks. Instead, it gives you water, islands, a village, food, and a handful of active stops.

The cruise also makes a sensible choice for people who want structure. You do not need to plan separate transport, meals, harbor transfers, or admission tickets. The guide handles the schedule in English or Vietnamese, and optional audio guidance is available in those languages.

The tradeoff is flexibility. You follow the boat’s timetable, and the swimming schedule may change with weather. The itinerary is full enough that spontaneous detours are unlikely.

Food, staff, and the pace onboard

The staff are one of the strongest parts of the experience. The scenery may bring you aboard, but attentive service can decide how comfortable the two days feel. Guide Hi receives particular praise for giving people time to relax while keeping the day active.

Food is another bright spot. You receive a welcome drink, three main meals across the trip after arrival, and a bottle of water in the cabin. The spring roll cooking class adds a bit of fun rather than simply putting meals in front of you.

A fish foot massage was also enjoyed by at least one person on the trip, but it is not listed among the included services. Treat that as a possible extra or occasional offering, not something to count on when comparing prices.

The 4.6 rating from 45 reviews suggests strong overall satisfaction, though no rating tells you how a particular departure will run. Weather, boat conditions, group dynamics, and the guide assigned to your departure can all affect the mood.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a compact introduction to northern Vietnam’s bay scenery without building the entire trip yourself. It suits couples, friends, and active families who like having several optional activities during a short break.

It is also a good fit if you dislike the idea of spending all your time on the main Ha Long route. The Lan Ha Bay section offers quieter water for kayaking and a calmer setting for the overnight portion.

You may want a different option if you prefer a slow, highly private cruise, dislike long bus transfers, or want a more polished luxury experience. The three-hour ride from Hanoi and three-hour return are real parts of the trip, not minor footnotes.

Pack a passport or ID card, sunglasses, swimwear, and cash. Keep a light change of clothes accessible rather than buried in your cabin luggage. You should also check availability for the exact starting time before booking, since departure details can vary by selected option.

Should you book the $128 cruise?

Book it if you want strong value and a full schedule. The combination of kayaking, swimming, Viet Hai Village, meals, and an overnight cabin gives you much more than a quick bay sightseeing ride.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to someone visiting Hanoi with only a short amount of time for the coast. You get transport, a guide, food, and the main activities in one booking, while the quieter Lan Ha Bay setting helps keep the experience from feeling too rushed.

Skip it if the bus journey sounds tiring or if you want complete control over your days. For most people who want an affordable two-day cruise with plenty to do, the price is well matched to what is included.

FAQ

How long is the Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay cruise?

The cruise lasts two days. Pickup from Hanoi begins around 7:00 or 7:15 on the first day, and the return to Hanoi is expected around 4:00 on the second day.

Is pickup from a Hanoi hotel included?

Pickup is available for hotels inside Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The bus collects passengers at about 7:00. You can also meet the bus at 160 Tran Quang Khai Street at about 7:15.

Where does the cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Beo Harbor. Staff welcome you in the harbor waiting room at about 11:50 AM.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast. A welcome drink and one bottle of mineral water in each cabin are also included.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay is included, along with fishing equipment. The program also includes swimming when weather permits.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Swimming is scheduled at Three Peaches Islet. It depends on the weather, so it is not guaranteed for every departure.

What happens at Viet Hai Village?

You take a bicycle ride of about 5 kilometers to Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island. The visit includes a guided tour, sightseeing, tea, and walking time.

Is there a single supplement?

Yes. A single supplement of $45 applies for solo occupancy.

What languages are available for the tour?

The live guide service is available in English and Vietnamese. Optional audio guidance is also listed in English and Vietnamese.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, sunglasses, swimwear, and cash for personal expenses.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.