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

The best part of this two-day cruise is its mix of classic bay scenery and quieter water. You kayak through Lan Ha Bay, swim near Three Peaches Islet, then sleep aboard a deluxe cabin instead of trying to squeeze the whole area into a rushed day trip. I especially like the Viet Hai Village bicycle ride and the chance to enjoy the bay after the day crowds thin out.

I also like that the $128 price covers the cabin, meals, entrance fees, activities, guide, and round-trip shuttle. Guide Hi has been singled out for keeping the schedule active without making it feel packed. The main drawback is the long road transfer from Hanoi, with roughly three hours each way, and the cabin cruise may not suit you if you prefer a land-based hotel.

Key points at a glance

• Kayak through Lan Ha Bay: Paddle at your own pace among the islands and quieter water.
• Swim at Three Peaches Islet: Swimming is planned for the first afternoon, weather permitting.
• Sleep on a deluxe en-suite boat: Your cabin includes air conditioning, hot water, and a bottle of mineral water.
• Cycle 5 kilometers to Viet Hai Village: See a small village surrounded by the mountains of Cat Ba National Park.
• Evening on board: Take part in a spring roll cooking class, squid fishing, karaoke, dancing, or relaxed time on deck.
• Simple all-in pricing: Two lunches, one dinner, breakfast, transport, activities, and sightseeing fees are included.

Why two days works better than a quick bay visit

Ha Long Bay is famous for its tall limestone islands, but a short boat outing can feel like a parade of views through a busy part of the bay. This cruise adds Lan Ha Bay, where the schedule takes you into quieter areas for kayaking, swimming, and sailing.

That extra night matters. You get a sunset on the water, dinner aboard the boat, and an early morning in a quiet bay before the bicycle trip. I find this pace more satisfying than returning to Hanoi the same evening, especially if you want time to stop paddling, sit outside, and simply watch the islands pass.

The route also includes Cat Ba Island and Viet Hai Village. This gives you more than a boat ride and a photo stop. You see a small rural settlement, ride through the island area, and get a feel for how the bay connects with life on land.

Still, the trip is not a private escape. You are traveling on a scheduled cruise with set meal times and group activities. The overall rating is 4.6 from 45 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the scenery, staff, meals, kayaking, and the relaxed balance between activity and free time.

Getting from Hanoi to Beo Harbor

Pickup is available from hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter at about 7:00 a.m. The bus can also meet you at 160 Tran Quang Khai Street at 7:15 a.m. From Hanoi, expect about three hours on the road, with a 30-minute break in Hai Phong.

That transfer is the price of reaching the bay, so plan for a long first morning. You will want breakfast before leaving or a small snack for the bus, since the first full meal is served after boarding. Bring cash, too, for personal expenses.

The cruise begins at Beo Harbor. You are asked to wait there, with staff expected to welcome you at about 11:50 a.m. The timing gives the bus a little room to handle traffic, but you should still arrive on time and keep your passport or ID card handy.

The return follows the same general pattern. After leaving the boat at noon on Day 2, you take the bus back toward Hanoi, stop in Hai Phong, and arrive around 4:00 p.m. Drop-off is listed at Blue Swimmer Adventures or in Hoan Kiem.

Boarding at Beo Harbor and lunch on the bay

At Beo Harbor, you board the cruise and receive a welcome drink. Lunch follows at about 1:15 p.m. as the boat moves through the islands of Lan Ha Bay.

This is a pleasant way to begin because you start seeing the bay while you eat, rather than spending the first hour waiting for an activity. Two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast are included. Meals were one of the most praised parts of the experience, so you can reasonably expect food to be an important part of the trip rather than a minor convenience.

The exact menu is not provided, so bring a snack only if you have specific dietary needs or tend to get hungry between set meals. Personal expenses and services not named in the inclusions are extra.

Kayaking and swimming near Three Peaches Islet

At about 2:30 p.m., you leave the main boat for kayaking. The plan is for you to paddle on your own in the bay, which gives you more control than a short guided paddle where everyone must follow one route.

Kayaking is the most active way to see the islands. From the water, the boat looks smaller and the surrounding cliffs feel closer. You can set your own pace, but remember that this is a group schedule, so you need to return when instructed.

Swimming is planned for 3:30 p.m. at Three Peaches Islet, on the southeast side of Ha Long Bay. This is a useful detail when packing: bring swimwear, a towel if you prefer your own, sunglasses, and sun protection. Swimming depends on weather conditions, so treat it as a planned activity rather than a guarantee.

The afternoon gives you a good balance. Kayaking requires some effort, swimming cools you off, and the cruise then returns you to the boat for a quieter evening. If you do not want to swim, you can still enjoy the scenery and the boat-based activities, but the provided schedule does not describe a separate replacement excursion.

Sunset, cooking class, and an evening on board

Back on the cruise at about 6:30 p.m., you can join a cooking class focused on fresh spring rolls. This is a small but worthwhile activity because it turns dinner preparation into part of the evening, rather than treating meals as breaks between sightseeing stops.

Dinner follows, then the boat offers squid fishing, karaoke, dancing, and music at the bar from about 8:30 p.m. The mood can vary depending on the group, but you have several choices. Join in if you like social evenings, or use the time to sit back and watch the bay after sunset.

The phrase squid fishing can sound more dramatic than it is. The important point is that fishing equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own gear. The schedule offers entertainment, but you are not required to take part in every activity.

Your cabin is a furnished deluxe en-suite room with air conditioning and hot water. Each cabin also includes a bottle of mineral water and a welcome drink. A boat cabin is not the same as a full-size city hotel room, so pack lightly and keep your most-used items easy to reach.

Early breakfast and the 5-kilometer ride to Viet Hai

Breakfast is served at 7:00 a.m. in a quiet bay. The early start is worthwhile because the water should be calmer and the day is still cool enough for the bicycle ride.

At 8:00 a.m., you begin a 5-kilometer ride to Viet Hai Village. The village sits among jungle and the high mountain range of Cat Ba National Park. The ride is not just transport to a sightseeing stop. It lets you see the island at a slower speed, with time for a walk and tea included in the schedule.

This is the strongest land-based part of the tour. Ha Long Bay is about rock formations and water views. Viet Hai adds a small community and a change of pace. You should be comfortable riding a bicycle and spending several hours on the village visit, guided walk, and related activities.

The supplied details do not state the bicycle type, road surface, or degree of difficulty. If you have mobility concerns, ask the provider before booking. Electric wheelchairs are not permitted, and the activity is not suitable for people over 95.

Returning to Beo Harbor and Hanoi

Lunch is served on the boat at about 10:45 a.m. You then disembark at Beo Harbor around noon and board the bus back to Hanoi.

The return journey takes about three hours, with another 30-minute break in Hai Phong. You should reach Hanoi at roughly 4:00 p.m., although road conditions can affect the actual arrival time. Do not schedule a tight evening flight or an important appointment based only on the planned arrival.

The trip ends back at the meeting point, with drop-off listed at Blue Swimmer Adventures or Hoan Kiem. Confirm your preferred drop-off when booking, especially if your hotel is outside the Old Quarter.

What the $128 price really includes

At $128 per person, this cruise offers solid value if you want an overnight bay experience with activities already arranged. The price includes:

• Round-trip shuttle transportation from Hanoi
• A deluxe en-suite cabin with air conditioning and hot water
• Welcome drink and mineral water
• Two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast
• Entrance and sightseeing fees
• Kayaking and swimming, weather permitting
• Squid fishing equipment
• Music entertainment
• An English-speaking professional guide

You are paying for more than transport and a boat seat. The cabin removes the need to arrange a separate night on Cat Ba Island, while the meals and entrance fees keep the basic cost easier to predict.

A single supplement of $45 applies if you want a cabin alone. Personal expenses and any service not specifically listed are extra. For a solo visitor, that supplement is worth considering when comparing the total cost with a shared room.

The value is strongest for someone who wants several activities in two days. If you only care about seeing the islands from the deck, a shorter cruise may be enough. If you want kayaking, swimming, a village visit, and an overnight stay, the package makes more sense.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an active but not overloaded schedule. The program includes water activities, a bicycle ride, a cooking class, and evening entertainment, yet there is still time to relax. Guide Hi is noted for keeping the day from feeling too full while still offering enough to do.

It also suits first-time visitors who want transport from Hanoi handled for them. You do not need to arrange separate transfers to Beo Harbor, boat tickets, activity fees, or a Cat Ba visit.

You may want to choose another option if you dislike long bus rides, shared scheduled activities, or set meal times. The cruise is also a poor fit if you need wheelchair access, since electric wheelchairs are not allowed and the itinerary includes kayaking, swimming, cycling, and walking.

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, sunglasses, and cash. Pack light, and keep anything needed for the first afternoon accessible rather than buried in your main luggage.

Booking advice and flexible plans

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your Hanoi plans are still shifting.

Pickup is optional. If your hotel is inside the Old Quarter, the bus comes to you at about 7:00 a.m. Otherwise, use the meeting point at 160 Tran Quang Khai Street at 7:15 a.m. At Beo Harbor, staff should be waiting around 11:50 a.m.

The cruise offers live guides in English and Vietnamese, with optional audio guides in those languages. The information provided does not give a fixed group size, cabin size, or daily menu, so ask the operator directly if any of those details affect your decision.

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

Book it if you want the bay in more than postcard form. The combination of kayaking, swimming, and an overnight cabin gives you time on the water, while Viet Hai Village adds a useful change of scene. The quieter Lan Ha Bay setting is another strong reason to choose this route.

I would be cautious if your schedule cannot handle six hours of road travel, or if you expect a private, quiet cruise from start to finish. For most people who want a practical two-day introduction to Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Cat Ba Island, the included transport, meals, cabin, and activities make $128 a fair price.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts two days. Pickup from Hanoi is planned for about 7:00 or 7:15 a.m. on Day 1, with return to Hanoi around 4:00 p.m. on Day 2.

Where does the cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Beo Harbor. Staff are expected to welcome you at the waiting room at about 11:50 a.m.

Is hotel pickup from Hanoi included?

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

What meals are included?

The price includes two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast. Lunch is served on both cruise days, dinner is served on Day 1, and breakfast is served on Day 2.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking is included, with time planned in Lan Ha Bay on the first afternoon.

Can I go swimming?

Swimming is included when weather conditions allow. The planned swimming stop is at Three Peaches Islet.

What is included in the cabin?

The cabin is a furnished deluxe en-suite room with air conditioning and hot water. A bottle of mineral water and a welcome drink are also provided.

Is the guide available in English?

Yes. The tour has live guides in English and Vietnamese. Optional audio guides are also listed in English and Vietnamese.

Is a single room available?

Yes. A single supplement of $45 applies if you want a cabin alone.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, sunglasses, swimwear, and cash. You may also want to pack light for the overnight boat stay.