The best Lan Ha Bay cruise

What is the best cruise in Lan Ha Bay?

The 2-day 5-star cruise from Ha Long is the safe pick: over 6,000 reviews, a balcony cabin, all meals and a Lan Ha kayak stop. The others win on something specific: space, price, a second night or a start inside Lan Ha.

All six cancel free up to 24 hours before. Read the table by the column that matters to you: the start pier decides how much of your time is Lan Ha, the transfer and solo columns decide the real price.

"Ask" means the listing names no single supplement; check the price for one guest on the booking page before you commit.

Is there an overnight cruise from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay?

Yes, most of them. The Tuan Chau cruises run an optional shuttle from Hanoi's Old Quarter at about 7:15 to 8:00am, and you board around midday. The two Ben Beo trips go by bus and car ferry to Cat Ba instead.

On the Azura, for example, the shuttle collects guests at 7:30 to 8:00, reaches Tuan Chau wharf at 11:30 to 12:00, and a speedboat takes you out to the ship for check-in at 12:30. The 2-day 5-star and Carnival cruises follow almost the same clock, and Carnival also lists pickups in Ninh Binh (7:05) and at Hanoi airport for a fee.

The Cat Ba trips start earlier and longer. The 2-day kayak, hike and Viet Hai trip picks up at 7:00 and reaches Ben Beo pier at 12:15. That ride is the price of starting inside Lan Ha. If the road is the part you dread, the Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay guide compares every way across.

Should your cruise start at Tuan Chau or Ben Beo?

Tuan Chau if you want the shorter transfer and a big ship; Ben Beo if you want every hour in Lan Ha. A Tuan Chau ship sails through Ha Long Bay first, so part of your trip is Ha Long.

This is the point most listings blur, so here it is plainly. Four of the six cruises in the table check in at Tuan Chau, in Ha Long. The ship cruises out through Ha Long Bay over lunch and reaches Lan Ha for the afternoon kayak and swim. The Azura's kayak stop is Ao Ech lagoon; the 2-day 5-star uses Dark and Bright Cave or the Ao Ech and Tra Bau area.

The Venezia and Beka trips start at Ben Beo harbour, ten minutes from Cat Ba town, and never enter Ha Long Bay. Their boats are smaller, their groups too, and both include a bike ride to Viet Hai village in Cat Ba National Park. The trade is 4 to 5.5 hours by road and ferry each way from Hanoi.

Is a 2-day or a 3-day cruise better?

Two days suits most people: one night, one kayak session, back in Hanoi by mid-afternoon. Pick three days if Lan Ha is the main event of your trip, because the middle day is the only full day on the water.

A 2-day cruise is shorter than it sounds. You board at midday and leave the ship late the next morning, so you get one afternoon of activities, a sunset, a night and a sunrise. Good value, and plenty for many.

The 3-day Rita cruise (from $302) adds a whole day: cycling in Viet Hai village, a cave visit (Gia Luan or Trung Trang, or the Tra Bau and Ao Ech area) and a second quiet night at anchor. The Azura sells a 3-day version too. One honest note from Rita guests: the cave stops can feel rushed when several groups arrive together. Most still came away happy.

★★★★★

A very great experience. It's definitely 100% worth doing the three-day tour every time. (That's what I say, and I was skeptical beforehand [...])

Two nights on board, a pool, a balcony with a bathtub, and a full middle day for Viet Hai village and the caves.

★ 4.7 · 3 days · from $302

Explore the 3-day Rita cruise → Tour details

What is the difference between a 5-star and a 6-star cruise?

There is no official six-star grade. Vietnam rates overnight tourist boats from one to five stars; "6-star" is a sales label for the top tier. What it buys on this site is more space, a pool, a spa and a gym.

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism set up star ratings for overnight tourist boats on the same one-to-five scale as hotels. Above that, operators use "6-star" for their newest, largest ships. Compare what you actually get rather than the number.

• Balcony and bathtub cruise, from $110: the cheapest balcony and bathtub night here. Pool or jacuzzi, cooking class, squid fishing. Suites cost $12 to $110 per person more.
• 2-day 5-star, from $126: balcony, bathtub, pool or jacuzzi, all-day room service, and the most reviews of any cruise on this site.
• 6-star Azura, from $179: a bay-view bathtub by the window, a pool, a spa (treatments extra) and a free gym on a high deck. Second-floor cabins cost $25 per person more, and two VIP rooms $135 more.

What does a Lan Ha Bay cruise price include, and what costs extra?

The price covers your cabin, every meal, the activities and the bay fees. The Hanoi transfer (about $25 per person), drinks, a solo cabin and holiday dates usually cost extra.

Included on all six: a private room, all meals, kayaking or a bamboo boat, swim stops, a guide, and entry and sightseeing fees. Venezia and Carnival advertise "no hidden fees". The extras to budget for:

• Hanoi round-trip shuttle: about $25 per person on the Tuan Chau ships. The Cat Ba trips sell their bus as a booking option.
• Drinks: beyond the welcome drink and cabin water, you pay at the bar. One happy Carnival guest still called the drinks expensive. The Azura runs a buy-two-get-one happy hour at sunset.
• Travelling solo: a private single cabin adds $90 on the 2-day 5-star, $180 on the 3-day Rita and $50 on Venezia.
• Holidays: Carnival adds $40 per person on 24 and 31 December and at Lunar New Year; the Azura adds $5 at Tet; the Rita adds $25 per person in its peak season, 1 October to 30 April, plus Christmas, New Year and national holidays.
• Tips, spa and massages are never included.

The bay ticket itself, about 120,000 VND per adult in 2026, is covered on every cruise here; the fees post has the detail.

What happens on a Lan Ha Bay cruise?

Lunch as you sail, an afternoon kayak or bamboo boat and a swim, sunset on deck, a cooking class, dinner and squid fishing. Day two starts with tai chi, then a cave or village visit and brunch.

The Azura's day one is typical. Check-in at 12:30 and lunch while sailing. From 14:30 to 16:30, a swim in the open sea or the floating pool, or the kayak in Ao Ech lagoon. Sunset party at 17:30, cooking class at 18:15, dinner at 19:15, then music on the top deck and squid fishing off the stern. The captain picks a sheltered spot to anchor.

About that kayak: kayaking is on the itinerary, but on some days crews switch to a rowed bamboo boat at the caves, so check the listing for kayak or bamboo boat before you book. The Venezia boats add karaoke and a morning bike ride to Viet Hai with local wine. The Beka trip swaps the cabin for a bungalow in Viet Hai and adds a night paddle among glowing plankton. There is more on the water side in swimming and kayaking in Lan Ha.

How do you book a Lan Ha Bay cruise, and what do you need?

Book online, then send a copy of your passport at least 24 hours before check-in, because cruises register every guest. Carry the passport itself on the day.

Carnival asks for full passenger details in advance, the 2-day 5-star needs a valid passport on the day of travel, and the Rita and Venezia accept a copy. Give dietary needs when you book; the Tuan Chau ships all list vegetarian options.

Timing matters too. Free cancellation runs to 24 hours before on all six. July to September is typhoon season, and when a storm comes the authorities close the bay: Hai Phong suspended all sea activities from 24 to 26 August 2025 for Storm Kajiki, and boats cancelled. March to May and late September to November are the calm months; the best time to visit breaks it down by month.

Frequently asked questions