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Halong Bay Cruise brings together the most-loved Ha Long Bay cruises in northern Vietnam — 5-star ships with private balcony cabins, overnight stays among almost 2,000 limestone islands, kayaking through hidden lagoons and easy transfers from Hanoi. Every cruise listed here is a real, bookable departure with thousands of verified reviews, so a Ha Long Bay cruise starts as smoothly as it ends.
Check Today’s PriceNearly 2,000 jungle-topped karst towers rise straight out of emerald water — a UNESCO World Heritage landscape found nowhere else on Earth.
Paddle through rock arches into silent lagoons in Lan Ha Bay, swim from quiet beaches and walk through cathedral-sized limestone caves.
Sunset cocktails on deck, dinner under the stars and sunrise tai chi — staying overnight is when the bay is at its most peaceful.
The best-selling overnight Halong Bay cruise. A shuttle collects you in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and, by early afternoon, you are aboard a 5-star ship with your own balcony cabin. The route links the famous towers of Ha Long Bay with the quieter lagoons of Lan Ha Bay: kayaking, swimming, a cave visit, a cooking class and sunset on the sundeck, then tai chi and brunch on the way back. Balcony cabins sell out first — check availability early.
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The highest-rated Ha Long Bay luxury cruise with an overnight stay. The Elite ship pairs balcony cabins with an infinity pool on the top deck and a panoramic restaurant. Days are spent kayaking and swimming in Lan Ha Bay, evenings floating in the pool as the limestone peaks turn gold — the most indulgent way to see the bay.
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The cruise with the most reviews in the region. An elegant 5-star ship sails from Hanoi into Ha Long Bay and on to Lan Ha Bay, where far fewer boats anchor. All meals on board, kayaking or bamboo boating, a beach stop and a cave visit are included — outstanding value for a night on the bay.
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For travellers who want the bay without the crowds. Bai Tu Long Bay, north-east of Ha Long, has the same dramatic scenery but almost no traffic. In a small group you visit a floating fishing village, paddle through quiet channels and spend the night in a bay where hardly another ship drops anchor.
Book This CruiseHa Long means “descending dragon”. Legend tells of a dragon family sent by the gods to defend Vietnam from invaders at sea: the dragons spat jewels and jade into the water, and they hardened into a maze of islands that wrecked the enemy fleet. Geologists tell a slower story — 500 million years of sea, rain and wind carving the limestone into towers, arches and caves. In 1288 General Trần Hưng Đạo lured a Mongol armada onto hidden stakes in the nearby Bạch Đằng River, one of the great naval victories in Vietnamese history. Fishing families still live in floating villages among the rocks. UNESCO listed Ha Long Bay as a World Heritage Site in 1994, and the neighbouring Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba archipelago joined the extended site in 2023. An overnight Halong Bay cruise remains the best way to understand why — once the day boats leave, the bay belongs to the few ships that stay.
Answers to the most common questions about a Ha Long Bay cruise — how long it lasts, what it costs, which cruise to choose and how to get there from Hanoi.
Prices depend on the ship and season. A day cruise from Hanoi usually starts around 40 US dollars per person, while a 2-day overnight cruise on a 5-star ship with a balcony cabin typically costs from about 110 to 180 US dollars per person, including meals, activities and often the Hanoi transfer. Live prices are shown on each booking page.
For a first visit, a 2-day, 1-night cruise that combines Ha Long Bay with Lan Ha Bay offers the best balance of famous scenery and quiet lagoons. Choose the infinity-pool ship for luxury, the Bai Tu Long route to avoid crowds, or a day cruise if you only have one day.
Yes. Day boats spend around four hours on the water, while an overnight cruise gives you sunset, a night at anchor among the islands, sunrise tai chi and time to kayak when the bay is empty. Most travellers rate the night on board as the highlight of their Vietnam trip.
All cruises on this page offer a shuttle from Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The drive takes about 2.5 hours by expressway to the port at Ha Long or Lan Ha. Your exact pick-up point and time are confirmed after booking.
March to May and October to November bring warm, mostly sunny days and calm water. December to February is cool and often misty but atmospheric. July to September is typhoon season, when the coast guard can cancel sailings at short notice — in that case cruises are rebooked or refunded.
Usually your cabin, all meals on board, kayaking or bamboo boat rides, cave entrance, a cooking class and morning tai chi. Drinks, tips and sometimes the transfer are extra — each booking page lists exactly what is included.
Choose a cruise above and book online through the secure booking page. You receive instant mobile confirmation, and most cruises offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Real impressions from travellers who explored Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay on an overnight cruise or a day trip from Hanoi.
Olivia Hart
Waking up on our balcony with mist drifting between the islands was unreal. Worth every cent of the upgrade to a balcony cabin.
Daniel Brooks
Kayaking through a rock arch into a lagoon with nobody else around was the best hour of our whole trip to Vietnam.
Priya Nair
The crew remembered our names from the first meal. Seafood, spring rolls and a fun cooking class on deck — the food alone was a highlight.
Lucas Moreau
We chose the Bai Tu Long route and barely saw another ship all night. A floating village visit at sunrise was magical.
Hannah Kim
The infinity pool at sunset with the peaks glowing orange is something I will never forget. One night felt far too short.
Mateo Silva
Pick-up from our Hanoi hotel was on time and the whole trip ran like clockwork. Easy to book and great value for a 5-star ship.
Short on time? These three top-rated day tours reach Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi or Cat Ba and are back the same evening.
The number-one water activity from Hanoi: a full day on the bay with lunch on board, kayaking, swimming and a cave visit.
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A comfortable luxury ship, a generous buffet lunch and the bay’s most famous islands — back in Hanoi the same evening.
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An active day from Cat Ba Island: cycle through a village, kayak around Lan Ha Bay, explore caves and have lunch on the boat.
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