Halong Bay Cruise Itineraries
Choosing a Halong Bay cruise is not only about choosing a boat. The itinerary is just as important. Different cruises visit different areas of Halong Bay and offer different activities and attractions.
There are 3 main cruise routes in the Halong Bay area: Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay. Each route has its own approved cruising areas, attractions, and activities. Cruise itineraries on these routes are managed by the local authorities, so cruises must follow their assigned routes and cannot freely change their itineraries.
For each route, cruises normally offer two itinerary lengths: 2 Days 1 Night (2D1N) or 3 Days 2 Nights (3D2N).
The main difference between the two is the second day. On a 2D1N cruise, you usually spend one afternoon and one morning exploring the bay. On a 3D2N cruise, the extra day allows you to go deeper into the more remote parts of Halong Bay, visit more attractions, or simply spend more time kayaking and swimming.
Below is CruiseInHalongBay.com's breakdown of the typical Halong Bay cruise itineraries for each route, including the main attractions and activities you can expect.
1. Halong Bay Cruise Itineraries
Halong Bay is the most famous cruise route, with notable attractions such as Sung Sot Cave and Titov Island.
2 Days 1 Night
Day 1: Board the cruise around noon and have lunch while sailing through Halong Bay. In the afternoon, visit Sung Sot Cave and Titov Island, with time for kayaking, swimming, or climbing to the viewpoint. Back on board, enjoy a cooking class, sunset, and dinner.
Day 2: Start with Tai Chi and breakfast, then visit Luon Cave by kayak or bamboo boat. After brunch, check out and leave the cruise around noon.
3 Days 2 Nights
The first and last days are similar to the 2D1N itinerary, but you get one extra full day in the middle to explore.
Day 2: After a light breakfast, take a day boat to explore Trinh Nu Cave by kayak. After lunch, relax and swim at Ba Trai Dao Beach, then visit Tung Sau Pearl Farm. Return to the main cruise in the afternoon and enjoy the sunset and dinner.
2. Lan Ha Bay Cruise Itineraries
Lan Ha Bay has become a popular alternative to Halong Bay in recent years. This bay is known for being less touristy, with a more relaxed atmosphere and easy access to Cat Ba Island.
2 Days 1 Night
Day 1: Board the cruise around noon and have lunch while sailing into Lan Ha Bay. In the afternoon, visit Dark & Bright Cave by kayak or bamboo boat. Back on board, enjoy a cooking class, sunset, and dinner.
Day 2: Start with Tai Chi and breakfast, then visit the Tra Bau area for kayaking and swimming. After lunch, check out and leave the cruise around noon.
3 Days 2 Nights
The first and last days are similar to the 2D1N itinerary, but you get one extra full day in the middle to explore.
Day 2: Take a day boat to Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island. Explore the peaceful village by bicycle or electric vehicle. After lunch, continue to a quiet area of Lan Ha Bay for swimming, kayaking, and relaxing before returning to the main cruise.
3. Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise Itineraries
Bai Tu Long Bay is the hidden gem of the three. It has many of the same beautiful landscapes and activities as Halong Bay, but with a much quieter atmosphere.
At CruiseInHalongBay.com, we believe this is currently the most authentic part of the bay. Some standout attractions include Thien Canh Son Cave, Vung Vieng Village, and the Cong Do area.
2 Days 1 Night
Day 1: Board the cruise around noon and have lunch while sailing deeper into Bai Tu Long Bay. In the afternoon, visit Cap La Island for kayaking, swimming, and relaxing on the beach. Back on board, enjoy the sunset, a cooking demonstration, and dinner.
Day 2: Start with Tai Chi and breakfast, then explore the bay by kayak or visit a floating fishing village. After brunch, check out and leave the cruise around noon.
3 Days 2 Nights
The first and last days are similar to the 2D1N itinerary, but you get one extra full day to explore the quieter parts of Bai Tu Long Bay.
Day 2: Take a day boat to explore Cong Dam, with time for kayaking and swimming. After lunch, visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village and see how local fishermen live and work. Return to the main cruise in the afternoon and enjoy the sunset and dinner.
