Halong Bay is a must-visit destination for travelers who visit Hanoi, Vietnam. Selecting the perfect cruise for your group can be challenging, even for experienced travelers.
Below we would like to show you the best cruises in Halong Bay in 2024 and 2025 which are good value for money so you can choose for your group when you are traveling to Halong Bay. With several options available, you can carefully consider your group's unique needs and preferences before making a decision.
In Halong Bay, you can choose from different types of cruises, like day cruises, 1-night cruises, and 2-night cruises. Staying overnight on a cruise is our top recommendation as it lets you fully experience the beauty of the bay. Here are the key features of the 2 types of best overnight cruises for you to consider.
A 2-day, 1-night Halong Bay cruise is a great option if you want to soak in the beauty of the bay without spending too much time. To pick the right cruise, look for one with a good mix of activities like kayaking, swimming, and visiting spots like Sung Sot Cave or Titov Island. It’s also worth checking out the cabins, comfortable rooms with private balconies give you that perfect view to wake up to.
Onboard, you’ll want a cruise serving up tasty meals (usually featuring fresh local seafood) and fun things to do like cooking classes or night squid fishing. Whether you’re into smaller, cozier boats or luxury ones with more amenities, the key is finding a cruise that fits your vibe such as Indochine, Classic, or wooden junks, and lets you fully enjoy everything in Halong Bay.
A 3-day, 2-night Halong Bay cruise is a fantastic way to fully enjoy the bay with hiking caves and cycling island. With 2 nights on board, you get to explore less crowded spots like Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay and take part in fun activities like hiking, kayaking, or checking out local fishing villages. Plus, you’ll have plenty of time to kick back on the deck and enjoy those stunning views.
For a 2-night cruise, you should look for the best Halong Bay cruise luxury that balances adventure with relaxation. Make sure the cabins are comfy since you’ll be staying for a bit, rooms with private balconies are a bonus. You’ll also want good food, often with fresh local seafood, and some cool extras like fitness rooms, spa treatments, sunset parties, or visits to hidden beaches.
So, which Halong Bay Cruise to choose? In order to find the perfect Halong Bay cruise for your group, let's start by answering a few simple questions.
When planning your trip to Halong Bay, it's important to consider the varying prices for cruises. The cost of a Halong Bay Cruise ranges from $150 to $250 per person per night, depending on the cruise's star rating. Take some time to determine your budget for the trip, as this will help you decide whether to opt for a budget, deluxe, or luxury cruise experience.
Some travelers lean toward the charm of wooden boats, while others prefer the modern feel of steel ones. The choice really comes down to the kind of experience you're after. Wooden cruises offer a more boutique, authentic vibe, and they tend to be smaller, giving a cozy, intimate feel. On the other hand, steel boats are larger, more spacious, and often seen as safer and more modern.
If you're looking to sail through Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay, you'll find many traditional wooden vessels available. But for those headed to Lan Ha Bay, steel boats are more common, offering a different, more contemporary cruise experience.
Your travel companions play a big role in choosing the right Halong Bay cruise. If you travel with your family members (with kids or the elderly), to choose best Halong Bay cruise for families then you may like some cruises with a large room for 3 people or more. You may like the triple room or the connecting rooms so you can choose some best Halong Bay cruises with kids which have the connecting rooms or the big room for 3 or more people.
For, the best Halong Bay cruise for couples If you are a couple and you may like to travel in a small boat with more privacy and not a too noisy cruise.
If you travel with friends then you may like the best Halong Bay cruise companies with more activities for young people like kayaking, swimming, and karaoke.
The area you choose to cruise in also affects the experience. Halong Bay is the most popular destination, offering well-known spots like Sung Sot Cave, Titov Island, and Luon Cave. While these are breathtaking places, they tend to be more crowded and may have some pollution due to the high foot traffic.
If you're looking for something quieter, Bai Tu Long Bay shows a similar landscape but with fewer visitors, making it a more serene option. For even more tranquility, Lan Ha Bay is the least crowded and most peaceful of the three, though the downside is fewer hiking and cave exploration opportunities compared to Halong Bay.
Choosing the right cruise depends entirely on your group's preferences, there's no one-size-fits-all option. However, the cruises we’ve listed below come highly recommended, with excellent traveler feedback and great value for money. Also, you can contact Halong Bay Cruise Trip to get a consultation for your Halong Bay trip fully.
