2-Night Halong Bay Cruise From Hanoi, Vietnam

My desire to visit Vietnam was ignited the first time I glimpsed a photograph of Halong Bay. It countered the image of Vietnam I had conjured in my head; the one where chaotic streets are overcrowded with motorbikes and stifled with pollution.

The Halong Bay pictures showed a different scene entirely – one of tree-covered karst mountains rising from an azure sea. I was intent on traveling to Vietnam just to see Halong Bay with my own eyes. I didn’t know it then, but my expectations would be surpassed when we sailed through those karsts on a 2-Night Halong Bay Cruise!

 

Our Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi 

Choosing a 2-night Halong Bay tour from Hanoi is not easy – there are so many choices! We waited to book our cruise until after we arrived in Hanoi. Rather than reading fellow traveler reviews online, we waded through mounds of glossy brochures while eating breakfast at our hotel. The staff helped explain our options from a cheap Halong Bay day trip to an extravagant Halong Bay luxury cruise. 

 

Choosing From The Best Halong Bay Cruises

Although there are numerous Vietnam cruise companies from budget to luxurious, they all seem to offer similar packages that include single day trips or overnight expeditions. We were told that the differences in price would be apparent, not just in the quality of the boat but also in the food and the experience of the tour guides too.

We settled on a mid-range company, AClass Cruises for our trip. While not a luxury operation, they are also not one of the budget cruises (which we heard some horror stories about!). Once we settled on a company, we had one more choice to make: How many nights?

 

Halong Bay Cruise Options

Although we were on a budget, we knew a Halong Bay day tour would not be long enough for us. We wanted to experience a Halong Bay boat overnight so that we could wake up at sea. However, the biggest decision for us was the how many days on the boat: Should we go on a Halong Bay 2-day cruise…or push our budget for a 3-day cruise? 

 

Halong Bay Cruise for 1 or 2 Nights?

We knew we wanted to be on a Halong Bay overnight boat – but we had to consider three major factors when choosing between a Halong Bay 1-night cruise or 2-night trip: Time, Money and Experience. The 2-Night Halong Bay Cruise quickly became the clear winner.

How the Halong Bay 2-night cruise won us over was the advantage of having a full day on the water away from the crowds. A Halong Bay 3-day cruise features deeper exploration with a more intimate group of travelers.

Halong Bay was what lured us to Vietnam in the first place, so we were willing to stretch our budget for an extra day on the sea amidst the giant karsts. We know we made the right choice, because the full day of Halong Bay sightseeing was one of the highlights of our time in Vietnam!

Read reviews and check prices for Halong Bay Cruises!

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Halong Bay Cruise Itinerary

Wondering what to do in Halong Bay for three days? No need to worry! If you visit Halong Bay on a junk boat cruise all of the planning is taken care of – and will include all the top things to do.

While small details may differ, each Halong Bay cruise itinerary includes similar activities – like hiking, swimming, kayaking and squid fishing. In our Halong Bay cruise review, we outline the features and highlights of our Halong Bay cruise day-by-day.

 

Day One of Our Halong Bay Boat Trip

Our first day was highlighted by getting that first glimpse of the bay, meeting the crew and fellow passengers, swimming in the sea and feasting on Vietnamese fare.

 

Hanoi to Halong Bay

On the morning we left for the Halong Bay islands, we were informed that we’d been upgraded to a better boat with the same company. (We are unsure if this is a common practice or not.) Included in our Halong Bay tour package was transport from Hanoi to Halong Bay via shuttle bus.

We were picked up at our hotel at 8:00am for the four-hour drive. At the halfway point, we stopped at a shop where we could stretch our legs and use the toilet. Note: With the completion of the new highway, the drive time is now significantly shorter! 

As we traveled from Hanoi to Halong Bay, our on-bus tour guide provided useful information about the area and gave us insight to customs and modern life in today’s Vietnam. Although we were eager to get to Halong Bay, we were enthralled by the passing scenery. We drove through the countryside passing villages and small towns along the way, giving us our first look at Vietnam outside of Hanoi. 

 

Junk Boat Halong Bay: A-Class Opera

When we arrived to the Tuan Chau Marina, we could see hundreds of karsts dotting the horizon and the sight was astounding. We were tendered to our A Class Opera, and were greeted with the smiling faces of the crew. After a brief review of the itinerary for our Halong Bay excursion, we were shown to our room.

The room itself was compact and not as glossy as the photos, but we weren’t on a Halong Bay overnight cruise to stay indoors! The walls and ceiling were dark wood, there was a rainfall shower in the private bathroom and a small window. Best of all, our room had an ice-cold air conditioner.

Once everyone had boarded and the captain’s course was approved, we set off on our Vietnam Halong Bay Tour into the aqueous terrain surrounded by thousands of karsts.

 

Our First On-Board Meal

Much more like a traditional cruise than I thought it would be, we were assigned to a table for meals and had activities succinctly planned throughout the day and evening. Lunch was the first item on the agenda.

We were treated to an amazing feast of seafood as plate after plate after plate of goodness was delivered to our table family-style. We fell into easy conversation with our four other table-mates, who were also two-night Halong cruisers.

 

Rooftop Deck Halong Bay Views

After lunch we retreated to the rooftop deck, mingled with the other passengers and stared in awe at our surroundings. The rocky islands that have evolved in the last 20 million years vary in size and shape and are covered in dense flora. Entrances to caves can be spotted as well as wildlife. We were eager to see monkeys, but only saw a great assortment of birds.

We passed by remnants of floating villages, where generations of families have lived. However, most of the inhabitants have been required to vacate their homes and move onto land. Small fishing boats, usually painted a teal color were scattered about. Rowboats served as floating convenience stores pulling up alongside offering everything from water to batteries, beers and cigarettes.

 

Kayaking on Halong Bay

The first scheduled activity was kayaking. We tendered to an abandoned floating village stocked with kayaks and hopped in for a one-hour paddle through karsts and caves, finding more beauty around every corner. The shallow, green-blue water was still and easy to maneuver in, but regrettably was also ripe with litter.

We were naturally inclined to clear the trash from the water. We collected a few items – a miscellaneous sandal, a water bottle, a beer can – before we realized we were fighting a losing battle. It is quite sad that the natural beauty has been marred by years of careless human interaction. As unsightly as it was, it didn’t impede us from being in awe of the enormous rocks and peaceful atmosphere. 

 

Hiking to Ti Top Halong Bay

The second activity was a hike to the top of a karst. Ti Top, a karst which features a man-made beach, has 425 steps to the top and offers sensational views of Halong Bay. In the humidity, we were dripping with sweat, but every step was worth it for the incredible scenery.

We looked down on the hundreds of little islands, like green paint droplets dripped on a mat of swirling blue. As the sun was beginning to set, the slanted light made the scene all the more magical.

 

Halong Bay Beach at Ti Top

After descending the karst, the man-made beach was a welcome sight and we plunged into the semi-cool, blue water without hesitation. The water was salty and buoyant (or I’ve just been eating too much rice!) and we floated effortlessly as the sky turned pink above us. We made it back to the boat as the last splash of sunset brightened the orange sky.

 

Halong Cruise On-Board Dinner, Karaoke, Squid Fishing

The daylight was gone, but the day was not over. Dinner, much like lunch, consisted of an incredible array of local dishes. Still more was to come; we had an obnoxious, yet entertaining, round of karaoke and then a try at squid fishing. We came up empty, but the entire day had been more than fulfilling. Exhausted and anticipating an even more stellar Day Two of our Halong Bay cruise, we went to bed earlier than most and were gently rocked to sleep in our cove.

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Day Two of Our Halong Bay Boat Cruise

On Day Two, we really learned why a Halong Bay Cruise 3 Days 2 Nights is worth it. As we ventured further into the bay away from the crowds, we found secluded spots for the best Halong Bay attractions. 

 

Waking Up On Halong Bay

Soft morning light was filtering through the window of our cabin and I quickly rubbed the sleep from my eyes remembering where I was: on a junk boat in Halong Bay, Vietnam! It was the second day of our 3-day Halong Bay cruise and we would be spending the day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site.

It was only a little past 6:00am, but I tossed on clothes, grabbed my camera and dashed up to the rooftop deck to take Halong Bay photos at dawn. The boat engines hadn’t yet started and a stillness of the early morning was only broken by a flock of birds soaring across the bay. Of all the Halong Bay sightseeing, the moment of silence and solitude was my favorite part of the Halong boat trip so far. 

It wasn’t long before breakfast was being promptly served at 7:00am and our day trip boat arriving just an hour later. We, along with our four table mates – the only other 3-day passengers on our boat – were making the trip deeper into the bay while the other passengers headed back for the shore. The impending adventure was the reason we booked a 2-night cruise in Halong Bay, Vietnam.

 

Exploring Less-Visited Halong Bay Spots

Our day tour guide, Gam, gave a brief introduction to the day: hiking, swimming, oyster farm, swimming, lunch, kayaking, and more swimming. And the bonus, we were allowed to jump, dive and flip off the top, side and bow of this boat!

The smaller boat was able to navigate narrow coves and shallow waters, taking us through even more astonishing scenery than we had seen the day before. As we made our way into an area compacted with karsts, the crowds thinned out and – besides the fishing boats – we were the only other visible vessel. Gliding among the towering rocks was tranquil; the magnificence never ceasing to take our breath away.

 

Hiking and Swimming in Halong Bay

The sun was still coming up, but the heat was already overbearing by the time we made our first stop. This karst had steps to an outlook and a man-made beach on the shore, very similar to what we had seen at Ti Top the previous day. There were fewer steps, but it was no less strenuous. The hike was worth it though, as it delivered on spectacular views of the water below with no other boats in sight. Once back down, we didn’t hesitate a moment to get into the refreshing water, not yet heated by the sun.

 

Halong Bay Oyster Farm Visit

On the move again, we cruised to an Oyster Farm set back into an inlet. Several floating buildings, including a museum, housing for the staff, a work room and showcase room were all connected by an old, creaking boardwalk that bowed under our weight.

Gam explained how pearls are made and then took us into the workroom to peer over the shoulders of workers as they used precise, dentist-like tools on the oysters to aid in the pearl-making process. It was quite interesting and the final product, set in gold and silver, was gorgeous. 

 

Jumping Off The Boat into Halong Bay

We continued exploring Halong Bay, this time motoring to a private spot where we could jump from the boat and swim in the open water. The guys all raced to the top deck and flung themselves over the side. Without my flip flops, my feet were burning on the wooden deck, giving me little time to contemplate my actions before I, too, went overboard.

After I recovered from a mouthful of the salty water, I floated in the bay and watched and laughed as the sides of the boat were used as launch pads to dive and flip from (quite entertaining for the crew as well!). The nearby natural beach was within swimming distance, but instead of sand, the sea floor was covered in sharp, jagged shells and after a few nicks I opted instead to remain in the refreshing, deeper water.

 

Halong Bay On-Board Lunch

While we swam and explored, the crew had been busy preparing lunch – which turned out to be an even more impressive spread than we had on the large boat! Whole grilled fish, stuffed crab, spring rolls, salad, chicken, prawns and other unknown dishes covered our table leaving hardly any room for our plates and completely filling our stomachs. It was incredible how they managed to create such a feast on board the small boat.

 

Halong Bay Kayak Tour

Soon we arrived at our kayaking spot and moved together as a group, with Gam guiding us. We easily paddled past the giant sea mountains through a series of hidden caves that led into small, secluded lakes, exploring Halong Bay in a way I never imagined.

Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, we seemed to be cut off from the rest of the world. Our only other company were the giant jelly fish that swam by. Monkeys inhabit the islands, but we weren’t lucky enough to see any.

Returning to the boat, we were back in the water for one last relaxing float with the karsts overhead looking down on us. On the hour-long ride back to our junk boat, we lounged on the bow and chatted with Gam. So open and sincere, she told us about her life in Vietnam.

 

Insight To Local Halong Bay Life

Gam’s parents are rice farmers from the countryside. After Gam got married, she moved from the farm onto the floating fishing village where her husband’s family lived. They – along with their two kids – have lived on the water for four year. Just two months ago, however, they were required to move to land, which has been an adjustment to say the least.

Always smiling, she expressed a sense of gratefulness that her children will have a better education and better life on land. However, she also told us of the struggles of her husband’s family who lack land-living skills, like driving, and are unable to find work.

She brightened though when she talked about how much she loves her job and meeting people from all around the world. She said getting to do that was like taking a vacation every day as she learns about different people, customs and lands. All quite humbling, actually.

 

Rejoining Our Halong Cruise

Our day of exploring Halong Bay was complete and we joined the new passengers on our main boat who were on Day One of their cruise. We were treated to a glass of wine and an intense, fiery sunset on the rooftop deck with both the sky and sea turning flame orange. 

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Final Day of Our Halong Bay 3-Day Tour

Next up on our Halong Bay junk boat tour, we participated in on-board activities and took a trip to Amazing Cave. As we sailed toward the marina, we relished our final hours on the water among the karsts. 

 

Tai Chi At Sunrise on Halong Bay

On our second morning of cruising Halong Bay, Vietnam, we woke up early again. Instead of racing outside to take photos, I joined a small group on the rooftop deck at 6:30am for a lesson in Tai Chi. Thankful for the clouds hiding the sun and the cool morning breeze, I followed the moves of the instructor and stretched my way out of my slumber.

 

Halong Bay Cave: Amazing Cave

After a quick breakfast of Pho (they eat it for every meal in Vietnam), we tendered to Amazing Cave, which was, in fact, amazing. The limestone karsts often contain caves as rain and sea water have left their mark over the millions of years, but this is one of the largest. Stairs and paths led us through three connected caves, each one bigger than the previous.

Enormous stalactites dripped from the ceiling onto their counterpart stalagmites below. Colored lights illuminated the stones, which somewhat disturbed the natural setting, even though it was pretty. Getting a glimpse of the rocks both inside and out made us wonder just how much more there was to discover in the bay.

 

Cooking Class On-Board Our Halong Bay Cruise

Alas, one activity remained when we returned: a cooking demonstration. The chef was teaching us how to make the popular Vietnamese spring roll. Pork, sprouts, two kinds of mushrooms, carrots, potato, spices and herbs were all finely chopped then mixed by hand.

We were given thin sheets of rice paper and a scoop of the mixture to make into spring rolls. I have a sneaking suspicion this just may have been a ploy to put us to work after loafing on the boat for three days! All the same, with my love of cooking, I thoroughly enjoyed this Vietnamese Cooking Class!

 

Meeting Our Halong Bay Cruise Captain

While the staff was frying up our spring rolls and the rest of lunch we had free time. Despite the heat, I headed out of the air conditioned cabin (where the staff had decided to put on a DVD of the 2012 movie, 21 Jump Street) to get my last look at the karsts while cruising Halong Bay, Vietnam.

As I passed the wheelhouse, I asked the captain if I could take a picture inside. He surprised me by saying I could also take the wheel. This was not at all the lazy, barely-move-the-wheel steering. I had to spin the wheel, making up to 12 rotations, just to slightly alter our direction. With all the junk boats heading back to port and the many fishing boats in the water, it was quite the task. One I was happy to leave to the professionals!

 

Final Lunch & Sailing Back To Shore

Our last meal was as fabulous as all the others (the spring rolls were the best yet!) and we continued to wonder how they were able to turn out so much food so quickly that was so good. Soon we were back on land and our three days of cruising Halong Bay, Vietnam had come to a close. Back in a van, we started the long trip from Halong Bay to Hanoi and mentally preparing for all it’s organized chaos.

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Our Top Tips For Your Halong Bay, Vietnam Cruise

Our best Halong Bay cruise recommendation: Don’t get too caught up in the details. Last minute changes may occur. Like a lot of things in Vietnam, what is presented isn’t always exactly what is delivered. Try not to agonize what is happening behind the scenes; instead focus on the big picture: getting to spend time on the water while marveling at the karsts. Still, here are a few of our takeaways.

• The iconic Halong sails will most likely not be raised on any of the boats.
• Jumping from the big Halong Bay junk boats is no longer allowed – and may not be possible from the smaller boats either.
• Beautiful Cave (or any other cave) might be visited instead of Amazing Cave.
• The guide on the shuttle bus may not be the guide on the boat (or even the same passengers for that matter).

 

What You Need For Your Trip to Halong Bay

Make sure you pack the essentials! In warm weather, you will need a swimsuit and sunscreen. In cool weather, you may actually want a jacket. Also, don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable walking shoes for the caves. Sarah’s Packing List always includes these shoes by Columbia, while Kris prefers wearing trail shoes by Merrell.

We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos of Halong Bay. Rather than relying on your phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual travel camera for high quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos) and a Canon PowerShot ELPH (which takes beautiful pictures and is a slim and lightweight budget camera).

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Final Thoughts On Our 2-Night Halong Bay Cruise

Looking back at our experience on Halong Bay, we couldn’t have imagined spending only one night. We would have felt rushed – in and out and gone. On the first day of our 2-night Halong Bay Cruise, we sailed into surrounding karsts. However, we did so with about 20 other boats the same size as ours. Although the scenery was like nothing we had seen before, several boats all anchoring in the same cove was a bit of a racket.

Perhaps if our visit to Vietnam had been limited to only one week, then one night might have sufficed. But, spending the second day on Halong Bay away from the crowds and in the hidden coves was exactly how I first envisioned visiting Halong Bay would be. We felt solitude among the quiet nature – just us and the karsts and the sea.

 

Start planning your trip to Vietnam! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing!  Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

 

Vietnam Travel Guides

Over the years we have visited Vietnam multiple times and covered the country from North to South. Our free and honest travel articles can help you decide how to plan your amazing vacation to Vietnam!

• 2 Week Vietnam Itinerary
• Hanoi Itinerary
• What To Eat in Hanoi
• Hanoi Walking Tours
• Ninh Binh Things To See
• Best of Hoi An, Vietnam
• Top Things To Do in Da Nang
• Visiting Hue, Vietnam
• Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
• Top Saigon Craft Beer Bars
• Relaxing on Phu Quoc Island
• Visiting Dalat in the Central Highlands

 

 

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