The 15 Best Boat Trips from Hanoi

1.Ha Long Bay Day Cruise – Swimming, Meal, Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7,415 reviews · from $41Our pick

Leave Hanoi’s Old Quarter for a full day on Ha Long Bay, with a Vietnamese lunch aboard a deluxe cruise, Sung Sot Cave, kayaking or a bamboo boat at Luon Cave, and time to swim or hike on Titop Island. Guides such as Sunny and Alex lead the trip. Expect a 2.5-hour drive each way and a busy, activity-packed schedule.

“Sunny really showed all the places very well and his humorous is very funny and keep us very lively. Thank you Sunny.”

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2.Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,384 reviews · from $33Best value

This 12 to 13 hour group tour pairs Hoa Lu’s royal temples with a Tam Coc river trip, an optional village bike ride and a climb of nearly 500 steps at Mua Cave. Expect an air-conditioned bus, buffet lunch and an English-speaking guide. Guides named Sunny, Linh and Viet have led tours, though your guide is not guaranteed.

“I liked it better then ha long bay! Cycling was great. Go hiking as high as possible. I'd even recommend to stay there for a night!”

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3.Amanda Cruise – Ha Long, Lan Ha Bay – All Inclusive 2D1N & 3D2N

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,358 reviews · from $56

Travel from Hanoi’s Old Quarter for an overnight Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay cruise with an en-suite cabin, meals, cave visits, and activities such as kayaking, swimming, tai chi, and squid fishing. The route depends on your chosen package. Past departures have had guides including Alex, Dan, Hannah, and Roxanne, but guide assignments can vary.

“We have marked this down one star as the company emailed us with one day's notice to say they were changing our boat to the Hera Grand. The reason being that the one that had previously been confirmed to us was then allocated to a larger group that had come in. That may be good business for them, but isn't customer friendly for people who have booked so far in advance. Other than that, we still enjoyed the trip. The cabin was very nice and the food was excellent. All staff were efficient, friendly and approachable. One big drawback was the lack of internet, even though it is advertised as…”

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4.Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,512 reviews · from $48

Ride from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay for a full day of limestone-island views, a buffet lunch, Sung Sot Cave, and Ti Top Island. Choose kayaking or a bamboo boat, then enjoy a sunset snack and drink onboard. Guides such as Minh, Tim, and Duc have earned praise for clear communication and keeping the day on track.

“Ha Long Bay is awesome and well worth the trip! The best part of the tour was the boat ride where it’s peaceful and you can take in the sites. A note though-it’s all very crowded so just prepare yourself for that. Minh our guide was so great and made the tour even better!”

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5.2-Day Halong & Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise with Balcony

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,300 reviews · from $188

Travel from Hanoi to a one-night cruise through Ha Long and Lan Ha bays. Expect a private balcony cabin, meals aboard, a sunset spring-roll class, and activities such as kayaking, swimming, tai chi, squid fishing, or a bamboo-boat cave visit. The exact stops vary by cruise and conditions, so check which route is planned before you book.

“The whole experience was wonderful and we would recommend it. The only thing I would say is that it isn’t two days but more like 24 hours. It would have been better to have a full second day rather than only til 11 am”

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6.Mon Chéri Cruise 5 star: Unique 2 Days Tuan Chau – Halong bay – Lan Ha Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,422 reviews · from $195

Set sail from Got Pier near Hai Phong for a two-day, one-night cruise through Lan Ha and Ha Long bays. Expect scenic sailing, cave visits, a traditional bamboo boat ride, time for kayaking and swimming, Vietnamese meals, and an overnight cabin. Hanoi transfers cost extra, and the group is capped at 35.

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7.Doris Cruise 5 star cruise 2 days visiting Halong Bay Lan Ha Bay private balcony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,338 reviews · from $235

Leave Hanoi’s Old Quarter by limousine bus for a two-day Doris Cruise through Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Your cabin has a private balcony, air conditioning, and a shower. The trip includes kayaking or a rowboat, a visit to Dark and Bright Cave, meals, and onboard tai chi and a cooking class. Guides including Emily, Mona, and Jessica have been praised for attentive service.

“Very nice rooms , vegan food, well planned activities and the sundeck.”

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8.CozyBay Cruise-The Best Small Group 2D/1N inHalong-All inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,199 reviews · from $122

Spend two days and one night aboard CozyBay Cruise, traveling from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Ha Long Bay for Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, kayaking, swimming, a cooking class, and an overnight cabin. The $122 fare includes transport, meals, activities, and an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Tam and Tony have helped make the trip sociable and fun, though cabin standards can vary.

“Had a good time in this tour. We were picked up on time at our hotel and was taken to the boat as well. Once at the cruise boat, we were well taken care of and given food with special request as well”

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9.Halong Bay – Hera Cruise – All Inclusive Multi Days Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,967 reviews · from $56

Leave Hanoi’s Old Quarter by road for a two-day Halong Bay cruise with an ocean-view cabin, meals, Tai Chi, a cooking class, kayaking or a bamboo boat, and stops at Luon Cave and Ti Top Island. The schedule also includes Sung Sot Cave admission. Guide Minh has been praised for his lively manner, though guide assignments can vary.

“We had an amazing experience! The 3 days, 2 nights itinerary was perfect—so much better than just doing 1 night, as it gave us more time to relax and enjoy everything. Minh, our tour guide, was absolutely lovely—enthusiastic, entertaining, aRead more”

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10.Ninh Binh Day Trip: Hoa Lu-Trang An/Tam Coc-Mua Cave-Cycling-Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,886 reviews · from $43

Leave Hanoi around 7 am for a full day in Ninh Binh. Cycle around Hoa Lu’s Dinh and Le temples, eat a Vietnamese buffet lunch, take a bamboo-boat trip through Trang An’s caves, then climb about 500 steps at Mua Cave for wide views. An English-speaking guide leads the group, which can have up to 32 people.

“This itinerary is well organized but it could be improved a little since the main course is the hike to see the dragon. This tour gives you about 45 min to go up and down and this feels a bit rushed, given the difficulty of the hike. The positives: Read more”

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11.2-Day Luxury Halong Bay Aspira Cruise from Hanoi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,517 reviews · from $178

Spend one night aboard Aspira Cruise, sailing through Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay. Expect a private-balcony cabin with a sea-view bathtub, four meals, kayaking or a bamboo boat ride, a cave visit, Tai Chi, a cooking class, and evening activities. Hanoi transfers are optional and cost extra. The cruise starts at 11:00 am at Tuan Chau.

“Outstanding staff, kayaking was fun, food was perfect, really good company. If you can - try squid fishing !”

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12.Renea Cruises – BEST Small Boat in Bai Tu Long & Halong Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,485 reviews · from $139

Renea Cruises takes you from Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay for a one-night trip with a sea-view cabin, meals, kayaking at Cap La Island, and a visit to Thien Canh Son Cave. Expect a group of up to 25, an English-speaking guide, and onboard activities including a cooking class and squid fishing. Hanoi transport costs extra.

“It was a wonderful experience to wake up in Bai Tu Long Bay. The team was also wonderful ! If you have time, an overnight cruise is a must.”

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13.2-Day Halong Sapphire Cruise with Balcony Cabin

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,447 reviews

Cruise Lan Ha and Halong Bays for one night in an air-conditioned cabin with an en-suite bathroom and balcony. You’ll swim, kayak or take a local rowing boat to Dark and Bright Cave, and join a spring-roll lesson and morning Tai Chi. Hanoi Old Quarter transfers are available, and guides including Luc, also called Power, have helped make the onboard program lively and well run.

“Power is a wonderful host. Very hospitable and lively. Enjoyed our stay thoroughly Good food and relaxing atmosphere. Recommended.”

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14.3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,401 reviews · from $313

Travel from Hanoi to Bai Dinh, Trang An, and Mua Cave, then spend a night in Ninh Binh and a night aboard a five-star Lan Ha Bay cruise. Expect a river boat ride, a steep viewpoint climb, kayaking or cave visits, and meals along the way. Guides may include Peter, James, Dat, or Leo, but assignments can vary.

“Loved the cruise. Activities, food everything was great. The staff was very attentive and the rooms were beautiful”

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15.Islands & Caves Ha Long Cruise with Lunch & Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,317 reviews · 4 - 13 hours · from $34

Take a guided Ha Long Bay cruise with hotel pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a seafood lunch, a 45-minute visit to Thien Cung Cave, and time to kayak or ride a bamboo boat through island coves. English- and Vietnamese-speaking guides lead the day; guides vary, with names such as Harry and Benjamin praised by past participants.

“The tour was absolutely amazing. We were so chuffed and pleased. The most amazing value for money. The lunch food was the highest standard of quality food which was great! the tour itself and the guide was incredible and we learnt so much!”

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