Halong Bay Cruise Overnight

As one of the most iconic destinations both in Vietnam and in Southeast Asia, Halong Bay is best experienced on an overnight cruise, where travelers can fully immerse themselves in the bay’s dramatic limestone scenery, tranquil water, and a range of activities from swimming to kayaking. Choosing the right cruise trip to go with and you will have a memory of a lifetime.

Cruises in Halong bay are diverse in duration, itineraries, facilities & services, and of course prices. From a tiny one-cabin wooden junks gliding quietly between limestone cliffs to a grand, modern vessel with up to 60 cabins offering pools, saunas, spas, wine cellar and full onboard entertainment, Halong Bay cruises cater to every travel style. If this is your first time visiting Halong Bay, make sure to read our guide below to get a glimpse of what options you have. 

Cruise Duration - Should I Take a 1 night or 2 night trip?

Although some cruises offer up to 4-night durations, the three most popular voyages are day cruises, 1-night, and 2-night cruises.

• Day cruises are the most economical way to experience Halong Bay, especially if you are short on time and budget. A day trip lasts 4 hours, 6 hours or 8 hours, excluding transfer time from Hanoi, and covers only the main sites (often 1-2 caves are included).
• A 1-night cruise trip are the most popular choice for visitors, thanks to its reasonable price. It includes all the essential activities such as swimming, kayaking, cooking class on board, and you get to visit 2-3 attraction points (caves, beaches, view points). The most rewarding experience of this voyage compared with a day cruise is you falling alseep in and waking up from the myriad of grottos and limestone islets, one that even the best hotel in the world cannot match.
• A 2-night cruise is ideal for those who have a budget and time to spend, and the best one to experience Halong Bay. On the second day of the trip you will often be transferred to a day boat for further excursion, those that are rarely covered in a 1 night trip. 

Cruise Itinerary - Where a Halong Bay cruise take me to visit?

Halong Bay is the most widely known name to travelers around the world, yet in reality, this iconic seascape is made up of three distinct water bodies: Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay. While Halong Bay gained global recognition after being twice listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, its neighboring bays—Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long—share the same dramatic limestone formations and poetic seascapes, offering equally breathtaking beauty in a quieter, more unspoiled setting.

A cruise can only take you to one or two at most of three bays. If you are after visiting the major attractions such as Surprise Cave, choose a cruise that visits Halong Bay. If you are looking for more relaxation, Lan Ha Bay is a good option as it's more about nice beaches and smaller caves. And if you want to be away from the crowd yet seeing the real magical beauty of the bay, Bai Tu Long Bay is the right answer for you. That is basically Halong Bay in a nutshell. 

Halong Bay and its major attractions: 

• Attractions: Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), Luon Cave, Tung Sau Pearl Farm, Titop Island and beach, Me Cung Cave, Heaven Palace Grotto, Cua Van Village, Trinh Nu Cave, etc.
• Cruises that take you here: Grand Pioneers Cruise, Paradise Elegance, Ambassador, Catherine Cruise, Hermes Cruise.

Lan Ha Bay and its major attractions: 

• Attractions: Dark-Bright Cave, Tra Bau, Ao Ech (Frog Pond), Viet Hai Village, Three Peach Beach 
• Cruises that take you here: Peony Cruise, Orchid Classic Cruise, Heritage Binh Chuan, Scarlet Pearl, Mon Cheri, Stellar of the Seas, Capella, La Casta Regal, Doris Cruise, to name a few.

Bai Tu Long Bay and its major attractions: 

• Attractions: Thien Canh Son Cave, Vung Vieng Fishing Village, Cong Do, Cap La, Cong Dam, Hon Co Island, etc.
• Cruises: Emperor Cruise, Dragon Legend Cruise, Cycad Cruise, Dragon Pearl's Junk, Signature Cruise

On board Cruise Facilities - What to expect

First, expect a difference between a day cruise vessel and overnight cruise vessel - they are designed to serve the trip they carry.

Second, expect a big difference between the overnight cruise vessels themselves. You can find one with rustic old charm standing right next to one with a million dollar luxury design.

Day cruise vessels in Halong Bay are designed mainly for daytime sightseeing, offering shared sundecks and dining areas where guests relax between short excursions. Overnight cruises, by contrast, function more like floating hotels, allowing you to live on the bay rather than simply pass through it.

On an overnight cruise, the cruise will often includes a large sundeck, a common area for dining or receiving guests or entertainment activities and your private cabins where you stay for the night.

What to expect inside your cruise cabin:

• Large windows or a private balcony opening directly onto the seascape
• Comfortable bed and even choice of pillows in more luxury cruise options
• En-suite bathroom, and/or bathtubs
• Air-conditioning
• In-room safe
• Bath towels and toiletries 

Within the overnight cruise category itself, experiences vary widely. Some travelers prefer the rustic charm of a traditional wooden junk, simple and atmospheric, reflecting the bay’s maritime heritage. At the other end of the spectrum are ultra-luxury cruises, featuring expansive cabins, saltwater swimming pools, jacuzzis, saunas, spas, gyms, art galleries, and even mini-golf. The higher the level of luxury, the more onboard facilities and personalized services you can expect, transforming an overnight cruise into a truly immersive, resort-style experience on the water.

Trip & Activities - What you get to experiences on a Halong Bay cruise

There is much more than just watching the bay from a cruise. Halong Bay cruises offer plenty of on-board and off-board activities. All the activities are optional, thus you can feel free to enjoy your trip with the utmost relaxation.

What you can do while on board

• Watch Halong Bay from top deck: All Halong Bay cruises have a spacious sundeck where you can kick back on the sun loungers and witness the stunning scenery of Halong bay. It can be the serenity in the early morning, the splendor of the sunset, or the shimmer when all the ships are lit at night. Every moment on the cruise gives you a special view of Ha Long Bay. 

• Join Sunset party: What could be better than watching the sunset, chatting, and sipping some drinks together? Sunset parties usually include Happy Hour - Buy 1 get 1 free promotion for drinks and some complementary finger food on the top deck.

• Learn how to make a Vietnamese traditional dish during a cooking classic: Get to know about Vietnamese cuisine with local ingredients and interesting recipes. Make the dish on your own and enjoy it, you will definitely enjoy the food much more.

• Fish squid at night: Simple technique but patience is needed for catching squid like a local. This is one of the interesting experiences you should not miss on a Halong Bay cruise. 

• Experience Taichi: Early birds would love to follow the gentle movements of the crew in the Taichi session in the morning. Refreshing your body and mind with a quick exercise in the middle of the heritage bay should be on your bucket list.

What sea activities you can enjoy:

• Discover caves and grottoes: There are nearly 2,000 islands and islets in Halong Bay and  all cruises will take you to see 2-3 of them. Some caves are giant and dry inside while some are small and can only be visited by kayak or sampan boat. Unfortunately you cannot choose freely which one to visit as the Manager Board will decided which caves are open to visitors.

• Kayaking: Kayaking on the vast emerald water is a must. Paddle a kayak around rocky islands and feel the amazing tranquility of the bay, it's so far the most recommended experience.

• Swimming: Halong bay has very calm water which makes it ideal for swimming. Most cruises will include a stop at a beach for you to swim.

• Hiking: If watching the bay from the top deck of the cruise is not enough, you may not want to miss the panoramic view of Halong Bay from the top of the mountain. This activity could be found in the excursion to Titop and Soi Sim islands.

• Visit a fishing village: There used to be thousands of households living and fishing on Halong Bay for a living. Visiting a fishing village is a way to learn about their tough life on the ocean. Travelers can visit Cua Van, Ba Hang, Vung Vieng fishing village, etc. as part of the cruise trip 

Price range - How much to pay for a Halong Bay cruise trip

Although the cost for a Halong Bay trip can seem high at first, think of it as an unparalleled experience rather than a casual hotel booking. In general, expect to spend 50-90USD for a day cruise, 160USD/person for 1 night cruise and 280USD/person for 2 night cruise. If you do not mind going extra miles to make it a luxury trip, expect 1800USD/person for 3 day 2 night trip in a president suite.

The price of a Halong Bay cruise commonly differs based on comfort level, onboard facilities, and service quality:

Budget Cruises (3★) From USD 130–150 per person / 1 night

• Expect: Simple, clean wooden or steel vessels with basic amenities, shared sundecks, and standard cabins.
• Ideal for travelers seeking good value and a classic Halong Bay experience.

Deluxe Cruises (4★) From USD 160–190 per person / 1 night

• Expect: More spacious cabins, improved dining, better service standards, and a wider range of activities.
• In general, a balanced choice for comfort without entering the luxury price range.

Luxury Cruises (5★) From USD 190 up to USD 400 per person / 1 night

• Expect: High-end vessels offering private balconies, refined cuisine, personalized service, and resort-style facilities such as spas, swimming pools, and premium excursions.
• Best for: luxury experience seekers

Best Time to Book & Seasonal Notes

Below are a few tips for you planning a trip on a Halong bay cruise without spending an extravagant amount 

• Low season (May–September): More promotions, better availability, and good value for money. Especially May, June and September often sees empty bay and free shuttle bus from Hanoi. 
• High season (October–April): Higher demand, faster sell-outs, and firmer prices—especially for deluxe and luxury cruises.
• Prices may vary depending on travel dates, cruise standards, and regulations set by the Halong Bay Management Board. If you plan to visit during the high season, booking early is strongly advised to secure your preferred cruise and cabin category.
• A best for value trip can be the lowest cabin category in a luxury cruise trip: the price is not over the sky yet you get to enjoy all the luxurious amenities from water slide to swimming pool and sauna.
• And do not forget to reach out to us: info@halongbaytours where our staff is ready to consult you with the best trip matching your requests. Your happy travel is all that matters.