From Lan Ha Bay: 3-Day 2-Night Cruise with Meals & Kayaking

The quieter bay is the real prize. V’Spirit Cruises gives you three days among the limestone islands of Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, with time for kayaking, swimming, Cat Ba Island, village visits, and slow hours on deck. I like the private balcony and bathtub in every cabin, and I like that the cruise spends a full second day away from the main ship, exploring Viet Hai village and Ba Trai Dao beaches.

The main caution is that the program is tightly timed, and the quality of an activity can depend on weather and tides. A cave visit may not unfold exactly as pictured, while breakfast and brunch on the final morning come close together. Still, the friendly staff, generous meals, polished cabins, and quieter routes make this a strong choice for a first bay cruise.

The cruise costs about $272 per person for three days and two nights. That includes your cabin, meals, guide, entrance fees, kayaking, swimming, cycling, and welcome drinks, but not drinks during the cruise or transport to and from Tuan Chau Marina.

Key points at a glance

• Private balcony and bathtub: Every cabin gives you a personal place to watch sunrise, sunset, and the limestone islands.
• Viet Hai village by bicycle or electric car: The 6-kilometer route follows a lagoon and cave toward an old village on Cat Ba Island.
• Two full evenings on board: Sunset drinks, dinner, upper-deck views, and optional squid fishing give the cruise an unhurried feel.
• Kayaking in several settings: You paddle at Viet Hai Pier, Tra Bau, and, if conditions allow, near a hidden temple used by fishing villagers.
• Strong staff service: Guides such as Victor, Andy, Bobbi, Tony, Jimmy, Dan, and Tom received especially warm praise for organization and care.
• A quieter alternative to the busiest bay routes: The cruise reaches Lan Ha Bay, where the setting can feel less crowded than central Ha Long Bay.

Why three days makes more sense than one night

A one-night bay cruise can feel like a scenic sprint. You board, eat, visit one attraction, sleep, and start heading back almost immediately. The extra night with V’Spirit gives you a proper second day, when the ship uses a day boat to reach Cat Ba Island and the more secluded parts of Lan Ha Bay.

That second day is the heart of the trip. You leave the main cruise ship after breakfast and spend several hours visiting Viet Hai village, eating lunch on the day boat, kayaking around the pier, and swimming or resting at Ba Trai Dao. You then return to the main ship for another sunset and dinner.

I would choose the three-day option if you have room in your Vietnam schedule. The cabins are comfortable enough to make staying two nights worthwhile, and the slower pace lets you enjoy the bay rather than simply collect a few photographs. Several people found the two-night trip much more satisfying for this reason.

The tradeoff is time. You spend longer on a cruise schedule, with set meal times and group departures. If you dislike organized activities or prefer to make every decision independently, a shorter stay may suit you better.

Boarding at Tuan Chau Marina

The meeting point is at block 27 of Tuan Chau Harbour, next to block 26 at Tuan Chau International Marina Terminal 2. You should arrive between 11:30 and 11:45 in the morning for check-in at the V’Spirit waiting lounge.

At noon, a tender boat carries you from the marina to V’Spirit Cruises. This transfer matters because the main ship does not sit directly at the terminal. Have your passport handy and keep essentials in a small day bag, since you will move between the marina, tender boat, cruise ship, and later a day boat.

Once on board, you receive a welcome drink and a safety briefing before lunch at The Dawn Restaurant. The ship then begins its route from Ha Long Bay toward Lan Ha Bay.

The first afternoon combines scenery with two gentle activities. You visit Bright Cave by traditional rowing boat with local rowers, then join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. The cooking class is a light, social introduction to local food rather than a full culinary course, but it gives you something to do while the ship moves through the islands.

One practical note: the cave stop can change with the tide. On one departure, the advertised cave experience was affected by low water, and the substitute boat was described as a metal craft made to look like a bamboo boat. If visiting the cave is your main reason for booking, understand that nature controls this part of the plan.

Sunset, dinner, and the first night on board

From about 5:30 p.m., the ship shifts into evening mode. You can sit on the upper deck for the sunset party, order drinks during happy hour, and watch the limestone formations turn darker as daylight fades.

Drinks are not included, so bar costs can add up if you join every happy hour. The cruise also offers optional squid fishing in the evening. It is a simple activity, but it gives the night a local touch and requires no special skill.

Dinner takes place in a fine-dining setting, with a multi-course degustation-style meal. Food is included at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the portions are generous. Vegetarian and vegan meals were handled especially well, but you need to provide dietary details in advance with your passenger information.

The first dinner may not be the strongest meal of the trip. The second evening received better marks for food, while the overall dining experience was generally praised for its variety and quantity. If you prefer choosing from a buffet, the set menus may feel repetitive, especially at breakfast and lunch.

Your cabin is one of the cruise’s best features. Each room has a private balcony and bathtub, along with an en suite bathroom. The balcony gives you a quiet place to watch the islands without joining everyone on the sundeck. Some cabins have vintage wood details, and the rooms were widely considered spacious and comfortable.

The beds may feel firm. If you sleep best on a soft mattress, this is worth knowing before you book.

Viet Hai village and Cat Ba Island on day two

Day two begins early, around 6:30 a.m., with Tai Chi on the sundeck. You do not need previous experience. The session works as gentle stretching while the bay wakes up around you.

After a light breakfast, you transfer by day boat to Viet Hai Pier on Cat Ba Island. From there, you choose a bicycle or electric car for the 6-kilometer trip to Viet Hai village.

The ride passes a lagoon and a cave before reaching the village. Cycling gives you a little more freedom and exercise, while the electric car is the practical choice if you prefer to save your energy for kayaking and swimming. The village visit provides a useful change from the ship and the limestone scenery. You see a small local community and hear about life on Cat Ba Island instead of spending every hour looking at the bay from a dining room or deck.

This is also where guide quality matters. Tony was praised for explaining Vietnamese culture and history in a way that made the island visit more meaningful. The cruise uses different guides across the days, so your experience may include someone else. Names that received especially warm comments include Victor, Andy, Bobbi, Jimmy, Dan, and Tom.

After the village, you return to the day boat for lunch and some downtime. The program then moves to Viet Hai Pier, where you kayak around fish farms. This is an easy way to see the working side of the bay, not just its postcard scenery.

The kayaking is part sightseeing, part exercise. You can paddle close to the rocky islands and see the water from a lower, more personal angle. Bring insect repellent and sun protection, and use comfortable shoes for the village route.

Ba Trai Dao beaches and an afternoon in the water

Around 3 p.m., the day boat takes you to Ba Trai Dao, a group of small beaches known for clear water, rocky islands, and a more secluded feel. If weather permits, you can swim, rest on the sand, or simply lie back and watch the clouds.

This stop is valuable because the cruise does not force every moment into a formal sightseeing activity. You get time to do very little, which is often the point of a bay cruise. Families particularly appreciated the chance for children to swim and kayak.

Conditions can alter the plan. Wind, rain, tides, and water safety may change the swimming location or shorten the stop. The cruise staff can adjust the schedule when needed, so treat Ba Trai Dao as a planned possibility rather than a guaranteed beach afternoon.

You return to V’Spirit between 4 and 4:30 p.m. The rest of the afternoon is yours. Take a shower, use the bathtub, rest on your balcony, or head to the sky bar for another happy hour.

Dinner follows in the restaurant, and squid fishing is again available. This second evening tends to feel more relaxed because you have already seen the ship, learned the meal routine, and spent the day away from the main route.

Tra Bau kayaking on the final morning

The last morning begins with another Tai Chi session and sunrise views. You then kayak in the Tra Bau area, moving closer to the rocky islands and seeing the bay from water level.

If weather permits, the route passes a hidden temple connected with fishing villagers. This detail gives the paddle a small cultural layer, though the stop is not guaranteed. You also have time for swimming and other water activities with floats.

The morning schedule is compact. Cabin check-out is at 9 a.m., followed by brunch as the ship cruises back toward Tuan Chau Port. The ship reaches the marina between roughly 9 and 11:30 a.m., depending on the program and conditions.

The closeness of breakfast and brunch is the awkward part. You may eat a light breakfast, then find yourself facing a full brunch less than two hours later. The arrangement makes sense because the ship wants to feed everyone before disembarkation, but it is not the most natural meal rhythm.

You return to the original meeting point at Tuan Chau Marina. The cruise office can provide more details about round-trip transfers to and from the marina, but those land transfers are not included in the advertised price.

Food, service, and the real value of $272

At $272 per person, this is not a budget boat trip. You are paying for a private cabin, two nights, three days of meals, guided activities, entrance fees, and a ship with balconies and bathtubs.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for Cat Ba transport, kayaking, village access, meals, and accommodation. The day two program covers a lot of ground, and you are not left arranging separate transfers between the pier, village, beaches, and cruise ship.

Service is another major part of the price. Staff are repeatedly described as friendly, attentive, and organized. Andy was praised for repeating key information so nobody missed the schedule. Victor even arranged to meet passengers after the trip to give them a photograph, despite being on a different bus returning toward Hanoi. Those small gestures help explain why service receives such strong praise.

Families with young children also received considerate assistance, including attention to food and special needs. Vegetarian and vegan dining was handled well, with plenty of food rather than a token plate of vegetables.

Still, this is not a perfect five-star resort at sea. One departure found the boat good but not quite at the luxury level suggested by its advertising, especially compared with other cruises at similar prices. Drinks cost extra, spa treatments cost extra, and there is a $40 per-person gala dinner surcharge on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and Lunar New Year days.

Who should choose this cruise

I would recommend V’Spirit to you if you want a comfortable, organized introduction to Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay without giving up active outings. The mix works well for couples, families, and first-time visitors who want kayaking, swimming, cycling, and cultural stops in one package.

It suits you especially well if a private balcony matters. Sunrise and sunset are much more enjoyable when you can step outside your own cabin instead of competing for space on the upper deck.

The cruise also fits vegetarians and vegans, provided you send your dietary requirements ahead of time. Families may appreciate the attentive staff and range of activities, although you should consider the early mornings and boat transfers when planning with small children.

I would hesitate if you want a fully independent holiday, dislike fixed meal times, or expect a flawless luxury resort experience. You should also pack warm clothing for early mornings, swimwear, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a camera, insect repellent, and your passport. Smoking, pets, intoxication, drugs, outside drinks, and alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are not allowed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The cruise is not suitable for people over 95 years old.

Should you book the V’Spirit cruise?

Yes, if you can spare three days and want more than a quick photo stop in Ha Long Bay. The second day on Cat Ba Island, with Viet Hai village, fish farms, kayaking, and Ba Trai Dao, gives the trip its value.

Book it for the friendly staff, comfortable cabins, private balconies, generous food, and quieter Lan Ha Bay route. Go in with realistic expectations about weather, tides, fixed schedules, firm beds, extra drink costs, and the possibility that a cave visit may change.

For most people, two nights is the better choice. One night can show you the bay. Two nights give you time to enjoy it.

FAQ

Where does the V’Spirit cruise start?

The meeting point is block 27 at Tuan Chau Harbour, next to block 26 at Tuan Chau International Marina Terminal 2. You should arrive between 11:30 and 11:45 a.m.

Are meals included on the cruise?

Yes. Vietnamese and international breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included for the three-day, two-night cruise. Beverages other than welcome drinks are not included.

Does every cabin have a balcony and bathtub?

Yes. All cabins on this cruise have a private balcony and a bathtub.

What activities are included?

The program includes kayaking, swimming, and cycling, along with visits to Bright Cave, Viet Hai village, Ba Trai Dao, and the Tra Bau area. Activities may change because of weather and tides.

What information is needed to book?

You must provide each passenger’s full name, gender, date of birth, nationality, and passport number. You should also provide any special dietary requests in advance.

Are transfers from Hanoi or Tuan Chau Marina included?

Airfares and land transfers to and from Tuan Chau Marina are not included. Contact the cruise office directly for details about available round-trip transfer arrangements.