Quick Summary: Beka Travel runs day tours and overnight cruises across Halong Bay, with day tours from $34 and overnight cruises from $123. Most day tours and several overnight ships sail the busy main route past Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island; a number of boutique ships instead cruise the quieter Lan Ha Bay side of the same karst system. Compare cabins, routes and prices below.
Halong Bay is Vietnam's best-known natural landmark: a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, made up of roughly 1,600 limestone karsts and islets rising out of emerald water in Quang Ninh province. Most visitors join a day tour or a 2-day, 1-night cruise departing from Tuan Chau Harbor or Bai Chay pier, both a 2.5–3 hour drive from Hanoi.
Choosing your Halong Bay cruise
Beka Travel lists around 23 overnight cruises on Halong Bay, priced from $123 to $401 per person for a standard 2-day, 1-night sailing. The 11 below are the most-booked; all depart from Tuan Chau Harbor or Bai Chay pier and include a cabin, meals on board and at least one cave or island stop.
| Cruise | Cabins | Route | Best for | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambassador | 46 cabins, up to 120 guests | Halong Bay + Lan Ha Bay | Larger groups | $170 |
| Peony | 20 cabins, 40 guests | Lan Ha Bay + Cat Ba | Boutique, quieter route | $143 |
| Paradise Elegance | 31 cabins, up to 62 guests | Lan Ha Bay | Larger cabins (25m²) | $160 |
| Heritage Binh Chuan | Boutique ship | Lan Ha Bay + Cat Ba Archipelago | Vietnamese heritage theme | $180 |
| Capella | 30 cabins, 80 guests | Lan Ha Bay | Balcony + ocean-view bathtub in every cabin | $181 |
| Orchid Classic | 14 suites, 28 guests | Tuan Chau across Halong Bay | Most intimate option | $170 |
| Doris | 25 cabins | Lan Ha Bay | Balcony + ocean-view bathtub | $150 |
| Genesis Regal | 20 cabins | Lan Ha Bay | Small, personal feel | $143 |
| Amanda | 25 cabins, 20–60m² | Halong Bay + Lan Ha Bay | Families (connecting cabins) | $123 |
| Mon Cheri | 18 cabins, from 35m² | Lan Ha Bay + Cat Ba | Cycling in Viet Hai village | $154 |
| Elite of the Seas | 35 cabins | Lan Ha Bay | Six-star, panoramic glass cabins | $401 |
How is an overnight cruise different from a day tour?
A day tour covers Halong Bay's core sights — usually Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island — in a single day, from $34 per person. An overnight cruise adds a cabin, dinner on board and activities like kayaking, a cooking demonstration or evening squid fishing, from $123 per person. Most 2D1N cruises follow a similar rhythm: boarding at midday, an afternoon of cave and island stops, dinner on board, and a second day of swimming or kayaking before returning to shore.
Where do Halong Bay cruises depart from?
Almost all Halong Bay day tours and cruises depart from Tuan Chau Harbor or Bai Chay pier in Ha Long City, both roughly 2.5–3 hours from Hanoi by road. Beka Travel includes round-trip transfer from Hanoi in every day tour and cruise price shown above.
Booking directly with Beka Travel
Every price above is the per-person starting rate for the standard cabin category; final cost depends on cabin type, travel dates and group size. Book directly with Beka Travel to lock in a cabin, confirm pickup details in Hanoi and get a local team on hand if plans change once you're in Vietnam.
Want fewer boats around you?
Lan Ha Bay, the southern extension of the same limestone system, sits about 90 minutes further from Hanoi via Cat Ba Island — far enough that most Halong day-trippers never reach it. Several of the cruises above already sail into Lan Ha Bay for their quieter stretch; travellers who want to stay there for the whole trip can compare our Lan Ha Bay cruises and tours, which start from $15 for a half-day boat trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is one day enough to see Halong Bay?
A day tour covers the highlights — usually Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island — and is enough for a first look at the bay. It doesn't allow time for kayaking, swimming stops or an overnight anchorage, which is why most repeat visitors upgrade to a 2D1N cruise.
Which Halong Bay cruise has the fewest crowds?
No cruise avoids the bay's busiest anchorage points entirely, since most itineraries pass the same signature sights during peak hours. Boutique ships that route mainly through Lan Ha Bay — such as Peony, Capella or Genesis Regal in the table above — see noticeably less boat traffic than ships running the main Halong channel. See our Halong Bay cruise guide for a full comparison by route and crowd level.
Is Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay better for families?
Both work for families — Halong Bay's day tours are shorter and easier to plan around nap schedules, while Lan Ha Bay's calmer water is easier for supervising younger swimmers. Cruises on either side run similar family-friendly activities like kayaking and squid fishing, and several ships, such as Amanda, offer connecting cabins built for families.
Last updated: August 11, 2026
