2 day Oasis Bay Cruise to Halong Bay from Hanoi

Halong Bay is at its best when you can see it at sunset, wake for dawn, and spend more than a few rushed hours among its limestone islands. This two-day Oasis Bay Cruise adds kayaking, swimming, water trampolines, beach volleyball, football, jacuzzis, and a DJ party, so it feels more like an active floating weekend than a quiet sightseeing boat.

I like the easy Old Quarter pickup and the amount included for $228: a cabin, meals, transport, entrance fees, kayaking, and several onboard activities. I also like the social setup. Solo visitors and small groups have plenty of ways to meet people, while the sunset fruit party and morning coffee give the trip some calmer moments.

The main thing to consider is the atmosphere. With room for up to 68 people, live music, games, dancing, and a late DJ session, this is not the best choice if you want a hushed, romantic cruise or long stretches of solitude.

Key things to know before booking

• Halong Bay by day and night: You get sunset, sunrise, a full afternoon among the islands, and an evening on the boat.
• An active cruise: Kayaking, swimming, water trampolines, boat jumping, beach volleyball, and football are built into the experience.
• A cabin included: Each passenger receives a furnished en-suite cabin with air-conditioning, hot water, and two complimentary bottles of mineral water.
• Social nightlife onboard: A cruise team performance, live DJ, games, and squid fishing fill the evening.
• Simple Hanoi transport: Pickup and return are provided within Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with the day beginning around 8:30 a.m.
• Extra costs to watch: Drinks cost about $5 to $10, and public holiday departures add a $20 surcharge.

What kind of Halong Bay cruise is this?

This cruise is designed for people who want scenery with a bit of noise and motion. You will not simply sit on deck and watch the islands pass. The schedule gives you several chances to get into the water, paddle near the rock formations, relax in an outdoor jacuzzi, and join group games.

The vessel is described as the Genz Cruise, while the experience is also presented as an Oasis Bay Cruise. It began operating in September 2017 and is described as one of the larger vessels in Halong Bay. The practical point is that you should expect a sizeable, social boat rather than a tiny yacht with a private feel.

I would place it between a traditional sightseeing cruise and a party boat. The scenery remains the reason to come, but the cruise adds a young, energetic program around it. That mix works especially well for friends, solo visitors, and anyone who finds a standard dinner-and-cabin cruise too quiet.

The group limit is 68 people. That is large enough to create a good social atmosphere, but it also means shared activities may feel busy. If you prefer personal service and quiet deck space, keep that number in mind before paying.

Leaving Hanoi for Tuan Chau Island

Pickup takes place between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m. from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with the advertised start time around 8:30. This is useful if you are staying in the central district and do not want to arrange a separate transfer to Halong Bay.

The journey takes you first to Tuan Chau Island and harbor number 24, where you arrive around 11:00 to 11:30. You then board, receive a welcome drink, and settle in before lunch at about 12:30.

That arrival window gives the crew time to organize boarding and cabins before the main afternoon program begins. I like this structure because you are not thrown straight into an activity after a long road journey. You have a drink, food, and a little time to get oriented.

The return transfer starts after you leave the boat at noon on the second day. The shuttle takes you back to the waiting lounge, and the tour ends with Old Quarter drop-off around 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. That makes the trip close to a full 48-hour outing once transport is included.

Kayaking, beaches, and water games on the first afternoon

After lunch, the main outdoor session runs from about 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. You can kayak, visit a beach, and use the water trampolines. Swimming, boat jumping, beach volleyball, and football are also part of the activity program, although the exact timing for each is not separately stated.

This is the part that gives the cruise its character. Halong Bay’s cliffs and islands are beautiful from the deck, but a kayak gives you a closer view of the water and rock walls. You also get a chance to move around after the morning transfer and lunch.

The activity level is flexible. You can paddle and swim, or stay onboard and enjoy the scenery. That matters for mixed groups, since one person may want action while another prefers to watch from the boat.

The weather can change your experience. The cruise requires suitable conditions, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund if the operator cancels. Even when the boat sails, rain or rough water could affect how much time you spend kayaking or swimming, so pack with both water activities and deck time in mind.

Sunset, fruit, and jacuzzis from 4:00 to 6:30

The late afternoon is set aside for relaxation in one of the outdoor jacuzzis arranged around the cruise. A sunset party includes fresh fruit and happy-hour service, with morning tea and coffee also provided during the trip.

This time slot is a welcome counterweight to the sports program. You can dry off, sit in the warm water, and watch the bay change color without having to rush straight into dinner. The sunset is one of the strongest reasons to choose an overnight cruise over a day trip, since you are already in the bay at the right hour.

Drinks are not included beyond the listed complimentary items. The stated beverage range is $5 to $10, so keep that in your budget if you plan to join happy hour or order drinks with dinner. Personal expenses are also extra.

The outdoor jacuzzi is a nice feature, but it may be popular after the water activities. If you want quiet time, arrive early or choose a less busy period rather than assuming every jacuzzi will be free.

Dinner and a late party onboard

Dinner is served from about 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The package includes dinner, along with two lunches and breakfast. Food is one of the areas that receives particularly strong praise, with specific approval for both the meals and the chef.

After dinner, the cruise shifts into its social phase. From roughly 8:30 to 11:00 p.m., the crew puts on a dance performance, a live DJ plays music, and group games continue. Squid fishing equipment is provided as another evening option.

This gives you several ways to spend the night. You can join the music and games, try squid fishing, or simply turn in after dinner. The schedule is lively but not compulsory.

I would not choose this cruise expecting an early, silent night. The party can be a major part of the appeal, especially for friends and solo visitors who want easy conversation. It may be less comfortable for light sleepers, since music and social activity continue until around 11:00 p.m.

The social tone also explains why the cruise receives praise from solo passengers. Staff attention and organized games make it easier to connect with people than on a boat where everyone disappears into private cabins after dinner. One solo guest particularly valued the welcome from the crew, which is useful context if you are traveling alone.

Dawn over Halong Bay and a slow second morning

The second day starts early, at 6:30 a.m., for sunrise. You will want to be on deck if dawn views are a priority. Halong Bay looks different in the early light, and this is one of the best advantages of sleeping onboard rather than returning to Hanoi after a day visit.

A light breakfast runs from 6:45 to 9:00 a.m., with morning tea and coffee available. The long breakfast window is practical after a late evening, since early risers can eat quickly while others can sleep a little longer.

Do not expect a full morning of new sightseeing stops. The value here is the unhurried start, the view, and the chance to enjoy the boat before packing. The activity schedule is weighted toward the first afternoon, while the second morning gives you breathing room.

The cruise has a clear departure rhythm after breakfast. At about 9:30, you pack, prepare to check out, and settle any bar bills. Lunch follows from 10:15 to 11:30, and you leave the boat at noon.

What the cabin and included package mean

The accommodation is a fully furnished luxury en-suite cabin with air-conditioning and hot water. Two bottles of mineral water are provided in the cabin. Those features matter more than flashy wording when you are spending a night on a boat, especially after kayaking and swimming.

The package also includes:

• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Two lunches
• Welcome drink
• Kayaking
• Entrance and sightseeing fees
• Round-trip shuttle service within Hanoi’s Old Quarter
• English-speaking guide
• Live DJ
• Sunset fruit party and happy hour
• Outdoor jacuzzi
• Squid fishing equipment
• Morning tea and coffee

The main exclusions are beverages, personal expenses, and anything not specifically listed. A public holiday surcharge of $20 applies when relevant.

At $228 per person, the value depends on how much of the program you will use. If you plan to kayak, enjoy the jacuzzi, join the sunset session, eat onboard, and stay for the evening entertainment, the package covers a lot in two days. If you mainly want a quiet cabin and scenic views, a less activity-focused cruise may make better sense.

Group discounts are offered, which can improve the price for friends booking together. A mobile ticket is also available, and confirmation is provided at booking.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Friends who want activities and nightlife in one package
• Solo visitors who like organized social events
• Younger couples who enjoy music and water sports
• First-time visitors who want transport and meals handled together
• People who prefer an active cruise to a formal sightseeing program

The cruise also suits mixed groups. A strong swimmer can kayak or jump into the water, while someone else can stay onboard, use the jacuzzi, or watch the scenery. The shared schedule makes it easy to spend time together without forcing everyone into the same activity every minute.

I would be more cautious for families with very young children, though the available information does not specify age restrictions or child facilities. I would also look elsewhere if your main goal is a peaceful luxury cruise, an intimate boat, or a highly private itinerary.

The English-speaking guide is included, and the strongest praise is directed at the guide and crew for being helpful, friendly, and attentive. No guide name is provided, so you cannot request a particular person in advance based on the available details.

The practical drawbacks to weigh

The fixed schedule is convenient, but it leaves little room for spontaneous changes. You have set boarding, meal, activity, check-out, and transfer times. That is normal for a group cruise, yet it can feel brisk if you want to linger at the beach or spend a long time kayaking.

The boat can hold up to 68 people. A group this size supports the party atmosphere, but shared jacuzzis, games, and water activities may be busy. Service can also feel less personal than on a smaller vessel, even though the crew receives strong praise for friendliness.

The cancellation terms are strict. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

That makes travel insurance and careful date selection sensible, though the supplied terms do not specify insurance arrangements. Check the final booking conditions before paying, especially if your Hanoi schedule is tight.

Should you book the Oasis Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want Halong Bay scenery plus a ready-made social program. The best parts are the overnight timing, sunset and sunrise views, kayak session, cabin, included meals, outdoor jacuzzi, and evening DJ party. The package removes much of the planning work, and Old Quarter pickup makes the trip easy to add to a Hanoi stay.

Think twice if you want silence, privacy, or a small boat. The music, games, group size, and late-night program are central to the experience, not minor extras.

For friends, solo visitors, and active first-time visitors to Halong Bay, $228 can be fair value, especially with group discounts. Before booking, budget for drinks, check whether your date falls on a public holiday, and confirm that your Hanoi accommodation is inside the Old Quarter pickup area.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

Pickup is offered from Hanoi’s Old Quarter between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m. The stated start time is around 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts about two days. You leave Hanoi on the first morning and return to the Old Quarter around 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. on the second day.

Is transportation from Hanoi included?

Yes. Round-trip shuttle transportation is included for pickup and drop-off within the Hanoi Old Quarter area.

What activities are included?

Included activities include kayaking, swimming, water trampolines, boat jumping, beach volleyball, football, outdoor jacuzzis, squid fishing, a sunset fruit party, live DJ entertainment, and evening games. The exact timing of every activity may vary.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes breakfast, dinner, and two lunches. Complimentary morning tea and coffee are also provided.

Are drinks included?

The welcome drink, two bottles of mineral water in the cabin, and listed morning tea and coffee are included. Other beverages cost approximately $5 to $10.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same option applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.