2 Days Cruise Tour in Halong Bay from Hanoi

Halong Bay looks its best from the deck of a moving boat, and this two-day Oasis Bay Cruise gives you plenty of time to enjoy it. You’ll kayak at Luon Cave, climb through Sung Sot Cave, stop at Titop Island, and sleep on the water rather than rush back to Hanoi. I like the mix of active outings and quiet deck time, plus the included cabin, meals, shuttle, and kayaking. The main catch is the lively party setup, which may not suit anyone seeking a silent, small-boat escape.

I also like the choice of things to do after the sightseeing ends: an outdoor jacuzzi, sunset fruit and happy hour, squid fishing, water activities, and a live DJ. The cruise is built for younger visitors and social groups, so it has more energy than a purely scenic sailing.

The schedule is tight, especially on the first afternoon. A maximum of 68 people means this is not an intimate private cruise, and drinks cost extra, usually $5 to $10. Still, at $228 per person, the overnight format can offer good value if you want transportation, accommodation, meals, guided stops, and plenty of organized activities in one package.

Key points to know before you book

• Kayaking at Luon Cave: Paddle through calm water at one of Halong Bay’s best-known natural sites.
• Titop Island stop: Add a scenic island visit to the afternoon, along with time for swimming and active pursuits.
• Sung Sot Cave early visit: See Halong Bay’s largest and most beautiful cave before the cruise heads back to shore.
• A social onboard mood: Expect a live DJ, sunset party, jacuzzi, water games, and chances to meet other people.
• Luxury cabin included: Sleep in an air-conditioned en-suite cabin with hot water and two complimentary bottles of mineral water.
• Hanoi pickup and return: The shuttle serves the Old Quarter, which keeps the start and finish simple for anyone based there.

Why this cruise works for an active two-day Halong Bay trip

The Oasis Bay Cruise is designed less as a quiet floating hotel and more as a floating activity center. You still get the classic Halong Bay sights, but the program adds kayaking, swimming, beach volleyball, football, water trampolining, boat jumping, a jacuzzi, and a DJ.

That combination makes the cruise a good fit for younger visitors, couples who want more than sightseeing, and groups hoping to meet people. You can take part in everything or skip the louder parts and sit on the sundeck with a drink. The choice is yours, although the overall tone remains social.

The ship was introduced in September 2017 and uses modern onboard technology. It is described as one of the larger vessels in Halong Bay, with space for up to 68 people on this experience. That size brings useful facilities, but it also means you should not expect the quiet, personal atmosphere of a small junk boat.

The scenery is the real reason to come. Halong Bay’s limestone islands appear at every turn, and the changing light is especially pleasant from the upper deck. The schedule gives you a sunset period on board, then an early start the next morning, so you get two different views of the bay without paying for a second night.

Getting from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Island

Pickup runs from Hanoi’s Old Quarter between 8:15 and 8:45 in the morning, with the advertised start time listed as 8:30. The shuttle is included for pickup and return within the Old Quarter area.

You travel first to Tuan Chau Island, reaching Dock 25 at about 11:15 or 11:30. From there, you transfer to the Oasis cruise. The transfer takes about an hour, including a welcome drink and cabin check-in.

This first stretch is practical rather than scenic. You are moving from Hanoi to the harbor, then from the harbor to the main cruise. Keep your morning free, and do not plan an independent activity in Hanoi before pickup. The return shuttle collects you from Dock 25 between 11:30 and 11:45 on the second day.

Boarding the Oasis Cruise and settling into your cabin

Once you board, you receive a welcome drink and check into a fully furnished luxury en-suite cabin. Air-conditioning and hot water are included, along with two complimentary bottles of mineral water.

For one night on the bay, this is an important part of the value. You do not need to arrange a separate hotel after arriving at Tuan Chau, and you can wake up near the morning sightseeing area instead of making the long trip from Hanoi.

The cabin is best viewed as comfortable cruise accommodation rather than a destination in itself. The real pleasure comes from stepping outside to watch the islands pass by. If you are sensitive to noise, ask about the cabin location when possible, since a ship with a DJ and social activities can feel livelier than a small overnight boat.

Lunch with Halong Bay views

Lunch is scheduled from 12:30 to 2:00 in the cruise restaurant. A variety of dishes is served while the boat moves through Halong Bay.

The meal gives you a chance to settle in before the afternoon activities begin. The food is one of the stronger parts of the experience, especially if you enjoy having a range of dishes rather than arranging every meal yourself.

The published inclusions list breakfast, dinner, and two lunches. The second morning schedule calls the meal brunch, served after the cooking demonstration. If meal timing matters to you, check the final menu and schedule with Red Gecko Travel before departure, since the description uses both lunch and brunch for the included meals.

Drinks other than the included welcome drink, morning tea, coffee, and cabin water are extra. The stated beverage range is $5 to $10, so bring a payment method for the onboard bar and any personal purchases.

Kayaking through Luon Cave and time at Titop Island

The main afternoon outing runs from 2:00 to 5:00. You kayak through the quiet waters of Luon Cave, one of the bay’s most famous spots, then continue to Titop Island.

Kayaking is included, and the tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You do not need to be an expert paddler based on the information provided, but you should be comfortable handling an active outing in a kayak and joining the other water-based activities if you choose.

Luon Cave is valuable because it changes the pace of the cruise. From the ship, you look at Halong Bay. In a kayak, you move through it at water level, with a closer view of the rock walls and sheltered water. The excursion is listed as about three hours overall, so expect that block to include transfers, kayaking, and the Titop Island stop rather than three hours of nonstop paddling.

Titop Island adds a second kind of visit. You can use this part of the trip for swimming or other active pursuits, though the precise amount of free time can vary with the day’s operation. The cruise also advertises water trampolining, boat jumping, beach volleyball, and football. These options make the afternoon especially appealing to people who would find a purely scenic cruise too passive.

The tradeoff is pace. You see several attractions in one afternoon, so you may have limited time at each. If you want long, unhurried photography stops, the organized activity schedule may feel busy.

Sunset, jacuzzi time, and the onboard social scene

At 5:00, you return to the main boat and the cruise moves toward its overnight area. This is your best chance to slow down.

The outdoor jacuzzi gives you a place to relax after kayaking and island activities. You can also sunbathe on the sundeck, enjoy the sunset party with fresh fruit and happy hour, or join a game or water activity if the mood continues.

A live DJ changes the character of the evening. This is not simply background entertainment. The cruise is aimed at a younger crowd and encourages people to socialize, so you may find music, group energy, and a more festive atmosphere onboard.

You can also try squid fishing, with equipment included. The tour does not promise a catch, but the activity gives you something to do after dark without leaving the ship.

I would choose this cruise for an active night on the bay, not for complete quiet. The information does not specify cabin sound levels or a fixed DJ schedule, so anyone who needs early, uninterrupted sleep should keep the party focus in mind.

Sunrise, breakfast, and Sung Sot Cave

Day two begins early, from 6:45 to 7:30. You can step onto the deck or watch through panoramic windows while breakfast is served in the restaurant. Morning tea and coffee are included.

The early start is worth accepting. The bay is at its calmest in the morning, and this is your chance to enjoy the view before the final sightseeing stop. You do not have to stay outside the whole time, since the panoramic windows offer another way to watch the morning.

From 7:30 to 9:00, you visit Sung Sot Cave, also called Surprising Cave. It is described as the largest and most beautiful cave in Halong Bay, with broad chambers and stalactites in unusual shapes.

The cave visit requires walking, and the tour information calls for moderate physical fitness. Wear practical shoes and expect a structured visit within the 90-minute slot. The exact walking conditions are not detailed, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator before booking.

Sung Sot is a strong final sightseeing stop because it gives you a change from open water and islands. Inside, the scale of the cave becomes the main attraction. The outing is more than a quick photo stop, but the schedule keeps it moving.

Checkout, cooking demonstration, and brunch

After the cave, you return to the cruise for checkout and bill settlement between 9:00 and 9:30. This is a useful time to confirm personal charges, especially drinks, before the final meal.

A cooking demonstration takes place from 10:00 to 10:30. The specific dish is not stated, so you should think of this as a short onboard food activity rather than a full cooking class.

Brunch follows from 10:30 to 11:00 in the dining area. The timing is efficient, but it leaves little room for a long final meal. The cruise reaches Dock 25 at Tuan Chau between 11:00 and 11:30, followed by the return shuttle.

You should keep your departure day open until at least midday. The posted schedule is clear, but harbor transfers and group movement can take time.

What $228 per person really covers

At $228 per person, this is not a budget day trip. You are paying for a two-day, one-night package with transport from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a private cabin, meals, a guide, entrance fees, kayaking, and onboard entertainment.

The strongest value comes from combining several separate costs:

• Round-trip shuttle from the Old Quarter
• One night in an air-conditioned en-suite cabin
• Breakfast, dinner, and listed lunch or brunch service
• English-speaking guide
• Entrance and sightseeing fees
• Kayaking and equipment for onboard activities
• Welcome drink, morning tea, coffee, and two cabin waters
• Outdoor jacuzzi and sunset party
• Squid fishing equipment and live DJ

Personal expenses and most beverages are not included. There is also a $20 public holiday surcharge. The cruise is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, except when the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient numbers. In those cases, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

For me, the price makes the most sense if you want convenience and a full schedule. If you only care about seeing the bay and do not want organized activities, a simpler day trip may be better value. If you want accommodation, meals, water activities, and nightlife in one booking, the package is easier to justify.

Who should book the Oasis Bay Cruise?

I would recommend it to:

• Younger visitors who enjoy music and group activities
• Couples wanting a mix of scenery and adventure
• Friends traveling together
• First-time Halong Bay visitors who want the main sights handled for them
• Anyone who values a cabin, meals, shuttle transport, and entrance fees in one price

I would think twice if you want a small, quiet boat, a flexible private schedule, or long periods of solitude. The maximum group size is 68, and the cruise includes a DJ, party, water sports, and several scheduled stops.

The strongest parts are the scenery, caring onboard service, food, and the variety of activities. The cruise also works well for a first overnight visit because it gives you both a late afternoon and an early morning on the bay. Just remember that the packed program and social atmosphere are central to the experience, not minor extras.

FAQ

Where does the cruise pick up in Hanoi?

Pickup is offered from the Old Quarter area in Hanoi between 8:15 and 8:45 in the morning. The listed start time is 8:30 am.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts approximately two days and includes one night in a cruise cabin.

What is included in the cabin?

The cabin is fully furnished and has air-conditioning, hot water, and an en-suite bathroom. Two complimentary bottles of mineral water are provided in the cabin.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast, dinner, and lunch are included in the tour details. The second morning meal is described in the schedule as brunch, and the inclusions also refer to two lunches.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking at Luon Cave is included, along with entrance and sightseeing fees.

How many people can join the cruise?

The experience has a maximum of 68 people.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.