Things to do in Lan Ha Bay

Wonderful day trip. It was a long day due to travel time there and back, but it was worth it. We had a great guide, and the transportation was well-organized and comfortable. The boat was excellent, with lunch, kayaking, swimming, and beautiful surroundings. The golf cart ride across the island to the cave and museum was also a lot of fun. It was nice that it was small-scale and not overly touristy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly Recommended! We had an amazing experience with Serenity Grand Cruise in Lan Ha Bay! A special shoutout to our tour guide, Tuna, who was always attentive, friendly, and informative throughout the entire trip. We truly appreciated how well he looked after everyone and made the tour even more enjoyable. The cruise itself was top-notch. Lan Ha Bay was absolutely stunning, and we loved that there were fewer tourists and a more peaceful atmosphere. The two swimming pools were a bonus, and the buffet was incredibly delicious, with so much variety to choose from. We also enjoyed the sunset party with canapés, which was such a lovely touch. There was so much included in the tour: bike riding or a fish spa in the village, kayaking, swimming, and plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful views. Everything was well organised and genuinely worth the travel and money. Overall, we had an amazing experience. If you’re visiting Lan Ha Bay, we highly recommend Serenity Grand Cruise!

Since my hotel didn't offer pickup, I decided to go to the Hanoi Opera House. It wasn't far from the hotel, so that was fine. The pickup vehicle arrived about 10 minutes later than the scheduled time. The bus wasn't a luxury one, but it was acceptable. Before reaching Ha Long Bay, we first stopped at a shop selling goods. There was no pressure to buy anything. I just bought a drink. The boat we boarded wasn't large, but it was quite impressive. The boat departed around 10:30 AM. A buffet lunch was served on board starting at 11:00 AM. The meal wasn't bad. Ha Long Bay is a beautiful marine park, and you can enjoy the stunning scenery from the boat. Many tour boats dotted the sea, which was also a spectacular sight. There's a basic option to visit a short sea cave by rowing boat, and also time to enjoy kayaking. Taking a speedboat is an optional extra for an additional fee. On the way back, there was a cooking class on board, but only locals participated. Overall, if you're not focused on enjoying the scenery, it could be a bit boring. However, it was a wonderful opportunity to fully appreciate the beautiful scenery of Ha Long Bay. The sea was calm, so there was no seasickness. On the bus ride back to Hanoi, we stopped at another shop selling goods. Again, there was no pressure to buy. The shops were selling items that could also be bought in Hanoi, but at higher prices. These shops need to change. They should offer products that can entice tourists to open their wallets, at prices that are appropriate. That way, sales would likely increase. I bought another drink this time too. Our guide never pressured us. The guide was friendly and dedicated to their job. The price of a Ha Long Bay tour seems to vary depending on the luxury level of the transportation and the boat. The tour I experienced today felt like a mid-range option. However, I was satisfied with the tour because of the guide's kindness. I'd like to thank Allen, our guide, who was with us all day!^^

I had a great experience joining this trip. The tour guide, Mr. Hao (Happy), really left a great impression on me. Just like his nickname, “Happy,” he truly kept everyone’s spirits up, even though it was raining that day. He was enthusiastic, energetic, helpful, cheerful, attentive, and always made sure everyone was having a good time. At first, I was a little disappointed with the weather. It was raining, and I had hoped to enjoy kayaking under the sunshine. However, it turned out to be one of my best memories—the experience of kayaking in the rain was unforgettable. Mr. Happy was always reminding us, “Have fun, don’t get hurt,” and he constantly looked out for everyone’s safety. He also frequently checked on us throughout the trip to make sure we were doing well. The food on the cruise was great as well. Overall, I would rate this experience 9/10. Thank you, Mr. Happy, for making this trip so enjoyable. I hope to see you again someday!

A day trip to Ha Long Bay truly lives up to its reputation as "Guilin on the Sea"! 🌊 We departed from Hanoi in the morning, and the drive was about 2.5 hours. Although it was a bit far, seeing the emerald green water and thousands of limestone islands made it all worthwhile. Cruising among the islands felt like stepping into a traditional Chinese ink painting. For lunch, we enjoyed a seafood meal on the boat; the food was decent, but dining with the sea breeze was incredibly pleasant. The biggest highlights were kayaking and exploring the caves, where the water was so clear you could see the bottom. We climbed over 400 steps on Ti Top Island, and the panoramic view of Ha Long Bay from the summit was truly breathtaking. The day trip was indeed a bit rushed, so if possible, I'd recommend staying overnight. However, for a short experience, it offers great value for money, and I highly recommend it! Our guide, Johnny, was enthusiastic, thoughtful, and meticulous in his service – highly commendable.

This time, I participated with a friend. A free round-trip shuttle bus from Hanoi to the port was included. The one-way trip took about 2.5 hours, but we had a 30-minute break at a service area-like stop. It was well-equipped with restrooms, cafes, and souvenir shops. We transferred from the port to the cruise ship by a small boat. Upon arrival, we first enjoyed a buffet lunch, and afterward, we went kayaking to a cave and relaxed by the ship's pool. Dinner was a course meal, and there was a special moment when a cake was brought out to celebrate other guests' anniversaries and birthdays. Everyone celebrated together, and it was a very happy time. Water, coffee, and tea were provided in the room free of charge. Most drinks on board were available for a fee. Payment could be made with either cash or card. Day 2 started with a morning buffet, followed immediately by a kayaking experience. Although we only kayaked around the cruise ship, it was a lot of fun. After that, we had some time to relax, spending it in our room before enjoying the final brunch buffet. The staff on board were very kind; they patiently explained things to us even though we didn't speak English and took photos for us, which made our trip enjoyable and worry-free. If I have the chance again, I would love to join the Azura Cruise, and I would recommend it to my friends and family when I return to Japan. It was an excellent cruise tour. Thank you.

It was a very cool experience. Both the staff and the ship made a very good and professional impression. We especially liked John, who took good care of all the guests. The food was also very delicious for a cruise ship. Allergies and special preferences are also taken into consideration. The program makes the tour a great experience, and I can highly recommend Aspira Cruise.

The overall experience was chilled and the stuff is honestly accommodating with good English communication skills and Jenny helped me with whatever I needed and so did the whole stuff. The pool was good too, good is good, Overall experience 9/10 and it was Thursday but it was booked with more than 40 passengers on board , so no fine dining experience but it was good either way.

The entire trip we had with the cruise was really amazing!! It was indeed a very great experience worth every penny I paid. Our tour guide, Victor Huy, has been very helpful. He was very accommodating and really takes time to connect with all the guests, helping maintain a very positive vibe. He even provides more convenient pickup and drop off options for us - very flexible and easy to deal with. This is the first time we visited Vietnam and I am very happy I included this trip in my itinerary. A lot of good memories that my parents and I will bring back home. I'd like to mention Lien as well who's smile is very comforting. She's very polite and friendly, adding to the good vibes each time we dine. I'd love to do this again if given the chance to come back. 🙂