Experience the pristine, uncrowded alternative to Ha Long Bay with emerald waters, white sandy beaches, and ancient floating villages.
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Hand-picked experiences loved by thousands of travelers
Experience traditional luxury on a wooden cruise through the grandeur of Halong and Lan Ha Bay.
Explore UNESCO sites and emerald waters on a full-day cruise with kayaking and hiking.
Indulge in Lan Ha Bay’s largest sundeck, fine dining, and a floating outdoor cinema.
Enjoy a fully customizable private cruise across three bays for ultimate comfort and privacy.
Unforgettable luxury voyage featuring cave exploration, kayaking, and world-class service.
Private 2D1N exploration of Lan Ha Bay's pristine beaches and towering limestone cliffs.
Immerse yourself in a 3-day cruise featuring tai chi, cooking lessons, and squid fishing.
Active 2-day journey through less touristy areas with snorkeling, biking, and kayaking.
Brand new luxury full-day cruise visiting ancient floating villages and hidden jungle paths.
A luxurious retreat among thousands of limestone islands with high-class attentive service.
All the details about your upcoming adventure in one place
While Ha Long Bay is world-famous, its southern neighbor, Lan Ha Bay, offers the same breathtaking limestone karst scenery but with a fraction of the crowds. Located just off Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay is a geologist's dream featuring over 400 limestone islands and 139 pristine white sandy beaches—a feature largely missing from Ha Long Bay. Cruising here feels more intimate and adventurous, allowing you to kayak through the famous Dark & Bright Cave, cycle through the ancient Viet Hai Village, and swim in crystal-clear waters at Ba Trai Dao. Whether you choose a traditional wooden junk like V'Spirit or a modern steel super-yacht like Paradise Grand, exploring Lan Ha Bay is the ultimate way to experience Vietnam's maritime heritage in tranquility.
We only partner with operators like Paradise Grand and V'Spirit that strictly adhere to post-2025 maritime safety regulations
Read 1,000+ real reviews from travelers who have actually sailed these routes
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Secure your cabin instantly without waiting for manual approval on most tours
Our multilingual support team is ready to assist with transfers, dietary requests, and itinerary changes
Spring (Mar-May)|Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Swimwear|Light cotton clothes for summer|Warm jacket for winter evenings|Comfortable walking shoes for Viet Hai village|Sun hat and sunglasses
While Ha Long is famous for dragons descending, Lan Ha is historically significant for its ancient maritime cultures inhabiting the limestone caves and floating villages for millennia.
Most tours offer free cancellation up to 7 days before departure. Check individual boat policies for specifics.
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Real experiences from real travelers
We booked the V'Spirit cruise and it was magical. Lan Ha Bay is so much quieter than Ha Long. The kayaking at Dark & Bright cave was the best part. Highly recommend booking the transfer from Hanoi, it was seamless.
The Paradise Grand lived up to its name. The cabin was larger than my hotel room in Hanoi! Food was exquisite, plenty of fresh seafood. The staff treated us like royalty.
We did the 2D1N option. The scenery is breathtaking. The only downside was the water was a bit cold for swimming in February, but the views made up for it. The cooking class on board was fun.
Don't bother with the cheap day trips, do an overnight cruise. Waking up to the sunrise over the karsts is unforgettable. We chose a private charter for our family and it was perfect.
I was worried about crowds but Lan Ha Bay felt empty in a good way. We cycled to Viet Hai village which was a lovely break from the boat. The 48h duration is perfect.
Booked the Calypso cruise. The squid fishing at night was tricky but fun. The boat was clean and modern. Transfer from Hanoi took exactly 2.5 hours on the new highway.
We did the budget day cruise option for $35 and couldn't believe the value. Lunch was huge and the kayaking was included. A must-do if you are short on time.
The staff on the Aurora Cruise were exceptional. Very attentive to details. The bay is beautiful and very clean compared to what I heard about other areas.
Everything you need to know for your journey
Lan Ha Bay is located south of Ha Long Bay and is administratively part of Hai Phong. It features the same geology but is significantly less crowded, has cleaner water, and includes 139 sandy beaches which Ha Long lacks.
Most travelers take a limousine bus from Hanoi to Got Pier (Hai Phong) via the new highway, which takes about 2.5 hours. Some cruises also offer pickup from Tuan Chau Marina.
Yes, unlike some parts of Ha Long Bay where swimming is restricted, Lan Ha Bay has many pristine beaches (like Ba Trai Dao) and clean lagoons where swimming is encouraged.
The best times are Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) for pleasant temperatures. Summer is hot but great for swimming, while Winter can be misty and atmospheric.
Yes, all our partner cruises cater to dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergies. Please inform us at the time of booking.
You need a valid Vietnam visa to enter the country. No separate visa is required for Lan Ha Bay, but you must bring your passport for port registration.
Yes, we offer private charters like the 'Private Cruise from Ha Long Bay' option for families or groups seeking exclusivity.
Most luxury and mid-range cruises offer WiFi, but the signal can be intermittent as you navigate between the limestone islands. It's best to expect limited connectivity.
If the Port Authority cancels tours due to storms or typhoons (most common in July-August), you will be offered a refund or the option to reschedule. Safety is the priority.
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