Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise: Operators, Prices and What to Expect

Ha Long Bay - roughly 1,600 limestone islands rising from the Gulf of Tonkin northeast of Hanoi - is one of Vietnam’s most visited destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994. The only practical way to see it properly is by boat, and the overnight cruise is the standard format: a junk or cruiser picks you up in Hanoi, takes you to the bay, and you spend one or two nights aboard while the boat moves between caves, floating fishing villages, and otherwise inaccessible islands.

The range of vessels and prices is enormous. Here is what to expect at each tier, along with the operators we recommend most often.

Budget Cruises (~USD 89–130 for 2D1N per person)

Budget boats on Ha Long Bay are typically older wooden junks carrying 30–60 passengers. Cabins are small with ensuite bathrooms, meals are included, and the itinerary hits the major sights - Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), Ti Top Island, and a kayaking section. The experience is perfectly adequate and shares most of the scenery with higher-end boats; the difference is in cabin comfort, crowd density, and quality of food.

Indochina Junk (Glory Cruise) - one of the longest-running budget operators, with boats that are older but kept in reasonable condition. Cabin sizes vary; ask for an upper-deck cabin for more natural light. Prices from approximately USD 89 per person for a 2-day/1-night departure from Ha Long City pier.

Era Cruise - popular with backpackers, usually bookable via GetYourGuide. Three- to four-cabin junks with a more social atmosphere. Budget 2D1N itineraries also from around USD 99 per person including Hanoi transfer.

What is included at the budget tier: Hanoi–Ha Long round-trip transfer, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, set menu), kayaking, cave visit, Ti Top Island or similar swimming stop. Not included: drinks (usually 30,000–60,000 VND per beer), optional squid fishing at night (~USD 5), tips.

Mid-Range Cruises (~USD 200–350 for 2D1N per person)

This is where quality jumps noticeably. Mid-range boats are generally newer steel-hulled vessels with 10–16 cabins, better food, more attentive service, and access to quieter sections of the bay. Most operate in Lan Ha Bay (adjacent to Ha Long, off Cat Ba Island) rather than the more crowded central Ha Long zone.

Pelican Cruise - a consistently well-reviewed 16-cabin steel cruiser operating in Ha Long Bay. Modern cabins with proper sea-view windows, a good set menu, and a knowledgeable English-speaking guide. Approximately USD 220–260 per person for 2D1N as of 2026. Book via GetYourGuide or directly at pelicanhalong.com.

Paradise Elegance - part of the Paradise Cruises group, which operates multiple vessels across luxury and mid-range tiers. The Elegance runs 2D1N and 3D2N itineraries with cooking demonstrations, tai chi on deck, and organised kayaking. Prices from USD 280 per person for 2D1N. Book via the Paradise Cruises website or GetYourGuide.

Orchid Classic Cruise - operates in Bai Tu Long Bay, the quieter bay north of Ha Long Bay that sees far fewer tourists. Same limestone karst scenery with roughly 80% fewer boats in view. 2D1N from approximately USD 230 per person. Strong reviews for food quality and guide knowledge.

What is included at mid-range: Everything in the budget tier, plus: higher-quality meals (often à la carte at dinner), kayaking or paddle-boarding, a cooking class or squid fishing included (not as an add-on), and generally a quieter section of the bay.

Luxury Cruises (~USD 450–900+ for 2D1N per person)

Luxury vessels on Ha Long Bay are floating boutique hotels - 10 to 14 suites with bathtubs or rainfall showers, fine dining, a spa, sundeck Jacuzzi, and private balconies on each cabin. Most operate 3-day/2-night itineraries rather than the standard 2-day/1-night format, allowing time in areas of the bay that smaller itineraries skip entirely.

Heritage Binh Chuong - an award-winning 20-cabin vessel with a design influence from French colonial architecture. Combines Ha Long Bay’s main areas with sections of Lan Ha Bay. Full spa, cooking school, Vietnamese cultural activities. From approximately USD 560 per person for 2D1N as of 2026.

Au Co Cruise - among the most refined boats on the bay, with 32 suites, a restaurant that changes its menu daily based on local market produce, and an extensive activity menu including tai chi, cooking, and kayak expeditions led by naturalist guides. 3D2N from approximately USD 750 per person.

Paradise Peak - the flagship vessel of the Paradise Cruises group. Full spa, wine cellar, butler service. Frequently appears in top-10 Vietnam cruise lists. 3D2N itineraries from approximately USD 900 per person.

1-Day Cruises (no overnight stay, ~USD 35–65 per person)

For travellers who cannot commit to an overnight trip, full-day boat tours from Hanoi operate year-round. These reach the bay in 3.5–4 hours, spend 4–5 hours on the water visiting one or two caves and a kayaking zone, then return to Hanoi by 8pm. The scenery is genuine, but the distance covered is a fraction of what an overnight cruise reaches, and the kayaking time is typically 45–60 minutes only.

Day-cruise operators include: Viet Hai Cruises, Starlight Cruise, and various tours booked via GetYourGuide from approximately USD 35 per person. If time is limited, this is a reasonable compromise - budget overnight cruises offer better value per kilometre of bay covered, but a day trip beats not going at all.

Practical Information

Departure points: Ha Long City pier (most budget boats), Tuan Chau Island Marina (mid-range and luxury), or Cat Ba Island pier (Lan Ha Bay operators).

Transfers from Hanoi: Most operators include a round-trip minibus from Hanoi Old Quarter hotel pickup. Journey time is 3.5–4 hours depending on traffic. Some mid-range and luxury operators offer seaplane transfers (approximately USD 200 extra per person, 45 minutes).

What to bring: Seasickness medication if you are susceptible (the bay is generally calm but conditions vary), a waterproof bag for kayaking, sunscreen, cash for drinks and tips. Most boat bars accept USD and VND but not cards.

Booking advice: Book directly via the operator’s website or through GetYourGuide for ATAS-protected reservations. Avoid booking with unlicensed street agents in Hanoi Old Quarter; cancellation rights and safety standards are harder to enforce. Legitimate operators display their Ministry of Culture and Tourism licence number.

Best season: October to April for clear skies and calm water. November, December, February, and March are particularly reliable. Expect higher prices and fuller boats over Vietnamese New Year (Tet, late January or early February).

For more on planning your trip north, see our Hanoi travel guide and Ha Long Bay day trip options if you are short on time. For same-day or last-minute availability, browse our last-minute tours page - spots open up regularly due to cancellations.

Book your Ha Long Bay cruise:

• Ha Long Bay overnight cruise options via Klook — compare 2D1N and 3D2N departures with instant confirmation
• Ha Long Bay tours and cruises via GetYourGuide