Halong Bay to Lan Ha Bay - 1 Day

07:15 - 08:00: Pick-up at hotels in the Old Quarter or Hanoi Opera House by bus and tour guide. Travel on the Hanoi - Hai Phong - Halong Expressway, with a 20-30-minute rest stop before continuing the journey.

11:00-11:15: Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor - check in to the Tropical Cruise. You will be greeted with a refreshing welcome drink.

11:15: Enjoy a 5-star buffet lunch on board, featuring a wide variety of fresh seafood and delicacies, while the cruise sails from Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay - Cat Ba Island.

12:15: Our Cruise Arrives at Cat Ba Island. Take an electric car ride along one of the most scenic forest roads in Vietnam.

12:45:Visit Trung Trang Cave - the most magnificent cave on Cat Ba Island. With millions of years of stalactites and stalagmites, the cave is often described as a "living geological museum."

13:15 - 13:30 Continue by electric car to Cat Ba National Park - a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. You can have chance to take photos and visit the Natural History Museum, where valuable exhibits provide deeper insights into the rare species and natural treasures of the island.

14:00 Return by electric car to the cruise and continue exploring Lan Ha Bay.

14:30: The cruise sails deeper into Tra Bau area - the heart of Lan Ha Bay, where towering limestone mountains rise from emerald waters - a landscape resembling a breathtaking ink-painting masterpiece.

15:15 - Activities on Lan Ha Bay - Tra Bau area

Kayak through limestone cliffs and mysterious hidden caves.

Swim freely in the crystal-clear waters.

Slide down the water slide for a thrilling experience.

Have endless fun with the giant floating inflatable playground on the bay.

16:30-16:45: Return to the cruise and relax in the Jacuzzi on the sundeck.

End your day with a lively Sunset Party: wine, tea, fresh fruits, sweet cakes, music, and dancing as the sun sets romantically over Lan Ha Bay, while the cruise comes back to the Harbor.

18:00: The cruise arrives at Tuan Chau Harbor. Transfer back to Hanoi.

21:00: Arrive at your hotel in the Old Quarter. End of tour.

It is in Lan Ha Bay, south of Cat Ba Island. That water joined the expanded UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2023, so the landscape is the same karst system. What differs is traffic: Lan Ha carries far fewer day boats than the central Halong route. This tour does not visit Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island or Thien Cung Cave.

It is a full day experience from Hanoi, with pickup around 07:15 and return to Hanoi at approximately 21:00.

The itinerary includes Cat Ba Island, Trung Trang Cave, Cat Ba National Park and the Tra Bau area of Lan Ha Bay.

Guests can go kayaking and swimming, use the water slide and jacuzzi, explore Trung Trang Cave and join the sunset party onboard.

Yes. The tour includes a buffet lunch served onboard while the cruise travels towards Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island.

Yes. The tour offers round trip transportation from selected locations in Hanoi, making it convenient for travellers staying in the city.

Yes. Most Hanoi-based operators only run to Halong Bay, so a day trip that also reaches Lan Ha Bay is unusual on this route. The itinerary crosses from the Halong Bay side into Lan Ha Bay by boat, giving you both the well-known limestone islands and the quieter water further south, in the same 14-hour day.

This is a joined-group tour, combining travelers from different hotels onto shared boats, with up to 99 guests on board across the vessel rather than a small private group.

Recent reviews on Tripadvisor are generally very positive, with Tropical Cruise currently rated 5.0 out of 5 from more than 680 reviews. Guests frequently mention the scenery, itinerary, guides and activities, although some reviews also point out areas where food and service could be improved.

Choose this tour if you're based in Hanoi and want to see both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay in a single long day, without needing to stay overnight on Cat Ba Island first. If you're already staying on Cat Ba or prefer a shorter, more relaxed day on the water focused on Lan Ha Bay alone, our Lan Ha Bay day tour departing from Cat Ba is the better fit.

Yes, the tour is generally suitable for both, since most of the day is spent seated on the boat with optional swimming and kayaking rather than strenuous activity. Given the long day on the road (around five hours each way), let us know in advance if anyone in your group has mobility needs so we can advise on seating.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear if you plan to swim or kayak, and a light jacket for the boat ride, since it can feel cooler on the water. Comfortable shoes, cash for extra drinks or souvenirs, and motion sickness tablets (if you're prone to seasickness) are also worth packing.

You're booking directly with the local crew who runs this boat, not a resold listing bundled by someone else. Our team on Cat Ba Island handles your questions, seat availability and any last-minute changes personally, from the day you book to the day you sail, and your booking supports a local, family-run business based on the island.