Day cruises from Hanoi

Ha Long Bay day cruise with lunch, Sung Sot Cave and kayaking at Luon Cave

4.9/5

334 reviews on GetYourGuide

Rated 4.9 and the cheapest of our day cruises at from €35.85 (GetYourGuide, 15 Nov 2026), with the classic three stops and a welcome drink and sunset tea included. It is also the one day cruise GetYourGuide lists as wheelchair accessible, which makes it worth a look for travellers with limited mobility.

Starts inHanoi Old Quarter

There are five options, so read them before you pick a date. Options 1 and 2 meet at Tuan Chau International Marina and do not include the bus. Options 3, 4 and 5 collect you in Hanoi’s Old Quarter between 07:30 and 08:20, by shuttle bus or by a VIP limousine van, with a stop at a pearl farm on the way.

The boat choice is simple: the Deluxe boat is the smaller one with no jacuzzi and a set-menu lunch; the Luxury boat is bigger, with a jacuzzi and a buffet. Lunch starts at about 12:00, Vietnamese food with seafood and local dishes, while you pass Dog Rock, the Incense Burner and the Fighting Cock islet.

In the afternoon you walk through Sung Sot Cave, then at Luon Cave paddle a two-person kayak, ride a bamboo boat for 10 to 14 rowed by local boatmen, or stay aboard. Ti Top Island comes last: swim, or climb for the 360-degree view. Tea, fruit and snacks are served at sunset, the boat is back at about 17:30 to 18:00, and the bus reaches Hanoi at 20:30 to 21:00.

What guests love

Our summary of the reviews GetYourGuide shows on the product page.

Friendly, helpful guides on the bus and the boat
A well-organised day from pick-up to drop-off
Good value for the classic route

Good for

Travellers watching the budget
Guests who need an accessible-tagged day cruise
Couples who want the luxury boat with a jacuzzi

Not for

Families hoping to kayak with children under 12

How the day goes

07:30Hanoi Old Quarter
Pick-up 07:30 to 08:20 on options 3 to 5, with a pearl farm stop.
11:30Tuan Chau harbour
Board the boat.
12:00On board
Vietnamese lunch while sailing past the Fighting Cock islet.
Sung Sot Cave
A walk through the cave.
Luon Cave
Kayak, bamboo boat or stay aboard.
Ti Top Island
Swim or climb to the viewpoint.
17:30Tuan Chau harbour
Back 17:30 to 18:00.
20:30Hanoi Old Quarter
Drop-off 20:30 to 21:00.

Included

Return shuttle bus or limousine from Hanoi, on options 3 to 5
Bottle of water on the bus
English-speaking guide
Welcome drink
Vietnamese lunch with seafood (vegetarian available)
Entrance fees
Kayak or bamboo boat at Luon Cave
Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top
Tea party with drinks, fruit and snacks

Not included

Drinks on board
Tips
Travel insurance
Personal expenses

Why this one

It has the classic route at the lowest price, a very high rating and the wheelchair-accessible tag. The most-booked classic cruise has far more reviews; the standard-or-luxury day trip offers the same choice of boat with a longer track record.

The facts

Where it starts: Hanoi Old Quarter pick-up 07:30 to 08:20, or Tuan Chau International Marina
Duration: About 13 hours from Hanoi
Road transfer: About 3 hours each way including the pearl farm stop
Bay: Ha Long Bay
Boats: Deluxe (smaller, set menu) or Luxury (bigger, buffet, jacuzzi)
Price: From €35.85 per person (GetYourGuide, 15 Nov 2026)
Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours before

Checked against the GetYourGuide listing on 15 November 2026. Prices and options change: the calendar shows the current ones.

Before you book

No kayak for under-12s
The listing says the two-person kayaks at Luon Cave are not allowed for children under 12, for safety. Younger children can take the bamboo boat instead.
What to do. With young children, plan on the bamboo boat at Luon Cave.