Ninh Binh and the bay

3 days from Hanoi: Ninh Binh with an ecolodge night, then a 6-star Lan Ha Bay balcony cruise

4.6/5

504 reviews on GetYourGuide

The upgraded version of the Ninh Binh and bay combination: a night at an ecolodge or hotel in Ninh Binh, then a 6-star cruise with a private balcony and bathtub in Lan Ha Bay. Rated 4.6 from more than 500 reviews, taxes included, from €204.11 (GetYourGuide, 15 Nov 2026).

Starts inHanoi Old Quarter

Day one is Ninh Binh by limousine bus from the Hanoi Old Quarter: Hoa Lu, the ancient capital, a Vietnamese buffet lunch, a wooden boat through the rivers and caves of Trang An, and the climb of around 500 steps to the Mua Cave viewpoint over Tam Coc. You spend the night at an ecolodge or hotel.

On day two the limousine takes you from Ninh Binh to Tuan Chau Island, where a tender boat brings you to the 6-star ship for a welcome drink and a cold towel. Lunch is served as you cruise, then you explore by kayak or bamboo boat around the white limestone and Dark and Light Cave, watch the sunset, join a cooking class and settle in after dinner with music, squid fishing or a massage.

Day three starts early with breakfast and kayaking or swimming in the calm water of Tra Bau, then check-out, a farewell brunch and the bus back to Hanoi. Upgrades are a Horizon Suite at US$30 or an Imperial Suite at US$170 per person.

Through the year

The listing adds surcharges on 24 and 31 December, at Lunar New Year (5 to 8 February 2027) and on national holidays.

What guests love

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

An amazing tour from the first day to the last
A helpful guide
The cruise itself

Worth knowing: One reviewer wanted more on board than kayaking

Good for

Couples who want a 6-star ship
Travellers who like an ecolodge in the countryside
Anyone on a tight north Vietnam schedule

Not for

Travellers who want lots of activities on board

How the day goes

Hanoi Old Quarter
Limousine to Ninh Binh.
Hoa Lu and Trang An
Ancient capital, buffet lunch, wooden boat.
Mua Cave
About 500 steps; night at an ecolodge or hotel.
Tuan Chau Island
Day 2: tender to the 6-star cruise; lunch.
Dark and Light Cave
Kayak or bamboo boat; sunset, cooking class.
Tra Bau
Day 3: kayak or swim, brunch, bus to Hanoi.

Included

Pick-up and drop-off in the Hanoi Old Quarter
English-speaking guide in Ninh Binh and on the bay
One night at an ecolodge or hotel, private room
One night on a 6-star cruise with balcony and bathtub
Meals: two breakfasts, three lunches, one dinner (special diets catered for)
Ninh Binh entrance fees
Kayak, bamboo boat, bike, tai chi, cooking class, sunset party
Insurance on board and VAT

Not included

Drinks
Dinner in Ninh Binh
Suite upgrades
Holiday surcharges

Why this one

Choose it over the 5-star combination for a bigger, newer-style ship and an ecolodge option in Ninh Binh. The 5-star combination has three times the reviews and costs a few euros less.

The facts

Where it starts: Hanoi Old Quarter pick-up
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights (ecolodge or hotel, then cruise)
Road transfer: Hanoi to Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh to Ha Long, Ha Long to Hanoi
Bay: Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay
Cabin: 6-star, private balcony and bathtub, up to 3 guests
Price: From €204.11 per person, VAT included (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

Dinner in Ninh Binh is on you
The listing leaves one dinner in Ninh Binh out of the price; the cruise dinner is included.
What to do. Ask your hotel for a restaurant near Tam Coc for the first evening.