Package overview
Every night on this itinerary is spent in the same Hanoi hotel, which sets it apart from the more common overnight-cruise version of a Hanoi and Ha Long Bay short break. The bay is visited on a single long day trip — an early départ, roughly four hours cruising among the limestone islands with lunch on board, and a return to Hanoi the same evening.
It suits clients who are uneasy about sleeping on a boat, or simply prefer not to repack for a one-night cruise stopover, as well as anyone on a tighter schedule who still wants to see the bay. Hanoi's own city tour fills the second day, leaving one full day free before departure. October to April tends to bring the calmest seas for the day cruise.
Trip highlights
- Full-day Hanoi city tour covering Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and the Old Quarter
- A single day cruise on Ha Long Bay among 3,000 limestone islands
- Seafood lunch served aboard the cruise boat
- One Hanoi hotel for the whole stay, with no overnight cruise cabin
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (about a 45-minute, 25 km transfer from the airport)
Hanoi's mix of French colonial streets, lakeside temples and centuries-old trading quarters makes for an easy introduction to the country. Arrival afternoons are usually left free for a first stroll through the Old Quarter's narrow lanes of shophouses and street-food stalls.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour
The full-day tour covers Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, then Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda beside West Lake. After lunch the group visits the Museum of Ethnology before ending at Hoan Kiem Lake and a walk through the surrounding Old Quarter.
Day 3: Ha Long Bay day cruise (about 3 hours / 170 km one way)
An early departure around 7am covers the drive through the Red River Delta's rice fields to Ha Long Bay, where the group boards a private junk for a roughly four-hour cruise among the bay's 3,000 limestone islands. A seafood lunch is served on board before the return drive, with the group back in Hanoi by around 7pm and staying at the same hotel.
Day 4: Departure from Hanoi (about a 45-minute, 25 km transfer to the airport)
The final morning is free until transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for the onward or homeward flight, closing a short itinerary built around one hotel base and a single day on Ha Long Bay's water.
What's included
- INCLUSIONS
- EXCLUSIONS
- ACCOMMODATION
- VISA
- PAYMENT TERMS
- CANCELLATION POLICY
- DO'S IN VIETNAM
- DON'TS IN VIETNAM
- Accommodation with twin/ double/ triple sharing room basis with daily breakfast in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability).
- Meals as mentioned in the Tour Itinerary.
- Sightseeing & Transfers according to the above Tour Itinerary Details only.
- Transportation by vehicle with A/C
- Local English-speaking guide’s assistance.
- All Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
- All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
- Government taxes & service charge
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Not included
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Book this package
Visa requirements, payment terms and cancellation rules for this destination are set out on our [Vietnam travel information page](vietnam/travel-information).
Rates are quoted on request for your dates, party size and hotel category. Send us the itinerary reference and we will come back with a net B2B quotation.