Package overview
Where most short Hanoi and Ha Long Bay itineraries give the bay a single night, this one adds a second, transferring guests onto a smaller boat on the middle day to reach Fairy Lake Cave — a narrow-entrance grotto explored by kayak or small local paddle boat, with two internal chambers and views over a shallow inland lake. A pearl farm visit rounds out the extra day before returning to the main cruise route back to Hanoi.
This suits agents whose clients specifically want more time on the water rather than a second land-based destination like Ninh Binh or Sapa. The pace is noticeably slower than the standard overnight-cruise version, with two full days of cruising rather than one, and works best from October to April when conditions on the bay are calmest.
Trip highlights
- Full-day Hanoi city tour covering Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and the Old Quarter
- Two full nights aboard a Ha Long Bay cruise rather than the usual one
- Kayaking or small-boat exploration of Fairy Lake Cave's two chambers
- Pearl-farming visit to learn how cultured pearls are produced
- Surprise Cave and a swim stop near Ti Top Island
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (about a 45-minute, 25 km transfer from the airport)
Hanoi's tree-lined boulevards, French colonial buildings and lakeside pagodas set an easy pace for the days ahead. Arrival afternoons are usually spent close to the hotel, with time for an optional walk through the Old Quarter.
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, ending at Hoan Kiem Lake with a walk through the surrounding Old Quarter.
Day 3: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, board overnight cruise (about 3 hours / 170 km one way)
An 8am pickup starts the drive through the Red River Delta's rice fields to Ha Long Bay. Once aboard the traditional junk, the cruise passes Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Dog and Sail Islands, stops at a pearl-farming site and paddles into Luon Cave, with a swim near Ti Top Island before sunset and dinner served on board.
Day 4: Ha Long Bay, Fairy Lake Cave and pearl farm
The group transfers to a smaller boat to reach Head Islet and explore Fairy Lake Cave, known locally as Tien Ong Cave, by kayak or small local paddle boat. The cave's narrow entrance opens into two chambers, the second holding a shallow lake surrounded by limestone walls, before an afternoon visit to a pearl farm to see how cultured pearls are produced.
Day 5: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi, Surprise Cave (about 3 hours / 170 km one way)
A Tai Chi session on the sundeck opens the morning before the cruise visits Surprise Cave, entered by around 100 steps and explored on a roughly hour-long walk. After brunch, the boat passes Ga Choi Island, Binh Phong Mountain and Tortoise Island before disembarking at Tuan Chau port for the road transfer back to Hanoi.
Day 6: 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 trip built around two full nights on Ha Long Bay rather than the usual one.
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.