The 13 Best Hanoi Boat Tours

1.Ha Long Bay Day Cruise – Swimming, Meal, Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7,415 reviews · from $41Our pick

Spend a long, full day cruising Ha Long Bay from Hanoi, with transport, lunch, cave visits, kayaking or bamboo boating, Titop Island, swimming, and a sunset snack included. Guides such as Sunny, Alex, Ken, and Henry are praised for clear information and good humor, though crowds and a long return make this a busy day.

“Sunny was a great guide! We made the most out of the day and enjoyed a relaxing day with great tips and info. We also got vegetarian food on the ship. Highly recommend the tour with Sunny!”

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2.Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,384 reviews · from $33Best value

Travel from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, and Mua Cave with an English-speaking guide such as Sunny, Linh, or Viet. The day combines Vietnamese history, a buffet lunch, a short village bike ride, a bamboo boat trip, and a steep climb to one of Ninh Binh’s best viewpoints.

“It’s a full day trip to Ninh Binh. Nice way to see a different area from Hanoi. Our guide Sunny was knowledgeable about Vietnam culture and history and passionate about sharing it”

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3.Ha Long, Lan Ha Bay – All Inclusive 2D1N & 3D2N

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,358 reviews · from $56

You’ll sail from Hanoi through Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay on a 2-day, 1-night Amanda Cruise, with kayaking, caves, Titop Island, meals, Tai Chi, and squid fishing. Guides such as Alex, Dan, Hannah, and Roxanne have earned praise, but confirm your exact boat, route, and cabin before paying.

“Visiting Ha Long Bay was a dream of mine and Roxanne and team deliver a very luxurious experience. Although there were a couple of issues along the way Roxanne and team handle them effectively and professionally! The team in the yacht were exceptional. Thank you for making my dream come true! I would highly recommend their service!!!”

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4.Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,512 reviews · from $48

Spend 11 to 12 hours traveling from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay by shuttle, then cruise for 5 to 6 hours. You’ll visit Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, and Hung Luon by kayak or bamboo boat, with a buffet lunch and sunset party included. Guides such as Minh, Tim, Duc, and Binh are often praised for clear, friendly help.

“Clean boat, great buffet lunch with plenty of food to feed everyone, comfortable bis ride to and from Hanoi. The activities (Surprising Cave, Titop Mountain and kayaking through Hung Luon) were very enjoyable. Our guide, Oliver, was very knowledgeable and made the day run smoothly.”

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5.2-Day Halong & Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise with Balcony

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,300 reviews · from $188

Spend one night aboard a 5-star cruise through Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, with a private balcony cabin, seafood meals, kayaking, caves, swimming, tai chi, and squid fishing. English-speaking guides such as Jackie, Tom, and Mike have helped make the tightly timed program run smoothly.

“the cruise was absolutely amazing! the boat is beautiful and the room very comfortable. the activity were even better than I imagine . the food is delicious and served like in a gastronomic restaurants. finally the crew is adorable and present any time day and night to answer at your demande especially miss hao she is the best!! I recommend you this cruse so much , it worth every penny”

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6.Mon Chéri Cruise 5 star: Unique 2 Days Tuan Chau – Halong bay – Lan Ha Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,422 reviews · from $195

You’ll spend two days and one night aboard Mon Chéri Cruise from Got Pier, sailing Lan Ha and Halong Bays. Expect a luxury suite, Vietnamese meals, kayaking, swimming, a bamboo boat through caves, sunset and sunrise views, cooking, and squid fishing.

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7.Doris Cruise 5 star cruise 2 days visiting Halong Bay Lan Ha Bay private balcony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,338 reviews · from $235

Cruise Ha Long and Lan Ha bays from Hanoi in a private-balcony cabin, with kayaking or rowing, swimming, cave visits, tai chi, cooking, and full-board meals. Staff members such as Emily, Mona, Jessica, and Summer are noted for warm, attentive service, especially with vegetarian and special food requests.

“Very nice rooms , vegan food, well planned activities and the sundeck.”

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8.Ninh Binh Day Trip: Hoa Lu-Trang An/Tam Coc-Mua Cave-Cycling-Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,886 reviews · from $43

Travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by shuttle for a busy day of temple visits, village cycling, a Trang An grotto boat ride, buffet lunch, and the 500-step climb at Mua Cave. Guides such as Liam, Max, Tim, James, and Jason have led past departures. Expect beautiful scenery, a group of up to 32, and a brisk pace.

“A perfect experience for our huge group of 13! Our tour guide, James (Cung) was amazing. He was a reason why our trip was so memorable. Thank you for the experience!! Shoutout to James!”

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9.3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,401 reviews · from $313

Travel from Hanoi to Bai Dinh, Trang An, and Mua Cave, then spend a night aboard a 5-star Lan Ha Bay cruise with a private balcony. Expect kayaking, swimming, cave visits, Vietnamese meals, Tai Chi, and careful WhatsApp coordination from the operator.

“Everything was wonderful. Thank you so much. Jessica’s attention and care, in particular, were absolutely amazing. Thank you. The staff was excellent. The trips and tours over the past two days were fantastic. It was a wonderful birthday gift for me. Also, thank you for celebrating my birthday yesterday. Thank you very much. I felt great. The organization, transportation, and communication are amazing—very professional and helpful. I eagerly look forward to meeting you again!”

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10.2-Day: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay Luxury Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 842 reviews · from $110

This fast-paced two-day trip pairs Ninh Binh’s temples, river caves, and Mua Cave climb with a luxury Ha Long Bay cruise. Guides such as Sunny, Ken, and Alex lead the excursions, while the boat adds lunch, kayaking or a bamboo ride, Titop Island, Sung Sot Cave, and a sunset party. No hotel night is included.

“Perfect! The guide Ken was very kind and helpful! Thank you Vietnam!! 🇻🇳🇨🇱”

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11.Inclusive 2 Day/1 Night Halong Luxury Cruise, Meals, Cave, Kayaking,Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 668 reviews · from $50

Spend one night aboard a small-group Halong Bay cruise with a private ocean-view balcony cabin. You’ll visit Sung Sot, Thien Canh Son, Dark and Light, or Luon Cave, with kayaking, swimming, meals, Tai Chi, cooking, and squid fishing included. Guides such as Sunny, Tom, Alex, and Tung have earned special praise.

“Well worth it. The rooms were spacious, clean and comfortable and the staff was very helpful. Some of the activities, namely squid fishing and the cooking class, were not as expected nor well organised, but the main part of the experience - cruising in Halong Bay - was great.”

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12.2-Day: Halong Lan Ha Bay 5 Stars Cruises w/Balcony & Bathtub

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 422 reviews · from $161

Spend one night aboard a modern luxury cruise through Ha Long and Lan Ha bays. Expect a balcony cabin with bathtub, meals, kayaking, swimming, Tai Chi, a cooking class, and Dark Cave or Ba Trai Dao visits. Lucas and the onboard team handle transfers and special arrangements.

“Excellent Serive from pick to drop off. Very good food. Cruise staff are nice and helpful”

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13.2-Day Ha Long Bay Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 309 reviews · from $120

Cruise Ha Long Bay from Hanoi with an overnight cabin, meals, English or Vietnamese guide, Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, Luon Cave, kayaking, sunset cooking, and optional night fishing. Guides such as Tony, Long, Pink, Ti, and Micky have been praised for friendly, attentive service.

“The scenery here is absolutely beautiful and there was so much food on board that was really tasty. The boat was a bit old but the rooms and facilities were comfortable enough. The tour guide was great, really nice and everything was very efficient and clear. It is just a shame about the huge numbers of tourists here. about 20-30 other boats at the same time as us and everyone visits the exact same spots at basically the same time. As I said was beautiful but I would recommend going to the quieter bay.”

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