Licensed local tour operator in Hanoi
Day trips and overnight cruises, Ninh Binh and the Ha Giang Loop, with hotel pick-up in Hanoi Old Quarter and a licensed local team. Secure your spot with just a 20% deposit.
Most booked
Choose a 1-day Ha Long Bay cruise from Hanoi if your time is short, or a 2–3 day overnight cruise to see sunset and sunrise on the bay. Prefer quieter water? Our Lan Ha Bay cruises sail the less crowded side of the bay. All cruises include lunch on board. Return transfers from Hanoi Old Quarter or Ninh Binh are available as an optional extra.
From $32 / person
From $35.25 / person
From $115 / person
From $135 / person
From $240 / person
Beyond the bay
Ninh Binh is about two hours from Hanoi, which makes it the most popular day trip from Hanoi after Ha Long Bay. You can take a boat through limestone caves, visit ancient temples and cycle between rice fields. With more time, hike the rice terraces of Pu Luong or ride the Ha Giang Loop, northern Vietnam’s most famous mountain road trip, either driving yourself or riding behind an experienced Easy Rider.
From $40 / person
From $93 / person
From $108 / person
Quick answer
Short answer: choose Ha Long Bay if you want the classic, most famous route and a day trip from Hanoi is enough. Choose Lan Ha Bay if you are staying overnight and want quieter water, fewer boats and better kayaking. Both are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago.
| Ha Long Bay | Lan Ha Bay | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | First-time visitors, day trips | Overnight cruises, couples, kayaking |
| Crowds | Busier, more boats | Quieter, fewer boats |
| From Hanoi | About 2.5 hours by expressway | About 2.5–3 hours |
| Day trip possible? | Yes, from $32 | Better as 2–3 days |
| Our pick | 1-Day Luxury Cruise | 2-Day 5-Star Cruise |
Simple & secure
Pick a date, the number of guests and your pick-up point. You see the full price before you book.
Our team confirms availability on WhatsApp or by email and sends you the deposit payment details.
You receive your voucher and trip reminders, then pay the remaining 80% at check-in.
Why Entdecke Vietnam
We are a Hanoi-based team. We run our own trips, answer messages ourselves and stay reachable before, during and after your tour.
Officially licensed by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
Reviewed by real guests on major travel platforms.
Free trip planning and honest advice from people who live here.
Where to go
UNESCO cruises, caves & islands
Quiet waters, beaches & kayaking
Boat trips, temples & limestone peaks
The legendary loop & mountain culture
Rice terraces & village trekking
Old Quarter, street food & day trips
Good to know
Yes, if your time is limited. A 1-day Ha Long Bay cruise from Hanoi takes a full day: about 2.5 hours by expressway each way, plus several hours on the bay with lunch and activities such as a cave visit or kayaking, depending on the cruise. To see sunset and sunrise and avoid the busiest times, choose a 2-day overnight cruise.
Ha Long Bay is the classic, best-known route and works well as a day trip. Lan Ha Bay, next to Cat Ba Island, is quieter and better for overnight cruises and kayaking. Our Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay guide compares them in detail.
Most tours offer pick-up from hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter. Depending on the tour, it is included or available as an option, and the price is shown before you book. Some cruises also offer pick-up from Ninh Binh.
Only a 20% deposit to secure your spot. After you book online, our team confirms availability by WhatsApp or email and sends you the deposit payment details. You pay the remaining 80% at check-in. See our booking policy for details.
Day cruises start from $32 per person and 2-day overnight cruises from $115 per person. Price depends on the cruise class, transfers and cabin type.
Yes. Our 3-day Ninh Binh, Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay 5-star cruise combines both, with transfers included.
Yes. Choose the Easy Rider option and an experienced local driver rides the motorbike while you sit behind and enjoy the views. Our Ha Giang Loop tours run for 2, 3 or 4 days, and free pick-up is available in Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh and Ha Giang.
Yes. Children usually pay a reduced rate and infants aged 0–4 travel free. Age limits vary by tour and are shown in the booking form on each tour page.
Plan smarter
Local tips, itineraries and honest comparisons, written by our Hanoi team.
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Read guide →Tell us your dates and interests. A local expert will reply on WhatsApp with honest suggestions, free of charge.
Prefer email? booking@entdeckevietnam.com
