Halong Phoenix Day Cruise
FROM USD $68.00
$54.40 /pax
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- Cruise Overview
- Cabins & Rates
- Cruises Itinerary
- Cruise Reviews
Halong Phoenix Day Cruise: Budget-Friendly Halong Bay Day Trip on a 48-Guest Boat
Halong Phoenix Day Cruise is one of the most affordable ways to see Halong Bay in a day: a small 48-guest boat, refurbished in 2023, sailing from Tuan Chau. It visits Luon Cave, Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island with a seafood set lunch, a vegetarian menu on request and kayaking or bamboo boat at Luon Cave. Every booking with Halong Tour Expert carries our Best Price Guarantee.
Halong Phoenix Day Cruise at a glance
| Operator | Halong Phoenix (sister of the overnight Halong Phoenix Cruiser) |
| Ship | Traditional-style boat, 2 decks, up to 48 guests; refurbished 2023 |
| Route | Luon Cave – Sung Sot Cave – Ti Top Island (Halong Bay) |
| Time on the bay | About 6 hours (check-in 11:30, check-out 17:30) |
| Departure port | Tuan Chau Island, with a private lounge before boarding |
| Food | Vietnamese and seafood set lunch; vegetarian menu on request |
| On board | Restaurant and bar at the front, 360° sundeck |
| Transfer | Air-conditioned shuttle bus; limousine or private car on request |
| Price | Seasonal, see the live calendar below; Best Price Guarantee |
| Best for | Budget travellers, backpackers and students |
| Not ideal for | Travellers who want a jacuzzi, pool or a newer ship |
What Makes Halong Phoenix Day Cruise Different
The classic route at a budget price
You still see Luon Cave, Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island — the same stops as boats costing much more — with lunch and kayaking included.
A small boat, a personal feel
With no more than 48 guests, the guide knows everyone by name and boarding the kayaks is quick.
Simple vegetarian arrangements
A vegetarian set menu is prepared as long as you request it at least four hours before the bus reaches the port — just tell us when you book.
Who Halong Phoenix Day Cruise Is Best For
Book it if you are
- A budget traveller who wants the main sights without extras
- A small group or family that prefers a small boat
- A traveller who mainly wants to kayak and see the caves
Choose another cruise if you want
- A jacuzzi at a value price: Halong Heritage Luxury
- A quiet boat with a bigger sundeck: Alova Premium Day Cruise
- An overnight stay: Halong Phoenix Cruiser
Halong Phoenix Day Cruise Itinerary
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 07:30–08:20 | Pick-up in the Old Quarter (exact time confirmed the day before) |
| 11:30 | Check-in at the private lounge, Tuan Chau Island |
| 12:15–13:15 | Set lunch while cruising past Fighting Cocks, Incense Burner and Thumb rocks |
| Afternoon | Luon Cave by kayak or bamboo boat |
| Afternoon | Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave |
| Late afternoon | Ti Top Island: beach or viewpoint |
| 17:30 | Check-out at Tuan Chau |
| 20:30–20:45 | Drop-off in Hanoi |
Facilities on Halong Phoenix Day Cruise
| Deck | What is there |
|---|---|
| Deck 1 | Restaurant and bar at the front |
| Deck 2 | Sundeck with 360° views |
Dining on Halong Phoenix Day Cruise
- Set lunch: Vietnamese dishes and seafood.
- Vegetarian: request at least 4 hours before the bus reaches the port — tell us when you book.
- Indian or halal: not offered — see Halong Heritage Signature and our halal cruise guide.
Getting from Hanoi to Halong Phoenix Day Cruise
The air-conditioned shuttle bus takes the expressway to Tuan Chau (about 170 km). Upgrade to a limousine or private car for more comfort, or check in at the Tuan Chau lounge by 11:30 if you are already in Ha Long.
Halong Phoenix Day Cruise vs Similar Budget Day Cruises
| Cruise | Budget | Guests | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halong Phoenix | Value | 48 | Smallest boat, lowest price, vegetarian on request |
| Alova Premium | Mid-range | 65 | Small group, vegetarian in set lunch |
| Pamela | Premium | 99 | Heart-shaped pool, Bai Chay port |
| Halong Heritage Luxury | Value | 99 | Jacuzzi, sunset party |
Our view: choose Halong Phoenix Day Cruise for the lowest price; spend a little more for a jacuzzi (Heritage Luxury) or a quieter small-group boat (Alova Premium). Compare all Halong Bay day cruises.
Not to be confused with
Halong Phoenix Day Cruise is the day boat. Halong Phoenix Cruiser and Halong Phoenix Cruises are overnight ships with cabins.
Local Expert Notes from Our Hanoi Team
These tips come from more than a decade of arranging Halong Bay trips for international travellers.
- Confirm availability early: small budget boats sell out and schedules can change by season.
- Bring sunscreen and a hat — the sundeck is open.
- Wear trainers for Sung Sot Cave and the Ti Top climb.
- Weather: see the best time to visit Halong Bay.
Halong Phoenix Day Cruise Price 2026
Prices vary by date and transfer type; see the live calendar below. Every booking is covered by our Best Price Guarantee.
- Included: set lunch, entrance fees, kayak or bamboo boat, guide; shuttle bus if selected.
- Not included: drinks, tips, limousine upgrade.
- Children: 1–4 years (under 1.2 m) free, 5–8 years 75%, 9+ full price.
Questions? WhatsApp our Hanoi team on +84 886 261 368. More answers are in the FAQs below.
Cruise Inquiry
- Hanoi - Halong Bay Tour 1 Day by Phoenix Day Cruise
Morning
08:00 – 8:30: For those who use the transfer service (book in the next step with an additional fee), our bus will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter to depart for Ha Long.
11:45 – 12:00: Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor, board the Phoenix wooden junk, and start the day cruise to discover Halong Bay – one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Witness the striking, bizarre scenery and imposing limestone islands while the ship sails deeper into the bay.
Have appetizing fresh seafood for lunch. Enjoy your meal and take a look at the natural splendors and karst formations with imaginary names like Fighting Cocks, Incense Burners, and Stone Dogs.
Afternoon
Arrive at Sung Sot Cave means Surprising Cave on Bo Hon Island. This is one of Ha Long Bay’s most spectacular and largest grottoes. After walking through about a hundred stone steps, you will reach the entrance and see the wonder of Mother Nature with numerous grand stalactites & stalagmites.
Call on Luon Cave to explore this majestic lagoon. You’ll discover the area’s tranquility by kayaking – an indispensable water activity in Halong or sitting on bamboo boats to admire breathtaking scenes leisurely.
NOTE: If you do not join the above activities, you could stay on the sundeck to relax.
Visit the amazing Titop Island, where you can swim or relax on the sandy beach shaped like a crescent moon. Another great option is hiking to the island’s peak to witness the beautiful still-blue waters and limestone mountains.
Return on board and cruise back toward Tuan Chau Harbor. Relax at your own pace or make friends with fellow travelers in the captivating sunset view of Halong Bay.
17:30 – 18:00: Disembark at the pier and get ready for a bus ride back to Hanoi. Guests will have a short break on the way.
Evening
Drop off at your hotel in the Old Quarter at approximately 20:30. Goodbye, and see you again.
- PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
CRUISE RATE:
- Shuttle bus round trip option: 55 USD/person
- Limousine car round trip option: 68 USD/person
Tour Inclusions:
- English speaking tour guide.
- Transfer Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi by shuttle bus with A/C and one-way Halong – Hanoi by new highway express road. (Pick-up/ drop-off transfer at all Hanoi hotels with location in the Old Quarter).
- All entrance fees, bamboo boat.
- 06 hours cruising (including Sung Sot cave).
- One bottle of water on bus.
- Seafood lunch on boat (vegetarian menu available if the client(s) required at least 4 hours before the bus reaches the port).
Tour Exclusions:
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
- Other things not clearly mentioned in the included list.
• Original passport
• Shorts and T-shirt or warm clothes in winter (travel light)
• Camera, sunglasses and sun creams
• Cash for drinks (beer, wine) on boat
- Check in on board: 11:30 AM
- Check out: 17:30 PM
- Return Hanoi: 20:45 PM
- Children from 1-4 years old and under 1.2m are free of charge (limited)
- Children from 5-8 years old: 75% of adults
- From 9 years old is charged as an adult
- 2 adults can only accompany 1 child. The second child is charged 50%
- Peak season surcharge: Surcharge VND 200,000/person for 24/12 and 31/12 and Lunar New Year (30 Dec, 1, 2 and 3 Jan in Lunar Calendar). Surcharge VND 150,000/person on 1/1, 10/3 (Lunar March), 30/4, 1/5, 2/9
Traveler Reviews
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 in total
Great choice for Halong 1 day trip!
We had a great and smooth experience booking our day trip to Ha Long Bay by Jimmy - Halong Tour Expert with the best deal. This was a great trip across Halong Bay. The boat was beautiful, the food was great, and the staff was kind. We thoroughly loved the varied activities, which included trekking to Ti Top Island, swimming, wandering around Hang Sung Sot cave with a guide, and kayaking in Hang Luon. It was an amazing experience that we didn't want to end! Highly recommend this cruise. Thank you.
Halong Tour Expert offered us this Halong Phoenix Day Cruise! My friends and I enjoyed our Halong Bay day trip very much. The pick-up was smooth although it took a bit long to collect all guests at rush hour. The cruise is new, nice, the food was delicious, the crew staff were friendly, Bamboo boat trip was nice. We highly reccommed Halong Tour Expert and this day cruise if some one does not have 2 days - 1 night for Halong Bay.
Thank you
Binoj Gopi
Calendar & Prices
Other Similar Halong Bay Budget Cruises
FAQs
Halong Phoenix Day Cruise is a 48-guest budget day boat from Tuan Chau, refurbished in 2023, visiting Luon Cave, Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island. Compare it on Halong Bay day cruises.
Yes. It covers the classic sights with lunch and kayaking at one of the lowest prices. Read more on this Phoenix day trip in Halong Bay.
Check in at 11:30, set lunch, then Luon Cave, Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island, checking out at 17:30.
Pick-up is 07:30–08:20, confirmed the day before, with drop-off around 20:30–20:45. Compare in day cruise vs overnight cruise.
Yes, a vegetarian set menu if requested at least 4 hours before the bus reaches the port. Tell us via our contact page.
No. Read our guide to halal Halong Bay cruises.
No. For a jacuzzi at a value price see Halong Heritage Luxury.
Up to 48 guests on two decks. See other sizes on our day cruise list.
Rates depend on date and transfer; see the live calendar on this page or compare on Halong Bay day cruises.
Yes. Find the same Phoenix day trip in Halong Bay with the same date and inclusions for less and we match it via our contact page.
No. Halong Phoenix Cruiser is an overnight ship with cabins.
From Tuan Chau Island, with a private lounge before boarding. Ask for directions via our contact page.
Yes. Children 1–4 (under 1.2 m) travel free, 5–8 pay 75% and 9+ pay full price. More in our FAQs.
If the authorities close the bay for a storm, we offer a new date or a refund under the operator’s policy. See the best time to visit Halong Bay.
Yes, check in at the Tuan Chau lounge by 11:30. Ask via our contact page.
