Halong Bay Overnight Cruises 2026: Compare Ships by Bay, Budget and Itinerary
A Halong Bay overnight cruise lets you sleep on board among the limestone islands, usually for two days and one night (about 22–24 hours) or three days and two nights. We compare every overnight ship we list across three areas: classic Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and the Bai Tu Long side. Prices on our site start at about US$116 per person for two days and one night (October 2026), rising to about US$335 for top luxury ships and US$344 for a private junk. Cabins, meals, activities and sightseeing fees are included.
Updated October 2026: Prices are the "from" rates for two days and one night shown on each cruise page and change by date, cabin and season. Overnight ships must be at their anchorage by 19:00 in summer and 18:30 in winter under Quang Ninh's Decision 43/2024, and all cruises stop when the authorities close the bay for storms. Kayaking in the Cat Ba / Lan Ha bays was suspended by local authorities in late 2025; check the rule in force for your date.
Halong Bay Overnight Cruises at a Glance
| Ships compared | Every overnight cruise we list, in luxury, deluxe, budget and private levels |
| Price from (2D1N) | About US$116–344 per person, twin share (listed October 2026) |
| Length | 2 days 1 night (about 22–24 hours) or 3 days 2 nights |
| Areas | Classic Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Bai Tu Long side |
| Departure ports | Mostly Tuan Chau International Marina and Ha Long International Cruise Port |
| From Hanoi | About 2.5–3 hours by road each way |
| Included | Cabin, all meals on the itinerary, sightseeing fees, guide, activities such as cooking class and tai chi |
| Usually extra | Drinks, spa, tips, Hanoi transfer on most ships |
| Halal-certified | Four ships: Mon Cheri, Catherine, Lyra Grandeur, Diana |
| Best months | March–May and late September–November |
Is an overnight cruise worth it? Yes. You see the bay at sunset and sunrise without day-trip crowds, the drive from Hanoi is split over two days, and evening activities like squid fishing only happen at night. For most travellers it is the best way to experience the bay.
An overnight cruise ship seen from above; most anchor among the islands for the night
What Happens on a 2 Days 1 Night Cruise
Itineraries differ by ship and bay; this is a typical day. Check each cruise page for exact times.
| Time (typical) |
What happens |
| Day 1, 08:00 |
Pick-up in Hanoi (if booked); about 2.5–3 hours to the port |
| 11:30–12:30 |
Check in at the cruise lounge, tender to the ship, welcome drink and cabin check-in |
| 12:30–14:00 |
Lunch while sailing into the bay |
| 14:30–17:00 |
Cave visit, kayak or bamboo boat, swim at a beach (depending on bay and season) |
| 17:00–18:30 |
Sunset party or cooking class on the sundeck |
| 19:00 |
Dinner at the overnight anchorage |
| Evening |
Squid fishing, movie or karaoke; quiet night among the islands |
| Day 2, 06:00 |
Tai chi on the sundeck at sunrise |
| 07:00–09:00 |
Light breakfast, then a cave, village or cycling visit |
| 09:30–10:30 |
Brunch and check-out while sailing back |
| 11:00–12:00 |
Disembark; back in Hanoi mid-afternoon |
What a 3 Days 2 Nights Cruise Adds
The extra day lets the ship sail further from the busy routes. Depending on the ship, you may cycle to Viet Hai Village in Cat Ba National Park, swim at Ba Trai Dao, visit Trung Trang Cave, or kayak in remote lagoons such as Cap La and Cong Dam. Some ships move guests to a smaller day boat for the second day. Choose three days if quiet bays matter more than budget.
Choose Your Bay
|
Classic Halong Bay |
Lan Ha Bay |
Bai Tu Long side |
| Ships on our site |
14 |
31 |
7 |
| Signature sights |
Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, Luon Cave |
Dark and Bright Cave, Ba Trai Dao, Viet Hai |
Vung Vieng, Thien Canh Son Cave |
| Crowds |
Busiest |
Moderate |
Quietest |
| Beaches |
Ti Top |
Several small coves |
Few |
| Overnight sightseeing fee |
550,000 VND (route VHL2, 1 night) |
400,000 VND (Hai Phong, 1 night) |
500,000 VND (route VHL4, 1 night) |
| Best for |
First-timers who want the icons |
Beaches, calm water, Cat Ba |
Solitude and fishing culture |
Fees are the official 2025 figures of the Ha Long Bay Management Board and Hai Phong’s 2024 fee table; they are included in every cruise price on our site. Read Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay for a deeper comparison.
Dark and Bright Cave in Lan Ha Bay, a stop on many Lan Ha cruises
Overnight Cruises by Bay and Budget
Prices in brackets are the lowest per-person 2D1N rate shown on our site in October 2026 (USD). Ships without a price are quoted on request.
| Area |
Luxury |
Deluxe |
Budget / Private |
| Classic Halong Bay |
Alisa Premier (158), Ambassador (160), Athena Luxury (165), Paradise Elegance (180), L’amour Cruise (185), Victorious (188), Indochine Premium (193), Paradise Legacy (200), Catherine (202), Grand Pioneers I (210), Grand Pioneers II (215) |
Halong Phoenix Cruises (135), Halong Aquamarine (145) |
Amanda (116) |
| Lan Ha Bay |
Mon Cheri Cruises (143), Aqua of the Seas (149), Scarlet Pearl (155), Orient Legacy (158), Celina of the Sea (160), La Casta Star (163), Ambassador Signature (165), Velar of the Seas (168), Indochine (169), Indochine Grand (169), Aqua Luxury (170), Diana (188), Aspira (200), Nostalgia (214), Orchid Classic (219), Capella (234), Lyra Grandeur (255), Elite of the Seas (335), Heritage Binh Chuan |
Aurora (130), Le Journey Elegance (140), La Casta (144), La Casta Regal (144), Erina (145), Rosy (145), Doris (150), Peony (158), La Pandora, Amanda Luxury |
La Pandora Boutique (130), Milalux (139) |
| Bai Tu Long side |
Athena Royal (169), Cycad (198) |
Garden Peak (157) |
Signature (144), Swan; private: Prince Private (220), L’amour Private Junk (344) |
Browse each category: luxury cruises, deluxe cruises, budget cruises and private cruises.
Overnight Cruise Prices 2026
| Tier |
2D1N from (per person) |
What you get |
| Budget |
About US$116–144 |
Smaller cabins with windows, set menus, shared activities |
| Deluxe |
About US$130–158 |
Balcony cabins on many ships, buffet or set menus, newer interiors |
| Luxury |
About US$143–335 |
Larger suites, bathtubs or private terraces, spa, pool or lift on some ships |
| Private junk |
About US$220–344 |
The whole boat for your group, flexible route |
Prices rise at weekends, on Vietnamese holidays and for suites; single travellers pay a supplement. Three days and two nights is priced separately on each cruise page. Our Best Price Guarantee applies to every ship.
What Is Included and What Is Not
| Usually included |
Usually extra |
| Cabin with private bathroom and air conditioning |
Hanoi shuttle, limousine or private car (included on some ships) |
| All meals on the itinerary (lunch, dinner, breakfast, brunch) |
Drinks other than water, tea and coffee |
| Sightseeing and overnight fees |
Spa, massage and laundry |
| English-speaking guide, cooking class, tai chi, squid fishing |
Tips for guide and crew |
| Kayak or bamboo boat where permitted |
Single supplement; holiday surcharges |
How to Choose the Right Overnight Cruise
Sunset from the deck is the moment day trippers miss
Cabin Types Explained
| Cabin |
Typical size |
Notes |
| Ocean view (window) |
About 20–25 m² |
Budget and older ships; large windows |
| Balcony |
About 25–35 m² |
Private balcony; the most popular choice |
| Suite or terrace |
About 35–60 m² |
Living area, bathtub, terrace on some ships |
| Family or connecting |
About 40 m² or two cabins |
Extra bed or connecting door |
| Presidential or owner’s suite |
Up to about 100 m² |
A few luxury ships |
Exact sizes and categories are listed on each cruise page; sizes vary by ship.
Night Rules and Safety
Overnight ships anchor only in designated areas and must be there by 19:00 in summer and 18:30 in winter. After a day boat capsized in a summer squall in July 2025, Quang Ninh required AIS tracking and radio contact before boats may leave port, added round-the-clock rescue patrols, and in 2026 reviewed technical standards and life-saving equipment on overnight ships. Swimming is only allowed where and when the crew permits, never at night.
- We only sell licensed ships from the official ports
- Listen to the safety briefing and note your cabin’s life jackets
- When the bay is closed for storms, your cruise is rescheduled or refunded under the operator’s policy
- Book flexible dates from July to October
Overnight, 3 Days or Day Cruise?
|
Day cruise |
2 days 1 night |
3 days 2 nights |
| Time on the water |
About 4–7.5 hours |
About 22–24 hours |
About 46–48 hours |
| Sunset and sunrise |
No |
Yes |
Twice |
| Reach quieter bays |
No |
Partly |
Yes |
| Price from (per person) |
About US$58 |
About US$116 |
Priced per ship |
Our view: two days and one night is right for most travellers; choose three days for Lan Ha’s beaches or the remote eastern bays. Compare with our day cruises or read day cruise vs overnight cruise.
Best Time for an Overnight Cruise
| Months |
Weather |
Notes |
| March–May |
Mild, some mist |
Very good; calm water |
| June–August |
Hot, thunderstorms |
Swimming season; storm cancellations possible |
| September–November |
Clear and pleasant |
Best overall; typhoons possible until October |
| December–February |
Cool, 15–20 °C, grey |
Quiet bays; heated pools on some ships |
More in our best time to visit Halong Bay guide.
A bamboo boat at Vung Vieng, a highlight of Bai Tu Long side cruises
Local Expert Tips
These tips come from more than a decade of arranging Halong Bay trips for international travellers; rules follow Quang Ninh and Hai Phong regulations.
- Book balcony cabins early for October and holidays
- Pack a small overnight bag; store big luggage in Hanoi or at the port
- Bring swimwear from May to October, a light jacket from November to March
- Tell us about diets, birthdays or honeymoons when you book
- Choose a Tuan Chau departure for Lan Ha Bay cruises if starting from Hanoi
Plan Your Overnight Cruise
Send us your dates, budget and preferred bay on WhatsApp +84 886 261 368 and we will shortlist the right ships. Every booking includes our Best Price Guarantee. Browse all overnight cruises below.
