Halal Halong Bay Cruises 2026: Certified Ships for Muslim Travellers

Certificate details below were read from the certificate documents published by each cruise operator. Halal certificates expire, so always ask for the current copy before you book.

Halal Halong Bay cruises, in short: four cruise ships sailing Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay have been issued certificates by Halal Vietnam (HVN), a private halal certification body. Lyra Grandeur, Catherine and Diana hold current “Muslim Friendly Service” certificates. Mon Chéri Cruises was the first ship in the area to be certified (in 2018); the latest certificate we have seen ran until 25 September 2026, and its renewal is still being confirmed.

Many other ships advertise “halal food” but hold no certificate. They can usually prepare pork-free, alcohol-free meals if you ask in advance, which is not the same thing. This guide explains the difference, shows each certificate, and covers prayer, the mosque in Hanoi and the practical details Muslim travellers ask about most.

Key facts at a glance

• Certified ships: Lyra Grandeur, Catherine and Diana (current certificates); Mon Chéri (renewal being confirmed).
• Who certifies them: Halal Vietnam (HVN), a private certifier. None of these ships appears on the register of the state-run National Halal Certification Centre (HALCERT).
• What the certificates cover: catering and Muslim-friendly service on board. They do not make the whole ship alcohol-free.
• Prayer room: confirmed on Catherine. On other ships, a quiet cabin or deck space is usually arranged on request.
• Nearest mosque: Al-Noor Mosque in Hanoi, about 2.5–3 hours by road from the Halong Bay piers. There is no mosque in Ha Long City.
• Typical price: roughly US$150–350+ per person for a two-day, one-night cruise on these ships, depending on season, cabin and promotions.

Halal-certified Halong Bay cruises compared

All four ships are 5-star overnight cruises. Ratings are the TripAdvisor scores at the time of writing.

What the two certificate types mean: “Halal Restaurant” certifies the kitchen and food. “Muslim Friendly Service” is a broader certificate issued against OIC/SMIIC standards (the standards body of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation). It is aimed at hospitality businesses serving Muslim guests and covers halal catering together with related service.

The halal-certified ships, one by one

1. Lyra Grandeur Cruise: newest certified superyacht in Lan Ha Bay

Lyra Grandeur is an 80-metre, six-deck superyacht launched in August 2025 by Vietstar Cruises (Lyra Cruise Collection). It has 33 ocean-view suites and sails Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, with a visit to Dark and Bright Cave.

• Certificate: HVN-OIC/SMIIC-2025-169, Muslim Friendly Service, issued 30 December 2025 to Viet Star Cruise Investment JSC.
• Valid until: 29 December 2026. If you travel after that date, ask for the renewed certificate.
• Best for: couples and honeymooners who want the most modern ship and a quieter bay.

Rated 5.0/5 on TripAdvisor.

See itineraries and suites on the Lyra Grandeur Cruise page.

2. Catherine Cruise: the only certified ship with a dedicated prayer room

Catherine is a 90-metre, five-deck cruise launched in October 2023 by Halo Eco Group. It has 39 cabins with balconies and sails the classic Halong Bay route via Luon Cave, Ti Top Island and Sung Sot Cave. Halal menus are served in its two restaurants.

• Certificate: Muslim Friendly Service. First approved 18 February 2025; current certificate issued July 2026. Number: HVN-OIC/SMIIC-2024-148.
• Valid until: 22 July 2027 according to the Halal Vietnam register, the longest validity of the four ships.
• Prayer room: yes, a dedicated room on board.
• Best for: families and travellers who want to pray on board without improvising.

Rated 4.9/5 on TripAdvisor.

Cabins and itineraries are on the Catherine Cruise page.

3. Diana Cruise: large double-hull ship for groups in Lan Ha Bay

Diana is a 95-metre Damen double-hull ship launched in October 2025 by Venus Cruise (VietBay Group). It has 56 suites, two lifts and a stable hull, and sails Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Halal menus are served alongside Vietnamese dishes from all three regions.

• Certificate: HVN-OIC/SMIIC-2025-230, Muslim Friendly Service, issued 7 January 2026 to Venus Cruise Co., Ltd.
• Valid until: 6 January 2027.
• Best for: larger families, groups and older travellers who value lifts and stability.

Rated 4.8/5 on TripAdvisor.

Details are on the Diana Cruise page.

4. Mon Chéri Cruises: the first halal-certified cruise, renewal being confirmed

Mon Chéri, operated by Big Bay Group, launched in 2018 and was the first cruise in the Halong Bay area to be halal-certified. Its sister ships sail Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, visiting Dark and Bright Cave and Trung Trang Cave.

• Certificate: HVN2024-171, Halal Restaurant, issued 26 September 2024 to Big Bay Viet Nam Yacht JSC (first approval 15 September 2018).
• Valid until: 25 September 2026. We are confirming the renewal with the operator. Until a new certificate is published, treat Mon Chéri as “halal by long-standing practice” and ask for the current document before booking.
• Best for: travellers who want a smaller, more intimate luxury ship.

Rated 4.9/5 on TripAdvisor.

See the certificates

Each image shows the certificate as published by the operator, with its number and validity date. Scan the QR code on the original document, or check the number with Halal Vietnam, to confirm it is current.

Halal-certified, Muslim-friendly or “halal on request”: know the difference

Some travel websites describe Peony or Celina of the Sea as “certified”. We have not seen a certificate for either ship, so we list them as halal on request. If a seller tells you a ship is certified, ask for the certificate number.

How to check a halal certificate before you book

1. Ask for a copy. A genuine certificate shows the company name, the certificate number, the issue date and an expiry date.
2. Check the dates. Certificates usually run for one to two years. An expired certificate is a reason to ask more questions.
3. Scan the QR code on the certificate, or look up the certificate number with Halal Vietnam.
4. Know the two systems. Vietnam has a state-run National Halal Certification Centre (HALCERT) and several private certifiers such as Halal Vietnam. Both are used in the market; neither certificate makes a whole ship alcohol-free.
5. Confirm your meals in writing when you book, even on a certified ship.

Practical guide for Muslim travellers on a Halong Bay cruise

Prayer on board

• Catherine has a dedicated prayer room. Other ships can usually set aside a quiet space if you ask when booking.
• Pack a travel prayer mat and use a qibla app; from Halong Bay the qibla is roughly west-northwest.
• Cabins have private bathrooms, so wudu is easy.

Mosque and halal food in Hanoi

• Al-Noor Mosque at 12 Hang Luoc Street, Hoan Kiem, is the only mosque in Hanoi and northern Vietnam. It was built by Indian traders and opened in 1890. Get directions on Google Maps.
• Plan Friday prayers in Hanoi rather than on the cruise; there is no mosque in Ha Long City.
• Hanoi has a growing number of halal restaurants, especially around the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, and several large hotels offer halal menus.
• In Ha Long, the Nan n Kabab restaurant in Bai Chay was certified by HALCERT in May 2025, which is useful if you stay on land before or after the cruise.

Alcohol and shared spaces

A halal certificate covers food and service, not the bar. All four certified ships still serve alcohol in their bars and restaurants. If this matters to you, ask for a table away from the bar, or choose a private cruise where you control the menu.

Ramadan cruises

Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, subject to moon sighting, and overlaps with Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) on 6 February 2027. Ships are busy over Tet, so book early and ask for suhoor and iftar meals at least a week before you sail.

Which halal cruise suits you?

• You want a prayer room on board: Catherine.
• You want the newest, most luxurious ship: Lyra Grandeur.
• You travel with a big family or older parents: Diana, with lifts and a stable double hull.
• You prefer a smaller, quieter ship: Mon Chéri, once its renewed certificate is confirmed.
• You need full control over food and alcohol: a private cruise with a halal menu arranged in advance.

Compare more 5-star ships on our top Halong Bay luxury cruises page, or browse Lan Ha Bay cruises, where three of the four certified ships sail.

Booking tips

• Request halal meals when you book, and repeat it in your confirmation email.
• Tell the ship about allergies and children’s meals at the same time.
• Book 4–8 weeks ahead in peak months (October to April), and earlier for Tet and Ramadan.
• Ask for road transfer from Hanoi with prayer stops if you need them; the drive to the Halong Bay piers takes about 2.5–3 hours.

Want a halal itinerary planned for you? Contact Halong Tour Expert with your dates and we will confirm current certificates and meals with the ship before you pay.

Halal Halong Bay cruises: frequently asked questions

1. Which Halong Bay cruises are halal-certified?

Lyra Grandeur, Catherine and Diana hold current Muslim Friendly Service certificates from Halal Vietnam. Mon Chéri was certified in 2018; its latest certificate we have seen ran until 25 September 2026 and the renewal is being confirmed. All four are 5-star ships, listed with others on our Halong Bay luxury cruises page.

2. Is there a prayer room on Halong Bay cruises?

Catherine is the only certified ship in Halong Bay with a dedicated prayer room. Other ships can usually set aside a quiet space if you ask when booking. See the Catherine Cruise page for cabins and itineraries.

3. Which Lan Ha Bay cruises serve certified halal food?

Lyra Grandeur, Diana and Mon Chéri all sail Lan Ha Bay and have Halal Vietnam certificates, though Mon Chéri’s renewal is still being confirmed. Compare routes on our Lan Ha Bay cruises page.

4. Do halal-certified Halong Bay cruises serve alcohol?

Yes. The certificates cover food and service, not the bar, so all four certified ships still serve alcohol. A private cruise gives you full control; see our private Halong Bay cruises page.

5. Is there a mosque near Halong Bay?

No. There is no mosque in Ha Long City. The nearest is Al-Noor Mosque at 12 Hang Luoc Street in Hanoi, about 2.5 to 3 hours by road. Plan Friday prayers in Hanoi; our Halong Bay travel guide covers transfers and timing.

6. How do I check a Halong Bay cruise halal certificate?

Ask for a copy showing the company name, certificate number and expiry date, then scan its QR code or check the number with the issuer. We check this for every halal booking; contact us with your travel dates.

7. Can I get halal food on a Halong Bay day cruise?

The four certified ships are overnight cruises, but many day cruises can prepare pork-free seafood or vegetarian meals if you book them at least 48 hours ahead. Browse options on our Halong Bay day cruises page.

8. Are there halal cruises in Bai Tu Long Bay?

None of the four certified ships sails Bai Tu Long Bay on its regular routes. Several Bai Tu Long Bay cruises can arrange halal meals on request, so confirm in writing before you pay. See our Bai Tu Long Bay cruises list.

9. Which halal cruise in Lan Ha Bay is best for families?

Diana suits large families best: it has 56 suites, two lifts and a stable double hull, and holds a Muslim Friendly Service certificate valid to January 2027. See the Diana Cruise page.

10. Is Mon Chéri still a halal cruise in Halong Bay?

Mon Chéri has served halal-certified food since 2018. Its certificate HVN2024-171 ran until 25 September 2026, and the renewal is being confirmed, so ask for the current copy. Details are on the Mon Chéri Cruises page.

11. Can I do a halal overnight cruise in Halong Bay during Ramadan?

Yes. Ships can serve suhoor and iftar if you ask at least a week ahead. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, close to Tet, so book early. Compare ships on our Halong Bay overnight cruises page.