How to choose the best 3 days 2 nights Halong Bay cruise

In the previous article, Vivu Halong introduced to you a details guide for two days 1-night Halong Bay cruise. In this post, we review the 3 days and 2 nights Halong Bay cruise tour package. If you are planning to travel to Ha Long and stay onboard for 2 nights, or do not decide to stay 1 night or 2 nights on Halong Bay, you should read this article. 

3 day 2 night  Halong Bay cruise, extraordinary cruising experience 

Compare to the two days and 1-night cruise trip, you will have a more exciting experience on a longer cruise journey 

The 3 day 2 night Halong Bay cruise is a package tour with transfer from Hanoi. This tour includes meals, accommodation, onboard activities, and an outdoor experience. You will follow the scheduled itinerary during a 2-night stay on the cruise. 

With the 3 days 2 nights cruise tour, you will board the cruise, and enjoy all the services lasting from noon on the first day until noon on the 3rd day.

Depending on the itinerary you choose, you will depart at different ports to visit the bay.

• Bai Tu Long Bay & Ha Long Bay itinerary > Depart from Ha Long International Habour
• Lan Ha Bay itinerary> Depart from Tuan Chau International Habour

If you travel from Hanoi, follow the itinerary with pick up from Hanoi around 8:30 – 09:00 am to arrive harbor in Halong Bay at 12:00. Embark on the cruise and start cruising to the bay, you will stay 2 nights and experience many exciting activities: kayaking, swimming, bamboo boat riding to visit a cave, cycling (Cat Ba island)… After that, by 11:00 pm noon on the 3rd day, you can check out. Finally, you will get on the shuttle bus and get back to Hanoi at 3:00 pm.

• Spend 2 nights on a cruising vessel 
• Experience: kayaking, swimming, visiting caves, cycling… 
• Meals: 3 lunches, 2 dinners, 2 breakfast 
• Start cruising at 12:00 (at noon) from the harbor in Halong Bay (1st day).
• Ends at 11:00 AM at the harbor (3rd day) 

Halong Bay 3-day cruise price & what included 

Most of the cruise operators will offer you the 3 day 2 night cruise, the price of this longer cruise will double the price of 1 night cruise

This 3-day cruise price will include 

• Cabin with private bathroom, big windows, private balcony… 
• All meals on board as mentioned in the itinerary
• English-speaking tour guide on board
• Free complimentary in the cabin
• All entrance and sightseeing free 
• Kayaking, bamboo boat rowing, cycling on the island, fishing activities 
• Tai Chi practice in the morning, Sunset Party… 

The price will not include 

• Drinks 
• Transfer to Halong Bay 
• Extra service: massage… 
• Tips… 

>> Book a 3 day cruise: Call or WhatsApp: +84.789.455.888 

3 day cruise itinerary and which route to choose

Cruising on Halong Bay for 2 nights, you can choose one of the 3 main routes with its own unique experience 

• Halong Bay cruise route 
• Lan Ha  Bay – Cat Ba island cruise route 
• Bai Tu Long Bay cruise route 

Let’s explore the different 3 day cruise itineraries

Halong Bay cruise route 

The journey to the center of Ha Long Bay is the most popular route for travelers, you can find here many famous visiting sites: Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Stone Dog Islet (Hon Cho Da), Dinh Huong Islet, Trong Mai Cave, Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island. Soi Sim Island, Me Cung Cave… 

Depart from Halong Port or Tuan Chau Marina (Tuan Chau island)

Visiting sites and Experience: 

• Natural caves: Amazing (Sung Sot) cave, Thien Cung grotto, Me Cung cave, Trinh Nu cave…
• Beaches and islands: Titov Island, Soi Sim Island…
• Kayaking in Hang Luon
• Floating villages: Ba Hang, Cua Van floating village…

Pros: It is the most popular and famous cruise route of Halong Bay, you can visit the most well-known attractions on the bay and explore a beautiful area

Cons: It could be crowded, for both domestic tourists and international travelers (especially in the peak season)

3 day Halong Bay cruise itinerary

DAY 1: HABOUR – HALONG BAY – SURPRISING CAVE –  TITOV ISLAND

• 12:00 Welcome guests at  Halong International Harbour. Complete the luggage check-in procedure at the waiting lounge before boarding for the cruise.
• 13:00 Enjoy lunch at the restaurant onboard.
• 14:45 Visit “Sung Sot” Cave (Surprising cave) – the biggest and the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay.
• 15:45 Explore Titov island with a nice sandy beach and reach the top mountain for a panoramic view of Halong Bay.
• 17:00 Back to cruise and relax.
• 18:00 Enjoy a sunset party with freshly prepared snacks and your favorite drinks while waiting for sunset on Halong Bay
• 18:30 Cooking class
• 19:00 Dinner onboard
• 20:30 Free time for evening activities (music lounge, sundeck relaxing, squid fishing…)

DAY 2: FLOATING VILLAGE – ME CUNG CAVE

• 06:30 Morning Taichi Excercise
• 07:00 A light breakfast is ready to serve at the restaurant
• 08:30 Transfer to a dayboat to discover a rustic floating village and another stunning cave in Halong Bay
• 10:00  Arrived at Tung Sau Area, the village with local fishing life will be discovered by kayaking
• 12:00 Lunch onboard
• 13:30  Explore “Me Cung” cave (Maze cave)
• 15:00  Back to the boat and relax
• 18:00 Sunset party
• 18:30 Cooking class
• 19:00 Enjoy sparkling dinner onboard
• 20:30  Freetime for evening activities

DAY 3: KAYAKING – HALONG BAY – HABOUR

• 06:30 Morning Taichi on the sundeck
• 07:00 Breakfast at the restaurant
• 08:00 Explore Luon cave by kayaking or bamboo boat rowing
• 09:00 Check out of your cabin
• 09:30 Enjoy a brunch buffet at the restaurant after check-out while cruising toward the port
• 10:45 Transfer by tender back to Halong International Habour and disembarkation.

>> Book a 3 day cruise: Call or WhatsApp: +84.789.455.888 

Bai Tu Long Bay cruise route

This journey is to visit an eastern part of ​​Halong Bay, named Bai Tu Long Bay. It is a large area, quieter and less tourists than the centre area. The cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay brings you to visit Thien Canh Son Cave, Cong Do, Cap La fishing Village, Thay Cave, and Vung Vieng floating fishing village. 

The cruise starts from  Halong International cruise port

Visiting sites and Experience: 

• Natural caves: Thien Canh Son cave 
• Beaches and islands: Hon Co island, Cong Dam 
• Kayaking in Cong Do area, Cong Dam area 
• Floating villages: Vung Vieng floating village…

Pros: The bay is less traveled, and not many boats cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay

Cons: Limited choice of cruising boats, higher budget than Halong Bay cruise route

3 day Bai Tu Long Bay  cruise itinerary

DAY 1: HA LONG INTERNATIONAL HARBOR – BAI TU LONG BAY – CAP LA 

• 12:00: Embark at Ha Long International Harbor
• 12:30 – 12:45: Check-in, enjoy a welcome drink & cruise briefing.
• 13:00 – 13:40: Have lunch onboard
• 16:00 – 17:00: Enjoy paddling around Cap La and Tra San by kayak.
• 17:30 – 18:15: Back to junk for relaxing.
• 19:00 – 21:00: Have dinner and overnight on board in Cong Do

DAY 2: CAP LA – THIEN CANH SON – BBQ LUNCH ON BEACH

• 07.30 – 08.30: Morning view of the Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the fresh air.
• 08.30 – 09.45: Start cruising to Hon Co Island while discovering the geological values of Bai Tu Long Bay.
• 09.45 – 11.00: Enjoy swimming on the beautiful beach on the island or kayaking through the rocks.
• 12.00– 13.30: Have a BBQ lunch on the beach (Depending on the availability and weather conditions)
• 13.45 – 15.45: Explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son cave.
• 16.00 – 17.30: Back to junk for relaxing while cruising to Cong Do.
• 19.00 – 21.00: Have dinner & overnight on board.

DAY 3: CONG DO – VUNG VIENG – HA LONG INTERNATIONAL HARBOR

• 07.30: Enjoy the fresh air & gentle breeze of the bay in the morning. Have breakfast on board.
• 07.30 – 08.45: Cruise to Vung Vieng fishing village.
• 09:00 : Visit Vung Vieng fishing village by a rustic rowboat, meet the local people and pass through the floating school and fish farm.
• 10:00 : Check out of the cabin, and start cruising towards the harbor.
• 10:45 : Have lunch on board.
• 11:40 – 11.45: Disembark at Ha Long Harbor.

The cruise route to visit  Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba island 

This journey is new in recent years. Lan Ha Bay is in the south of Ha Long Bay, close to ​​the Cat Ba archipelago. The visiting sites include Luon Cave, Ba Ham lake, Nam Cat Island, Monkey Island, Bright, and Dark Cave… 

The cruise starts from Tuan Chau harbor

Visiting sites and Experience: 

• Natural caves: Bright cave 
• Kayaking in Tra Bau, Ao Ech, Viet Hai pier 
• Floating villages on Cat Ba island 

Pros: Lan Ha Bay has more than 300 islands and limestone outcrops,  just as beautiful as those of its superstar neighbor but feels more isolated and untouched. Lan Ha Bay also has the additional attraction of numerous white-sand beaches, which aren’t found in Halong Bay

Cons: There are not many caves to climb up as in Halong Bay

3 day Lan Ha Bay  cruise itinerary

DAY 1: TUAN CHAU – LAN HA BAY – BRIGHT CAVE

• 11:45 – 12:00 Welcome to Adela Boutique Cruises lounge at Tuan Chau International Habour and complete check-in procedures.
• 12:00 Transfer to Adela Boutique Cruise by a tender boat.
• 12:30 Embark Adela Boutique Cruise, and enjoy a welcome drink while listening to cruise briefing and safety instructions.
• 13:00 Have lunch at The Dawn Restaurant while Adela Cruise takes you from Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay.
• 15:00 Explore Bright cave on a traditional rowing bamboo boat with locals.
• 16:30 It’s time for swimming and water activities, immersed in the green bay with floats.
• 17:30 – 18:30 Enjoy a Sunset party with some complimentary while waiting for twilight over limestone islands. Take the chance of HAPPY HOUR to have your favorite drinks
• 19:00 Dinner on the top deck, a special memorable dining experience in an intimate and romantic setting.
• 21:00 Enjoy evening views of the bay and try your luck with squid fishing. The bar is open until late.

DAY 2: VIET HAI VILLAGE – BA TRAI DAO BEACH

• 06:15 Watch the sunrise with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck
• 07:00 A light breakfast is served at the Dawn Restaurant.
• 08:00 – 08:30 Transfer to Viet Hai pier by speed boat, where we’ll take an opportunity to explore the local life of an ancient village on Cat Ba island.
• 09:00 Arrive at the pier, you’ll choose to take a ride by bicycle or electric car to Viet Hai village. The 6km-ride takes you along a beautiful lagoon and a lovely cave to the hidden village of Viet Hai.
• 11:30 Relax and enjoy your lunch in a local restaurant.
• 14:00 Start exploring the fish farms at Viet Hai pier by kayak.
• 15:00 Transfer to Ba Trai Dao, it’s time for more swimming or just lying on a small & pristine beach and watching the clouds drift by.
• 16:00 Back to the cruise to relax and wait for the sunset, maybe with a cocktail in hand.
• 19:00 Enjoy a delicious dinner at the restaurant. After dinner, indulge in drinks at the open bar on the top deck, try squid fishing, a spa treatment or relax in your cabin.

DAY 3: TRA BAU – LAN HA BAY – TUAN CHAU

• 6:00 Start a day with a Tai Chi session, enjoy the fresh air and watch the sunrise on the bay.
• 6:30 Have a light breakfast on board.
• 7:00-8:00 Explore the Tra Bau area by kayaking, get closer to the rocky islands and admire the stunning nature of the bay.
• 9:00 Return to the cruise, check out.
• 9:30 Enjoy brunch at the restaurant while cruising back to Tuan Chau port.
• 11:00 Disembark at Tuan Chau port.

>> Book a 3 day cruise: Call or WhatsApp: +84.789.455.888 

Experiences when joining 3 day 2-night cruise 

3 day 2 night cruise let you explore more places and exciting activities as you have more time to relax and enjoy stunning nature 

Kayaking

Kayaking is the most popular and exciting activity on Halong Bay cruise. You will be guided to the boat and visit the natural water wave scenery.

If you are a professional paddle, this activity is exciting. As for those who have never experienced it, it would be fine, because the tour guide will lead you enthusiastically and the water is calm. Then you get your free time to explore the watery landscape. 

On the 3 day 2 night cruise, you will have more time for kayaking on the first day and second days of the trip. Especially, on the second day, kayaking on Cat Ba island is fantastic, the chance to witness local floating life and amazing landscape.

*You have more time for kayaking on 3 day 2 night cruise 

>> Book a 3 day cruise: Call or WhatsApp: +84.789.455.888 

Visiting the island, and the cave

In Ha Long Bay’s population, there are thousands of small and large islands. You will visit many famous places. Specifically:

• Halong Bay: visiting Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Me Cung Cave, Titop Island, Soi Sim Island
•  Bai Tu Long Bay : visiting Thien Canh Son cave, Cong Do, Thay Cave, and Vung Vieng fishing village. 
• Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba island: visiting Luon Cave, Ba Ham Lake, Nam Cat Island, Monkey Island, Bright and Dark Cave

Visiting fishing village

The fishing village is a very prominent destination in the journey. You can find the beauty of culture as well as learn about the local life of a fisherman on Halong Bay.  Exciting activities in the fishing village as fishing, and participating in farm fishing. Besides, you can also buy local seafood to support fishers. After that, you can thank the cook on the cruise to savor the flavorful dishes of the sea.

• Vung Vieng fishing village (Bai Tu Long Bay)
• Cua Van fishing village, and Ba Hang fishing village (Halong Bay)  
• Cai Beo village (Lan Ha Bay)

Facilities on cruise 

Like a  five-star hotel, the system of facilities on the vessel is guaranteed to be synchronous and convenient from bedrooms, and dining rooms to restaurants, and bars for customers.

The restaurant system and bar counter served 24/7 delicious food and drinks. Also, if you want to entertain, the cruise has an age-based play area and a new mini-golf course.

Luxury cabin 

The cabin on the cruise is well equipped for a comfortable stay with King size/Queen size bed, air conditioning, a private balcony, ocean view window and a private bathroom.  The area of the bedroom is large and clean and comfortable. All rooms have full-frame windows overlooking the sea. You can relax, read books, and admire the immense bay space. With the five-star cruise, the bathroom will have a Jacuzzi tub, a relaxing massage area to bring a sense of relaxation.

• Balcony or Terrace
• Hairdryer
• Kettle Tea
• Saving Safe
• Shower bathtub
• Telephone
• Towel
• Air Conditioner

Restaurant & Bar 

The Restaurant *& Bar boasts panoramic views over the poetic bay. A varied menu of Vietnamese and International food will be served to you by our professional crew.

Catering service 

Because of booking a package tour, customers do not need to worry about meals. During 3 days and 2 nights journey, you can enjoy four main meals and two breakfasts on the cruise with a varied and rich menu.

Breakfast on the board usually serves from 7:00 to 08:30 am.  Besides, the tour price covers meals, and if you want to use drinks like wine, beer or soft drinks, you must pay according to the external invoice, and not included in the tour.

* A quick note: the price of drinks on board is more expensive than on the mainland. 

Cruise & tours recommendation 

With an increasing number of customers coming to Ha Long, many boats are selling 3 days and 2 nights cruise tour such as:

• Adela Boutique Cruise 
• Scarlet Pearl Cruise 
• Heritage Cruise 
• Dragon’s Pearl Junk 
• Stellar of the Sea Cruise 
• La Casta Cruise 

These cruise vessels are four and five-star quality cruises, as well as highly appreciated by the tourists, including the modern facilities, and professional, enthusiastic and thoughtful staff. You will experience the most luxurious and classy service among the large sea waves. More cruise options (with detailed itineraries and rates) are listed in the Halong Bay luxury cruise collection by Vivu Halong.