During a trip to Vietnam, taking a cruise in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay is an amazing experience not to be missed. Halong Bay is a world-famous name, recognized as one of UNESCO’s natural wonders. However, I want to share a detailed review of my 2-day cruise in Lan Ha Bay in this blog. Offering similar landscapes with fewer crowds, this bay is a true green gem to be preserved on Cat Ba Island.
Our 2-day luxury cruise itinerary included Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. But most of the time we explored Lan Ha Bay. In fact, we chose this itinerary because our travel advisor recommended it as a less crowded destination than Halong Bay. And she was right! We were amazed by the majestic landscapes of Lan Ha Bay’s karst formations, which are just as stunning as those of Halong Bay.
What makes this bay even more special is its ability to retain its wild charm. Its pristine caves and limestone mountains, shaped by time, come in various shapes and are covered with lush greenery, offering a striking contrast to Halong Bay.
Beyond relaxing aboard the 5-star cruise, Lan Ha Bay offers a variety of activities: kayaking, visiting fishing villages, exploring caves... All of these experiences made our 2-day stay in Lan Ha Bay truly unforgettable.
Our journey began at 8 AM when the driver picked us up at our hotel in Hanoi to take us to the port, where we boarded the cruise. The transfer was quite smooth, and by noon, we were already on a small shuttle boat taking us to the La Regina Grand luxury cruise, the starting point of our 2-day trip in Lan Ha Bay.
During lunch onboard, I could admire the majestic scenery as the cruise transitioned from Halong Bay to Lan Ha Bay. Karst mountains with various shapes rose here and there amidst the sea — a beauty no photo can truly capture as perfectly as seeing it in person.
In the afternoon, my husband and I went kayaking to explore the Dark and Light caves. Kayaking on the sea and venturing into the caves was one of the most thrilling experiences. Afterward, we returned to the cruise to relax before dinner.
Being fond of Vietnamese cuisine, we found the dishes served onboard absolutely delicious and beyond our expectations. After the meal, my husband enjoyed a massage while I returned to our cabin to unwind.
In the morning, I woke up early to join a Tai Chi session before having breakfast with my husband. The cruise then headed to Trung Trang Cave, one of the most beautiful caves in Lan Ha Bay. We admired an impressive system of stalactites and stalagmites with fascinating and varied shapes.
Around 10 AM, we enjoyed a delightful brunch before checking out as the cruise returned to the port, arriving at noon. Thus concluded our two-day cruise in Lan Ha Bay. We then made our way back to Hanoi, where we arrived in the evening.
For our two-day trip to Lan Ha Bay, we chose the La Regina Grand cruise and booked a Lan Ha Suite. Our first impression of this 5-star Lan Ha Bay cruise was the friendliness of the onboard staff. They were incredibly welcoming, always smiling, and quick to assist us with anything we needed.
Another highlight of La Regina Grand luxury cruise was the quality of the meals served at the restaurant. Perhaps enjoying these dishes while at sea added to the experience, but there’s no denying that the flavors were excellent, especially the Vietnamese spring rolls.
Initially, we hesitated due to the slightly high cabin prices on La Regina Grand, but the service quality exceeded all our expectations. Our cabin was well-equipped and very comfortable, allowing us to rest peacefully without any seasickness issues.
La Regina Grand is an excellent choice if you’re seeking a unique experience, less focused on Halong Bay and more centered on exploring the wonders of Lan Ha Bay.
Here are some insights we gathered from our trip to Lan Ha Bay:
Lastly, we highly recommend opting for a 2-day, 1-night cruise in Lan Ha Bay. It was an unforgettable experience! Our Vietnam trip was organized by Autour Asia - Vietnam local tour operators. Our travel advisor was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. We wouldn’t hesitate to contact Autour Asia again and recommend them to anyone planning a trip to Vietnam.
FR
ITA