Halong Bay Cruise 2 Days 1 Night

Halong bay is one of the most selected destinations for every traveler coming to Vietnam and to the northern region in specific. Some choose to spend a few hours while many want to stay for a few nights to see as much of what the bay has to offer. Among these itineraries, 2-day-1-night cruising is the most popular and favorite option.

A 2D1N cruise means almost 24 hours on the bay. It is explained by the embarkation time at 12:00 pm and disembarkation time at around 11:00 am the next day of all overnight cruises. This itinerary provides a series of activities on and off the boat and the enchanting beauty of Halong Bay at different times of the day. Some may think that with just a short timeframe, it is challenging to explore the  bay's entire magnificent landscape. However, a wisely arranged time and itinerary will surely provide you with very enjoyable experiences for a fun-filled cruise vacation.

Activities included in a 2 day 1 night itinerary

Day 1

Once arriving at the cruise port, you will be assisted with luggage check-in by the cruise operator. Then, the crew member will escort you to embark the boat. A refreshing welcome drink and safety briefing is usually given before you check in your cabin and enjoy lunch. During lunch, the cruise sails to the bay and proceeds to the first attraction.

In the afternoon, you are transferred to the first attraction by a small boat (tender). It could be a cave full of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, an island with a sandy beach and panoramic view, or a cave submerged half by water and visited by a kayak. Some of the highlights are Surprise cave, Luon cave, Titop island, Dark-Bright cave, Tra Bau area, Ao Ech area, etc.

After the excursion, you can join a number of activities onboard or spend free time relaxing on the top deck with the perfect sunset view. After dinner, you'll have the option to engage in squid fishing, catch a movie, savor beverages from the bar, or unwind in the cabin.

Day 2

Cruises may offer a Taichi or Yoga session on the sundeck where you can soak up the fresh air and release the tiredness in your body and mind. You later enjoy a light breakfast while the ship cruises to the next attraction. Afterwards, you have time to freshen up and pack your luggage, check out your cabin, settle the bill (if any), and back to the dining area to savor a hearty breakfast. The trip ends at around 11:00 am.

Pros and cons

Although cruising for 2 days and 1 night brings plenty of merits, some demerits cannot be denied.

Pros

Reasonable duration

Normally, you come from other locations and commuting back and forth to both destinations can consume several hours. Thus, a day cruise cruise feels hurried, leaving no room for relaxation. Conversely, a more extended two-night cruise excursion appears to strike the right balance, making it a safe and suitable choice for most travelers.

Affordable price

Obviously, overnight cruises cost more than day cruises and 1-night cruises cost less than 2-or-more night cruises. However, compared with the time you spend to travel from nearby regions to the bay, a 1-night itinerary is more valued for money.

In fact, Halong Bay cruises are classified into different levels such as cost-saving cruises (3-star), middle-level cruises (4-star), and upscale cruises (5-star). Hence, you completely can find a budget option with a bit higher price than a day cruise to have 24 hours on the bay full of activities.

Varied activities and excursions

The longer you stay on the bay, the more activities and excursions you can join. Yet, a 2-day trip fully offers you typical activities including kayaking, swimming, relaxing on the rowing boat, hiking to the mountain, watching the bay at dawn and dusk, and more . Better still, onboard activities such as cooking class, Taichi, sunset party, Happy Hour, and squid fishing are only offered on overnight cruises but not day cruises.

Cons

Just 24 hours on the bay

2 days but not actually 2 days! This itinerary includes nearly 24 hours since the cruise departs daily and has to come back to the harbor to pick up new passengers. As a consequence, some may find it still short and do not have much time to rest among activities.

Crowded attractions

In comparison to the high daily volume of ships, the available travel routes are relatively limited. Consequently, it's almost inevitable that a significant influx of tourists will be visiting the attractions simultaneously. The less frequented routes are especially integrated into longer itineraries spanning 2 nights or more, allowing you to access more remote areas of the bay on smaller boats.

Best 2 day 1 night cruises

Hundreds of cruises offer an enticing 2-day-1-night itinerary on Halong bay, Bai Tu Long bay, and Lan Ha bay. The price ranges from above US$100 to around US$300 per pax. Some best 1-night itineraries are listed below.