Embarking on a two-day Halong Bay cruise is the perfect way to explore one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking destinations. From cruising through emerald waters surrounded by towering limestone cliffs to enjoying activities like kayaking, swimming, and savoring fresh seafood, this guide will help you make the most of your first unforgettable journey in Halong Bay.
As a UNESCO-recognized World Natural Heritage site, Halong Bay stands out as one of Vietnam’s must-visit destinations. Many travelers opt to experience its breathtaking beauty through a cruise, with the 2-day, 1-night option being the most popular. This choice offers the perfect opportunity to explore the bay up close, soak in its stunning scenery, and participate in a variety of exciting activities. For those planning a trip to Vietnam, a Halong Bay cruise from Hanoi is an excellent way to make the most of your time and budget.
Things to Do During 2 Days On Halong Bay Cruise
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To help you make the most of your cruise experience, here are some must-try activities that will make your journey unforgettable.
Go kayaking
Halong Bay was once voted by National Geographic Adventures magazine as one of the top 25 kayaking destinations in the world. Kayaking is truly a must-try experience when traveling to this bay. Visitors can paddle on the calm waters and slide through the gigantic limestone formations covered by a lush ecosystem, along with the vast and endless sea and sky. The most popular areas for kayaking are Luon Cave, Ba Ham Lake, and Ba Hang Fishing Village.
Kayaking in Halong Bay offers a chance to immerse yourself in the serene surroundings
Swim in pristine waters
Halong Bay is known for its natural and artificial beaches, featuring pristine and poetic scenery, alongside the lush islands. The beaches here are incredibly peaceful, featuring emerald-clear water with gentle waves, and white fine sand. Swimming on the beaches here is a wonderful activity during your vacations, providing a sense of comfort and relaxation.
Immerse yourself in the clear, tranquil waters of Halong Bay
The most well-known natural beach here is on Titop Island, a beautiful island in Halong Bay that features a crescent-shaped sandy beach. While some famous beaches can be pretty crowded, tourists can choose the beaches further away from the central area. Soi Sim Island and Ngoc Vung Beach are definitely worth a visit for their pristine nature and fresh atmosphere. Additionally, you can enjoy the scenery, breathe in the fresh air while strolling along the beach, and take impressive pictures of the magnificent landscapes.
Master Vietnamese cuisine
One of the unique experiences on a 2-day cruise in Halong Bay that you shouldn’t miss is the traditional Vietnamese cooking class. The class will be a great opportunity for you to learn how to make famous Vietnamese dishes such as Nem Ran (spring rolls), and Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancake), as well as gain a deep understanding of Vietnamese culinary traditions.
The chef on the cruise will share the cultural stories behind the dishes and explain each step in detail, helping tourists create the dishes themselves. More interestingly, because cooking classes on the ships usually take place in the late afternoon or evening, you can enjoy your self-made dish while watching the sunset over Halong Bay after completing it.
Vietnamese cooking class is one of most favorite activities on Halong cruises
Discover enchanting caves
Halong Bay is gifted by nature with countless caves, offering great adventures for travel enthusiasts. There are both sea caves and dry caves in the bay, mostly formed by unique systems of shimmering stalactites and stalagmites.
Sung Sot Cave is the largest and most beautiful dry cave, featuring thousands of interestingly shaped stalactites and stalagmites. Other similar caves worth visiting are Thien Cung Cave and Trinh Nu Cave, etc. Meanwhile, Luon Cave is one of the most fascinating sea caves, offering stunning landscapes for kayaking. Here, you will paddle a boat/kayak through a narrow cave that winds through the mountain, which then leads to a vast lake surrounded by mountain ranges.
Halong Bay is home to ancient caves with captivating rock formations
Immerse yourself in local culture
If you want to explore the simple and distinctive way of life in Halong Bay, visiting the small fishing communities is a perfect activity for you. Most of the villages in the bay are floating villages, made up of small stilt houses tied together on the water. The locals are mostly fishermen, living here from generation to generation.
Some cruises include activities in floating fishing villages in their itineraries, particularly, cycling in Cua Van Village or visiting Viet Hai Village. Cua Van Village is a floating village that stands out as one of the 16 most beautiful ancient villages in the world, as voted by the world’s most famous travel magazine. Meanwhile, Viet Hai Village is an ancient village located deep in Cat Ba National Park, featuring a peaceful beauty and a rich natural ecosystem including mountains, forests, and seas inside.
Visit to Halong Bay’s floating village will offer you a unique insight into the local life
Savor Halong Bay’s sunset
One of the most unique and romantic experiences on a Halong cruise is admiring the sunset and sunrise over the sea. Especially at sunset, visitors will be immersed in the stunning scenery as the sunlight paints the sky and the ocean in shades of red. Only on the sundeck of Halong Bay cruise can visitors see a sunset as beautiful as a painting, allowing travelers to feel connected to the poetic and majestic landscapes.
Moreover, at this time, most Ha Long cruises usually open their swimming pools/jacuzzis and offer happy hour (discounts or complimentary drinks at the bar). Tourists can relax in the pool, enjoy a refreshing drink, and watch the sunset over the bay after a long day of sightseeing. This is undoubtedly the best time to enjoy with loved ones and family, and also the perfect moment to capture impressive photos for social media.
Watch the romantic golden sunset over Halong Bay from the sundeck
In addition to the above-mentioned activities, the Halong Bay cruise still has many fantastic things waiting for you to try, such as Taichi, and classes of Vovinam martial art. Whether you are looking for a nature exploration or just barely to chill out, the Ha Long Bay 2 day cruise will definitely blow your mind. For more information on cruise options, please contact BestPrice soon to book a tour for you and your family.
