Lan Ha Bay, home to Cat Ba Island, is to the south of Halong Bay. It covers more than 7,000 ha, 5,400 of which are managed by Cat Ba National Park. You can rent a boat and begin your journey from Cat Ba Island or take a Halong Bay overnight cruise to Lan Ha Bay.

Lan Ha Bay is one of two unspoiled neighboring bays that offer the same breathtaking scenery as Halong Bay. When you take a cruise to Lan Ha Bay, you'll be awestruck by the breathtaking natural scenery, which includes hundreds of towering mountains of varying sizes and shapes. More than 400 islands make up Lan Ha Bay, which is home to numerous picturesque white sand beaches.

Lan Ha Bay is more tranquil and remote from the rest of the world than Halong Bay. There are trees and vegetation everywhere on the islands; under the clusters of islands, the peaceful fishing villages and sandy beaches line the rocky mountain. All of them are excellent alternatives to Halong Bay for a good swimming spot, a private beach barbecue, or a camp for the night. Therefore, Lan Ha Bay is an ideal option for unwinding and getting lost in nature if you prefer a destination that is off the beaten path.

Lan Ha Bay has gained popularity in recent years due to its primitive beauty and less-crowded attractions. You can enjoy Lan Ha Bay's vibrant coral reef and calm sea in the midst of stunning landscapes in just 30 minutes by boat from Cat Ba Island. Lan Ha Bay is considered to have the best water quality for diving and rock climbing out of the three bays in Halong Bay. 

Consider private cruises in Lan Ha Bay, where you can hire the best boats for your own use, to make your vacation unique, personal, and out of the ordinary. The recommended charter boats will need to be affordable and meet high standards. As a result, the top 10 private cruises below can satisfy your desire to charter a cruise to explore the tranquil Lan Ha Bay.

1. Ginger Cruise 

Ginger Cruise joined the well-known Heritage Line fleet when it debuted in 2018. It is one of the most recent vessels providing tours of Lan Ha Bay. It has 12 suites with private balconies, high-quality decor, and upscale facilities that are up to international 5-star standards. 

There is a pool on the sundeck, a warm timber floor, and a marble bathroom with exquisite themes of northern Vietnam. The bar, library lounge, VIP or Lady Ginger Spa, and cooking area are additional services. 

The top deck dining room provides panoramic views of Lan Ha Bay. A live-cooking zone in the center allows you to watch the chef prepare your meals. 

In addition to the usual Lan Ha Bay activities of hiking, swimming, cycling, and kayaking, you'll be able to participate in a cooking class onboard the boat. If you enjoy cooking or simply enjoy fine dining, the Heritage Line Cruise is probably the best Lan Ha Bay cruise for you!

Ginger Cruise Lan Ha Bay's overall appearance is exceptional and has received praise for its Indochina style of the 1920s. Chartering Ginger Cruise for a traditional cruise to an undiscovered paradise of absolute serenity and natural beauty. Take a cruise to begin a private journey!

2. Orchid Cruises 

Let's use the charter vessel "Orchid" to tour the stunning Lan Ha Bay. One of the most luxurious cruises in the region, this five-star structure debuted in January 2019. It's a wooden cruise with 14 black-and-white pictures, a glass wall, and marble furniture in an elegant design. 

Enjoy yourself aboard at the bar, restaurant, spa, gym, and sundeck for entertainment. Many vacationers, families, and honeymooners choose the Orchid Cruises Lan Ha Bay because of its exotic design and exciting outdoor programs when they arrive at attractions like Duck Islet, the Gia Luan area, Ba Trai Dao Islet, Dark and Bright Cave, among others. When you charter an Orchid Cruise, you get complete privacy and enjoyment. 

3. V’Spirit Premier Cruise

Another excellent option for exploring Lan Ha Bay is the V'Spirit Premier Cruise. While the rooms are not as large as those on the previous boats, you will have more than enough space to relax during your cruise. 

You'll also appreciate the immaculate wooden paneling throughout, as well as the jacuzzi tub for soaking after a long day of exploring. All of their cabins have balconies so you may relax in the solitude of your own apartment while you float past the limestone cliffs of Lan Ha Bay. However, if you're in the mood for conversation, walk to the top deck where there are lots of sun loungers.

You may bike to Viet Hai village on Cat Ba island, kayak to the beaches of Ba Trai Dao island, and more while on this voyage. You'll be ready for a few drinks at V'Spirit Premium Cruise's daily happy hour after a day of exploration. You'll like the delicious meals and the welcoming and courteous staff.

Families seeking the ideal Lan Hay Bay cruise might consider the mid-priced V'Spirit Premier Cruise. You can go for a two-day, one-night trip or spend two nights on board the ship and take in the landscape.

4. Cat Ba Sailing Junks

The four junks Cat Ba Legend, Cat Ba Prince, Cat Ba Princess, and Cat Ba Imperial are members of this junk family. You can rent all of them for your groups to have complete privacy and comfort. This is your expedition! These junks are ideal for family cruise tours because they can hold up to eight adults at a time.

5. Venezia Cruises

Another wonderful low-cost and private Lan Ha Bay alternative is Venezia Cruises. If you only have a short amount of time to spend in Lan Ha Bay, they have a 2 day/1 night plan and a 3 day/2 night itinerary. Whichever option you pick, you'll have a cruise around the bay while taking in the impressive limestone cliffs and the opportunity to get off the boat and go on some exciting excursions.

Exploring various caves in the region, biking to small villages, swimming, kayaking, cooking classes, sunset parties, fishing, and Tai Chi classes are among the daily adventures. During your time onboard Venezia, you'll enjoy making the most of this spectacular bay! The spacious, air-conditioned rooms are paneled in wood and have large windows that let in plenty of light. The shared lounge area on the boat's roof is ideal for relaxing at sunset or meeting other passengers on board.

6. Azalea Cruises 

Azalea Cruises, a private cruise in Lan Ha Bay, has 26 well-appointed cabins, delectable cuisine, and an excellent onboard crew. Azalea was among the first cruise lines to visit Lan Ha Bay.

You'll visit a 100-year-old French lighthouse on Da Chong islet and trek through Trung Trang cave on Cat Ba island during your cruise. You will be able to explore Lan Ha Bay both on land and in the water. Swim at Tra Bau, cycle to the nearby village of Viet Hai, and kayak through the bay's limestone islets.

If you really want to treat yourself, book one of the Exclusive Suites. These spacious cabins include a balcony, a private jacuzzi tub, and an in-room bar. The wrap-around windows offer panoramic views of Lan Ha Bay.

While Azalea Cruises offers a 2-day/1-night Lan Ha Bay cruise, we recommend their 3-day Lan Ha Bay cruise - you will not be disappointed!

7. Calypso Cruises

Maybe the most reasonably priced overnight trip in Lan Ha Bay is offered by Calypso Cruises. The least opulent of all the cruises we have discussed here, the rooms are roughly the same size as those on the V'Spirit. You won't be in your room much anyhow, so don't worry. At a fraction of the cost, you can visit the same places as other cruises.

You'll appreciate taking in the views of Lan Ha Bay from the numerous peaceful spaces onboard, which include a big sundeck loaded with lounge chairs and a lovely dining room. The most affordable Lan Ha Bay cruise choice is Calypso Cruises if you want to avoid the Halong Bay throng yet are on a tight budget.

8. Doris Cruise

The Doris Cruise is a spotless vessel with a striking interior design, featuring some cabins with enormous circular beds! Every cabin on board features free toiletries, a flat-screen television, a bathtub, a private seating space, air conditioning, and a coffee and tea maker.

Depending on your budget and time limits, you can choose a 2 day/1 night tour or a 3 day/2 night excursion. With the three-day option, you may see more of Lan Ha Bay and unwind on board while savoring cuisine of the highest caliber. 

The daily schedule is very similar to the previous boat trips. These consist of kayaking, swimming, cave exploration, and biking to far-flung communities.

After a long day of touring Lan Ha Bay, you'll truly appreciate the gorgeous hot tub on the boat's roof. Also, you can play games or enjoy a drink at the bar.

9. Perla Dawn Sails

Perla Dawn Sails needs to be at the top of your list since it is one of the greatest luxury private cruise companies operating in Lan Ha Bay. There are 18 cabins on the boat, ranging in size from the junior suites' 27 square meters to the grand suites' generous 45 square meters.

Both a 2-day/1-night and a 3-day/2-night cruise around Lan Ha Bay are available from Perla Dawn Sails. You will leave Cat Hai Port for either route and travel through the stunning limestone karsts to the north of Cat Bay island before reaching Lan Ha Bay.

You will kayak in Ba Ham Lake, go cycling on Cat Ba island, explore a hidden lagoon on a local bamboo boat, and visit a floating farm in the middle of Lan Ha Bay while taking a trip on the Perla Dawn Sails.

One of the best cruises in Lan Ha Bay, this tour is sure to stand out as one of the highlights of your time in Vietnam.

10. ERA Cruises

Era Cruises, which debuted in July 2017, are one of the most recent and most luxurious private cruises that operate on pristine routes through Lan Ha Bay. 

Era Cruises are five-star accommodations with ample space, opulence, and amenities to meet the needs of affluent passengers. The Dutch professionals cleverly designed the cabin system to become its scores. 

The steel vessels of Era feature a gym, mini-golf course, medical center, restaurant, and bar for unforgettable experiences in addition to their sleek, contemporary design and impressive furniture. 

It also has special cruise packages that take you through the beautiful beaches, pristine scenery with hundreds of islands and islets, Viet Hai fishing village, Light & Dark cave, Ba Trai Dao Beach, and other places.

Each Era Cruise has 18 cabins, the smallest of which is a 47-square-meter Terrace Suite and the largest of which is a 74-square-foot Era Suite with a bathroom and balcony. 

The cruise can accommodate 56 people, 21 staff members, and 7 sailors. In addition, it comes with amenities like a 30-inch LED television, an internal telephone, a massage, beauty services, a bar, a restaurant, a sundeck, and a safe to help you live a posh life. 

People like to cook, practice Tai Chi, or even go squid fishing when they want to. 

The Era Cruises itinerary's price varies depending on whether or not the shuttle bus between Got pier and Hanoi is included. An example of a two-day, one-night itinerary is as follows:

Day 1: Lan Ha Bay – Hanoi.

The shuttle bus will pick you up in Hanoi around 9:30 a.m. and take you to Got pier (following the Hanoi – Hai Phong Expressway). Around early afternoon, you will show up at the dock and partake in the warm greeting from the staff. 

Later, your cruising goal is Lan Ha Bay. When you get to the area's center, stop at Da Chong Islet, where you can see the French lighthouse that has been around for more than 100 years, Cua Van, a fishing village, and Ba Trai Dao Beach. You will want to take a swim and go kayaking on this fascinating beach. On the sundeck, there will be entertainment programs like cooking. Feel free to relax with food and cocktails.

Day 2: Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay.

Wake up to the sight of the Lan Ha Bay sunrise and perform Tai Chi exercises. Sail to the Light & Dark cave for an exciting expedition after a light breakfast. Later, pack for a return trip to Hanoi. 

It offers an addition to the traditional Viet Hai Fishing Village, Ba Ham Lake, and other attractions for Era Cruises Lan Ha Bay programs that are three days and two nights or longer. Obviously, you can modify the Era Cruises itinerary to fit your preferences and budget. If you have any ideas, make your own custom itinerary for Lan Ha Bay!

In conclusion, regardless of your financial and time constraints, cruising to Lan Ha Bay will always be an unforgettable experience with a variety of private cruise options to suit every traveler.

Let's read the articles below to find more useful information about Lan Ha Bay:

=> The best time to visit Lan Ha Bay

=>  Top 10 luxury cruises in Lan Ha Bay

 => How to travel to Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi?

 => What to do during the 2-day cruise in Lan Ha Bay?