Everyone has heard about Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Around 700 yachts, boats, and wooden junk vessels sail this coastal UNESCO World Heritage Site on any given day. But how many have heard about the less-touristy Bai Tu Long Bay cruise?
This region occupies the smaller, far northeastern region of Ha Long Bay. Around 1 in 9 boats follow the tried-and-tested route through the Gulf of Tonkin, so Bai Tu Long Bay offers an alternative expedition with far fewer crowds.
Bai Tu Long Bay is largely unexplored but still boasts Ha Long’s spectacular limestone islands and rainforests with a few unique surprises.
It sounded like the perfect way to tick off a beautiful part of the world from my bucket list!
Despite its obscurity, there are many companies to choose from if you want to book a Bai Tu Long Bay cruise from Hanoi, like we did. I was keen to experience everything the bay offered and wanted to explore caves and beaches and kayak along the famous waters.
We opted for a three-day, two-night cruise and had the most incredible boat trip. Here is everything you need to know about the cruise we picked and all the fun activities to do in Bai Tu Long Bay so you can enjoy the most magical experience sailing in Vietnam, too!
What Is the Best Bai Tu Long Bay Tour Company?
I can’t speak for multiple tour options (there are many Bai Tu Long Bay cruise reviews out there!), but I wholeheartedly recommend the company Indochina Junk.
They were the first company to be granted access to Bai Tu Ha Long Bay. They’re dedicated to working with the local fishing communities and cleaning up the UNESCO World Heritage Site for future generations.
We booked the Dragon Legend luxury night cruise. There were no boat transfers, and we stuck with the same crew, group, and vessel throughout the three-day, two-night adventure.
The private cabins were equipped with air conditioning and traditional Vietnamese decorations. There was a mineral seawater pool onboard, a free welcome drink, amazing authentic meals … I couldn’t have asked for more on the Dragon Legend cruise.
Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise Itinerary
If you want to compare the Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bay island cruises, you’ll notice many include the same experiences. Both usually include kayaking, exploring caves, visiting floating villages, and more.
Here’s a breakdown of the Indochina Junk’s Dragon Legend cruise so you can learn what’s special about this particular voyage.
Day 1
Indochina Junk offers Hanoi Old Quarter hotel pickup for all passengers in an electric shuttle bus to the port. Cruise passengers tend to board the ship around 1:00 PM before eating a delicious lunch as the boat sets sail.
On day one, the Dragon Legend cruise usually sails to Cap La kayaking area. There’s no time wasted! We hopped in the kayaks and weaved between the rocky islets on pristine water.
We relaxed on the boat at night and ate dinner, watching the sunset. Guests can take part in Squid fishing in the evening if they want. Squids are nocturnal and are drawn to artificial lights, so it’s a more effective time to fish.
Day 2
Cruise passengers can start the day with a session of meditative tai chi. But you can also sleep in; it’s totally up to you!
After breakfast on day two, we sailed to Thien Canh Son Cave. Sung Sot Cave in Ha Long Bay might be bigger, but this beautiful, natural cave was incredible. Afterwards, we kayaked and explored Hon Co Island.
Next, the cruise headed to the Cong Dam area, where we enjoyed beach time. Indochina Junk’s chefs served a delicious BBQ lunch on the sand (I still think about this meal).
There’s plenty of time to chill out on the boat and take in the views before taking part in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. Take every opportunity to take part in a cooking class in Vietnam! The food is so tasty.
We ate dinner and relaxed on the Dragon Legend in the evening.
Day 3
We still had a jam-packed final day sailing through Bai Tu Long Bay. It began with an earlier breakfast and morning excursion to the Vung Vieng Fishing Village.
This floating village started as a mooring for local fishermen in the 19th century, but today, the community that lives there full-time. Tourism has become an important part of their livelihood. You’ll have the opportunity to join the local fishermen on bamboo boats and learn more about their unique lifestyle.
We tucked into an incredible buffet on the Dragon Legend ship as the boat returned to the Ha Long Bay international port.
But the trip didn’t end there! Every cruise passenger was whisked away to Yen Duc Village in the Dong Trieu province. It’s a lush agricultural village on the Bang Dang River. Local performers treated us to a traditional water puppet show. The puppeteers stand in the water and make the puppets themselves out of buoyant fig wood. It’s an incredible spectacle!
The entire trip ended back in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Even though we didn’t book the classic Ha Long Bay cruise, I absolutely don’t feel like I missed out on anything. How could I after such an incredible adventure?!
If anything, I gained secluded beaches and tranquil evenings away from other ships.
Ha Long Bay vs Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise Price
Fewer crowds and a different experience were bigger motivations to booking a Bai Tu Long Bay cruise over a Ha Long Bay trip. However, I understand that price might be a motivating factor!
There are so many factors to consider when weighing up the price. Generally, Bai Tu Long Bay cruises are cheaper than Ha Long Bay cruises.
However, more tour companies operate in Ha Long. There is a wider selection of tour lengths and comfort levels. You can pay as little as £30 for a Ha Long Bay day tour from Hanoi, and a multi-night trip could cost anywhere from £175-£750 per person or more for a luxury cruise.
While a day cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay costs around £100, the average cost of a two-night cruise is approximately £125-£550 per person. The elevated day price is probably because these bay cruises take longer to sail than Ha Long Bay.
As I said, choosing one or the other is more about having a different experience off the beaten track than saving.
The Best Time of Year for Bai Tu Long Bay Cruises
Generally, Vietnam has the best weather between October and April. There is minimal rainfall, and the weather is still warm but less humid.
May to September is the rainy monsoon season and often brings typhoons and heavier rainfall. It’s usually not the best time of year to book boat trips!
Christmas and New Year are generally the busier times. February and March can be foggy, which may impact the views on your Bai Tu Long Bay cruise, but probably not for the entire trip.
What To Pack for a Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise
Most of the items and gear on this list are things you would probably pack for a trip to anywhere in Southeast Asia anyway. However, these are things you must bring on any Bai Tu Long Bay cruise at any time of year.
- Sun protection: Sun cream, sunglasses, hats … It can be super sunny year-round on a bay cruise. There won’t be anywhere you can stock up on your favourite brand of SPF. Plus, there’s minimal shade outside of the caves and cabins.
- Insect repellent: Mosquitoes and sandflies thrive in this humid, natural environment. Again, you won’t be able to stock up on your preferred brands of insect repellent. Pack enough to reapply morning and night.
- Swimsuits: The bay’s open waters might not look like the cleanest and safest place for a dip, but there are plenty of places to swim on this cruise! Beaches like Ban Chan Beach and Ngoc Vung Island offer calm, warm waters for a dip. You might want to wear swimming gear underneath your clothes while kayaking, too.
- Warm clothes: Although Vietnam has a tropical and temperate climate, it can get chilly at night. Especially on a Bai Tu Long Bay of islands overnight cruise from November to April! Bring a fleece, sweater, light jacket, and long trousers/maxi skirt.
- Original passport: Vietnamese authorities require all hotels and cruise operators to run passport checks. Store it in a secure dry bag once on board.
Book Your Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise
While sailing through the limestone rock formations is a must on any Vietnam adventure, you don’t have to follow the crowds. We didn’t feel we were missing out by choosing a Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise over a Ha Long trip. In fact, it was the opposite! Book your alternative cruise and reap the benefits of the route less travelled.
