For travellers with time or budget constraints when coming to Northern Vietnam, our range of Halong Bay budget cruises comprises of quick but comprehensive tours of the bay using a 3-star service. The following cruises specialise in a good balance between relaxation and adventure on board a comfortable vessel with good quality amenities.
Halong Bay’s budget cruises offer similar itineraries to those of the Halong Bay mid-range cruises, with a little more emphasis on the excursions. Kayaking and swimming are promoted and quick stops to islands and caves are the norm. With so much to see in Halong Bay, these activity-packed itineraries are a good way to soak up as much of Halong Bay as possible in the time that you have available. Any sections of the itinerary that don’t particularly rouse your interest can be skipped in favour of unwinding in your cabin or on the sundeck.
Indeed, the cabins on Halong Bay budget cruises are all of a good quality, providing wide, comfortable beds and large windows in a room with minimal additional flare. Bathrooms are sleek and clean, while dining rooms are ideal places to indulge in a well-crafted dinner in the dark romance of a Halong Bay evening. Communal areas like the bar and the sundeck are open and inviting, offering many chances throughout the day and evening to socialise or take some time to yourself.
Staffs are all well-trained and friendly, delighting in the opportunity to speak to guests and making a lasting connection. The security of passengers is of top priority for these cruises and all staff are educated in every safety feature of the ship and what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Below is a brief example of an itinerary from a budget cruise in Halong Bay:
Check-in will be accompanied by a welcome drink as your get your first glimpse of Halong Bay stretching far into the horizon.
Sit down for lunch in the dining room, watching the various forested outcrops of Halong Bay scroll past us through the large dining room windows.
After settling into the boat, we start our first activity at Luon Cave, a marvellous corridor of water under hanging stalagmites, leading to a lake enclosed by tall limestone walls on the other side. We will kayak through here or take a bamboo rowing boat service offered by a local.
Titop Island awaits as our next stop. This magnificent island at the heart of Halong Bay offers a range of activities such as relaxing, playing beach sports, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling and climbing the 400 stone steps to the top of the island for a stunning view of the rolling vastness of Halong Bay stretching out before you.
A selection of sweet fruits and beverages will be laid out on the sundeck as you return to your Halong Bay budget cruise in time for the sunset party.
After socialising with new and old friends, head to the dining room for your first dinner, watching the stars outside twinkle atop the shadows of limestone peaks.
Dinner can be followed by any of our evening activities, including drinking at the bar, watching a movie in your room or moonlit squid fishing with the crew on a separate boat.
Wake up the right away with Tai Chi on the sundeck, a glorious way to start a glorious day in Halong Bay.
Once we have boarded our more speedy day boat, we head out to Fairy Lake Cave, marvelling at the indoor system along with its attached, sparkling lake.
Then, we visit Trong Cave, a whimsical area of distinctive rock formations owing themselves to mythical legends of the local people. We will have some time to go kayaking in the tranquil waters outside afterwards.
Back on the day boat, we will have a delicious lunch as we begin sailing to our next destination.
We will explore Halong Bay’s only floating pearl farm in a bamboo boat rowed by a local, or a kayak if you’d prefer it, to see this ancient trade and watch how the cultivation process works from growing to harvesting precious pearls.
We return to your Halong Bay budget cruise for you to relax for the rest of the afternoon, soaking up rays on the sundeck or watching the scenery glide past from you cabin window.
Small snacks will be laid out once more ahead of another fun sunset party, after which dinner is served.
Relax again at your leisure tonight. Absorb the calming soundtrack of Halong Bay on the sundeck or engage in Chinese chess with the crew.
It’s your final chance to join a revitalising Tai Chi session upstairs in the new morning light of Halong Bay before breakfast is served downstairs in the dining room.
The last visit on our trip will be to Sung Sot Cave, or the ‘Amazing Cave’ in English. We check out how the cave received this moniker before heading back to the Halong Bay budget cruise for check-out.
A cooking demonstration by our chef will display some traditional techniques in how to prepare Vietnamese spring rolls. This will precede your final early lunch as the last of Halong Bay’s iconic mountains stop before the pier.
Stepping off the boat, you will board your shuttle bus service to Hanoi, where your trip will end.
For guests in Vietnam with money or time constraints.
For guests wanting to engage in a wide-range of optional activities over a short space of time in order to get the most out of Halong Bay.
For guests looking to socialise with fellow passengers and the crew; communal space is championed on these cruises but private time is respected too.
Incredible Asia Journeys is proud to present the following budget cruises of Halong Bay.
