Daiichi Luxury Cruise Lan Ha Bay 3 Days 2 Nights
The 3 days 2 nights Daiichi Luxury Cruise sails from Ben Beo pier on Cat Ba island, Hai Phong, through Ha Long Bay into Lan Ha Bay. Two nights in a balcony suite, seven meals, Viet Hai village, Ba Ham Lake, Monkey Island, a floating fishing village and the Dark and Bright Cave kayak. From US$326 per person, two sharing. Transfers from Hanoi are not included.
What is the 3 days 2 nights Daiichi Luxury Cruise?
It is a two-night cruise on a 5-star ship where every cabin has a private balcony, working the Lan Ha Bay route rather than the crowded central Ha Long route. The extra night buys a full middle day the one-night programme does not have: Ba Ham Lake in the morning, Monkey Island and a floating fishing village in the afternoon, and a second evening on board.
Daiichi Luxury Cruise has 30 cabins across four categories and was launched in 2026, carrying a maximum of 70 overnight guests. There are no inside cabins: every one has its own balcony and panoramic view. On board there is an all-season Jacuzzi, a sundeck, a sky bar, a tea room, a glass bridge, a spa, a restaurant and a lift between decks.
Is the 3 day cruise worth it over the 2 day?
The one-night programme gives you about 23 hours on board, and most of it is travel, lunch and one excursion. The two-night programme adds a whole day with no transfer in it: a morning kayak at Ba Ham Lake, an afternoon at Monkey Island and a working floating fishing village, two more meals and a second sunset. If you have three days, it is the one that feels like a holiday rather than a trip to a bay.
| 2 days / 1 night | 3 days / 2 nights | |
|---|---|---|
| Nights on board | 1 | 2 |
| Meals | 4 | 7 |
| Excursions | Viet Hai village, Dark and Bright Cave | Viet Hai village, Ba Ham Lake, Monkey Island, floating fishing village, Dark and Bright Cave |
| Full days on the bay | None — both days have a transfer in them | One, with no transfer at all |
| From, per person twin share | US$163 | US$326 |
Where does the Daiichi Luxury Cruise depart from?
The ship boards at Ben Beo pier on Cat Ba island in Hai Phong, about three hours from central Hanoi by the coach-and-speedboat shuttle. Boarding is at 12:00 and you disembark between 11:30 and 12:00 on the third day. You can reach the pier on the cruise company shared shuttle, by private car, or under your own arrangements; none of these is in the fare. The same ship also boards at Tuan Chau in Ha Long.
What are the cabins on Daiichi Luxury Cruise like?
Four categories run from the 28 to 32 m2 Senior Suite up to the 53 m2 Royal Suite on deck 4 with its own roof terrace. This programme is priced in a Senior Suite; the other three are quoted on request. On a two-night cruise the cabin matters more than on a one-night, because you spend a second evening in it — the Triple and Family Suites have a bathtub as well as a shower, and the Royal has its own terrace.
| Suite | Size | Cabins | Deck | Bathroom | Sleeps | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Suite | 28–32 m2 | 18 | 1 and 2 | Rain shower | 2 | The cabin this programme is priced in; private balcony |
| Triple Suite | 28–34 m2 | 9 | 1 and 2 | Bathtub and shower | 3 | One double plus one single bed in the same room |
| Family Suite | 41 m2 | 1 | 2 | Bathtub and shower | Double/twin or triple | Dual aspect, windows on two sides; only one on the ship |
| Royal Suite | 53 m2 | 2 | 4 | Bathtub | 2 | Private roof terrace, dual aspect, bow view |
How much does the 3 days 2 nights Daiichi Luxury Cruise cost?
US$326 per person for two adults sharing a Senior Suite, including VAT, for travel between 16 October 2026 and 15 May 2027. One adult alone in a Senior Suite pays a US$196 supplement. The fare covers the cruise programme from the pier; it does not cover getting to the pier from Hanoi.
| Fare | US$ |
|---|---|
| Per adult, twin or double share in a Senior Suite | 326 |
| Single supplement, one adult in a cabin alone | 196 |
| Two cabins, four adults — total | 1,304 |
Dates covered: 16 October 2026 to 15 May 2027, the cruise high-season window. Low season runs 16 May to 15 October 2027 and is cheaper; the high season returns 16 October 2027. Christmas Eve, 31 December and the five days of Tet carry a fixed surcharge of 560,000 VND (about US$23) per person for everyone aged 5 and over, free for under-5s. The fare is confirmed on booking and depends on cabin availability.
Is the shuttle bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba included?
No. Transport between Hanoi and the pier is not in the cruise fare, which starts at the pier. The cruise company runs a shared coach-and-speedboat shuttle from Hanoi Old Quarter that you add to your booking, from 400,000 VND (about US$17) per person return. What is free is the local transfer: hotel pick-up and drop-off inside Cat Ba town and Ben Beo, or inside Bai Chay in Ha Long.
| Service | Leaves Hanoi | Leaves Cat Ba | Journey | Return | One way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard coach + speedboat | 07:00, 08:00 | 12:00, 14:00 | about 3 hours | 400,000 VND (~US$17) | 220,000 VND (~US$9) |
| Limousine van + speedboat | 07:00, 08:00 | 12:30, 14:00 | about 3 hours | 550,000 VND (~US$23) | 280,000 VND (~US$12) |
From Ha Long the Tuan Chau shuttle runs at 08:00, returning 12:00, about 2.5 hours, at 350,000 VND return on the standard coach or 500,000 VND on the limousine. A third service runs Ninh Binh to Tuan Chau on the same times and price, picking up from the Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, Bich Dong, Thung Nham and Trang An areas. Boarding is at 12:00, so the 08:00 coach from Hanoi is the one that fits.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancelling more than 30 days before departure costs nothing on a booking of one or two cabins. Inside 30 days the charge rises with how close you are and how many cabins you hold: 25% at 7 to 14 days, 50% at 3 to 6 days, and 100% inside 72 hours or for a no-show. Larger bookings are charged earlier, because the ship has more to re-sell.
| Notice before departure | 1–2 cabins | 3–5 cabins | 6–10 cabins | Over 10 cabins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 90 days (charter) | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 45–90 days (charter) | 0% | 0% | 0% | 25% |
| 30–45 days | 0% | 0% | 25% | 50% |
| 15–29 days | 0% | 25% | 50% | 75% |
| 7–14 days | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% |
| 3–6 days | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| Under 72 hours | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| No-show | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
If the cruise cancels, you are refunded in full. That covers storms and floods, a departure ban issued by the port authority, and any other force majeure that stops the ship sailing. If the ship cannot run the programme as scheduled, you are told at once and you choose between a full refund of everything you have paid, made within three days of that notice, or a replacement departure if one is available. Our own booking terms sit alongside this schedule and are written into your quotation.
When is the best time to cruise Lan Ha Bay?
March to May and September to November are the most reliable months: warm water, clear air and the lowest chance of a cancelled stop. Summer is hot and bright but carries typhoon risk, and December to February is cool and often misty, when the swim stop is usually dropped. On a two-night cruise the weather matters more, because there is a whole middle day of water activities to lose.
| Season | Months | What it means on this programme |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar–May | Warming water, the Ba Ham Lake kayak and Monkey Island swim both comfortable; some haze in March |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | Hottest and brightest; the Three Peach Beach option runs on Day 3; typhoon season, so a programme can be cut short or a departure cancelled at short notice |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | The best window: settled weather, sea still warm into November, good visibility for both kayaks |
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Cool and frequently misty; swimming at Monkey Island is usually dropped and Tai Chi often cancelled; the bay is at its emptiest |
What do children pay on the Daiichi cruise?
Children under 3 travel free of charge, with any fee a supplier charges settled on the spot. Children aged 3 to 10 pay 68% of the adult fare without an extra bed and 86% with one. A child of any age sharing a cabin with only one adult pays the full adult fare.
| Age | Rooming | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 | — | Free of charge |
| 3–10 | Without extra bed | 68% of adult fare |
| 3–10 | With extra bed | 86% of adult fare |
| 3–10 | Sharing a cabin with one adult | 100% of adult fare |
| 11 and over | Sharing a cabin with one adult | 100% of adult fare |
Tour at a glance
| Tour code | WMLHDL3D2N |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Ship | Daiichi Luxury Cruise, 30 cabins, 5-star, launched 2026, maximum 70 overnight guests |
| Route | Ben Beo pier (Cat Ba) - Lan Ha Bay - Viet Hai village - Ba Ham Lake - Monkey Island - floating fishing village - Dark and Bright Cave - Ben Beo pier |
| Cabin | Senior Suite 28-32 m2 with rain shower and private balcony; Triple, Family and Royal Suites on request |
| Meals | 7 on board: 5 main meals and 2 breakfasts, plus welcome drink and a fruit plate |
| Activities | Viet Hai village by bicycle or electric car, kayaking at Ba Ham Lake and the Dark and Bright Cave, Monkey Island, floating fishing village, swimming, cooking demonstration, sunrise Tai Chi, squid fishing |
| Boarding | 12:00 at Ben Beo pier, Cat Ba island; disembark 11:30-12:00 on Day 3 |
| Price | From US$326 pp (2 sharing a Senior Suite, VAT included), travel to 15 May 2027 |
| Not included | Hanoi transfers, flights, visa, drinks, tips, insurance |
- Cruise
- Caves
- Cooking class
- Fishing
Itinerary, day by day
Board at midday, lunch under way, an afternoon in a village with no road to the mainland.
You reach Ben Beo pier on Cat Ba island for boarding at 12:00. The shared coach-and-speedboat shuttle leaves Hanoi Old Quarter at 07:00 or 08:00 and takes about three hours; a private car can be arranged instead. Neither is in the cruise fare.
On board there is a welcome drink and a briefing, then check-in to your Senior Suite, 28 to 32 m2 with a rain shower and a private balcony. Lunch is served as the ship moves from the Ha Long side towards Lan Ha Bay.
In the afternoon the tender lands you at Viet Hai, a village on Cat Ba Island inside the national park, explored by bicycle or electric car. It sits in a valley ringed by karst, reachable only by boat and then a short road, which is why it still farms rather than selling souvenirs. Back on board you can swim off the ship or sit in the all-season Jacuzzi.
At sunset there is fresh fruit and local snacks on the sundeck, a Vietnamese cooking demonstration, then dinner. Afterwards: squid fishing off the stern, the tea room, or the panoramic bar.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Daiichi Luxury Cruise, Lan Ha Bay
The full day with no transfer in it: a morning kayak, an afternoon ashore, a second night at anchor.
Tai Chi on the sundeck at about 05:30 when the weather allows, then a light breakfast at 07:00.
At 08:00 the morning goes to Ba Ham Lake — kayaking and swimming in sheltered water ringed by limestone, with no road and no day-boat traffic. Lunch is served on board at 12:00.
At 15:00 the tender runs to Monkey Island for a beach walk and a swim, then to a floating fishing village, a working community living on the water: how the aquaculture pens are run, and feeding the fish.
Back on board for sunset fruit and snacks, a second cooking demonstration at 18:30 and dinner at 19:00, then the bar, squid fishing or the tea room.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Daiichi Luxury Cruise, Lan Ha Bay
One more sunrise, a kayak through a tunnel between two lagoons, brunch as the ship sails back.
Tai Chi again at about 05:30 if you want it, and a light breakfast at 07:00 with the bay at its quietest.
At 08:00 you kayak into the Dark and Bright Cave: two linked chambers joined by a low tunnel, paddled from the open lagoon through the dark section into the bright one. The water inside is flat and current-free and the passage is short, so beginners manage easily. In summer the ship may run the Three Peach Beach option instead.
Back on board by 09:30, check out at 10:00 and settle any drinks bill, then brunch at 10:15 as the ship sails back. You disembark at Ben Beo pier between 11:30 and 12:00; the return shuttle leaves Cat Ba at 12:00 or 14:00 and reaches Hanoi about three hours later.
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
What's included
Included
Two nights on board in a Senior Suite with private balcony, two guests per cabin
Seven meals: 5 main meals and 2 breakfasts, plus the welcome drink and a complimentary fruit plate
Tender transfers between the pier and the ship
Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay sightseeing and entrance fees
Viet Hai village visit by bicycle or electric car
Kayaking at Ba Ham Lake and at the Dark and Bright Cave
Monkey Island and floating fishing village visit, including the entrance tickets
Vietnamese cooking demonstration on both evenings, sunrise Tai Chi and squid fishing
Afternoon fresh fruit and local snacks on both days
All-season Jacuzzi, Wi-Fi, satellite TV and 24-hour room service
English-speaking guide on board
Free hotel pick-up and drop-off within Cat Ba town and Ben Beo, or within Bai Chay in Ha Long
VAT and service charge
Not included
Shuttle bus or private transfer Hanoi – Cat Ba – Hanoi (quoted separately, from 400,000 VND per person return)
International and domestic airfares
Vietnam visa fee and any visa service charge
Personal travel insurance
Spa and massage treatments
Drinks at the bar, room-service orders and other personal expenses, settled at check-out
Tips for the guide and crew — customary US$5 per traveller per day for groups under 10
Festive surcharge: 560,000 VND per person on 24 and 31 December and the five days of Tet, free for under-5s
Any service not listed under Included
Age pricing
| Traveller | Age | Rate per person | Sleeping arrangement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (parents pay any entrance fees) | 0 to 2 years | No charge | No extra bed |
| Child sharing parents' bed | 3 to 10 years | $222 · 68% of the adult fare | No extra bed |
| Child in own single bed | 3 to 10 years | $280 · 86% of the adult fare | Extra bed |
| Child sharing a twin room with one adult | 3 to 10 years | $326 · 100% of the adult fare | Own bed in a twin room |
| Child 11 and over (adult fare) | 11 years and over | $326 · 100% of the adult fare | As an adult |
Frequently asked questions
The two-night programme adds a full middle day with no transfer in it: kayaking at Ba Ham Lake in the morning, Monkey Island and a floating fishing village in the afternoon, three extra meals and a second sunset on board. The one-night programme has a transfer on both of its days. If you have three days free, the longer one is the one that feels like a holiday rather than a trip to a bay.
No. Transport between Hanoi and the pier is not in the cruise fare, which starts at the pier. The cruise company runs a shared coach-and-speedboat shuttle from Hanoi Old Quarter, leaving at 07:00 or 08:00 and taking about three hours, from 400,000 VND (about US$17) per person return on the standard coach or 550,000 VND on the limousine van. A private car door to door can be quoted instead. Hotel pick-up and drop-off within Cat Ba town and Ben Beo, or within Bai Chay in Ha Long, is free.
On a booking of one or two cabins, cancelling more than 14 days before departure costs nothing. From 7 to 14 days the charge is 25%, from 3 to 6 days it is 50%, and inside 72 hours or for a no-show it is 100%. Larger bookings are charged earlier: 3 to 5 cabins from 15 days, 6 to 10 cabins from 30 days. If the cruise cancels because of a storm, a port authority departure ban or other force majeure, you are refunded in full, or offered a replacement departure. Our own booking terms are set out in your written quotation.
Ba Ham Lake is a group of sheltered lagoons ringed by limestone cliffs, reached only by kayak or sampan through narrow passages in the rock. There is no road to it and no day-boat traffic, and the water is flat, which is why it is the Day 2 morning stop rather than a busier cave. Swimming is possible there in the warmer months.
It is a working community living on the water in Lan Ha Bay, not a display. You see how the aquaculture pens are built and run, feed the fish, and have time to look around. It is combined with Monkey Island on the Day 2 afternoon, where there is a beach walk and a swim stop.
You need whatever entry permission Vietnam requires for your nationality; the cruise itself needs no separate permit. Many nationalities are visa-exempt for short stays and the rest can apply for an e-visa online at the official portal evisa.gov.vn for up to 90 days. See our Vietnam e-visa guide for which rule applies to which passport.
Daiichi has 30 cabins and every one has a private balcony. There are 18 Senior Suites of 28 to 32 m2 with a rain shower on decks 1 and 2, nine Triple Suites of 28 to 34 m2 with a bathtub and shower holding a double plus a single bed, one Family Suite of 41 m2 on deck 2 with windows on two sides, and two Royal Suites of 53 m2 on deck 4 with a private roof terrace, a bow view and a bottle of wine, fruit plate and rose decoration on arrival. This programme is priced in a Senior Suite; the others are quoted on request.
Meals are set menus for the whole ship, and the kitchen adapts them for vegetarian guests and for allergies when told at booking. For halal requirements, tell us at enquiry: we confirm what this galley can do before you commit, rather than promising it on a web page.
Yes. Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay departures are suspended by the port authority in high wind or poor visibility, most often during the June to August typhoon season, and the ship may shorten or drop an individual stop on any date. On a two-night cruise there is more to lose, since the whole middle day is water activities. If a departure is cancelled, the cruise reschedules or refunds the cruise portion in full.
Swimwear, a hat, sun cream, shoes with grip for the Viet Hai ride and the Monkey Island walk, and a light jacket for the sundeck, which is cold at Tai Chi and after sunset from October onward. Cabins have 24-hour room service and the usual bathroom amenities, so a small bag is enough; the rest of your luggage can stay at your Hanoi hotel.
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