Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay: Can You See Both on One Cruise?

Trying to decide between Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay? Good news: you don't necessarily have to choose.

The two neighbouring bays are both famous for towering limestone karsts, emerald water, caves, and beautiful coastal scenery, but they offer slightly different experiences. 

Ha Long Bay is the iconic name most travellers have heard of, while Lan Ha Bay is often associated with quieter scenery, kayaking, swimming, and hidden lagoons.

But what if you want to see both?

Bong Hostel offers a 2-day, 1-night itinerary on the Amanda Luxury Cruise combining Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

Along the way, you'll have time for kayaking, swimming, cave exploring, a Vietnamese cooking class, sunset activities, and an overnight stay on a 5-star cruise.

If you've been stuck comparing Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay, there's another option: don't choose.

Can You Visit Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay on One Cruise?

Yes. Some cruise itineraries combine Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, allowing you to experience both without booking two separate trips.

The Amanda Luxury Cruise offered through Bong Hostel is a 2-day, 1-night cruise from Hanoi that takes you through both bays as part of one itinerary.

The route is essentially:

Day 1: Hanoi → Tuan Chau Marina → Ha Long Bay scenery → Lan Ha Bay → Tra Bau → overnight cruise

Day 2: Lan Ha Bay → Quan Y Cave → Tuan Chau Marina → Hanoi

So, you're not simply sailing past one bay, taking a photo, and moving on. The itinerary includes activities and excursions that let you actually experience the scenery along the way.

Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay: What's the Difference?

If you're comparing Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay, the landscapes might look similar, but the experience can feel quite different.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is the more famous of the two. It's the Vietnamese destination that has appeared on countless travel brochures, postcards, and honeymoon photos.

It's famous for its dramatic limestone islands and karsts rising from the sea and is one of northern Vietnam's major cruise destinations.

If seeing the classic Ha Long Bay landscape is high on your Vietnam bucket list, it's an obvious choice.

Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay, located to the east of Cat Ba Island, has a similarly impressive landscape of limestone karsts and small islands, alongside beaches, caves, and hidden lagoons.

It's often considered a quieter alternative to the busiest parts of Ha Long Bay, making it particularly appealing if kayaking, swimming, and getting out onto the water are high on your list.

So, when travellers ask “Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay?”, the answer really depends on what you're looking for.

Or, conveniently, you can visit both.

Wanting to escape the crowds in Cat Ba? Discover our Cat Ba Beach Guide 2026.

Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay: Which Is Better?

There isn't a universal winner in the Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay debate.

Choose Ha Long Bay if you:

• Want to visit Vietnam's most famous bay.

• Are particularly interested in the iconic limestone scenery.

• Want to tick a major Vietnam bucket-list destination off your list.

• Don't mind visiting a popular cruise destination.

Choose Lan Ha Bay if you:

• Prefer a generally quieter atmosphere.

• Want to spend time kayaking or swimming.

• Like exploring caves, lagoons, beaches, and smaller islands.

• Would rather avoid some of the busiest tourist areas.

Choose both if you:

• Want to experience both landscapes.

• Only have two days for a cruise.

• Want to combine the two without organising separate trips.

• Prefer one organised overnight cruise.

And honestly, if you've got the time, seeing both makes a lot of sense.

Is Lan Ha Bay Less Crowded Than Ha Long Bay?

Ha Long Bay is hugely popular, meaning some areas can become busy with cruise boats and visitors. Lan Ha Bay is generally considered quieter than the busiest parts of Ha Long Bay, which can make activities such as kayaking and swimming feel more relaxed.

That doesn't mean Lan Ha Bay is an untouched secret—it isn't. But if you're looking for a more peaceful experience on the water, it can be a good alternative.

And that's one reason combining the two works so well: you get the iconic scenery of Ha Long Bay alongside the more relaxed atmosphere of Lan Ha Bay.

Read more about whether Ha Long Bay Is Still Worth Visiting in 2026? 

Why Visit Lan Ha Bay?

If you're already visiting Ha Long Bay, you might wonder whether Lan Ha Bay is worth adding to your itinerary too. We'd say yes.

The appeal isn't that Lan Ha Bay looks completely different—the limestone karsts and islands are part of the same spectacular landscape. 

Instead, it offers a different way to experience it, with opportunities for kayaking, swimming and exploring quieter lagoons and smaller islands.

That's what makes it such a good complement to Ha Long Bay rather than a completely separate experience.

How the Amanda Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay Cruise Works

The Amanda Luxury Cruise is a 2-day, 1-night itinerary combining Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

Here's what the experience looks like.

Day 1: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Lan Ha Bay

If you've booked the transfer with Bong Hostel, you'll be picked up from your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter between 07:45 and 08:30, before travelling towards Tuan Chau Port.

You'll arrive at around 11:30–12:00, then transfer to the Amanda Luxury Cruise by tender boat. Once on board, you'll be welcomed with a drink before getting settled in.

Then comes lunch.

As you eat, the cruise passes through the Ha Long Bay area, with views of limestone formations including Finger Islet and Candle Islet, before continuing towards Lan Ha Bay. 

This is what makes the combined itinerary useful: you get the dramatic scenery associated with Ha Long Bay before continuing into Lan Ha Bay, rather than having to organise separate cruises.

Kayaking, Swimming and Tra Bau

At around 15:30, you'll head to the Tra Bau area for kayaking and swimming.

This gives you the chance to get off the cruise and actually experience the water rather than simply admiring it from your cabin balcony.

Kayaking around the limestone karsts is one of the best ways to appreciate the landscape from a different perspective.

Sunset, Cooking and Dinner

Back on the cruise, you'll have a sunset party and Vietnamese cooking class between 17:00 and 18:00.

You can relax on the sundeck with Vietnamese tea or coffee, enjoy the sunset, and join the cooking class, where the chef will show you how to make traditional Vietnamese fried spring rolls.

Then it's time for dinner.

Weather permitting, the dinner is served on the sundeck, followed by evening activities including the bamboo dance, a traditional costume show, squid fishing, or simply relaxing on board.

Eventually, the cruise anchors for the night.

Day 2: Lan Ha Bay – Ha Long Bay – Hanoi

The second morning starts early.

At 06:15, you can join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. If you want to catch the sunrise, you'll need to be up even earlier, with the recommended sunrise time around 05:30–06:00 depending on the season.

There's then a light breakfast before heading off for the morning's main excursion.

Explore Quan Y Cave

At around 07:15, you'll transfer towards Quan Y Cave, travelling via Gia Luan Port and then continuing by car.

The cave is particularly interesting because it has a fascinating wartime history. It was once used as a secret field hospital during the resistance war against the Americans, with treatment rooms, a recovery area, and even a cinema for wounded soldiers.

After exploring the cave, you'll return to the cruise for check-out and an early lunch before heading back to Tuan Chau Port.

By around 11:30, your cruise experience comes to an end, and you'll continue back towards Hanoi.

So, in just two days, you've managed to experience both bays without having to pack and unpack your bag halfway through—always a win.

What Can You Do on the Amanda Cruise?

One of the advantages of a combined Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay cruise is that you can do more than simply admire the scenery from the deck.

You can kayak around Tra Bau, swim in the bay, explore Quan Y Cave, join a Vietnamese cooking class, watch the sunset, try Tai Chi, or simply relax on the sundeck as the limestone karsts pass by.

So, whether you want to get out on the water, explore a cave, learn how to make Vietnamese food, or simply sit back and watch the limestone karsts go by, there's a good mix of activities and downtime.

What's Included in the Amanda Luxury Cruise?

The Amanda Luxury Cruise is a 5-star cruise, so this might not be the best option for the budget backpackers.

Your package includes:

• One-night stay in a luxury cabin

• Welcome drinks

• Meals on board

• Tea and coffee

• Bottled water

• Fruit in your room

• Herbal foot soak pack

• Kayaking and swimming at Tra Bau

• Quan Y Cave excursion

• Vietnamese cooking class

• Afternoon tea

• Entrance fees

• Tai Chi

• Overnight cruise experience

There are also optional extras available, such as drinks, massages, and other personal expenses, so make sure you check what's included before ordering.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay?

Both bays can be visited throughout the year, but conditions vary depending on the season and what you want to do.

If kayaking and swimming are priorities, it's worth checking the expected conditions for your travel dates before booking.

And remember, weather in northern Vietnam can be unpredictable. Cruise cancellations or disruptions to the itinerary can also occur during the rainy/typhoon season.

Who Is the Amanda Luxury Cruise Best For?

The Amanda Luxury Cruise could be a good option if you:

• Only have a couple of days for Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

• Want to experience both bays on one trip.

• Prefer a more comfortable, organised cruise experience.

• Want activities such as kayaking and swimming included.

• Like the idea of an overnight cruise rather than a day trip.

• Don't want to organise separate trips to each bay.

• Want a luxury cruise experience in northern Vietnam.

If you're travelling on a very tight budget, a 5-star cruise probably won't be the obvious choice.

But if you're looking for a comfortable way to see both bays without cramming another trip into your itinerary, it makes a lot of sense.

Why Book the Amanda Cruise Through Bong Hostel?

If you're already staying with us in Hanoi, booking your cruise through Bong Hostel can be a very simple way to plan your trip.

Our team can help you choose the right cruise for your itinerary and arrange the booking before you head to the bay. 

And if you're travelling around northern Vietnam, you can easily combine your cruise with some of Bong's other tours, including the Ha Giang Loop, Sapa, and Ninh Binh.

So you could spend one part of your trip exploring Hanoi's Old Quarter, another on the winding mountain roads in Ha Giang, and then finish by floating around limestone karsts with a cocktail in your hand.

Not a bad way to do northern Vietnam.

Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay FAQs

Can you visit Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay on the same cruise?

Yes. Some itineraries combine both bays, including Bong Hostel's 2-day, 1-night Amanda Luxury Cruise.

Is Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay better?

Neither is better. Ha Long Bay is the more famous destination, while Lan Ha Bay is often preferred by travellers looking for a quieter atmosphere.

If you can't decide, a combined cruise lets you experience both.

How many days do you need for Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay?

The Amanda itinerary takes 2 days and 1 night, which is enough to experience both bays as part of the cruise.

Can you visit both bays from Hanoi?

Yes. The Amanda cruise includes a transfer option from Hanoi, travelling to Tuan Chau before continuing through the cruise itinerary covering Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

Is Lan Ha Bay less crowded than Ha Long Bay?

Lan Ha Bay is generally considered quieter than the busiest areas of Ha Long Bay, although crowd levels vary depending on the season, route, and specific cruise stops.

What is the best way to see Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay?

If you want to experience both without organising separate trips, a combined overnight cruise is one of the simplest options. The Amanda Luxury Cruise combines the two into a 2-day, 1-night itinerary from Hanoi.

So, Can You See Both Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay?

If you're still wondering whether to choose Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay, you don't necessarily have to. The two destinations offer different experiences, and combining them means you can enjoy the iconic scenery of Ha Long Bay alongside the more relaxed atmosphere of Lan Ha Bay.

For travellers with limited time in northern Vietnam, the Amanda Luxury Cruise offers a straightforward way to experience both on a 2-day, 1-night itinerary from Hanoi.

Ready to Experience Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay?