A 1-Night Ha Long Bay Cruise: Full Day 1 Itinerary & Honest Tips

What really happens on a 1-night Ha Long Bay cruise? From welcome lunch to cooking class and squid fishing—here’s the full Day 1 experience.

1. Boarding the Cruise: 30 Seconds of Laughter and a Cabin Surprise

Our Ha Long Bay cruise began with laughter—literally.

After a comfortable pickup in Hanoi and a 3-hour drive to the port, we were guided onto a small boat for the final leg to the cruise ship. The ride? Just 30 seconds long. Everyone laughed. “That’s it?” we joked. The smiling staffs of the cruise were waving hands to welcome us!

Strangely, all the passengers on our cruise—except one sweet couple from India—were from Western countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

As soon as we boarded the ship, we were welcomed into the main dining room where our guide introduced the program and served a multi-course lunch. Sitting by the window, watching the misty silhouettes of Ha Long Bay, it was romantic and ethereal. Even the tiny artificial flowers on the table added to the charm.

The course menu was fresh and flavorful, with such a generous variety that we ended up leaving some dishes untouched. I recommend pacing yourself!

📌 Cruise Tip #1:
The food is generous—don’t overeat early on.

After lunch, we stepped out onto the deck to soak in the mystical views of Ha Long Bay. The scenery was so breathtaking and otherworldly that we couldn’t help but let out quiet gasps of awe as we captured the moment in photos and videos. Then, we finally came into our cabin. That’s when my excitement faltered. The room felt old and small, the window was tiny, and the once-glamorous Ha Long Bay views were… underwhelming through that narrow frame.

I regretted not listening to my daughter, who had recommended a more expensive cruise with larger, renovated rooms and balconies. At the time, I thought it was overpriced considering Vietnam living costs—how wrong I was.

📌 Cruise Tip #2:
If possible, book a newer cruise with large windows and a balcony. It’s worth it.

2. Excursion to Tiptop Island: Heat, Crowds, and a Coconut Break

After a short rest and shower, we boarded a smaller boat again for an excursion to Tiptop Island—named after a Russian astronaut admired by Ho Chi Minh, according to our guide.

The activity? Hiking to the viewpoint at the top of the island.

But it was hot. Very hot for hiking. The place was also crowded. And since I was recovering from a leg injury, I opted to stay behind at a shaded table, sipping chilled coconut juice and waiting for my husband, who climbed halfway (stairs) and came back smiling. I don’t think any of our group members went on the hiking. There were some souvenir shops at the bottom of the mountains so it was a pretty good place to chill out from a boat, some snacks, drinks, and looking around souvenirs such as pearl jewely, fans, jade bracelets and etc.

📌 Cruise Tip #3:
If you have mobility issues or don’t enjoy crowded hikes, the shaded resting area with a coconut is just as satisfying. Or even you can skip this island if you don’t like crowds. Just stay in the boat and drink a cocktail or glass of wine looking at the serene ocean and other cruise boats floating calmly.

3. Sunset Cooking Class on the Deck and a Friendly Dinner

Back on the cruise, a small Vietnamese spring roll cooking class awaited us on the top deck. It is rather a demo of how to wrap Vietnamese wrap. The demo was brief but fun—and surprisingly tasty!

It wasn’t long before we were chatting with fellow travelers. We connected with an older couple from Australia and the lady’s brother and his wife from New Zealand. They were warm, generous, and easy to talk to.

Dinner was served at the same table from lunch. The ambiance was relaxed, and we pleasantly shared small conversations with the young couple from India sitting nearby.

4. Squid Fishing Under the Stars

After dinner, we had two options: karaoke or squid fishing.

We chose squid fishing, of course.

No special skill required—just jiggle the rod up and down. A British girl proudly told us that she had caught one earlier. My husband even caught one himself… though it was more of a baby squid, closer in size to a smelt than what we typically think of as squid. 😄 While we tried our hand at squid fishing, we couldn’t help but admire the view around us — dozens of other cruise ships floated in distance, their decks glowing with soft, decorative lights. The warm glimmer reflected gently off the water, creating a dreamy nighttime seascape. From a distance, we could even hear faint echoes of karaoke drifting across the bay, adding a touch of charm and liveliness to the quiet night.

I returned to the room early due to leg pain, and that’s how our first night on Ha Long Bay came to a quiet close.

Final Thoughts: Would We Do It Again?

Yes—but next time, we’d book a better cruise.

For a trip like this, a little extra investment can mean a world of difference in room comfort, views, and experience.

We traveled in mid-April and the weather was perfect—not too hot, not too humid. If we had a balcony room, it would’ve been magical to enjoy coffee or wine with that view. I am telling you this as a tip because I read a review about the balcony room. The couple booked a beautiful room with a nice balcony but they couldn’t enjoy sitting out there at all as the weather was too hot and humid.

📌 Cruise Tip #4:

• April is ideal: mild weather, less humidity.
• Balcony rooms are worth it if you’re traveling in spring or fall.
• Bring a book—there’s not a lot of free time, but enough to unwind on deck.
• The real charm of a cruise is connecting with people from around the world.
• Wifi works only in the dining room. Not in your rooms.

Nest Story: The second day of the cruise (half day)