The best things to do on a Halong Bay cruise are a mix of sightseeing, hands-on activities and plain relaxing. You visit a cave, paddle into a lagoon, cook a Vietnamese dish, fish for squid with the crew and watch the sun go down over limestone islands.
This guide follows the programme of Hermes Premium on a 2 Days 1 Night cruise, adds what the 3 Days 2 Nights programme brings, and separates what is included from what you book in advance.
The main things to do on a Halong Bay cruise with Hermes Premium are Sung Sot Cave and Luon Cave by bamboo boat or kayak, afternoon tea and a cooking class at sunset, an Ao Dai and music evening on the Sundeck, night squid fishing, Tai Chi at around 06:00 and the 424-step climb on Titov Island. All fit into 2 days 1 night.
What Are the Best Things to Do on a Halong Bay Cruise?
On Hermes Premium you can visit caves, kayak, cook, fish for squid, practise Tai Chi, swim and relax on a Sundeck, all within one overnight programme. The ship has 26 cabins and up to 89 guests, and the activities fall into three groups.
- Sightseeing: Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave and Titov Island, reached by tender or small boat.
- Hands-on: kayaking or a bamboo boat, a Vietnamese cooking class, night squid fishing and morning Tai Chi.
- Relaxing: afternoon tea at sunset, the Infinity Pool, the Sundeck, an Ao Dai and music evening, and a spa room.
Boarding is at Tuan Chau International Port, berth G112 opposite Lot 20, with the tender at 12:00. The full timetable for the shorter programme is on the 2 Days 1 Night itinerary page, and the ship is described on the Hermes Premium Cruises page.
What Does a Full Day on Board Look Like, Hour by Hour?
Day 1 runs from the 12:00 tender to the 22:00 goodnight message, with the caves at 14:30, afternoon tea at 17:00 and the Sundeck at 20:00. Day 2 begins with Tai Chi at around 06:00 and Titov Island at 07:15.
| Time | Day 1 |
|---|---|
| 12:00 | Tender to the ship, welcome drink, briefing by the Cruise Manager |
| After briefing | Lunch on board while the ship sails into the bay |
| 14:30 | Sung Sot Cave, then Luon Cave by bamboo boat or kayak |
| 17:00 | Back on board for afternoon tea at sunset and a cooking class with the chef |
| Evening | Dinner with traditional Vietnamese music |
| 20:00 | Ao Dai experience, music and a cocktail on the Sundeck; karaoke is available |
| 21:00 | Night squid fishing with the crew at the stern |
| 22:00 | Quiet night on board, with a goodnight message from the crew |
| Time | Day 2 |
|---|---|
| Around 06:00 | Tai Chi on the Sundeck, with tea or coffee |
| Morning | Light breakfast on board |
| 07:15 | Titov Island: climb 424 steps to the summit, or swim from the beach |
| Late morning | Pack, check out, then brunch buffet while the ship returns to Tuan Chau |
Times are from the Hermes Premium programme and can change with weather and tides. On our sister 18-cabin vessel Hermes Cruises — where every suite on the Hermes Cruises cabins & suites page includes a private balcony and jacuzzi bathtub — the 2 Days 1 Night itinerary on Hermes Cruises visits Luon Cave (14:00–15:00) and Titov Island (15:20–16:20) on Day 1 afternoon, followed by a 17:15 Sunset Party at the Hermes Sky Bar and an 18:00 spring roll cooking class, then visits Sung Sot Cave at 07:30 on Day 2.
🧭 Cruise Director’s Insider Tip:
“Day 1 is the busy one. After the 14:30 cave visit you are back on board at 17:00, and the evening runs straight into the 20:00 Sundeck session and the 21:00 squid fishing. Keep a dry layer and shoes with grip in your day bag, and treat the cooking class and squid fishing as short, light activities.”
What Are the Off-Ship Activities: Caves, Kayaking, Bamboo Boat and Titov Island?
Four stops fill the shore time: Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Titov Island and, on the longer cruise, Lan Ha Bay.
Sung Sot Cave
Sung Sot Cave, also called Surprise Cave, is on Bo Hon Island in the centre of Halong Bay. Vietnam News reports a total area of more than 10,000 m², an entrance about 25 m above sea level, and a name given by the French in 1901. Hermes Premium visits it at 14:30 on Day 1, and our Sung Sot Cave guide covers the visit in detail.
Luon Cave
After Sung Sot Cave, you move to Luon Cave and explore by bamboo boat paddled by local people, or by kayak. The itinerary mentions cool, turquoise water and monkeys in their natural habitat. Our guide describes the cave as low, between 2.5 m and 4.0 m high depending on the tide; see Luon Cave on a bamboo boat or kayak before you decide.
Kayaking and the bamboo boat
Kayaking is included. Our kayak notes recommend guided trips only, with a life vest, water, sunscreen and a dry bag. The kayaking tips for Halong Bay cover safety, clothing and tides, and the bamboo boat is the alternative for older or less fit guests.
Titov Island
On Day 2 at 07:15, Titov Island offers a climb of 424 steps to a summit with a view over the bay, or a swim from a long white-sand beach in good weather. Read more in our Titov Island guide.
Lan Ha Bay on the 3 Days 2 Nights cruise
The longer programme adds a day boat on Day 2 to Trinh Nu Cave, kayaking, Ba Trai Dao beach, Frog Rocks, Devil Rocks and a pearl farm or Me Cung Cave, depending on weather. See the 3 Days 2 Nights itinerary.
🌿 Local Naturalist:
“The limestone islands you pass are part of a World Heritage site that the IUCN World Heritage Outlook says includes some 1,600 islands and islets. Rainwater has shaped the rock over a very long time, which is why caves like Sung Sot and Luon exist. Keep to the paths and boats your guide uses, and take rubbish back to the ship.”
Which Activities Are Included, and Which Do You Book in Advance?
Kayaking, the cooking demonstration, Tai Chi, bamboo boat, beach time in good weather, movies, squid fishing and music are included. Hanoi to Ha Long transport and massage are not, and both can be booked in advance.
| Included in the cruise price | Booked or paid separately |
|---|---|
| Kayaking and bamboo boat | Hanoi to Ha Long transport (a luxury bus can be booked) |
| Cooking demonstration | Massage at the spa room (book in advance) |
| Tai Chi session | Personal expenses and extra services |
| Beach time (good weather) | |
| Movies | |
| Night squid fishing | |
| Music entertainment | |
| English-speaking guide, service fee, welcome drink | |
| Two water bottles in the cabin | |
| Onboard insurance, sightseeing fees and VAT |
The Infinity Pool, the Sundeck, karaoke, the Ao Dai experience and Happy Hour are listed among the ship’s activities. Ask the team how each one is arranged on your dates.
👨🍳 Executive Chef’s Note:
“The cooking class at 17:00 teaches a traditional Vietnamese pancake with shrimp. Afternoon tea brings homemade butter cookies, a fruit jam crêpe, sticky rice dumplings with green bean and tropical fruit, with a sunset canapé of smoked ham, shrimp and prawn crackers. A vegetarian menu is available.”
Which Activities Suit the Weather and Season?
Caves, Sundeck evenings and the cooking class work in any weather, while beach swimming and kayaking depend on conditions. Hermes Premium’s programme notes the programme can change with weather and tides, and the beach is offered in good weather.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March to May | Mild and green, clearer skies by April and May |
| Summer | June to August | Hot and humid, short showers, storm season begins |
| Autumn | September to November | Clear skies and comfortable temperatures |
| Winter | December to February | Cooler, often misty mornings, quieter bay |
Vietnam Tourism lists September to November as the best time to cruise, with a light mist over the bay in the cooler, drier winter. Our kayak notes suggest warm clothing and shoes that can get wet from roughly October to February. Our best time to visit Halong Bay guide covers each season.
⚓ Captain’s Maritime Log:
“Hermes Premium is 57 m long and 13.85 m wide, and each stop is planned around weather and tides. The Cruise Manager briefs you at boarding, and if a shore visit changes, the Cruise Manager explains the new plan.”
For sun on the deck and beach, the US CDC advises sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and shade between 10:00 and 16:00.
What Are the Best Picks for Couples, Families and Active Travellers?
Couples will enjoy sunset tea and the Ao Dai evening, families the cooking class and squid fishing, and active travellers Tai Chi, kayaking and the 424 steps.
| Traveller | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Couples | Afternoon tea at sunset, the 20:00 Sundeck evening, the Infinity Pool |
| Families | Cooking class, night squid fishing, beach time on Titov Island |
| Active travellers | Tai Chi at 06:00, kayaking at Luon Cave, the 424-step climb |
| Slower travellers | Bamboo boat, the Sundeck, the spa room (booked in advance) |
Our kayak notes advise that children under 6 should not kayak, so the bamboo boat is the better choice for a young family.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best activity on a Halong Bay overnight cruise?
The Sung Sot Cave and Luon Cave visit is the main highlight of the day. It takes place at 14:30 on Day 1. Afternoon tea at sunset and night squid fishing are the other fixed points, so pick what suits you.
Is squid fishing included?
Yes. Night squid fishing with the crew at the stern, at 21:00 on Day 1, is part of the programme and the included list.
Is the cooking class included?
Yes, the cooking demonstration is included. It takes place around 17:00 with the onboard chef, and the dish is a traditional Vietnamese pancake with shrimp.
Do I have to climb the 424 steps on Titov Island?
No. You can choose the climb to the summit or swim from the beach in good weather. Wear shoes with grip if you climb, and follow your guide.
Is a massage included?
No. Massage in the spa room must be booked in advance and is not included in the cruise price.
How does weather change the programme?
The crew may adjust the itinerary. Hermes Premium’s programme states that the programme can change with weather and tides, and the beach is offered in good weather. Follow the Cruise Manager’s briefing on the day.
Ready to plan your cruise? Check dates on the Hermes Cruises reservation page or the Hermes Premium reservation page, or write to Hermes at [email protected].
