Ha Long Bay Cruise

If there’s one experience in Vietnam that truly stood out to me, it was the overnight cruise through Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

After constantly moving from place to place, this felt like a pause - calm water, limestone cliffs, and a kind of stillness that’s hard to describe until you’re in it. I booked a small cruise with Cat Ba Ventures, and it ended up being one of the best decisions of the trip.

The group was mostly couples and families, and I was the only solo traveler, which honestly made it even more memorable. I ended up with a double room all to myself, was temporarily adopted by a french/vietnamese family and got to hold a sweet baby girl while her parents went swimming.

What I loved most was that it pushed me a little out of my comfort zone. Kayaking through quiet bays (and bat caves), swimming in the middle of nowhere, and at one point even jumping off the boat (all the way from the top (!) and I’m afraid of heights). A few “cool” French guys went first, so obviously I had to follow and prove a point :D

The whole experience felt very easy and well-organized, largely thanks to our guide Tony. He was incredibly welcoming, funny, and always made sure everyone knew what was happening without it ever feeling forced or overly structured.

One thing I genuinely didn’t expect:

The food.

I was the only vegan on board (there wasn’t even a vegetarian), but they still prepared full meals for me at every sitting. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and honestly, some of the best food I had during my time in Vietnam.

It’s one of those small details that make a big difference.

If you’re considering doing a cruise in Ha Long Bay, I would absolutely recommend Cat Ba Ventures. It might be slightly more expensive than other options, but it’s worth it.

Smaller boat, great service, and routes through Lan Ha Bay, which gives you the same stunning scenery as Ha Long Bay, just without the crowds.

And that, in the end, made all the difference.