Peony Cruise

Peony Cruises — Itinerary

Peony Cruises — 2 Days 1 Night

Day 1: Hanoi → Tuan Chau → Lan Ha Bay

Morning: Shuttle bus pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter between 8:30–9:00 AM (extra fee). Approx. 3-hour journey to Lot 34, Tuan Chau Marina. Peony Cruises departs at noon.

Afternoon: Check-in, welcome drink & safety instructions. Cruise through Lan Ha Bay, passing stunning limestone islets. First stop: Tra Bau Area — tranquil scenery. Swim or kayak to explore the bay.

Early evening: Return to boat. Watch sunset over Gulf of Tonkin. Happy Hour — buy 1 get 1 free drinks on top deck or book spa. Cooking class: learn to make fresh Spring Rolls.

Evening: Deluxe dinner served. After dinner — enjoy night views from top deck, drinks, squid fishing, or movie. Overnight onboard. Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Lan Ha Bay → Hanoi

Early morning: Tai Chi session on deck. Light breakfast served.

Morning: Transfer to Cat Ba Island. Visit Trung Trang Cave — renowned for stalactites & pristine beauty. 30-minute transfer from Gia Luan Pier to cave.

9:30 AM: Check-out cabin, settle any payments. Brunch served while cruising back. Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina. Transfer back to Hanoi. Meals included: Breakfast

Peony Cruises — 3 Days 2 Nights Extended Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi → Tuan Chau → Lan Ha Bay

Same as 2D1N itinerary: pickup, check-in, welcome drink, lunch, Tra Bau Area swimming/kayaking, sunset, Happy Hour, Spring Rolls cooking class, dinner, overnight. Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Viet Hai Village → Lan Ha Bay

Early morning: Tai Chi & sunrise. Light breakfast with coffee, tea & pastries.

Morning: Transfer to day tour boat. Visit Viet Hai Village — peaceful scenic community. Explore by bicycle or tram through rice fields. Visit traditional houses made from straw, mud & bamboo. Learn about local daily life.

Afternoon: Cruise to secluded quiet lagoon. Kayak or swim. Return to Peony Cruises. Sunset views, cocktails & music.

Evening: Deluxe dinner. After dinner — night views, drinks, squid fishing or movie. Overnight onboard. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Lan Ha Bay → Hanoi

Early morning: Tai Chi session. Light breakfast.

Morning: Cat Ba Island excursion — Trung Trang Cave. 30-min transfer from Gia Luan Pier. Return to boat.

9:30 AM: Check-out & settle payments. Brunch served on return cruise. Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina. Transfer back to Hanoi Old Quarter. Meals included: Breakfast

What Is Included

• Welcome drink upon embarkation
• All meals as listed: lunch, dinner, breakfast, brunch
• Cruise briefing & safety instructions
• Entrance fees to Tra Bau Area, Viet Hai Village & Trung Trang Cave
• Kayaking equipment & life jackets
• Tai Chi session each morning
• Spring Rolls cooking class participation
• Happy Hour — buy 1 get 1 free drinks
• Transfer to Cat Ba Island & Viet Hai Village visits
• Bicycle or tram tour at Viet Hai Village
• Access to top deck, restaurant & lounge areas
• Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard

Not included: Shuttle bus from Hanoi, spa service, beverages outside Happy Hour, personal expenses, tips

About Peony Cruises & Lan Ha Bay

Peony Cruises — Your Gateway to Lan Ha Bay

Peony Cruises offers a warm, welcoming voyage through Lan Ha Bay — the emerald seascape that lies south of Halong Bay and wraps around Cat Ba Island’s eastern shore. Departing from Tuan Chau Marina, Peony Cruises takes you away from crowded tourist routes to where hundreds of towering limestone karsts rise from crystal-clear green water. Every detail of the journey — from the tranquil anchorage at Tra Bau to the sunrise Tai Chi sessions, from hands-on cooking classes to peaceful evenings under the stars — is designed to help you connect with Lan Ha Bay’s natural beauty and authentic charm. When you choose Peony Cruises, you choose a voyage that feels as genuine as the bay itself.

Lan Ha Bay — Nature’s Unspoiled Masterpiece

Lan Ha Bay is often described as Halong Bay’s quieter, greener twin — and for good reason. More than 400 islands and islets dot these waters, forming sheltered coves, hidden lagoons, and peaceful channels that remain far less visited than the main routes further north. The water here is clearer, the beaches softer, and the forest cover denser — creating a serene atmosphere that feels almost untouched. Peony Cruises sails deep into this pristine world, giving you time to swim, kayak, and simply breathe in the quiet. It is a place where the only sounds are the wind in the trees, the gentle lap of waves, and the call of birds — a rare gift in today’s busy world.

Tra Bau Area — Calm Waters & Hidden Coves

Tra Bau Area is the first highlight of your journey with Peony Cruises — a sheltered bay ringed by forested peaks, where the water stays calm and emerald-green all day long. This is where you will drop anchor, slip into the cool water for a refreshing swim, or glide silently by kayak through winding channels that lead to hidden beaches and quiet nooks. Tra Bau captures the very essence of Lan Ha Bay: peaceful, beautiful, and entirely yours to explore. As the sun begins to dip, you will return to Peony Cruises’ top deck to watch the sky turn gold and violet over the Gulf of Tonkin — one of the most memorable moments of your trip.

Viet Hai Village — Life Moved by Nature’s Rhythm

On the extended itinerary, Peony Cruises takes you further still — to Viet Hai Village, a secluded community nestled deep within Cat Ba National Park, accessible only by water. Here, time moves at a gentle pace. You will ride a bicycle or glide quietly by tram along paths that wind through vast green rice fields, past bamboo groves and ancient trees that have stood for generations. You will visit traditional homes built from straw, mud, and bamboo — simple, sturdy structures that speak of harmony with the land. You will meet families who have lived here for centuries, whose lives are woven into the rhythm of the bay and the forest. Viet Hai is not just a destination — it is a window into a way of life that has remained unchanged, and precious, in a fast-changing world.

Trung Trang Cave — Ancient Beauty Preserved

Located on Cat Ba Island, Trung Trang Cave is one of the region’s most magnificent natural wonders — a vast cavern system adorned with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years. The air inside is cool and still, and the formations glow softly in the light — resembling flowers, cascades, and silent figures frozen in stone. The 30-minute journey from Gia Luan Pier to the cave winds through lush forest, building anticipation as you approach. Trung Trang is a place of quiet awe — and a fitting reminder of the ancient, powerful forces that shaped this entire coastline.

Moments That Stay With You

Beyond the sights, Peony Cruises offers moments that become memories. Learning to roll fresh Spring Rolls — your hands guided gently by the chef — then tasting what you have created as the bay glides past. Watching the sun rise from the deck, moving slowly through the graceful Tai Chi forms as the world wakes up. Sipping a cocktail as the sky turns pink, then sharing a delicious dinner with new friends. Trying your luck at squid fishing under a sky brilliant with stars. These are the moments that make Peony Cruises more than just a tour — they are the moments that make you feel at home on the water.

Practical Information & Policies

• Departure: Noon from Lot 34, Tuan Chau Marina
• Shuttle Bus: Pickup Hanoi Old Quarter 8:30–9:00 AM — extra fee
• Check-out: 9:30 AM on Day 2 / Day 3; settle any payments upon departure
• Return to Hanoi: Approx. afternoon drop-off at Old Quarter Center
• Spa Service: Available onboard — extra charge
• Happy Hour: Buy 1 Get 1 Free drinks — specific hours apply
• Program Changes: Programs & schedules subject to change without prior notice
• Bad Weather Policy: Cancellation decision made by Management Board of Halong Bay; alternative arrangement or refund offered per policy

Guest Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — “Lan Ha Bay at its most beautiful!”
“Peony Cruises was perfect from start to finish. Tra Bau Area swimming and kayaking were magical. Tai Chi at sunrise set the tone beautifully. Cooking class was fun and our rolls actually turned out! Trung Trang Cave impressive. Highly recommended!”
— Anna & family, United Kingdom

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — “Viet Hai Village was the highlight”
“We chose the 3-day itinerary and it was worth every moment. Viet Hai Village felt like stepping back in time — cycling through rice fields, visiting bamboo homes, meeting locals. So peaceful. Peony Cruises staff warm and attentive throughout.”
— Mark & Linh, Canada

⭐⭐⭐⭐ — “Relaxed, friendly, great value”
“Everything ran smoothly. Note shuttle bus and spa are extra — clearly stated. Lan Ha Bay is quieter and prettier than Halong Bay. Happy Hour excellent value. Brunch on return was lovely. Would book again!”
— Sarah, Australia