Two multi-day trips are listed on WizardTrip: a Ha Long Bay cruise from Hanoi and a motorbike loop in Ha Giang. The cruise is an all-inclusive package. It lasts 2 days and 1 night, or 3 days and 2 nights, in Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay. The Ha Giang Loop lasts 3 days, in a small group. The two listings have 6,400 and 4,099 reviews, with ratings of 4.9 and 5.0 out of 5 (as of 18 October 2026).
The two trips have little in common apart from the departure from Hanoi. One is spent in a cabin, on the water. The other follows mountain roads, by motorbike, with nights in homestays. This article compares them to tell you which one to choose.
Ha Long Bay cruise from Hanoi: what to know
The cruise listing, Amanda Cruise, covers many packages. They vary by bay, length, cabin and transfer. The listing announces a group of up to 60 people and guides in English, Korean and Chinese.
Two bays are offered. In Ha Long Bay, the stops mentioned are Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island and Luon Cave. Lan Ha Bay offers Tra Bau village, Dark and Bright Cave, Cat Ba Island and Three Peaches Beach.
Ha Long Bay cruise: 2 days or 3 days, which package?
The 2-day, 1-night packages include 1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner. The 3-day, 2-night ones include 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners. All add a sunset party and tea breaks.
Over 3 days, the Ha Long and Lan Ha itinerary runs as follows: Ha Long Bay on the first day, Lan Ha Bay on the second, Sung Sot Cave on the third. The Lan Ha-focused packages add, over 3 days, the Tai Queo Cave area.
The cabins change with the package: Deluxe with an ocean view, Junior with a private balcony, Junior suite with a balcony and bathtub, Junior Suite on the Amanda Pearl. A single cabin is booked separately.
The listing also offers a 7.5-hour day, lunch included. On the itinerary: Dark and Bright Cave, kayaking at Ao Ech, a cooking class and a sunset party on the upper deck. The transfer is not included: the round-trip Hanoi–Ha Long bus costs $15 per person.
A day on board: times, meals and activities
On the first day, the group arrives at the pier at 11:30 am. Boarding is at 12:15 pm, with a welcome drink. Lunch follows at 1 pm, while the boat sails toward the southeast of the bay, between the Fighting Cock and Finger islets.
At 2:45 pm, you can visit Luon Cave or the pearl farm by bamboo boat or kayak. At 4 pm, Ti Top Island lets you swim or climb to the top. The sunset party starts at 5:30 pm. A cooking class is offered at 6:30 pm, then dinner is served at 7 pm.
The included activities are kayaking, swimming, cave exploration, tai chi, cooking classes and night squid fishing. The next day, Sung Sot Cave, described as one of the largest in the bay, is reached by steep stone steps. The order of visits changes from one package to another: check the itinerary of yours. The listing does not give the return time to Hanoi.
The listing presents the cruise as a 5-star ship. Of the six recent reviews noted, four give 5 out of 5, one gives 4 out of 5 and one gives 2 out of 5. The last one criticizes the meals and the cleanliness. Kristine, who had booked a superior junior suite, gives 4 out of 5 in August 2026: “I ended up on the lowest deck, next to the noisy engine room.”
Ha Giang Loop in 3 days: motorbike, homestay and small group
The Ha Giang Loop is done in a small group, with a maximum of 12 travelers and an English-speaking guide. The booking date is the date of pickup in Hanoi, on a cabin sleeper bus, and the loop officially starts the next day. To enjoy Hanoi before leaving, the listing recommends the 8 pm pickup.
On arrival in Ha Giang, the first night is spent free of charge in a dormitory at the hostel. The next day, breakfast is served from 8 am, the briefing is at 9:15 am and departure at 9:30 am. Large luggage stays at the hostel. A backpack with the essentials for three days is strapped to the back of the motorbike.
Day one crosses Bac Sum Pass, Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate and Can Ty Pass, with lunch in Yen Minh. Day two goes through Dong Van, Meo Vac and Ma Pi Leng Pass, described as one of the four most beautiful passes in Vietnam. A boat trip on the Nho Que River is added. Day three returns to Ha Giang via Sa Phin, Yen Minh and Tam Son.
Three riding options are offered. Self-riding requires a motorcycle license and an international driving permit (1968 category A). The Easy Rider option entrusts the motorbike to a certified driver. The Easy Rider option with a private room adds a private room to it, for 2 nights according to the listing.
Included are the VIP cabin sleeper bus, the motorbike with fuel and protective gear, meals, 3 basic nights in homestays and the boat on the Nho Que River. Not included are personal expenses, drinks, tips and a possible border-crossing permit.
A September 2026 review, rated 5 out of 5, warns that “not everything is included as stated on the website, we have to pay for water at every place we go.” On the way back, drop-off is free in Hanoi, at the airport, in Sapa or in Ninh Binh. For Ha Long or Cat Ba, a surcharge of $10 per person applies, subject to availability.
The two trips compared
| All-inclusive cruise | Ha Giang Loop | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 days and 1 night, or 3 days and 2 nights | 3 days |
| Accommodation | Cabin on board, with private bathroom | Homestay; private room optional |
| Departure from Hanoi | Bus from the Old Quarter, or no transfer | Cabin sleeper bus |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunches and dinners depending on length | Breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| Activities | Kayaking, swimming, caves, tai chi, cooking class, squid fishing | Motorbike, passes, boat on the Nho Que River |
| Group size | 60 maximum | 12 maximum |
| Guide language | English, Korean and Chinese | English |
| Not included | Drinks, tips, cabin surcharges | Personal expenses, drinks, tips, border permit |
| Cancellation | Full refund up to 24 hours before | Full refund up to 24 hours before |
| Price from | $53 | $136 |
What else should you budget for beyond the price?
For the cruise, the listing details surcharges: $30 per person for the Senior Suite cabin and $60 for the Royal Suite. Surcharges also apply during Chinese New Year, New Year’s Eve and the Christmas period. Other drinks, tips and personal expenses are not included. For Ha Giang, the listing suggests a generous tip for the guide and the driver at the end of the trip.
Do you need to know how to ride a motorbike for the Ha Giang Loop?
No, with the Easy Rider option: a certified driver rides and you are a passenger. Only self-riding requires both permits. The helmet and protective gear are included in both cases.
The listing recommends layered clothing for the mountain weather, and swimwear for a swim at the waterfall. It provides for cancellation in bad weather, like the cruise listing.
Which one should you choose?
- You want to sleep in a cabin and stay on the water: the 2-day, 1-night cruise.
- You have 3 days and want to see both bays: the 3-day, 2-night cruise in Ha Long and Lan Ha bays.
- You prefer mountain roads and nights in homestays: the Ha Giang Loop.
- You don’t ride a motorbike: the Ha Giang Loop with the Easy Rider option.
- You only have one day: the 7.5-hour package from the cruise listing, transfer to be added.
For other outings around the capital, see the Things to do in Hanoi page. Other regions are on the Vietnam page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Ha Long Bay cruise from Hanoi take?
According to the listing compared on WizardTrip, 2 days and 1 night or 3 days and 2 nights, plus a one-day package of 7.5 hours. Pickup in Hanoi is between 8 am and 8:30 am according to the itinerary, and arrival at the pier is around 11:30 am.
What is the difference between Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay on a cruise?
According to the listing, Ha Long Bay leads to Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island. Lan Ha Bay offers Tra Bau village and Dark and Bright Cave. Over 3 days, Cat Ba Island and Three Peaches Beach are added.
Are meals included in the Ha Long Bay cruise?
Yes. Over 2 days and 1 night: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner. Over 3 days and 2 nights: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners, with a sunset party and tea breaks. Other drinks are at your own expense.
Do you need to know how to ride a motorbike for the Ha Giang Loop?
No, with the Easy Rider option: a certified driver rides the motorbike and you are a passenger. The self-riding option requires a motorcycle license and an international driving permit (1968 category A). Helmet and protective gear are included.
What does the 3-day Ha Giang Loop include?
The VIP cabin sleeper bus from Hanoi, the motorbike with fuel and protective gear, meals, 3 nights of homestay accommodation and a boat on the Nho Que River. Drinks, tips, personal expenses and the border permit are not included.
Can you cancel a cruise or the Ha Giang Loop?
Yes: both listings fully refund a cancellation made at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Both trips can be canceled in bad weather, and the cruise also if the number of participants is too low.
Activities mentioned in this guide
All activities in Hanoi, with their prices and reviews: Things to do in Hanoi
