Mila Grand 2D1N Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Tour

Ha Long Bay’s limestone towers are best seen at water level, and this two-day cruise gives you time to watch them change in the light rather than rushing through on a day trip. I like the combination of a private balcony cabin and a quieter route through Lan Ha Bay, plus the choice of kayaking or taking a bamboo boat at Dark and Bright Cave.

One point to weigh: the cruise packs several activities into a short stay, and the schedule can change with weather or operating conditions. You’ll also need to reach Tuan Chau Marina yourself unless your chosen package includes a separate transfer.

The best parts of Mila Grand at a glance

1 / 9

2 / 9

3 / 9

4 / 9

5 / 9

6 / 9

7 / 9

8 / 9

9 / 9

1 / 9

• Balcony cabins let you step outside for bay views without leaving your room. Junior, Senior, and Executive cabins are offered.
• Dark and Bright Cave can be visited by kayak or traditional bamboo boat rowed by local people.
• Lan Ha Bay is part of the cruise route, with time for swimming, sunset, and onboard activities.
• Trung Trang Cave adds a visit to Cat Ba Island and its biosphere reserve on the second morning.
• Meals and activities are bundled: four meals, Tai Chi, a cooking class, squid fishing, and Wi-Fi are included.
• The price depends on your starting point and cabin: listed options range from US$130.45 for a Ha Long Junior Cabin to US$176.35 for a Hanoi Executive Cabin.

👉 See our pick of the 2 Best Airport Transfers In Ha Long

A two-day route through Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay

Mila Grand is designed for people who want more than a quick look at Ha Long Bay. Over two days and one night, you travel through Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, sleep aboard the ship, and make stops for a cave visit, swimming, and Cat Ba Island.

The extra time matters. A day cruise can show you the bay, but an overnight trip gives you sunset and sunrise on the water, along with an evening aboard. The route also includes Lan Ha Bay, which the cruise describes as a way to spend time away from the better-known tourist routes. The scenery is the main event: limestone formations rise from emerald water, and you get changing views as the ship moves through the bays.

This is still a set itinerary, not a private sailing trip. You’ll follow scheduled meal times and excursions, and the operator may adjust the plan for weather or other operating conditions. If you want a relaxed day with no fixed timetable, this may feel busy. If you like having transport between sights, meals, and activities arranged for you, the structure is useful.

Boarding at Tuan Chau Marina

The listed departure is at 11:30 from the Mila Grand Private Lounge, Lot 20, Tuan Chau Marina in Ha Long. Arrive 15 minutes early for a welcome drink and check-in before boarding. The return is scheduled for 11:00 the next day at Tuan Chau International Marina, with a tender boat taking you back to the marina.

The departure details matter if you’re coming from Hanoi. Hanoi is offered as a package option, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the stated inclusions. Confirm exactly what your selected Hanoi package covers before booking, and plan your arrival at the marina accordingly. Do not assume the cruise fare includes transport from your hotel.

On board, English- and Vietnamese-speaking staff are listed, along with an English- and Vietnamese-speaking guide. Staff names associated with the experience include Eric and Alice, but you should not count on particular team members being present on your date. One useful detail from the trip’s customer feedback is that the chef accommodated a vegetarian meal request. If you have a dietary need, tell the operator in advance rather than waiting until mealtime.

Day one: lunch, caves, and a Lan Ha Bay sunset

The cruise is scheduled to leave at 11:30, with lunch at 13:00 as the ship heads into Lan Ha Bay. The meal features Vietnamese dishes, and it gives you a chance to settle in while the ship moves through the bay. Drinks with meals are not included, though welcome drinks, tea, coffee, and mineral water are listed among the inclusions.

At 15:30, you visit Dark and Bright Cave. You can paddle a kayak or take a bamboo boat rowed by local people. The choice makes this stop flexible: kayaking gives you a more active way to move around, while the bamboo boat lets someone else do the rowing. After the cave visit, swimming in the cool water near the cruise area is planned, subject to conditions.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes if you intend to swim or kayak. Outdoor activities are more pleasant in breathable clothing and shoes, and a hat or cap is useful in summer. The activity requires getting on and off boats and moving around outdoors, so tell staff if you need help. You can skip the cave visit or hike and remain on board if mobility is a concern.

The cruise returns to the ship around 17:30, in time for sunset and Happy Hour. A spring-roll cooking class with the chef is also scheduled. This is one of the more appealing parts of the program: it gives you a hands-on activity without requiring you to leave the ship, and it breaks up the afternoon before dinner.

Dinner is set for 19:00, either in the second-floor restaurant or, weather permitting, on the sundeck. Afterward, you can try squid fishing, book a spa treatment, or rest. Spa services and drinks are extra, so factor those into your budget if you’re hoping for more than the included activities. Squid fishing is an onboard pastime, not a guaranteed catch; enjoy it as an evening activity rather than a meal plan.

Day two: Tai Chi and Cat Ba’s Trung Trang Cave

The second morning starts early. Tai Chi is scheduled for 06:00 on the sundeck, with tea or coffee and fresh air over the bay. If you’re not a morning person, you can skip it, but sunrise is a fine reason to set an alarm. A light breakfast follows at 06:45.

At 07:30, the excursion heads to Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve. The drive from Gia Luan to Trung Trang Cave takes about 30 minutes. This visit changes the pace from the water-based first day, bringing you inland to one of Cat Ba Island’s notable caves. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes suitable for walking. The cave visit is optional for people with mobility problems, who can stay on board.

A meal is served at 09:45 as the ship makes its way back to the marina, and the scheduled return is 11:00. The meal plan describes four meals: lunch, dinner, breakfast, and brunch. In practice, expect the final meal to fall during the return journey, rather than treating it as a separate lunch stop on shore.

The schedule is compact, especially on the second morning. You’ll get a taste of Cat Ba and time for a cave visit, but not a long island stay. That is a fair trade for a two-day cruise: you see more than the bay alone, but this is not a full Cat Ba exploration.

What your cabin and included services add

The cabin is more than a place to sleep. Junior, Senior, and Executive options are listed, each described as having a private balcony. A balcony gives you a quiet spot for the views without having to go up to the sundeck, especially during downtime between scheduled activities. Cabins accommodate two to three people depending on type, so check the maximum occupancy for the room you choose.

The cruise fare includes one night of accommodation, admission to listed attractions, a sightseeing boat tour, life jackets, Wi-Fi, and use of the ship’s facilities. Tai Chi, the cooking class, squid fishing, and either kayaking or the bamboo boat experience are also included. Wi-Fi may be unstable as the ship moves farther into the bay, so download anything you need before departure and don’t rely on a strong connection.

Four meals are included, but drinks with meals are not. Spa and massage services, tips, personal expenses, and transfers to and from hotels are also excluded. Bring some cash for extras, and remember that the ship asks you not to bring single-use plastic bottles or bags. A reusable tumbler is a practical alternative.

Is the price worth it?

The advertised starting price is from $150, while the listed package options run from US$130.45 to US$176.35. A Ha Long Junior Cabin is listed at US$130.45, while the Hanoi Junior option is US$154.59. Senior cabins are US$142.55 from Ha Long and US$166.69 from Hanoi; Executive cabins are US$152.19 and US$176.35 respectively. These figures are starting package prices, so check the rate for your date and cabin before booking.

The value comes from combining a private-balcony cabin, meals, cave visits, a boat tour, and several onboard activities in one overnight trip. Compared with arranging each element separately, that can make planning simpler. The higher-priced cabin choices may be worthwhile if you expect to spend time in your room enjoying the view, while a Junior Cabin may suit you if you mainly need a comfortable base between activities.

The Hanoi package costs more than the corresponding Ha Long option, but hotel pickup and drop-off are explicitly excluded. Verify what the Hanoi label means for your exact booking before you pay. Also budget for drinks, spa services, tips, and any applicable holiday surcharge. The surcharge is VND 1,200,000 per person on the specified holiday dates, payable on site.

Practical details before you book

The cruise advises bringing a valid ID or passport with six months of validity, plus swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, cash, and a change of clothes. If you have allergies or dietary requirements, share them in advance. That is particularly important if you need a specific meal prepared.

The cruise may be affected by rain, typhoons, and safety restrictions. In bad weather, overnight sailings operate only with approval from the Ha Long Bay Management Authority, and the supplier will arrange a suitable alternative when possible. Activities such as swimming and kayaking also depend on weather and safety conditions.

Children must be included in the passenger count. Children aged 0 to 7 must travel with a paying adult, and children aged 8 or older are charged the adult rate. One child aged 0 to 3 stays free per room; an additional child in the same room incurs a charge. Age is calculated by birth year, and cabin capacity varies by room type.

The cruise operator may substitute a similar or equivalent vessel if Mila Grand is unavailable. The replacement can differ in name, design, itinerary details, or facilities, so check what is confirmed before departure. The operator may also request passport or visa information before the trip. Keep an eye on messages after booking, and arrive on time: late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

Should you book Mila Grand?

Book this cruise if you want an overnight introduction to Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, value a private balcony, and like having meals and activities arranged in one package. The mix of cave visits, swimming, a cooking class, Tai Chi, and time on deck gives the two days a good rhythm, while the Cat Ba stop adds a different setting from the water.

Think twice if you want a slow, unstructured stay, need reliable internet, or expect hotel transfers to be included without checking. The schedule is active, the second morning starts early, and some extras cost more. For a short visit to the bay, though, Mila Grand offers a practical mix of scenery, comfort, and hands-on activities. The three supplied customer ratings are all five stars, with particular praise for food, accommodation, staff support, and vegetarian meal care. That is encouraging, but the small number of ratings is not a guarantee of how your trip will go.

FAQ

Where does the Mila Grand cruise depart from?

It departs from the Mila Grand Private Lounge at Lot 20, Tuan Chau Marina in Ha Long. Arrive 15 minutes before the 11:30 departure.

What time does the cruise return?

The scheduled return is 11:00 the next day at Tuan Chau International Marina. You return to the marina by tender boat.

Is transport from Hanoi included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the stated inclusions. Hanoi package options are available, so confirm what transport, if any, is covered by your selected package.

What activities are included?

The listed activities include Tai Chi, a spring-roll cooking class, squid fishing, and kayaking or a bamboo boat experience. Swimming is also scheduled, subject to conditions.

Can I choose between kayaking and a bamboo boat?

Yes. At Dark and Bright Cave, you can explore by kayak or take a bamboo boat rowed by local people.

Are meals and drinks included?

Four meals are included: lunch, dinner, breakfast, and brunch. Drinks with meals are not included, though welcome drinks, tea, coffee, and mineral water are listed.

What cabin options are available?

The listed options are Junior, Senior, and Executive cabins. Each is described as having a private balcony. Capacity is two to three people depending on cabin type.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, cash, and a valid ID or passport with six months of validity. A reusable water tumbler is recommended instead of single-use plastic.

Are there holiday surcharges?

Yes. A VND 1,200,000 per person surcharge applies on specified dates, including Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year, Hung King’s Festival, Reunification Day and Labor Day, and National Day. It is payable on site.