What‘s Included

Reviews

• Different cruise than booked

  Kaisa,

  Jan 16, 2025

  3.0

  The organisation of the trip is chaotic. The day before the trip, I started receiving Whatsapp messages from four different numbers. We were informed that our cruise would not be the one we had booked, but another similar cruise, the Sunlight Cruise, operated by the company. They would not provide us any description of the cruise/boat. Only once we got to the boat it was clear that it was a cheaper cruise with an older boat - we had seen the cruise advertised and knew it was cheaper than then one we booked. However we were not offered any compensation for the downgrade. I am not sure if this is normal behaviour for the cruise operators here, but it was quite disappointing. Furhermore, the pickup time from Hanoi was almost an hour earlier than written on the initiary (6:50am for us). The bus also makes a half an hour stop at a shop midway.

• Less busy than Ha Long Bay, who knows how long it lasts

  Ray U,

  Dec 24, 2024

  5.0

  This is a must do when in North Vietnam because of the geagraphic exclusiveness. Once you have experienced the clam and internetless day out in the sea, many other short experiences in nearby countries are not needed anymore. You won't top Lan Ha Bay. Way less busy than Ha Long Bay *as of now. I hope this doesn't get ruined by over tourism.

• Initimate & peaceful

  Kim W,

  Nov 27, 2024

  4.0

  Pros: good communication from Dolphin Travel; guide on boat (Mong) spoke perfect English and was very friendly, the crew worked very hard to make sure we were happy. The boat was worn but clean. They give you a LOT of food for both lunch and dinner, we had corn soup, sweet potatoes, fruit salad, fish cakes, beef stew, sticky rice, bread, vegetables. watermelon, potato salad, chicken stir fry, shrimp, bok choy. For breakfast it's toast, fruit, fried eggs, coffee, tea. All the food was very good. Cons: the boat is clean but definitely needs updating. No soap or hand towels in bathrooms. The lounge chairs on top deck need to have better cushions & astro turf has seen better days. It takes about 5 hours to get to boat. We got picked up at 7 and got onto boat around 12. You have to take a ferry over to Cat Ba island so if it's not there when bus arrives, adds some time. BRING your passports! We didn't know we needed them but luckily had them with us. My friends did a similar tour out of Ha Long bay on a much bigger and newer boat. They complained how overcrowed the bay was. Honestly, I think we had a better experience. It was only 10 rooms and 20 people and it was so intimate, we got to know everyone on the boat. Lan Ha bay was not crowded at all. When we went kayaking, there were maybe 5 other kayaks out there. The bike ride on Cat Ba island was fun, about 5k. Be sure you don't leave your feet in the fish pond too long :) Would definitely recommend this as long as you don't expect anything fancy. The boat is clean, the crew works hard for you and the ride is long but worth it! We really enjoyed it and a big shout out to Mong!

• Nice trip

  Lia C,

  Sep 1, 2024

  3.0

  Overall it was a good trip. We have been told that the was two "Venezia " cruises, we saw the other one and it seemed much better than the one we have been onboarded. From the itinery it seemed we was going by Ha Long Bai just to see the famous landscape but we didn't. Kayaks were very old and dirty. Cooking class and the bike to Cat Ba Village was very good and the tour guide was nice and explains lots of things. Foods was abundant, lunch of the second day was served at 10.30 am and then we desembarked. Unfortunately for miscommunication between the tour guide and the operator we waited for 5 hours at the bus station. Nobody came to pick us up to go back to Hanoi. We were offered just a coffee for the issue.

• Unique overnight at Lan Ha Bay, incredible food, even better tour-guide! Overall great company

  Luna R,

  Apr 5, 2024

  5.0

  I did the 2 days/1 night cruise with Venezia Cruises and could not recommend visiting the bays with them enough! One of the reasons I chose them was because of the great reviews and they live up to the expectation. They take you to Lan Ha Bay and I loved this because it looks exactly like Halong Bay but less crowded. You will still spend some time navigating and kayaking in Halong Bay! The boat and rooms are gorgeous. The staff onboard was super nice, the food was incredible (and loads of it) and the highlight for me was Tiger, our tour guide. In my many months in Vietnam, I realized how difficult it is to have a good English-speaking guide, who is local and knowledgeable and he is all of this! Great company!