Last updated 6 October 2026 by the Ava Travel team in Hanoi. Prices come from the 80 boats we sell with both a 2-day and a 3-day trip, checked on 4 October 2026.
The short answer: choose 2 days 1 night if you want the classic overnight on a budget or a short schedule, and 3 days 2 nights if Halong is your main stop in the north and you want to see Cat Ba Island or the Bai Tu Long villages properly. A 3-day trip costs about 1.9 times the 2-day price on the same boat: the middle is about $314 per person against $165.
At a glance
| 2 days 1 night | 3 days 2 nights | |
|---|---|---|
| Boats we sell | 96 | 80 |
| Cheapest | $102 (Annam Junk) | $202 (Annam Junk) |
| Middle price, Oct-Apr | About $165 | About $314 |
| Time on the water | About 23 hours | About 47 hours |
| Excursions | One in the afternoon, one in the morning | Plus a full middle day, usually on a smaller day boat |
| Sunsets and sunrises | One each | Two each |
Prices are the lowest per person for two adults sharing a cabin, all meals included. Transfer from Hanoi is extra: $35 per person return.
What the extra day adds
On a 2-day cruise you board around 12:00 and are back at the pier around 11:00 the next morning. It is a good trip, but it is short. On a 3-day cruise the middle day is the difference: on most boats you switch to a smaller day boat and go further than the overnight ships reach.
- Lan Ha Bay: Cat Ba Island and Viet Hai village by bicycle or electric cart, and beaches such as Ba Trai Dao. For this bay alone, see Lan Ha Bay: 1 night or 2 nights.
- Bai Tu Long Bay: Vung Vieng fishing village and quieter caves.
- Halong Bay: a longer route with extra stops; each boat page shows its day 2 programme.
Price by bay
| Bay | Boats with 3 days | Middle 3-day price |
|---|---|---|
| Halong Bay | 31 | $285 |
| Lan Ha Bay | 41 | $315 |
| Bai Tu Long Bay | 8 | $298 |
Boats where the second night is good value
On most boats the second night costs almost as much as the first. On a few it is clearly cheaper:
- Orchid Trendy (Lan Ha): $190 for 2 days, $335 for 3, balcony in every cabin.
- Genesis Regal (Lan Ha): $155 for 2 days, $275 for 3.
- Kairos (Lan Ha): $150 for 2 days, $295 for 3.
- Dragon Legend (Bai Tu Long): $220 for 2 days, $377 for 3.
Ten 3-day cruises are ranked with downsides in the best 3 day 2 night Halong Bay cruises.
Who should choose which
- Choose 2 days if you have a short trip, young children, a tight budget, or Halong is one stop of many.
- Choose 3 days if you want to slow down, see Cat Ba or the floating villages, or Halong is the highlight of your trip.
- Book 3 days from May to September if you can: the low season saving applies to both nights.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2 days enough for Halong Bay?
Yes, for most travellers. You get the afternoon excursion, the sunset, a night at anchor and a morning on the bay.
Is a 3 day Halong Bay cruise worth the money?
It is worth it if you want the middle day: villages, cycling and beaches that a 2-day trip has no time for. If you only want the classic overnight, the 2-day trip gives you most of the experience for a little over half the price. What day 2 looks like in each bay, with three real timetables, is in is a 3 day Halong Bay cruise worth it.
Can I do 2 nights on two different boats?
You can book two separate 2-day cruises, but you go back to the pier in between and usually pay more than one 3-day trip. One boat for two nights is simpler and better value.
Book with Ava Travel
On each boat page choose “2 days 1 night” or “3 days 2 nights”, pick your date and pay securely online; we confirm your cabin and pickup within one hour. Compare on 2 days 1 night cruises and 3 days 2 nights cruises. WhatsApp +84 904 251 545.
