Nostalgia and Azura are both overnight cruises sold by Ava Travel, a Hanoi travel agency, both on Lan Ha Bay. Below is everything that differs between them, taken from the same booking pages you would book on: price in each season, cabins, ship size and the timed day 1 programme.
Ava Travel prices per person, two adults sharing a cabin, taken from Ava Travel’s live booking pages on 15 October 2026.
from $224 per person, Oct to Apr, $154 May to Sep
See Nostalgia prices and dates
from $205 per person, Oct to Apr, $170 May to Sep
See Azura prices and datesThe short answer
- Price: Azura is $19 cheaper per person in peak season, October to April ($205 against $224).
- From May to September the cheapest cabins are $154 on Nostalgia and $170 on Azura.
- Route: both sail Lan Ha Bay.
- Cabin size: the entry cabin on Azura is 34 sqm, on Nostalgia 28 sqm.
- 3 days 2 nights: both offer it, from $290 on Nostalgia and $402 on Azura per person.
Side by side
| Nostalgia | Azura | |
|---|---|---|
| Bay | Lan Ha Bay | Lan Ha Bay |
| Star rating | 5-Star Luxury | 5-Star Luxury |
| Departs from | Tuan Chau | Tuan Chau |
| Cabins on board | 26 | 30 |
| Cabin types | 3 | 3 |
| Cabin sizes | 28 to 34 sqm | 34 to 66 sqm |
| Every cabin has a balcony | Yes | Yes |
| Cabins for 3 or more | None | None |
| 2 days 1 night, Oct to Apr | from $224 | from $205 |
| 2 days 1 night, May to Sep | from $154 | from $170 |
| 3 days 2 nights | from $290 | from $402 |
| Day 1 route | Tuan Chau – Lan Ha Bay – Ao Ech – Tra Bau | Tuan Chau – Lan Ha Bay – Ao Ech Lagoon |
| Day 2 route | Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba – Tuan Chau | Dark and Light Cave – Tuan Chau |
Which one should you book?
- Price matters most: Azura.
- You want more room in the cheapest cabin: Azura.
If none of these tips it either way, book on dates: pick your day and compare both on the cabin table. We answer on WhatsApp within an hour.
Cabins and prices
Nostalgia cabins
| Cabin | Size | Guests | May to Sep | Oct to Apr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Suite | 28 sqm | 2 | $154 | $224 |
| Queen Suite | 30 sqm | 2 | $174 | $254 |
| King Suite | 34 sqm | 2 | $239 | $329 |
Azura cabins
| Cabin | Size | Guests | May to Sep | Oct to Apr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baylight Suite | 34 sqm | 2 | $170 | $205 |
| Horizon Suite | 34 sqm | 2 | $190 | $225 |
| Imperial Suite | 66 sqm | 2 | $320 | $360 |
Day 1 on board
Nostalgia, day 1
- 07:50 – 08:20Van pick-up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter if you add the transfer.
- 11:00 – 11:30Check in at the Nostalgia lounge, Lot 33, Tuan Chau Marina, with welcome tea.
- 11:45 – 12:00Speedboat to the ship. Welcome drink, cruise briefing and safety instructions.
- 12:45 – 13:00Lunch as the ship heads into Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
- 15:00 – 15:30Kayaking at Ao Ech, a quiet lagoon ringed by limestone cliffs.
- 17:00Back on board. The ship anchors at Tra Bau for the night. Swim in the bay.
- 18:00 – 18:15Vietnamese cooking demonstration, or happy hour at the bar at sunset.
- 19:15 – 19:30Fusion dinner in the restaurant.
- 21:00 – 21:30The sundeck bar, squid fishing or board games.
Azura, day 1
- 07:30 – 08:00Pick-up in Hanoi Old Quarter if you add the transfer.
- 11:30 – 11:45Check in at the Azura lounge, Lot 38, Tuan Chau Marina.
- 11:30 – 12:00Speedboat out to Azura.
- 12:30 – 12:45Welcome drink and safety briefing, then lunch as the ship sails for Lan Ha Bay.
- 14:30 – 16:30Swim in the bay or the ship's pool, or kayak in Ao Ech Lagoon.
- 17:30 – 18:30Sunset party and happy hour (buy 2, get 1 free), with the jacuzzi on the sundeck.
- 18:15Vietnamese cooking class.
- 19:15Dinner.
- 20:45The top deck, the bar, squid fishing, a film or the spa. Overnight in Lan Ha Bay.
Questions
Which is cheaper, Nostalgia or Azura?
Azura. In peak season, October to April, it starts at $205 per person against $224 for Nostalgia. From May to September the cheapest cabins are $154 on Nostalgia and $170 on Azura. Prices are per person with two sharing a cabin.
Do Nostalgia and Azura sail the same bay?
Yes, both sail Lan Ha Bay.
Can I book Nostalgia or Azura for 3 days 2 nights?
Yes, both. Nostalgia from $290 and Azura from $402 per person.
Which is better for families, Nostalgia or Azura?
Neither ship has cabins for more than two guests, so a family of three or four needs two cabins.
Compare more: all cruises with prices · Lan Ha Bay cruises. Star ratings are the class each operator sells the ship as. Payment is taken online at checkout; we confirm the cabin and hotel pickup within one hour.
