Private tailor-made journeys of a life time
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Private tailor-made journeys of a life time
Jul 25, 2026
By Trinh Hieu
With hundreds of luxury cruises in Halong Bay, choosing the perfect one for your holiday can be difficult. You want premium service, beautiful views, and modern comfort, but which ship actually delivers this? In this Indochine Premium Cruise 2-day, 1-night tour review, we will look inside one of the most elegant 5-star boutique ships on the bay. From its unique Indochine design and modern elevator to the large swimming pool, let’s find out with Vietnam Escape Tours if this ship truly offers the ultimate luxury cruise experience for your dream Halong Bay vacation.
Hanoi Old Quarter - Halong Bay
My journey started at around 8.30 AM. I was warmly welcomed by the cruise staff in the Hanoi Old Quarter and picked up by a luxury shuttle bus. I must say my first impression was excellent. After the staff helped me with the luggage, I boarded the bus. The interior was very clean, and the ride was incredibly smooth. The driver and staff were super friendly and always ready to help whenever needed. Along with me, there were about 30 other tourists on board, and everyone looked very excited for this Halong Bay luxury cruise adventure. Thanks to the driver I had a very smooth transfer from Hanoi to Halong.
After about a 3-hour drive, we arrived in Halong and stopped at the Indochine Premium Cruise waiting lounge. At first glance, the lounge looked ust like a spacious, ocean-themed cafe. It was very big and comfortable, offering a beautiful harbor view of dozens of luxury cruises. After waiting for about 15 minutes, we boarded a tender boat to transfer to the main ship. The tender ride was quite fast, taking only 10 minutes. Soon, the magnificent Indochine Premium Cruise appeared right before our eyes, perfectly blending into the majestic Halong Bay scenery. The towering limestone mountains and the emerald green water created an incredibly breathtaking natural picture.
Even from afar, I could already feel the professionalism and warm atmosphere as I saw the cruise staff waving their hands to welcome us. Stepping into the main lobby, I was completely blown away by the interior space. It was incredibly spacious and deeply reflected the classic Indochine style. Every area was logically designed with a clear purpose. The highlights were definitely the elegant woodwork, beautiful paintings, and traditional ancient Vietnamese outfits (Ao Dai) displayed impressively around the lobby.
We were guided to the Cochinchine Lounge on the upper deck. At this point, I must admit that you can pick just about any corner on the Indochine Premium Cruise to take photos, because every single spot is stunning, it feels just like walking into a classic vintage movie set. We were served a refreshing welcome drink while the cruise manager introduced the safety rules, the 2-day, 1-night itinerary, a stylish bar and a direct view of the bay, making it the perfect place to set back and relax.
P/S: For those who love music, there is a beautiful piano placed at the end of the lounge right opposite the bar.
After receiving my room key, I headed straight to my cabin. My room was a Suite cabin. The moment I opened the door, the first thing that caught my eye was not the large bed, but the spacious private balcony with a direct view of Halong Bay. This is exactly what you expect from a top-tier luxury cruise. The cabin was fully equipped with modern amenities, including a lovely seating area that offered a stunning panoramic view of the bay. The bathroom also impressed me greatly; it was incredibly spacious, featuring both a bathtub and a walk-in shower. The washbasin and several fixtures were beautifully gold-plated delivering an ultra-luxurious feel while still retaining a vintage charm - just like a floating palace on the sea.
At 13.00 PM, we headed to the restaurant for lunch. Just like the other areas on the ship, the restaurant space was incredibly spacious and luxurious, with a seating capacity of up to 100 guests. It stood out with its signature Indochine design and a panoramic view overlooking Halong Bay. That day, we enjoyed a lavish buffet lunch featuring a diverse menu, ranging from fresh local seafood to iconic Vietnamese dishes like Pho and Bun Cha. It was a perfect dining experience from presentation to flavor, all complemented by a highly enthusiastic and professional staff.
Indochine Meal
Around 14:00, we were invited to a guided tour of the ship’s facilities. The cruise manager showed us through the different cabin categories, sharing insights about the exquisite interior design throughout the vessel. However, the absolute highlight that is worth every single penny has to be the sundeck area. Indochine Premium Cruise features two massive sundecks, including a breathtaking infinity deck that offers an unobstructed, panoramic view of Halong Bay. Thanks to its immense capacity, this space is not only perfect for relaxation but also serves as an ideal venue for hosting private parties, anniversaries, or special celebrations right amid the heritage bay.
16:00 PM, we prepared for the most anticipated activity of the day: exploring Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave). True to its name, I was completely struck with awe the moment I stepped inside. After a short trek up about 100 stone steps tucked beneath the forest canopy, a colossal cavern opened up before us, looking as grand as a magnificent theater sculpted by nature over millions of years. The majestic stalactites and stalagmites, illuminated by an artistic lighting system, created truly surreal scenery. Our cruise guide accompanied us, sharing fascinating legends behind the unique rock formations. This is undoubtedly a must-do experience on any Halong Bay luxury cruise itinerary.
We enjoy a lot the time kayaking in Luon Cave. Luon Cave is a beautiful place where we can do kayaking around safely. The second time i did kayaking in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. This time is amazing for me as i could see the monkey climbing on the mountain. They came around when they saw us. kayaking in the thousands of limestone mountains and the emerald water is a great experience.
Kayaking
After exploring Sung Sot Cave, we headed back to the main vessel to unwind and enjoy some downtime. If you ever visit Halong Bay, witnessing the sunset here is an absolute must - especially when you are onboard the Indochine Premium Cruise. I can guarantee that anyone taking this cruise will go home with a whole photo album full of jaw-dropping memories. To top it off, the infinity pool is the ultimate spot to catch the golden hour; there is nothing quite like soaking in the cool water while indulging in a spectacular visual feast courtesy of Mother Nature.
Indochine Premium Pool
At 19:00, we headed to the restaurant for dinner. The ambient night scenery seemed to elevate the restaurant's atmosphere, making it feel even more luxurious and sophisticated. Tonight's dinner was served as a fine-dining Western set menu, featuring premium seafood, fresh salads, and a perfectly cooked beefsteak paired with fine wine. The natural surroundings, the impeccable service, and the exquisite dishes all came together to create a flawless dining experience, exactly what you would expect from a top-tier luxury cruise.
Indochine premium dinner
Once you are in Halong Bay, missing the sunrise here is simply out of the question. As the first rays of sun dance across the water, the surface sparkles like thousands of diamonds, while a gentle breeze blows through, breathing life into everything around. The whole scenery looks just like an indescribably beautiful painting. That is exactly how my second day onboard the Indochine Premium Cruise began.
We had a light breakfast to fuel us up for the day and then boarded the tender boat to explore Titop Island, one of the absolute must-see sights in Halong Bay. Titop Island is known for its fantastic panoramic view of the whole bay from the top and its clean and wide sandy beach. The hike to the top may be a bit challenging, but I bet you will find every ounce of effort completely worth it. The scenery up there is something you simply cannot find anywhere else. If on the other hand you just want to plunge into the ocean, pack your swimsuit and be ready to enjoy the refreshing waves.
Titop Island
At 9:00 AM, we headed back to the main cruise to pack up for check-out and made our way to the restaurant for a lavish buffet brunch before cruising back to the harbor. As always, the buffet offered an incredible variety of dishes, with the absolute highlight being the authentic Vietnamese cuisine, all bursting with rich and traditional flavors. My only regret was not having enough room in my stomach to try absolutely everything because I was already so full! To top it all off, there was a dedicated beverage station with fresh juices and aromatic coffee, allowing everyone to customize a drink to their liking.
As it was time to say goodbye, we left the Indochine Premium cruise and boarded the tender to return to the port. As our tender started its engine and pulled away, I turned back to see a really moving sight. The whole crew of the Indochine Premium Cruise was lined up on the deck, waving and smiling, saying goodbye to us all the time. Even as our tender was well on its way and the great ship was dropping away into the distance, I could see them waving me a warm farewell.
That very moment gave me an unforgettable feeling. This 2-day, 1-night Ha Long Bay itinerary not only reset my mind with majestic nature but also truly touched my heart with the genuine warmth of the people here. I left the bay feeling completely refreshed and recharged and promised myself I would return here one day soon! Thanks to Vietnam Escape Tours for this amazing trip!
