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Private tailor-made journeys of a life time
Jun 20, 2026
By Hieu Tran
After a hard-working month with deadlines, I felt I needed to let my body relax. I wanted to find a quiet place to unwind and get away from all the stress. So what can be better than a trip to Lan Ha Bay? That is why I decided to book a Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay cruise, a 2-day, 1-night tour. Instead of choosing a big, crowded boat, I picked V'Spirit Cruise. It is a beautiful luxury cruise with a classic wooden style and a very peaceful route around Lan Ha Bay. I thought this boutique cruise would be the perfect reward for my hard work.
So, is this Lan Ha Bay Luxury Cruise really worth your money? Let’s jump on board with me and see what V’Spirit Cruise has to offer!
Sunset on Vspirit Cruise
My 2-day, 1-night tour started at 8:00 AM. I was picked up by the cruise’s limousine transfer. My very first impression was how welcoming the driver was; he greeted me with a big smile and helped me pack my heavy luggage into the car. The space inside the limousine was comfortable and cool with good air conditioning. There were about three other groups traveling with me. Everyone was friendly, and it felt like they were also looking for a quiet place to relax just like me. Thanks to the driver, I had a very smooth and relaxing ride from Hanoi Old Quarter to Tuan Chau International Marina.
After waiting at the lounge for about 15 minutes, we boarded a tender to reach the main V’Spirit Cruise. During the transit, I was honestly impressed by the majestic nature of Ha Long Bay. The seawater was as green as emerald, surrounded by giant limestone mountains formed over thousands of years. The cool ocean breeze instantly blew away all the stress and exhaustion I had carried for months. At the exact moment, looking at the stunning view, I asked myself, "Why didn’t I come here sooner?”
After passing about five limestone mountains, V’Spirit Cruise finally appeared. From afar, it looked like a beautiful ship stepping straight out of a history book. Its classic, nostalgic style blended perfectly with the majestic nature of Halong Bay. As we reached the ship, the V’Spirit Cruise crew welcomed us with warm smiles and open arms. They even played a beautiful, traditional Vietnamese melody. The music was so soft and relaxing that it made me feel like I was stepping into a whole different world.
My very first impression upon stepping inside this luxury boutique cruise was its classic heritage design. The interior is made entirely of warm wood, creating a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere that is the complete opposite of the busy, stressful city life.
We were then served a unique welcome drink: a glass of butterfly pea flower tea with a gentle hint of orange, which matched the fresh ocean breeze perfectly. While we were enjoying our drinks, the cruise manager started explaining the safety rules, introduced our Halong 2-day, 1-night itinerary, and prepared for our room check-in.
For this trip, I stayed in the Senior Suite cabin. To be honest, the room is a bit small if you are traveling with two people. However, it was exceptionally clean and fully equipped with everything I needed. The highlights for me were definitely the super comfortable bed, the private balcony with a view, and a nice bathtub. It was the perfect cozy space to relax and recharge after a long day of activities on the bay.
Cabin on Vspirit
At 01:00 PM, we had our very first meal at sea inside The Dawn restaurant. Just like the rest of V’Spirit Cruise, the restaurant uses warm wood as its main material. I was highly impressed by the beautifully carved Vietnamese Dong Son drum motifs on the walls, which perfectly blended traditional culture with a luxury boutique vibe.
For lunch, we enjoyed a delicious fusion set menu. Every dish was beautifully decorated and well-cooked. The flavors were perfectly balanced, giving us the energy we needed to prepare for the exciting afternoon activities ahead!
After a short afternoon rest, the cabin speaker announced that it was 3:00 PM, time to gather for our afternoon highlight: exploring Dark & Brigh Cave. During our transfer, the tour guide shared some interesting facts about the cave. We had two options to discover the cave: paddling a kayak by ourselves or sitting on a local bamboo boat. I decided to go with the bamboo boat along with four other travelers. For safety, everyone was required to wear a life jacket before the adventure began.
Our tender dropped us off at a floating station, where we boarded a bamboo boat rowed by a friendly local. I was honestly stunned by the breathtaking beauty of the bay. Moving slowly on the small bamboo boat made the towering limestone mountains feel closer to me than ever, showing off their magnificent scale. I could clearly see the deep, layered lines carved on the cliffs over thousands of years. Combined with the emerald water and the fresh ocean breeze, all my tiredness is completely gone.
When we reached Dark & Bright Cave, everyone was excited by its mysterious vibe. As we glided through the cave, we chatted with our boat rower to learn more about the local life. Passing right beneath the dramatic stalactites hanging from the low cave ceiling was an absolute thrill; it almost felt like we were quietly entering a secret kingdom. It was an incredibly fun and unforgettable experience.
After returning from the Dark & Bright Cave excursion, we had about three hours of free time before dinner. V’Spirit offered some amazing options to enjoy the late afternoon. You could either splash around in their unique inflatable ocean pool, which has a safety net around it right in the middle of the sea, or just head straight up to the sundeck. Personally, I spent my time relaxing on the V’Spirit Cruise sundeck to enjoy their happy hour buy 2 get 1 free with some super refreshing cocktails.
I must say, the sundeck is a massive highlight of this cruise. It is incredibly spacious and designed perfectly for relaxing after a long day of activities. But the best part? It is the perfect spot for sunset watching in Lan Ha Bay. I was honestly moved to tears watching the sun like a fireball slowly dip below the horizon, painting the entire sky in a vibrant pink and orange glow. It felt like standing inside a masterpiece painted by Mother Nature herself.
If I have to list the best highlight of this trip, the dinner is definitely at the top. We were treated to an amazing fusion set menu, including a delicious dessert. Every dish was cooked with high-quality ingredients and beautifully decorated. But what made the luxury dining experience even more special was the live music performance. A talented artist played various Vietnamese traditional instruments right inside the restaurant. As the soulful sounds of the Dan Bau and the bamboo flute filled the room, it felt like more than just a dinner. It was a beautiful celebration of Vietnamese culture that gave extra flavor to our meal.
If there was one dish that impressed everyone the most, it would absolutely be the Grilled Vodka Prawns, the V’Spirit Cruise's signature dish. The cruise’s head chef came up to perform a live cooking show for all the guests. We watched in awe as the prawns were cooked perfectly inside a flame fueled by vodka. The dish was a masterpiece for both the eyes and the tastebuds. The prawns were perfectly sweet and juicy. It was an amazing culinary experience that I will remember for a long time.
My second day on V’Spirit Cruise started at 6:00 AM with a Tai Chi class on the sundeck. This was such an exciting and beautiful way to watch the Lan Ha Bay sunrise. Moving slowly to the gentle morning breeze helped me regulate my breathing and clear my mind. I could honestly feel every cell in my body blending into one with nature, awakening all my senses after a long, deep sleep. It was the perfect, peaceful start to a new day before we continued our remaining V'Spirit Cruise itinerary!
Right after the Tai Chi class, a light breakfast was served in the restaurant. The spread included fried eggs, fresh pastries, fruit juices, and yogurt. While it wasn't a massive buffet, it was a light and delightful morning meal, just enough to hold us over before the grand farewell brunch later.
Right after breakfast, we had about an hour for kayaking. To be honest, I was a bit scared at first because I had never tried kayaking before. I had to say thanks to the crew because they helped me with the paddle. Out on the water, I even asked myself, "Why didn’t I try this sooner?” It was incredibly fun! I truly think kayaking is one of the must-do activities that everyone should try when visiting this beautiful bay.
After checking out of our cabin at 9:00 AM, we joined a fun cooking demonstration in the dining room. First, we watched the head chef of V’Spirit showcase his amazing fruit carving skills. He turned simple fruits into beautiful flowers and animals right before our eyes, which was highly impressive!
Then came the best part: learning how to make traditional Vietnamese spring rolls. The crew prepared all the fresh ingredients and introduced the history of this famous dish. After watching the chef’s step-by-step guide, it was our turn to roll our own! To be honest, my spring rolls looked a bit ugly, but the taste was no joke! They were super fresh, crunchy, and tasted incredible when dipped into the rich, savory fish sauce.
While the cruise was slowly cruising back to Tuan Chau Port, we enjoyed our buffet brunch. It felt like a beautiful, flavorful goodbye before leaving the bay. Although it was just a light meal, the wonderful flavors were enough to make me remember this place.
To be completely honest, there was the fired egg with oysters that did not really suit my taste. However, the staff noticed it immediately and warmly offered to change the dish for me. This small but thoughtful action made me feel truly cared for and showed how amazing the V’Spirit Cruise service is.
When it was time to say goodbye, we left the main cruise and boarded the tender to head back to the Tuan Chau Port. As our tender started its engine and pulled away, I turned around and caught a truly moving moment. The entire V’Spirit Cruise crew was standing in a line on the deck, smiling and waving goodbye to us continuously. Even when our tender had moved quite far away and the big ship began to fade into the distance, I could still see them waving warmly.
That exact moment left me with an unforgettable feeling. This 2-day, 1-night Lan Ha Bay itinerary did more than just clear my mind with majestic nature; the genuine warmth of the people here truly touched my heart. I left the bay feeling completely refreshed and fully recharged, promising myself that I will come back here one day soon!
