A small boat, a handful of cabins, and a bay that looks entirely different at seven in the morning than it does at noon. That is the appeal of a boutique cruise in Ha Long Bay. It is also why the choice of ship matters as much as the choice of bay.

This guide compares ten small and boutique ships that we consider when planning private journeys in northern Vietnam. We explain who each one suits, what to expect on board, and what to check before you book, whether you are travelling as a couple, as a family, or with friends who would like a boat to themselves.

For itinerary inspiration, explore our luxury Vietnam tours.

Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay?

Three neighbouring bays make up the cruising area, and each has its own character. The best choice depends on the ship, the route and the season rather than on the name of the bay alone.

At Tonkin, we usually choose cruises that sail in Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay, to keep you away from the busiest areas of Ha Long Bay. Several ships on this list also pass through Ha Long Bay on the way, so we look at the actual itinerary and operating arrangements rather than treating any bay as a guarantee of solitude.

Private cruise, boutique cruise or full charter?

These words are often used loosely, so it helps to know what each arrangement means before you compare prices.

Your proposal states which of these applies, which services are shared, and what the vessel can and cannot customise.

How we chose these ten ships

We start with the route: we usually choose ships that sail in Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay, to keep you away from the most crowded part of Ha Long Bay. We then look at the size of the ship, the quality and layout of the cabins, the activities and the standard of service, and how well each one suits a particular kind of traveller. Cabin numbers, sizes and facilities in this guide come from the operators and trusted listings and can change, so we confirm the details for your dates before recommending a booking.

The ten ships at a glance

Private and romantic: for couples

L’Amour Junk: your own boat, your own bay

Highlights

• One deluxe cabin with an ensuite bathroom and a large sea-view window
• Traditional wooden junk with teak and oak interiors, a dining deck and a sundeck
• A crew of five looking after one party
• Sails in Bai Tu Long Bay, with kayaking, cave visits and all meals on board

Suits: honeymooners, anniversaries and proposals, and any couple who wants complete privacy. A small family with one child may be possible.

Good to know: the route is fixed within Bai Tu Long Bay, although timings and activities can be adjusted, and other Indochina Junk boats follow similar areas.

Heritage Line Ylang: a floating wellness retreat

Highlights

• Only ten suites, each around 40 square metres with a private balcony
• A spa, tai chi on deck and meditation, built into the “Senses of Lan Ha” programme
• Three days and two nights in Lan Ha Bay, with cycling in Viet Hai village on Cat Ba Island
• Three-sail design with a French-colonial feel, launched in 2019

Suits: couples and individual travellers who want rest and well-being more than a packed sightseeing schedule.

Good to know: the signature programme lasts two nights, so allow three days.

Shared boutique cruises: for couples and families

Most shared boutique cruises suit families with children as well as couples, because many offer connecting cabins, as on Orchid and Peony. Each cabin is private, while dining and some excursions are shared. Tell us the children’s ages and we confirm the cabin layouts and child policies for your dates.

Orchid Luxury: the newest suite ship in the Orchid fleet

Highlights

• Launched in 2026, with 14 suites from around 36 square metres
• Private balcony in every suite
• Cruises Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay on two-day and three-day programmes
• Connecting cabins for families, subject to your dates

Suits: couples who want space in the room as well as time on the water, and families who prefer a new ship.

Good to know: as a new ship it has fewer guest reviews, so we confirm the current facilities, route and availability before proposing it.

Orchid Classic: the established favourite in Lan Ha Bay

Highlights

• Sailing Lan Ha Bay since 2016, with 14 cabins
• Private balconies and ocean-view bathtubs, with cabins from around 36 square metres
• A spa, jacuzzi and sky bar
• Kayaking and a visit to Cat Ba Island on the programme

Suits: couples and families, with connecting cabins available.

Good to know: the number of children per cabin is limited, so check the policy for your party.

Peony Cruise: generous cabins and family-friendly layouts

Highlights

• Launched in 2018, with 20 cabins, all with a balcony and a bathtub
• Family deluxe rooms with a connecting door
• Exclusive suites of around 45 square metres
• A mini pool with a jacuzzi, a restaurant and a bar
• The Dark and Bright Cave by kayak or bamboo boat

Suits: families with children above all, and couples or friends who want a lively ship with good facilities.

Good to know: family rooms are limited, so book early for school holidays.

Heritage Binh Chuan: art, design and a day on Cat Ba

Highlights

• 20 suites across four decks, launched in 2019
• Design inspired by the first “made in Vietnam” ship, built in 1919 by shipwright Bach Thai Buoi
• An art gallery, spa, pool and library
• Two-, three- or four-day programmes, with a full day on Cat Ba Island and its floating villages on the longer itineraries

Suits: culture-minded couples and families who enjoy a longer programme with more to do than simply sail.

Good to know: children’s bedding rules vary by suite, so confirm the arrangements for your family.

Stellar of the Seas: more space and facilities

Highlights

• 22 suites with balconies, launched in 2018
• Junior, senior and executive suites, the latter with a private sun terrace
• A wine and cigar cellar, a panoramic bar and a seasonal pool
• Two-day and three-day programmes through Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay

Suits: families and groups who like a ship with more facilities, and couples who enjoy a livelier atmosphere.

Good to know: it is the largest ship on this list, so it feels more social than the smaller boats, and the pool is seasonal.

Private boats and charters for friends and groups

Bhaya Legend: your own boat, your own route

Highlights

• A private cruise with one or three cabins, depending on the version
• A butler on board, and a programme shaped around the group
• Cabins of around 22 square metres; the three-cabin boat sleeps up to six adults and three children
• Two-, three- or five-day programmes across Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay

Suits: couples (one cabin) and families or small groups of friends (three cabins) who want a boat to themselves.

Good to know: the boat is currently offered with one or three cabins. We confirm the configuration and availability for your dates.

Dragon’s Pearl: a wooden junk for up to twenty guests

Highlights

• 10 deluxe cabins across three decks, each with a private bathroom
• Indoor and outdoor dining, and two sundecks
• Sails the less-travelled route to Bai Tu Long Bay on two- or three-day programmes
• Vegetarian and other dietary needs catered for when requested in advance

Suits: family gatherings, celebrations, and groups of friends or colleagues chartering the whole boat for up to 20 guests.

Good to know: the cabins are traditional in style, so it suits groups who value atmosphere over modern spa facilities.

Red Dragon: a modern successor to a favourite

Highlights

• A boutique steel ship with eight cabins of around 27 square metres, with balconies and sea-view bathtubs
• A jacuzzi pool, spa treatments, a sky lounge and a fitness area
• A beach barbecue at Cong Dam and a bamboo-boat visit to Vung Vieng fishing village
• Two- and three-day programmes in Bai Tu Long Bay

Suits: groups of friends, families and couples who want modern comfort on a small ship.

Good to know: ask us whether a full charter is available for your dates, as arrangements depend on the operator.

One night or two?

A one-night cruise suits a shorter itinerary and gives you an evening and a morning on the water. Two nights give you more time to settle in and, on some ships, extra excursions such as Cat Ba Island or a floating village. Ask how the second day operates: it may involve a day boat rather than continuous sailing on the overnight ship. Routes and departures remain subject to weather, local permissions and operating conditions, including for private charters.

What affects the price of a private cruise?

We quote each journey individually so that the price matches the arrangements you are offered.

Why book your cruise with Tonkin Voyage

Tonkin Voyage Travel is a Hanoi-based agency and a close, long-standing partner of the operators of these ships. Because we work with them directly, we receive priority on availability and service, and our rates reflect that relationship. You book everything with us, from your first enquiry to your last transfer, so there is one team to speak to if your plans change.

We do not sell these ships on their own. Each cruise is one part of a multi-day circuit that we build for you, with hotels, guides, transfers and flights arranged around it, so that the night on the bay falls on the right day and fits the pace of the rest of the journey. Explore our private circuits in Vietnam to see how a cruise sits within a longer itinerary.

How we plan your cruise within a private Vietnam journey

A cruise works best when it fits the rest of your route. We consider the transfer time from Hanoi, which is usually around two and a half to three hours by road. We also look at disembarkation times against your onward flight or hotel, and whether a night in Ninh Binh before or after the bay would make the journey more comfortable.

If you travel with young children or older relatives, we also check how boarding works, whether the ship uses a tender, and whether the activities suit everyone. You can explore these options within our luxury Vietnam tours or ask us to customise your trip.

Private and boutique cruises in Ha Long Bay: frequently asked questions

Which bay is best for a private cruise? There is no single answer. Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay are generally quieter than central Ha Long Bay, but the ship, route and season matter as much as the bay.

How many nights should we spend on board? One night works for a short itinerary. Two nights give you more time and some additional excursions. We suggest the option that fits the rest of your route.

Is a private cruise completely private? Only a one-cabin private boat or a full charter is reserved for your party. On a boutique shared ship your cabin is private, but dining and some excursions are shared.

Which ship is best for a honeymoon? For maximum privacy, a one-cabin junk such as L’Amour is the most intimate. For a spa and wellness focus, Heritage Line Ylang is a strong choice. For a suite with a balcony on a small ship, Orchid Luxury or Orchid Classic suit many couples.

Can we charter a whole ship? On many ships, yes, depending on the vessel and your dates. Bhaya Legend is particularly suited to groups. We confirm the options and the price structure for your party.

Can children join? Yes. Most shared boutique cruises suit families, and many offer connecting cabins, as on Orchid and Peony. The number of children per cabin and the child policies vary, so tell us your children’s ages and we will check the right ship and cabin.

Can you accommodate dietary or mobility requirements? Tell us during planning. We confirm what each ship and operator can accommodate, including boarding arrangements and vegetarian or allergy-friendly menus.

Can we combine the cruise with Ninh Binh or the rest of Vietnam? Yes. We build the cruise into a private journey with transfers, hotels and domestic flights arranged around it.

Plan your private Ha Long Bay cruise

Tell us when you would like to travel, who is coming and what kind of evening you imagine on the water. We will recommend the ship and the number of nights that fit your journey.

Explore our luxury Vietnam journeys or start planning your custom trip.