Frequently Asked Questions

Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay or Cat Ba Archipelago in the Gulf of Tonkin can be visited all year round, with an overall pleasant weather through all seasons.

Many prefer to visit from September to April, when the breeze is a bit fresher and not as humid.

Expect hot weather and some tropical rain in the Summer from May to August, but the sun and blue skies are sure to reappear after the rain, before a magical sunset and the moon rising high into the night sky. During the rainy season the vegetation can also be enjoyed at its peak splendour.

Be amongst the first to cruise with us on board Heritage Cruises where our team ensures you enjoy every experience whatever the weather conditions.

Self-drive car hire is not available for short-term visitors to Vietnam so most travelers to Halong Bay usually book a cruise package, which includes a private car with chauffeur driver or shuttle bus (3,5 hours). Helicopter or seaplane transfers are also available to the bay from Hanoi (1hour).

To ensure total comfort on your journey from Hanoi, we offer a daily limousine transfer service for pick-up and drop-off services from your hotel in Hanoi to habour (Tuan Chau, Halong, Quang Ninh). We also offer private tranfer from and to Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong or Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh (upon request).

The best way to appreciate this magical scenery is from our Lux Cruises Group, cruising between karst cliffs which loom up like fairytale castles, complete with rocky spires and hidden caves.

Our cruises operate in Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay on a daily basis, 1 nights & 2 nights and 3 nights program and, whether you choose the day trip or overnight option, we ensure your experiences are exclusive, all inclusive, intimate, memorable and safe.

In Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay we operate one-day cruises, two-day cruises and the option of cruising in a three-day program. Party cruises and private charters are available upon request.

Some of our clients have told us that one night is too short, so if you want a trip that offers both activities and time to relax, the two-night or the three-night options are recommended.

With an extra day, guests can relax in the stunning environment, spend time at a beach, or take a more active approach with swimming, kayaking or cave exploring. The boat is a destination in itself with many experiences to offer. Each cabin has a private balcony, and the bathroom has a Jacuzzi allowing guests to enjoy spectacular views while soaking in.

Our Cruises have Triple Cabins. We can arrange one extra bed per cabin on the cruises for children under 12 years old. Above this age limit, an extra cabin will have to be booked.

No trip to the North of Vietnam can be considered complete without a visit to the absolutely stunning Halong Bay region. But it’s not always that simple to choose your ideal cruising journey: The Tonkin Gulf actually includes 3 bays: Bai Tu Long, Lan Ha and last but not least, Halong Bay.

Halong Bay is by far the most well known by tourists, who come from all over the world to see its stunning beauty. But here’s the catch: Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay have the same scenic beauty as Halong Bay, in fact, some people say more so.
Travelers are seeking new and exotic experiences and plus value, whether it is in terms of personal value or value for money. They are looking for new destinations, new hotels, and new cruising experiences. They search for exclusivity and want to be the first to discover a destination. Many have moved towards a quieter understated luxury and plan their trips with a focus on authenticity and experiential travel, searching for particularly enriching once-in-a-lifetime experiences. For us, it is essentially about creating an experiential type of travel that is personal as well as authentic and memorable.

Halong Bay is understandably popular and crowded, but if you want to come experience it alone without other tourists, be sure to book our private charter boat that will sail where you want, cruising on your own itinerary. Go deep into the bay. Explore the caves and grottoes. Head over to Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Go trekking in the Cat Ba National Park, rock climbing, kayaking, and, watching some of the most amazing sunsets that you’ll ever set eyes on. The choice is yours.

We thank direct bookers by rewarding free upgrades whenever available, and preferential room assignments – according to each booking’s requests. Direct bookings are definitely preferred by operators and allow local businesses, like Lux Cruises Group, to save on commission fees and offer the best possible value to you, our guests.

Regardless where your booking was made (with us or through a third-party agent), all our guests receive our ultimate attention and personalized service. That being said, many travel sites and experts recommend booking directly with the provider simply because it decreases the chances of miscommunication, removing the intermediary. We also take full responsibility for the information exchanged with our guests, while some agents might not be fully familiar with the hundreds of operators they are partnered with.

When booking with us, your requests go straight from your keyboard to our operations team, and we will make sure to contact you as soon as possible if any further details are required.

In terms of prices, we offer a Best Price Guarantee on our direct website as well as through any direct channels (email, chat or phone). If you find a cheaper rate anywhere else for the same dates, just send us a message and we will make you a better offer.

Let us know, and we will make you a better deal!

If you are already booked with a refundable plan and would prefer to book directly with us, we will honour the same rate as you booked, and add a special gift depending on the season and availability.

Please contact us at [email protected],  or call hotline +84-986-980-060 

Yes, there are. But you definitely should not change your travel plans because of this.

Specially during summer, it’s not uncommon for tropical storms to form in Southeast Asia. This is perfectly natural, and we are ready for it. Safety measures are in place and buildings are designed considering these forces of nature.

If wind/sea conditions are not favourable, the Local Authorities might not allow for overnight cruises, or even request all boats to be tied-up to a safe harbour, without guests onboard of course. Safety is the first priority, and these decisions are a last-resort, often made hours before boarding time – as they wait to see if conditions improve, such as winds changing directions.

We estimate approximately 5 days per year when cruises have to be cancelled, and we partner with many nearby hotels/resorts to offer suitable alternatives to our guests to continue having a wonderful vacation; whenever possible we offer free modifications of cruise dates, as tropical storms tend to last less than a day at a time.

Your cruise includes a lot! Here are the highlights:

• A Stunning suite with a lovely balcony
• All meals (Lunch, Dinner, Brunch)
• Fresh fruit, snacks, and nuts
• Turn down service every stay night
• Live music, cinema, bars and art gallery
• Cookery and tea or cocktail demonstration
• Vovinam, and board games
• Beach activities such as kayaking, bamboo boating, caving, squid fishing
• Unlimited access to the pool, indoor and outdoor lounges, sauna, fitness centre, art gallery
• Guided tours in English and Vietnamese
• Sightseeing Fees & Taxes

Our Cruises is 100% family-friendly. Our ship is equipped with children’s life vests, high chairs and foldable cribs can be setup in the room. We offer children’s meals as well upon request.

For entertainment, we offer movies, our swimming pool, books and board games. There’s also plenty to do during our excursions which include kayaking, hiking, visiting a beach and swimming. All onboard activities (except Spa) are included in your cruise fee.

Just send us a message!

If you have booked directly, a request box allows you to leave us some comments so that we can better cater to your needs. If you have already booked, simply send an e-mail to [email protected],  or call hotline +84-986-980-060 and we will answer as soon as possible.

For those who booked with an agent, we recommend contacting your agent directly as it might be helpful for them to know and anticipate your needs at other parts of your trip.

With pleasure!

Our dedicated chefs are trained to cater for all dietary needs and preferences. Just please inform us as early as possible (ideally at least 3 days before cruising) so we can source the best ingredients to offer you a delectable meal.

Vegetarians are very well catered for in Vietnam; our country offers some incredible local recipes for non-meat eaters.

No dress code is imposed on board The Emperor Cruises. We advise you that
Guests should dress comfortably in casual clothing and bring along:

+ Camera and/or video recorder
+ A swimsuit on sunny days
+ A sweater (for cooler days or evenings)
+ A cap or hat, Suntan lotion.
Weather and sea conditions can change quickly and guests are advised to take an extra t-shirt in case they get wet.

New policies from 15th August 2023

1. Vietnam grants e-visas for citizens of all countries and territories with 90-day stay duration and valid for multiple entry.

2. Citizens of 13 coutries enjoying unilateral visa exemption can stay in Vietnam up to 45 days.

VIETNAM VISA EXEMPTION