2 day Oasis Bay Cruise to Halong Bay from Hanoi

Halong Bay looks beautiful from any boat, but this Genz Cruise adds a youthful, social twist: kayaking, water trampolines, swimming, boat jumping, beach volleyball, football, jacuzzis, and a live DJ party. I like the mix of quiet bay views and active fun, plus the chance to meet people during a compact two-day trip.

I also like that the $228 price includes the Hanoi shuttle, cabin, two lunches, breakfast, dinner, kayaking, entrance fees, and a guide. The main consideration is the evening atmosphere. This is a party cruise, not a hushed retreat, and drinks cost extra at roughly $5 to $10.

Key points at a glance

• A youthful Halong Bay cruise: Expect music, games, water activities, and a social mood rather than a formal luxury voyage.
• A full activity schedule: Kayaking, beach time, trampolines, jacuzzis, swimming, sports, and squid fishing are built into the trip.
• A private en-suite cabin: Your room includes air conditioning, hot water, and two complimentary bottles of mineral water.
• Round-trip Hanoi transport: Pickup is offered from the Old Quarter, with departure around 8:15 to 8:45 in the morning.
• Meals are included: You receive breakfast, dinner, and two lunches, while drinks and personal spending are extra.
• A small-to-medium group by cruise standards: The maximum is 68 people, so the boat is social but not an enormous floating resort.

Is this the right kind of Halong Bay cruise?

The Genz Cruise is aimed at young visitors who want more than a scenic boat ride. You can paddle through the bay, spend time around a beach, use the water trampolines, relax in outdoor jacuzzis, and join organized evening entertainment.

That combination gives the trip a clear personality. You are not simply watching limestone islands pass from a deck chair. You are encouraged to get involved, make friends, and keep moving. The cruise also has live music, a dance performance by the crew, games, and a DJ party from 8:30 to 11 p.m.

I would choose this cruise for friends, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and couples who want a lively break from Hanoi. I would think twice if your ideal Halong Bay experience means early nights, silence, and long stretches of uninterrupted calm.

The boat was introduced in September 2017 and is described as one of the larger vessels in Halong Bay. Its technology and facilities support the activity-heavy format, though a larger boat also means more people sharing the common areas. With a maximum of 68 participants, the group is sizeable enough for a party but limited enough to avoid a massive crowd.

Leaving Hanoi for Tuan Chau Island

Pickup takes place in Hanoi’s Old Quarter between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m., with the official start time listed as 8:30. That makes the cruise easy to add to a Hanoi stay, since you do not need to arrange your own way to the harbor.

The morning transfer brings you to number 24 Tuan Chau Harbour at roughly 11 to 11:30 a.m. The transport is included within the Old Quarter area, which matters because private transfers to the bay can add a noticeable amount to a short Vietnam itinerary.

There is a waiting period before boarding and checking in at noon. You receive a welcome drink, then lunch runs from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. This first meal gets the cruise underway without asking you to organize food after the road journey.

Keep your morning expectations realistic. The trip from Hanoi uses a good part of the day, and the first hours are mainly transport, harbor arrival, check-in, and lunch. The reward is having the shuttle, port arrangements, and cruise access handled together.

Afternoon on Halong Bay: kayaking, beach time, and water games

The main activity block begins around 2 p.m. and lasts until 4 p.m. You can kayak, enjoy a beach, and use the water trampolines with friends. Kayaking is included, as are the entrance and sightseeing fees, so you do not need to budget separately for the core afternoon outing.

This is one of the cruise’s strongest features. Halong Bay is famous for its dramatic rock formations and calm water, but scenery can become passive if you spend the entire day looking outward. A kayak lets you move at water level and gives the bay a more direct, physical feel.

The beach stop adds variety, though the schedule does not identify the beach by name or describe its facilities. Bring practical sun protection and clothes that can get wet. The same advice applies to the trampoline and any swimming or boat-jumping activity you choose to join.

From 4 to 6:30 p.m., you can relax in one of the outdoor jacuzzis arranged around the boat. This is a useful change of pace after kayaking and water activities. You can choose a quieter moment, enjoy the scenery, and wait for the evening light without giving up the social setting.

The activity list is broad, but no one is required to do everything. You can take part in sports such as beach volleyball and football, use the jacuzzi, or simply spend time on deck. That flexibility makes the cruise work for groups with different energy levels.

Dinner, sunset, and a late DJ party

Dinner is served from 7 to 8 p.m. in the cruise dining area. Breakfast, dinner, and two lunches are included, along with complimentary morning tea and coffee. Drinks are not included, and the listed cost is about $5 to $10, so keep some room in your budget for the bar.

The cruise includes a sunset party with fresh fruit and happy-hour service. This creates a natural bridge between dinner and the later entertainment. The exact drink deal is not specified, so check the current terms on board before ordering.

Night entertainment runs from 8:30 to 11 p.m. The program includes a crew dance performance, a live DJ, and games. The atmosphere is designed to bring people together, which is particularly helpful if you are traveling alone or with only one companion.

The evening is also the clearest dividing line between this cruise and a quiet bay sailing. Music and organized games are central to the experience. If you want to sleep early, the 11 p.m. finish is worth noting. If you want a holiday night out without returning to Hanoi, it is a useful feature.

Squid-fishing equipment is included, adding a calmer late-evening option. The schedule does not promise a catch, but it gives you another way to spend time on board after the main party activities.

Sunrise and the second morning

Day two starts early. You are asked to rise at 6:30 a.m. for the dawn over Halong Bay, followed by breakfast from 6:45 to 9 a.m. The early start is a tradeoff: you may have had a late night, but the morning light is one of the best reasons to sleep on the bay rather than return after a single day.

Breakfast is included, as are morning tea and coffee. The schedule gives you a generous window, so you should be able to eat without rushing, though you will still need to keep an eye on the checkout time.

From 9:30 to 10 a.m., you pack and prepare to leave your cabin. You also settle drinking bills at the main bar in the dining room. This is a good time to check your belongings and clear any charges before the final meal.

Lunch runs from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. The early timing may feel unusual, but it fits the boat’s return schedule. After lunch, you get off at noon and wait for the shuttle at the lounge.

Returning to Hanoi by mid-afternoon

The return journey reaches Hanoi’s Old Quarter around 3 to 3:30 p.m. This timing gives you most of the evening back in Hanoi, although road conditions can affect the exact arrival time.

The included shuttle is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Tuan Chau Island or work out a return transfer after leaving the boat. Pickup and drop-off are limited to the Hanoi Old Quarter area, so confirm that your accommodation falls within the service zone.

The complete schedule is tightly packed. You leave Hanoi in the morning, board around midday, join several activities, attend evening entertainment, wake early for sunrise, and return the following afternoon. You get a lot in two days, but this is not a slow, unstructured holiday.

What the $228 price really covers

At $228 per person, this is more than a basic boat ride, but the package includes many costs that can otherwise add up:

• Round-trip shuttle service within Hanoi’s Old Quarter
• A full-furnished luxury en-suite cabin
• Air conditioning and hot water
• Two bottles of mineral water in the cabin
• Welcome drink
• Breakfast, dinner, and two lunches
• Kayaking
• Entrance and sightseeing fees
• English-speaking guide
• Live DJ and sunset party
• Outdoor jacuzzi access
• Squid-fishing equipment
• Morning tea and coffee

The value is strongest if you plan to use the included activities and join the evening program. Someone who only wants a quiet room and a view may find that part of the price supports entertainment they do not need.

You should budget extra for drinks, personal expenses, and a $20 public-holiday surcharge when applicable. The tour does not include services or items outside the stated list. At this price, the included meals, shuttle, cabin, and activities make the package easier to compare with other Halong Bay options than a low headline fare that adds charges later.

Food, staff, and the social mood

The dining schedule is clear, with lunch after boarding, dinner in the evening, breakfast the next morning, and an early final lunch. Specific menus are not provided, so you should not book this trip expecting a particular cuisine or dish.

The strongest praise focuses on the crew, guide, chef, and welcoming service. The staff are described as friendly and attentive, with particular care shown to solo visitors. That matters on a social cruise, where good organization helps a large group feel comfortable rather than awkward.

No guide’s name is provided, so I cannot tell you to look for a particular person. You can expect an English-speaking guide, and the activity is open to most people. The guide’s role is especially important during the packed schedule, since you will need clear instructions for kayaking, check-in, meals, and transfers.

The cruise has earned a five-star rating from 11 listed ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a positive signal, though the sample is small. The consistent strengths are the staff, the food, the kayaking, the scenery at sunrise and sunset, and the party atmosphere.

Who should book, and who should skip it?

I would point you toward this cruise if you want:

• A social boat experience with built-in activities
• A simple Hanoi pickup and return
• A private cabin with air conditioning and hot water
• Kayaking and beach time rather than sightseeing alone
• Evening music, games, and a DJ
• A trip that works for friends or solo visitors

I would be more cautious if you want:

• A quiet, traditional cruise
• A very small boat or highly private experience
• A late morning start on day two
• A schedule with lots of free time
• A package with drinks included

Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 68. The data does not give detailed accessibility information, so anyone with mobility, medical, or water-activity concerns should confirm arrangements before booking.

The cancellation terms are strict. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If bad weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book the Oasis Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want Halong Bay with energy, company, and plenty to do. The included kayak trip, beach stop, water trampoline, jacuzzis, sunset fruit, live DJ, and two-day cabin stay give you more than a quick scenic cruise.

Skip it if peace and quiet matter more than entertainment. The late party, early sunrise, shared activities, extra drink costs, and tightly timed schedule may not fit your style.

For the right person, $228 is fair value because the important logistics and many activities are already covered. I would choose it for a group of friends, a sociable solo visit, or anyone who wants Halong Bay to feel like both a nature outing and a night out.

FAQ

Where does the tour pick up in Hanoi?

Pickup is offered from the Old Quarter, generally between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m. The listed start time is 8:30 a.m.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat departs from number 24 at Tuan Chau Harbour. Arrival is scheduled for approximately 11 to 11:30 a.m.

How long is the Oasis Bay cruise?

The experience lasts two days, returning to Hanoi’s Old Quarter around 3 to 3:30 p.m. on the second day.

What meals are included?

Breakfast, dinner, and two lunches are included. Morning tea and coffee are also complimentary.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking, entrance fees, and sightseeing fees are included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

Drinks are not included. Listed beverage prices are approximately $5 to $10. Two bottles of mineral water are provided in the cabin.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 68 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.