Cruises  /  3 Days / 2 Nights

Bai Tu Long Bay · Wooden junk · Overnight cruise

Red Dragon Junk

3 Days, 2 Nights in Bai Tu Long Bay

3 Days / 2 Nights

Bai Tu Long Bay
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk

The Cruise

3 Days / 2 Nights aboard the Red Dragon Junk.

Red Dragon Junk is a traditional wooden junk on the untouristed Bai Tu Long route. Cabins open onto private balconies, so the karst scenery is with you from the moment you wake, and the days are kept unhurried: kayak or swim in the afternoon, learn to roll spring rolls before dinner, then watch the light fade from the sundeck.

You cruise among the limestone islands with time for a quiet island beach and Thien Canh Son Cave, and a night at anchor under the stars. When we plan a trip we match you to the right cabin and the right number of nights, arrange the transfers from Hanoi, and fold the cruise into a wider Vietnam itinerary. As private planners, we carefully craft each trip around you, choosing every cruise on how well it suits your dates and the rest of your route.

Cabins & Suites

Where you'll stay aboard.

Deluxe Cabin (Main Deck)
26.5m² · Main deck · 1 King or 2 Twin · Private loggia · Sea-view bathtub
26.5m² deluxe cabin on the main deck with a king bed or two twin beds, a private loggia and a sea-view bathtub.
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Deluxe Cabin (Upper Deck)
27m² · Upper deck · 1 King · Private balcony with sun lounger · Sea-view open-air bathtub
27m² deluxe cabin on the upper deck with a king bed, a private balcony with sun lounger and a sea-view open-air bathtub.
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk
Red Dragon Junk

The Itinerary

How your 3 days / 2 nights unfolds.

Day 1
Hanoi → Bai Tu Long Bay
08:00-08:45Pick-up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the drive to the coast.
11:30-11:45Check in at the harbour and transfer out to the ship.
12:30Welcome briefing over a drink.
13:00Lunch in the dining room as the ship sails into Bai Tu Long Bay.
15:00Swim, sunbathe or kayak among the islands with your guide.
16:00Visit a quiet island beach.
17:30Sunset gathering on the sundeck with snacks.
18:00Cooking demonstration: traditional Vietnamese spring rolls.
19:15Dinner.
21:00Cocktails at the bar or squid fishing off the deck.
Day 2
Bai Tu Long Bay → Vung Vieng fishing village
06:00Sunrise and Tai Chi on the sundeck.
06:30Light breakfast.
08:30Set out by day boat to explore deeper into the bay.
10:00Visit Vung Vieng fishing village.
12:00Lunch with bay views.
13:15Kayaking and a swim stop at a quiet island beach.
16:00Return to the ship.
17:30Sunset gathering on the sundeck.
18:00Cooking demonstration.
19:15Dinner.
Day 3
Bai Tu Long Bay → Hanoi
06:00Sunrise, then Tai Chi on the sundeck.
06:30Light breakfast.
07:30Morning visit to Thien Canh Son Cave by tender or kayak.
08:30Back aboard to pack.
09:15Check out and settle any bills.
09:30Brunch as the ship returns towards port.
10:45Tender to the harbour.
11:30Depart for Hanoi.
15:00-15:30Arrive back in Hanoi.

Highlights

What makes it special.

The boat

A traditional wooden junk

Red Dragon is a traditional wooden junk working the untouristed Bai Tu Long route, away from the busier stretches.

The cabins

Balconies and full-height views

Cabins open onto private balconies with floor-to-ceiling bay views, so the karst scenery is there from waking.

The route

Thien Canh Son Cave

The two days take in Thien Canh Son Cave and a quiet island beach, with a night at anchor under the stars.

Days on board

Kayaking and squid fishing

Kayaking, swimming, a cooking demonstration, a sunset party, squid fishing and morning Tai Chi make up the programme.

Cabins at a glance

Every grade aboard Red Dragon Junk, side by side.

Cabin grades aboard Red Dragon Junk
CabinSizeBedsOutlook
Deluxe Cabin (Main Deck)26.5m²1 King or 2 TwinMain deck · Private loggia · Sea-view bathtub
Deluxe Cabin (Upper Deck)27m²1 KingUpper deck · Private balcony with sun lounger · Sea-view open-air bathtub

How long aboard

Two days or three, on this boat.

2 days, 1 night

The classic cruise

An afternoon and evening on the water, a night at anchor and a morning sail out. The length most travellers choose.

See the 2 Days / 1 Night itinerary ›

3 days, 2 nights

The unhurried sailing

Day two is when the fleets disperse and you reach the further coves - the bay at its most peaceful.

This is the itinerary on this page

Not sure yet

Read the comparison

We wrote a longer piece on how the two lengths actually differ once you are on the water.

One night or two ›

Our experience of

Red Dragon Junk

We've hosted guests aboard the Red and been over her ourselves. She carries a lot of staff for her size, close to one crew member for every guest or two, and it shows - service is attentive without hovering, and the crew handle English, French, Chinese and Korean between them.

She's well furnished and genuinely comfortable, with balcony views over Lan Ha, and she was among the first on the bay to add a swimming pool and a soundproof karaoke lounge, so there's more to do on board than most. Days bring the caves, a cooking class and kayaking, and the kitchen turns out good food and handles dietary requests without fuss.

What we've found: the Red suits guests who want polished, personal service and a bit extra on board - a pool, karaoke, space - on the quieter Lan Ha side. Guests tend to recommend the three-day itinerary.

Similar cruises

Other boats on the same water, same length of trip.

See every boat on our Ha Long Bay cruises, or narrow by length: 2 days, 1 night and 3 days, 2 nights.

Red Dragon Junk - common questions

About this boat, and about cruising the bay.

What cabin types does Red Dragon Junk have?

There are 2 cabin grades aboard Red Dragon Junk: Deluxe Cabin (Main Deck) and Deluxe Cabin (Upper Deck). Sizes run from 26.5m² to 27m². The full table of sizes, beds and outlook is on this page.

Which bay does Red Dragon Junk sail?

Red Dragon Junk sails Bai Tu Long Bay. If you are still deciding between the bays, our comparison of Ha Long, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long sets out how they differ in traffic, scenery and how far you travel to reach them.

Where does Red Dragon Junk depart from?

Embarkation is at Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay). Boarding starts around 08:00-08:45. The hour-by-hour itinerary above gives the timings for the day.

Is the 2 Days / 1 Night or the 3 Days / 2 Nights better on this boat?

Both run the same boat and the same cabins. The 3 days / 2 nights adds a second full day, which is when the day boats have gone and the itinerary reaches the quieter water. The 2 days / 1 night covers the headline sights and gets you back to Hanoi a day sooner.

How do I get to the boat from Hanoi?

Road transfer from Hanoi takes roughly two and a half to four hours depending on which harbour the boat uses. We arrange the transfer with the cruise as one booking, so the timings match the boarding window rather than leaving you to work them out.

What is included in the price?

Overnight cruises in Ha Long normally include the cabin, all meals on board, the guided activities in the itinerary above and the bay entrance fees. Drinks, spa treatments and the transfer are the items that vary most between boats. We confirm exactly what is and is not included for this boat in writing before you pay, because it differs by operator and by season.

What happens if the weather stops the boat sailing?

Ha Long Bay closes to cruise traffic when the harbour authority says so, usually for storms. If that happens we move the date or refund the cruise - you are never held to a sailing that cannot run. Our refund policy sets out the detail.

Can children come along?

Yes. Most boats take children of any age and price them in bands rather than as adults, and many have family cabins or connecting rooms. Tell us the ages when you enquire and we will say which boats suit and what each one charges.

Can the kitchen handle dietary requirements?

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy requirements are all workable, but they need to be given at booking rather than on the day - the boat provisions before it leaves harbour and cannot restock at sea.

When is the best time of year to sail?

October to April is the settled season, with clear air and cool mornings. May to September is warmer and better for swimming, with a higher chance of a storm closing the bay. Our guide to Ha Long Bay goes into the months in more detail.

Add this cruise to your trip

We'll build the Red Dragon Junk into a complete, private Northern Vietnam itinerary, planned and run for you, with the right cabin and every transfer handled.

Get your free personalised itinerary ›
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