Taliya Cruise is the easiest way to see real Lan Ha Bay sights in one day from Hanoi: the ship sails from Tuan Chau in Ha Long, rows you through the Dark and Bright Caves by bamboo boat and stops at Ao Ech. The catch is scale and time: 199 seats, about 13 hours door to door, and no published direct price.
Our scores
- Route
- 4/5Real Lan Ha stops in the afternoon after crossing from Ha Long
- Ship and facilities
- 4/5Pool, two restaurants, open top deck; built for big groups
- Value
- 4/5$40–53 on platforms including lunch and usually transfer
- Transparency
- 3/5No price, child or cancellation rules on its own site
- Booking flexibility
- 4/5Platform terms, often free cancellation up to 24 h
Pros
- Real Lan Ha sights: Dark and Bright Caves and Ao Ech
- Pool and open deck make the cruising part pleasant
- Hanoi pickup and return in one ticket
- Cheaper than the smaller premium day boats from Tuan Chau
Cons
- About 4 hours on the road and 7 hours on board
- Up to 199 guests, so not an intimate day
- No price or policy published directly
- Kayaking is subject to the official suspension
Taliya Cruise Halong Bay: the ship
Taliya is a single day-cruise ship, opened in February 2025, with 199 seats, two restaurants, event space and an open-air top deck. Its own site advertises an extra-large pool, mini golf and a giant LED screen. It is not a catamaran or a sailboat: it is a large motor ship designed for groups, and the day runs on a fixed timetable.
Because Taliya is new, be careful with old reviews. Some listings carry reviews older than early 2025: those belong to a predecessor product, not to this ship. Read the dates before you trust the score.
Calling it a "Halong Bay" cruise is fair: the ship starts in Ha Long. But the sights that matter on this trip are in Lan Ha, in Hai Phong, and that is why it is on this site. Compare other options in our Lan Ha Bay day cruises guide.
Route: Ha Long first, Lan Ha in the afternoon
Taliya boards at Tuan Chau Marina, crosses Ha Long waters during lunch, then reaches Lan Ha for the two main stops:
- Dark and Bright Caves (hang Sáng – hang Tối): a local rows you through by bamboo boat into the lagoons. These caves are in Lan Ha, not Ha Long.
- Ao Ech (Frog Lake): kayak or swim, depending on what is allowed on the day.
Kayaking in the Cat Ba bays has been under an official suspension since November 2024, re-confirmed in late 2025. Some ships offer it only in a designated area or replace it with a bamboo boat, tender or swim. Ask the operator in writing. Ao Ech is the area reported as still open to kayaks, but this is not officially confirmed. Background: https://vnexpress.net/dung-cheo-kayak-tren-vinh-lan-ha-4818664.html
Since 1 April 2026 the crossing between the two bays runs under a joint Quang Ninh – Hai Phong regulation, with GPS tracking and fixed return times. Details are in our Lan Ha vs Ha Long guide.
- 1Tuan Chau International MarinaPierDirections ↗
- 2Dark & Bright caveCaveDirections ↗
- 3Lan Ha lagoons (approximate)SightDirections ↗
A day aboard Taliya
The official timetable, which can change with weather:
Hotel pickup in Hanoi07:00–07:30, about 2 hours on the expressway
Check-in at Tuan Chau MarinaWelcome drink and safety briefing
Lunch while cruisingVietnamese fusion menu
Dark and Bright CavesBamboo boat rowed by a local, into the lagoons
Ao Ech (Frog Lake)Kayak or swim, depending on the rules on the day
Spring-roll cooking demoOn board
Sunset party on the sundeckCruising back
Back at Tuan Chau17:15–17:30
Drop-off in the Hanoi Old Quarter19:45–20:15
That is roughly 13 hours from pickup to drop-off. If you are already in Ha Long, the boat part is about 7 hours. Life jackets are mandatory for every passenger on Lan Ha boats since June 2026, from boarding to the end of the trip, so expect to wear one on the bamboo boat.
Taliya Cruise price: Klook, GetYourGuide or Trip.com
The official site does not publish a fare; its booking page is an enquiry form. The platforms do, and they differ:
| Platform | Listing | Rating | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trip.com | Taliya Day Cruise to Halong Bay & Lanha Bay (Transfer included) | 4.8 (12) | $40 Lowest | See on Trip.com |
| Klook | Taliya Day Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Day Tour | 4.9 (310) | $43 | See on Klook |
| GetYourGuide | Taliya Day Cruise - Lan Hạ Bay: Kayaking, Swimming & Cave | 4.8 (811) | $53 | See on GetYourGuide |
Lowest adult price per person in USD, checked on October 16, 2026. Cabin type, dates and what is included differ between listings: open each one before you pay.
Today Trip.com is the cheapest at $40, Klook is close at $43 with the most bookings, and GetYourGuide is $53 with the largest number of reviews. Check what each includes: transfer from Hanoi, entrance fees for the Lan Ha stops and drinks. The limousine transfer applies when you book both ways. Drinks are almost never included on Lan Ha cruises.
Other Taliya listings exist at $62–107 with "5-star" or "premium" in the title and very few reviews. "5-star" is a sales label: Vietnam's official rating for vessels is voluntary and goes up to 5 stars only. Check whether the higher price buys anything concrete, such as a better transfer or extra drinks.
GetYourGuideDay trip
Taliya Day Cruise - Lan Hạ Bay: Kayaking, Swimming & Cave
4.8 (811)
from $53Check dates
KlookDay trip
Taliya Day Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Day Tour
4.9 (310) · 5K+ booked
from $43Check dates
Trip.comDay trip
Taliya Day Cruise to Halong Bay & Lanha Bay (Transfer included)
4.8 (12) · 411+ booked
from $40Check dates
Taliya Cruise on GetYourGuide →Taliya Cruise on Klook →Taliya Cruise on Trip.com →Prices checked on October 16, 2026
What travelers should check
We do not have a reliable summary of guest reviews for this ship yet, and the oldest reviews on some listings predate it. Before you book, check:
- The ship name and pier on the listing: "Taliya" and Tuan Chau Marina.
- Review dates: only reviews from February 2025 on describe this ship.
- Kayak or no kayak: ask through the platform message what replaces kayaking if it is not running.
- Transfer type: limousine van or shared bus, and the pickup area in Hanoi.
- Children: Taliya publishes no child policy; the platform listing sets the child price.
How to book and cancel
Book on a platform. Taliya's own site gives no cancellation terms, while GetYourGuide shows them on each product (usually free cancellation up to 24 hours before) and Klook sets them per activity. In storm season, sailings are stopped by the port authority, not by the cruise line; refunds then follow the platform's or operator's terms. Keep a buffer day before an international flight between June and November. More on platforms: GetYourGuide vs Klook and how to book a Lan Ha cruise.
Alternatives to Taliya
- Staying on Cat Ba? Do not ride back to Tuan Chau. A Cat Ba day boat from Ben Beo saves hours: see Serenity Cruises and the Beka Travel day boat.
- Want a smaller, pricier boat from Tuan Chau? Jade Sails sells direct at USD 119 plus VAT with limousine transfer.
- Want to set foot on Cat Ba? Cozy Bay's Tropical day cruise lands at Gia Luan for Trung Trang cave: see the Cozy Bay review.
- Have one night? A 2 days 1 night cruise gives you the bay at sunrise: see 2 days 1 night cruises.
Where does Taliya Cruise depart from?
From Tuan Chau Marina in Ha Long. It is not a Cat Ba departure. Hanoi pickup is at 07:00–07:30 and boarding around 10:00.
Does Taliya Cruise really go to Lan Ha Bay?
Yes. After lunch in Ha Long waters it stops at the Dark and Bright Caves and Ao Ech, both in Lan Ha.
How much is Taliya Cruise?
Today from $40 on Trip.com, $43 on Klook and $53 on GetYourGuide. Its own site publishes no fare.
Is Taliya Cruise a catamaran?
No. It is a large motor ship with 199 seats, two restaurants and a pool.
Can you kayak on Taliya Cruise?
Only if it is allowed on the day. Kayaking in the Cat Ba bays has been under an official suspension since November 2024; Ao Ech is reported as the remaining kayak area, unconfirmed. Swimming or a bamboo boat may replace it.
