The Venezia cruise in Lan Ha Bay is the opposite of the big Tuan Chau ships: a 10-cabin or a 5-cabin boat that boards on Cat Ba Island and never goes near Ha Long Bay. Our verdict: the best pick for travelers who want a quiet Lan Ha route and a small group, and a poor pick if you want a balcony, a pool or a cave visit.
Our scores
- Route
- 5/5Lan Ha only, starts and ends on Cat Ba, Viet Hai on day 2
- Boats and cabins
- 3/55 and 10 cabins, windows but no balconies, hull and age not published
- Value
- 4/5from $125 per person; watch the 8% VAT on direct bookings
- Transparency
- 3/5price labels on the homepage are wrong, terms page did not load
- Booking flexibility
- 3/5book through a platform for a clear cancellation window
Pros
- Small group: 5–18 guests on board
- Boards at Ben Beo on Cat Ba, no Ha Long detour
- Viet Hai village on day 2 with bike or electric car, local house and wine
- Sells its own plankton night and 2-night programmes
- GetYourGuide starts at the same $125, with clearer cancellation
Cons
- No balconies listed; simple "Deluxe" cabins
- No cave on the 2-day trip
- Hull material and launch years not published
- 8% VAT and drinks are extra on direct bookings
- Kayaking to Ba Trai Dao depends on the kayak suspension and beach access
The boats and cabins
Venezia runs two boats: "Venezia 10 cabins", for 10 to 18 guests, and "Venezia 5 cabins", for 5 to 10 guests. Both can be chartered, which makes the 5-cabin boat a good option for a family group or a few friends. Cabin types are Honeymoon Suite, Deluxe Family, Deluxe Triple, Deluxe Double/Twin and Deluxe Double/Twin with ocean view. The operator talks about a "large window", not a balcony.
The operator publishes no launch year, cabin sizes or hull material, and that is worth a question: wooden hulls are still legal on these bays, and both 2026 accidents in the region involved wooden boats. Ask "steel or wooden hull, and which year was it built?" before paying, and check the boat name on the voucher.
For travelers who want a bigger ship with balconies, a pool and spa, see the luxury cruises instead. Venezia sells space and quiet, not facilities.
The route: Lan Ha from Cat Ba, no Ha Long
Venezia is the rare overnight brand that starts on Cat Ba. Most branded Lan Ha cruises check in at Tuan Chau in Ha Long and sail an hour or more before they reach Lan Ha. Venezia boards at Ben Beo (bến Bèo; "bến" means pier), 2 km from Cat Ba town, so the boat is in Lan Ha (vịnh Lan Hạ) from the first minute.
- 1Ben Beo pierPierDirections ↗
- 2Cai Beo fishing villageVillageDirections ↗
- 3Ba Trai Dao beachBeachDirections ↗
- 4Viet Hai villageVillageDirections ↗
- 5Cat Ba townTownDirections ↗
The 2-day route runs Cat Ba – Coc Ngoi islet – Cua Dong – Ba Trai Dao. Ba Trai Dao ("Three Peaches") beach is often a swim stop when access, tide and weather allow; its access was disputed in recent years, so treat it as likely, not certain. Day 2 is spent in Viet Hai, a village inside Cat Ba National Park with no road. You reach it by tender, then cycle or ride an electric car to a local house for a foot massage and local wine.
There is no cave on the 2-day programme, and no Ha Long Bay. If the Dark and Bright Cave is a must, pick a ship that visits it, such as Capella or Rosy.
A day aboard: Venezia 2 days 1 night
Pickup in Hanoi's Old Quarterby limousine bus
Arrive at Ben Beo, Cat Ba townvia the expressway and the crossing to Cat Ba
Tender to the boat, lunch while cruisingCoc Ngoi, Cua Dong
Kayak to Ba Trai Dao beach, swimif kayaking and beach access are allowed
Sunset, cooking class, happy hour, dinner, squid fishing, karaoke
Sunrise and breakfast
Tender to Viet Hai: bike or electric car, local house, foot massage, local wine
Brunch while cruising back
Back at Ben Beountil 12:00
Back in Hanoiabout
The full programme is on the operator's product page. Compared with a Tuan Chau ship, you spend more time on the bus (Hanoi to Cat Ba takes 3–3.5 hours) and more time in the quiet southern part of the bay. Day 2 is still half a morning, but it is a real outing to a village instead of a short cave stop.
The 3-day options
Venezia sells three different "3-day" products, and only one is two nights on the boat:
- 3 days, 2 nights on Venezia: both nights on the boat, from $301.
- 3 days with Cat Ba trekking: one night on the boat plus a hotel night and a trek, from $225.
- 3 days with Ninh Binh: one day in Ninh Binh plus a 1-night cruise, from $209.
Read the title closely; see 3-day cruises for how 2-night programmes usually work.
Venezia cruise price: direct vs GetYourGuide
Direct prices from the official 2D1N page, per person:
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Cat Ba hotel pickup | USD 125 |
| Hanoi pickup, drop-off on Cat Ba | USD 135 |
| Round-trip Hanoi bus | USD 145 |
| Single supplement | USD 50 |
On direct bookings, 8% VAT, drinks and tips are extra. The homepage tiles show "125 VND" and similar; that currency label is a site error, and the product pages give the prices in USD.
On GetYourGuide, Venezia sells under its own name. The main listing, Hanoi: 2 Days Lan Ha Bay Cruise with Meals & Activities, starts from $125 per person and is rated 4.7 from 873 reviews. A Ninh Binh pickup version also starts from $125, rated 4.8 from 52 reviews. For the Hanoi round trip that is well below USD 145 plus VAT direct, but check the inclusions on the listing before you compare.
GetYourGuide2D1N
Hanoi: 2 Days Lan Ha Bay Cruise with Meals & Activities
4.7 (873)
from $125Check dates
GetYourGuide2D1N
Ninh Binh: 2D1N Lan Ha Bay boutique cruises with small group
4.8 (52)
from $125Check dates
GetYourGuide3D2N
Hanoi: 3 Days Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba, 2 nights on Venezia Cruise
4.9 (11)
from $301Check dates
GetYourGuide2D1N
Hanoi: 2-Day Lan Ha Bay Small-Group Tour with Kayaking, Meals & Biking
5.0 (3)
from $139Check dates
Venezia Cruises on GetYourGuide →Prices checked on October 16, 2026
Children: 0–4 free, 5–9 years 75%, 10 and over pay adult rate. The limousine bus upgrade is free, and Ninh Binh pickup is available on request.
Plankton night and other extras
Venezia sells a 2D1N with night kayaking among bioluminescent plankton, listed at 150 on the site (the same currency error; treat it as USD and confirm). Plankton shows in the warm months, roughly May to October, on dark, moonless, calm nights, and is never guaranteed. Because every plankton outing depends on kayaking or swimming at night, the kayak suspension applies. Our plankton guide explains how to pick a date.
What travelers should check
The main GetYourGuide listing has a long review history, with 873 reviews and a 4.7 average. Before you book, read recent reviews for three things: which boat you were on (5 or 10 cabins), whether kayaking happened, and whether the Ba Trai Dao swim took place. Also check the pickup: Hanoi, Ninh Binh or your Cat Ba hotel.
How to book and cancel
The cancellation terms on the official site did not load when we checked, so ask for them in writing before paying a deposit. On GetYourGuide most cruise listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start; read the window on the product itself. See how to book for a side-by-side of direct and platform terms.
Storms stop departures by order of the authorities: Hai Phong issues a sea ban and the Cat Ba crossings stop. During the storm of 22 August 2026 more than 1,700 tourists were stuck on Cat Ba (VnExpress). Keep a buffer day before an international flight, especially June to November; see best time to visit.
If you are already on Cat Ba, take the USD 125 option with hotel pickup, or a Cat Ba day boat if one night on board is more than you need. Our Cat Ba Island guide covers where to stay.
Check Venezia dates and pricesfrom $125Affiliate link: if you book, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Alternatives
- V'Spirit Classic (ex Adela): 18 cabins, Lan Ha route, from Tuan Chau.
- Rosy: 22 cabins, mid-range, visits the Dark and Bright Cave.
- Beka day boat: a wooden day boat from Ben Beo, if you want Lan Ha without the night.
All overnight options are in the cruise list.
FAQ
Where does the Venezia cruise depart from?
From Ben Beo (Beo harbor), about 2 km from Cat Ba town. From Hanoi the bus takes about 3–3.5 hours, including the crossing to Cat Ba. It is not Tuan Chau and not the old Got pier.
Does Venezia cruise go to Ha Long Bay?
No. The 2-day route stays in Lan Ha: Coc Ngoi, Cua Dong, Ba Trai Dao and Viet Hai village. There is no cave on the 2-day programme.
How much is the Venezia cruise in Lan Ha Bay?
Direct: USD 125 per person with Cat Ba hotel pickup, USD 145 with the round-trip Hanoi bus, plus 8% VAT. On GetYourGuide from $125 per person.
How many people are on a Venezia boat?
The 10-cabin boat takes 10 to 18 guests and the 5-cabin boat 5 to 10. Both can be chartered.
Do Venezia cabins have balconies?
The operator lists windows, not balconies. If a balcony matters, look at larger ships from Tuan Chau.
Is there a 3-day Venezia cruise?
Yes. The 3 days, 2 nights product keeps you on the boat both nights; the operator also sells a version with a homestay night in Viet Hai. Two other "3-day" listings are one night on the boat plus a hotel night or a Ninh Binh day.
