1. Why choose a Ha Long cruise during Tet?
1.1. Festive atmosphere and scenery of Ha Long Bay at the start of the year
In the early days of the year, Ha Long Bay dons a unique beauty, distinctly different from other times of the year. The weather during this period is quite mild, with gentle sunshine, a cool breeze, and temperatures ranging from 18 to 22°C, very suitable for sea excursions. A thin layer of mist covers the limestone karsts, and the sunrise reflecting on the sea surface further enhances the scenery, creating the characteristic landscape of the bay at the start of the year.
The spring atmosphere fills the air, Ha Long cruises during Tet offer visitors a precious sense of tranquility amidst the vast bay. Compared to other peak seasons, this time is suitable for one's soul to quiet down, enjoying the peace of the new year with family and loved ones.
Ha Long Bay cruises offer a peaceful atmosphere and special festival activities. (Source: Collected)
1.2. Special experiences only on Tet cruises
On the occasion of Tet, cruise lines prepare special programs, bringing unforgettable experiences to visitors. New Year's Eve parties on the deck with New Year's Eve programs including a welcome party and early spring cultural activities. The menu is often supplemented with premium seafood dishes, depending on the service package.
Ha Long Bay cruises during Tet also organize attractive activities such as a seafood cooking class guided by a professional chef, a night squid fishing experience amidst the calm sea space, and a live music entertainment program. All are designed to suit the New Year atmosphere, bringing new and memorable emotions to each visitor.
1.3. Diverse tour options suitable for all audiences
Various types of Ha Long Bay cruises during Tet focus on meeting the desires of customers of many ages. Choosing a 4-hour tour is very suitable for families with young children or the elderly due to the gentle itinerary, visiting the main caves, stopping at Titop Island, and enjoying a light meal. The price is suitable for short-day experience needs, and the moderate time helps all members feel comfortable, not worried about fatigue.
Young groups or couples who love exploration can choose 6 to 8-hour tours, with itineraries visiting many famous caves, abundant seafood lunches, and time for photos at the most beautiful spots in the bay. Overnight tours lasting 2 to 3 days offer a romantic experience, enjoying bay-view cabins, relaxing with spa treatments, and cozy evenings amidst the sea space.
2. Outstanding Ha Long Bay cruise tour types during Tet 2026
2.1. 4-hour cruise - Quick exploration of Ha Long Bay during the holiday
This short tour option is designed to serve families with young children or the elderly, prioritizing a gentle itinerary. The 4-hour journey includes visiting a prominent cave like Sung Sot Cave, conquering Titop Island to admire the panoramic view of the bay, and enjoying local specialties in a light meal.
With prices from 800,000 VND per person, this type of Ha Long Bay cruise during Tet still ensures good service quality without creating cost pressure. The reasonable duration allows visitors to fully enjoy the beauty of the bay, suitable for a spring trip at the beginning of the year.
Diverse tour types from day trips to luxurious overnight stays. (Source: Collected)
2.2. 6-8 Hour Cruise - Complete Tet Experience on the Sea
This itinerary helps visitors explore the prominent destinations on Ha Long Bay in more detail. The detailed schedule includes visiting Sung Sot Cave with its unique stalactites, Thien Cung Cave as magnificent as a palace, and Titop Island with its long, smooth sandy beach. Visitors can also try kayaking through small caves and swimming in the crystal-clear water.
Lunch is a sumptuous seafood feast with various types of shrimp, crab, fish, along with specialty dishes, served right on the boat with an ocean view. Ha Long Bay cruise during Tet of this type is an ideal choice for young groups of friends, couples who prefer romance and diverse experiences. Tour prices start from 1,500,000 VND per person with all-inclusive services.
2.3. Overnight Cruise Tour - Welcome the New Year on the Sea
If you want to enjoy the feeling of welcoming the New Year amidst majestic nature, an overnight cruise tour will be a unique suggestion. The 2-day, 1-night itinerary begins with a welcome drink and a sumptuous lunch, followed by exploring famous caves and swimming at Titop Island. The afternoon is an ideal time to admire the sunset on the deck.
The evening features a 5-course seafood feast, squid fishing experience under the lights, and a vibrant New Year's Eve party. The luxurious cabin space, large sea-view windows, and some rooms with private bathtubs create absolute relaxation. The second day is for meditation at Tien Ong Cave, visiting Cua Van fishing village, and relaxing with herbal foot soak spa. The price for this type of Ha Long Bay cruise during Tet starts from 10 million VND per night for 5-star cruises.
2.4. International Superyacht Celebrity Solstice and the Wave of Cruise Tourism During Tet
A special highlight for the 2026 Tet season is the appearance of the superyacht Celebrity Solstice at Ha Long International Cruise Port. According to the announced information, the superyacht Celebrity Solstice is expected to dock at Ha Long International Cruise Port at the end of 2025.
This event offers Vietnamese visitors the opportunity to witness an international-class superyacht firsthand right in Ha Long. The Celebrity Solstice is 317m long, with 14 decks and high-class amenities including restaurants, a theater, spa, and casino, clearly reflecting the strong development trend of modern cruise tourism.
3. Prices, Promotions, and Booking Trends for Ha Long Bay Cruises During Tet 2026
3.1. Price List for Ha Long Bay Cruise Tours During Tet
Prices for Ha Long Bay cruises during Tet in the Gregorian calendar year 2026 have a slight increase compared to normal days due to peak season surcharges. 4-hour tours are priced from 800,000 VND/adult, suitable for family budgets, including a light meal and a basic sightseeing itinerary.
6-8 hour tours are priced from 1,500,000 VND/person, including a seafood lunch and activities like kayaking. The Tet surcharge typically increases by about 20 to 30% depending on the cruise line. Overnight tours are the most premium option with prices starting from 10 million VND/night for 5-star cruises like Paradise Grand, including services from dinner, spa, to bay-view cabins.
Customers should regularly check prices on the official websites of companies like Bhaya Cruises, Sea Stars Cruise to get accurate information. Booking tours from December will help avoid sold-out situations and may offer special promotions.
Update prices and early bird offers to optimize spring travel costs. (Source: Collected)
3.2. Trend of hunting for deals, tips for saving when booking Tet tours
To book tours with cost savings, monitoring promotions from December is considered an important first step. Many cruise lines offer package deals including transportation and meals at preferential prices. When booking for groups of 10 or more, discounts of 10 to 15% are usually applied, along with additional complimentary services.
Halong Bay cruises during Tet Gregorian New Year usually has more competitive prices compared to Lunar New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan), opening up ideal opportunities for those who want to save costs. Choosing a 4-hour tour instead of a long-day tour allows families to experience it without exceeding their budget. Additionally, travel companies often offer promotions for corporate groups organizing year-opening team building.
3.3. Cruise ships chosen by many tourists during Tet
Aquamarine Cruise scores points with high-quality service and a diverse seafood menu, especially suitable for families desiring a luxurious Tet holiday. The ship is arranged with spacious dining rooms, panoramic bay views, and a team of professional chefs.
Paradise Grand is a favored choice thanks to its journey through Lan Ha Bay with natural scenery and many amenities such as a spa and squid fishing service. Halong Bay cruises during Tet this one stands out with its spaciousness and diverse entertainment programs. Scarlet Pearl is attractive with its itinerary visiting Bright-Dark Cave, Frog Pond, and high-class services.
Calista Cruise offers a novel experience with early morning Tai Chi classes, cooking classes, afternoon tea, and even a mini golf course on board. The onboard swimming pool and spa contribute to an ideal atmosphere for a relaxing New Year's celebration.
4. Suggested Itinerary: Experiencing Halong Bay cruises during Tet combined with Sun World Ha Long entertainment
Combining yacht resort and Sun World entertainment creates an interesting itinerary. (Source: Collected)
4.1. 1-day Itinerary: Cruise - Sun World Ha Long - Queen Cable Car
Whether Ha Long is crowded during Tet is a concern for many tourists planning their spring trip. In reality, the number of visitors to Ha Long during Tet does increase, especially from the 2nd to the 4th day of Tet. However, thanks to the spacious tourist area and many reasonably distributed entertainment spots, overcrowding does not occur simultaneously. At Sun World Ha Long Complex, activities like 'Vui hội - Thưởng hội - Chơi hội' (Enjoying festivals - Experiencing festivals - Playing festivals) last from the 1st to the 5th day of Tet, helping to spread visitors evenly over time and areas. If you choose a suitable time slot and book tickets early, visiting Ha Long during Tet can still provide a comfortable experience for families and groups of friends.
Lunch can be enjoyed at famous seafood restaurants along Bai Chay Bay, with a rich menu featuring dishes like stir-fried crab with tamarind, and Ha Long fish cake. In the afternoon, Ha Long cruise during Tet takes visitors on a journey to explore Sung Sot Cave with its impressive stalactite structures and Titop Island – an ideal spot to climb to the summit and admire the panoramic view of the bay. Experiencing the Queen Cable Car at the end of the day offers a chance to admire Ha Long Bay in the afternoon light, taking beautiful photos at Sun Plaza with the vast sea and sky as the backdrop.
4.2. 2-day 1-night Itinerary: Overnight on a cruise - welcoming the new year at sea
The first day begins with door-to-door shuttle service, completing check-in procedures, and enjoying a refreshing welcome drink. A seafood buffet lunch is served as the ship departs, allowing guests to dine while admiring the bay unfolding before their eyes.
In the afternoon, the group will explore caves with a guide, swim at Titop Island amidst clear blue waters. The evening is the highlight with a 5-course seafood feast, night squid fishing experience under the moonlight, and a New Year's Eve program with live music and spectacular fireworks.
The morning of the second day is a time for spiritual exploration with meditation walks at Tien Ong Cave and visiting Cua Van fishing village by rowboat. Ha Long cruise during Tet also offers spa services and an infinity pool for guests to relax before checking out, concluding a meaningful journey.
5. Experience and Notes for Traveling on a Ha Long Cruise During Tet
5.1. Weather, Clothing, and Luggage to Prepare
The New Year's Day period in Ha Long has quite pleasant weather, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 22°C, light sunshine, and reasonable humidity. However, the wind on the sea is often stronger, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Visitors should prepare multiple light jackets to adapt to the temperature changes throughout the day.
Non-slip sports shoes are very suitable for kayaking and climbing Titop Island. For outdoor activities on the Ha Long cruise during Tet, sunglasses, hats, and high-SPF sunscreen are essential items. Light luggage with waterproof bags to protect electronic devices will be convenient for travel.
For those traveling by boat for the first time, it is advisable to prepare motion sickness medication as a precaution. Although modern cruise ships are equipped with good stabilization systems, thorough preparation will ensure a more worry-free trip.
Prepare your outfits carefully and understand the notes to ensure a smooth trip. (Source: Collected)
5.2. Notes on booking tickets, Tet holiday pricing policies, and additional services
Planning to book tours from December will ensure you secure a spot and avoid peak season surcharges, which usually increase by 20% to 30% if booked close to the departure date. Check-in time is flexible between 12 PM and 4 PM depending on the tour, and check-out usually takes place from 9 AM to 11 AM. Halong Bay cruises during Tet often have preferential pricing policies for children under 12 years old and are free for children under 4 years old.
Additional services such as spa, massage, and premium wine are not included in the basic tour package and can be booked additionally if needed. Some cruise lines support itinerary changes or cancellations with a certain fee, so read the terms and conditions carefully before deciding to pay.
Credit card payments are widely accepted; however, it is advisable to prepare extra cash for incidental expenses or tips for the crew.
5.3. Outstanding experiences not to be missed during Tet
Conquering Titop Island peak is an essential experience, offering panoramic views of Halong Bay. Each person will take about 20 minutes to climb 400 stone steps, but in return, you get beautiful photos and impressive natural scenery. Onboard cooking classes with chefs demonstrating local dishes like crab spring rolls (nem cua be) and Halong fish cake (cha ca Ha Long) will provide interesting practical skills.
Seafood buffet with lobster, king crab, and steamed grouper with soy sauce, freshly prepared onboard. Halong Bay cruises during Tet also offers a unique night squid fishing activity under LED lights, suitable for the whole family to participate in together.
Bay-view swimming pools on premium cruises and spa services with herbal foot soak therapies will help guests regain health and spirit after a year of hard work. Evening entertainment with live music and group games creates a lively atmosphere to welcome the new year.
Halong Bay cruises during Tet offers a special way to welcome the new year amidst magnificent natural scenery, harmoniously combining relaxation and exploration. From premium seafood feasts to attractive activities like night squid fishing and relaxing spa treatments, every moment on board is a worthwhile experience. Proactively plan and book your tour early to fully enjoy an inspiring Tet 2026 holiday amidst the beautiful bay of Vietnam.