Swan Cruises
An affordable wooden junk (launched ~2017) sailing the quiet Bai Tu Long Bay, self-operated by Swan Cruise Company. Two decks plus a sundeck, 18 cabins for up to 40 guests. It's a budget-boutique boat with a warmly decorated sundeck and a restaurant-bar - simple but comfortable, with en-suite cabins and connecting rooms for families.
Scored by our Halong cruise team, who spend their season on these waters. We rate each boat the way a returning guest would - cabins, dining, crew, itinerary and value - not the way a listing does.
Swan is the honest budget pick for Bai Tu Long - a small 18-cabin wooden junk on the bay's quiet side, with one genuinely appealing 28m2 private-balcony suite and connecting rooms that work for families. Just know what you trade for the low fare: base Deluxe cabins are a modest 18m2, and onboard facilities stop at a decorated sundeck and a restaurant-bar, so there is no spa, pool or lift. The activity roster (kayak at Cong Do, Thien Canh Son cave, a cooking class, sunset party) is solid, and at roughly $128 a guest it is among the gentlest fares in the bay - though the pricing here is still indicative.
Choose your suite
Deluxe Cabin
BEST VALUE
Suite Cabin
Suite Balcony
Deluxe Connecting
Prices are per cabin, all guests included in USD. Final price is confirmed on WhatsApp before any payment.
Cabin details - Cabins (18 cabins / 2 decks + sundeck)
Itinerary
Hanoi - Halong - Cong Do - Cap La
- Shuttle pickup in the Old Quarter ~07:45-08:30 (add-on), tender to the boat at Halong International Port ~11:30-11:45, welcome drink + safety briefing
- Vietnamese set-menu lunch cruising into Bai Tu Long
- Afternoon (~1.5h): kayak at Cong Do + Cap La Island, swim at the beaches
- Sunset party + Vietnamese cooking class (spring rolls), set dinner, then games / squid fishing / bar
Thien Canh Son Cave - back to Hanoi
- Tai chi, light breakfast
- Thien Canh Son Cave (Cong Dam area)
- ~09:30 check out, Vietnamese lunch cruising back, disembark ~11:15-11:30
- Shuttle to Hanoi ~14:30
Meals
- All onboard meals (breakfast / lunch / dinner). 2 mineral waters + fresh fruit per cabin
Activities
Kayaking (Cong Do / Cap La), Thien Canh Son Cave, cooking class, tai chi, squid fishing, sunset party.
What’s included
- Welcome drink + cold towel
- English-speaking guide onboard
- Entrance + sightseeing fees
- A/C cabin
- All onboard meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Kayaking + cooking class + morning tai chi
- Wi-Fi on shuttle bus + waiting office
- Insurance + VAT
- Pickup
- Hanoi Old Quarter (shuttle add-on) → Halong International Port
- Pickup window
- 07:45-08:30
- Drop-off
- ~14:30 Hanoi (last day)
- Children
- Under 5 stay free
- Ages 5-11
- 75% of adult fare
- Age 12+
- Full fare
- Note
- 2 children <12 sharing 1 cabin = 25% cabin discount (final terms confirmed at booking)
- Weather
- Bai Tu Long weather is variable; kayak and cave activities are weather-dependent. Winter (Dec-Feb) is cool and misty.
We never take card payments on this site. Your booking is confirmed by a real person on WhatsApp, and the final price is agreed before you pay anything.
Ask us anything about this cruise
A real person replies within hours, 7am-10pm ICT - WhatsApp is fastest.
Swan is an affordable wooden junk, but cabins are en-suite with A/C, there's a decorated sundeck and a restaurant-bar, and 2 waters plus fresh fruit come with each cabin. You trade top-end facilities for a lower price and a quiet Bai Tu Long route
Yes - there are connecting Deluxe cabins for 4, and 2 children under 12 sharing a cabin get a 25% discount. The kayaking at Cong Do and the Thien Canh Son cave are gentle enough for kids
