Vietnam Boat Tours 2026: Halong Bay, Ninh Binh and the Mekong Delta
Our Vietnam boat tours take you onto the water where the country looks its best: a day cruise or overnight cruise among the limestone islands of Halong Bay, rowing boats through the river caves of Trang An and Tam Coc in Ninh Binh, sampans in the coconut canals of the Mekong Delta, and a boat trip on Nha Trang Bay. Choose a 1-day trip from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City or a 4–7-day tour, all private with your own guide and driver.
- Durations: 1-day trips and 4–7-day tours
- Destinations: Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Mekong Delta, Nha Trang
- Best for: first-time visitors, couples, families and seniors
- Best months: March–May and September–November in the north; December–April in the south
Browse our 11 boat tours below, or open the full guide to compare cruises and river trips.
Good to know (2026)
- June to October is storm season on Halong Bay. When storms are forecast, the authorities can suspend all sailings at short notice; we move your cruise or arrange an alternative.
- Since 1 July 2025 provinces have merged: Ninh Binh now includes Ha Nam and Nam Dinh, My Tho (formerly Tien Giang) is in Dong Thap province, and Ben Tre is part of Vinh Long. Maps and tickets may show either name.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) 2027 falls on 6 February. Boats in Ninh Binh and the Mekong are very busy in the days after Tet, and cruises sell out early.
What Is a Vietnam Boat Tour?
A Vietnam boat tour puts the water at the centre of your day. In the north, you cruise among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and are rowed through flooded caves and karst valleys in Ninh Binh, where the Trang An Landscape Complex is also UNESCO-listed. In the south, you ride a motorboat across the wide Tien River and a small sampan through the canals of the Mekong Delta.
Boat trips are among the most relaxing things to do in Vietnam: you sit, the scenery moves past, and a guide explains the caves, temples and villages along the way. That makes them ideal for families, seniors and anyone who wants a gentle day between busier sightseeing.
Why Choose a Boat Tour in Vietnam?
- The best views: Halong Bay’s islands and Ninh Binh’s caves are only really seen from the water.
- Easy on the body: little walking, with seats on every boat – just some steps inside caves.
- Local life up close: rowers in Tam Coc, fruit gardens and coconut workshops in the Mekong Delta.
- Private and flexible: your own guide and driver, with timings planned around the crowds.
Our Vietnam Boat Tours at a Glance
| Tour |
Days |
On the water |
| Hanoi – Halong Bay Tour |
1 |
Halong Bay day cruise, kayak or bamboo boat |
| Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Trang An Tour |
1 |
Trang An rowing boat, 2.5–3.5 hours |
| Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Tour |
1 |
Tam Coc rowing boat, 1.5–2 hours |
| Hanoi – Mua Cave – Trang An Tour |
1 |
Trang An rowing boat |
| Hanoi – Mua Cave – Tam Coc Tour |
1 |
Tam Coc rowing boat |
| Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta Tour |
1 |
Tien River boat, sampan canals |
| Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay Tour |
4 |
Ninh Binh boat, Halong Bay day cruise |
| Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay Tour |
5 |
Tam Coc boat, overnight Halong Bay cruise |
| Ho Chi Minh Tour |
5 |
Mekong Delta boat day |
| Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Sapa – Halong Bay Tour |
7 |
Ninh Binh boat, overnight Halong Bay cruise |
| Ho Chi Minh – Mui Ne – Da Lat – Nha Trang Tour |
7 |
Nha Trang Bay boat trip |
Boat day tours start from US$37 per person (Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta Tour 1 Day) and US$38 (Ninh Binh day tours), and multi-day tours with a Halong Bay cruise from US$199 (Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay Group Tour 2 Days).
How to Choose Your Vietnam Boat Tour
1. One day from Hanoi
For the sea, take the Hanoi – Halong Bay Tour 1 Day: around five hours on the water with lunch on board. For rivers and caves, go to Ninh Binh – the Hoa Lu – Trang An tour has the longer, quieter boat route, and the Hoa Lu – Tam Coc tour is shorter and past rice fields.
2. Four or five days in the north
Stay in one Hanoi hotel and do Halong Bay as a day cruise on the 4-day tour, or spend a night on board on the 5-day tour to see sunset and sunrise on the bay.
3. Starting in Ho Chi Minh City
The Mekong Delta day trip is the classic river experience from Saigon, with a boat to Thoi Son islet and a sampan through the canals. The Ho Chi Minh Tour 5 Days includes a Mekong boat day with the city, Cu Chi and the Cao Dai Holy See.
4. Families and seniors
Choose shorter boat rides (Tam Coc, a Halong Bay day cruise) and ask us for a cruise with easy boarding. Cave visits involve steps, so tell us about anyone with limited mobility.
Best Time for Boat Tours in Vietnam
- Halong Bay: March to May and September to November are usually calm and clear; June to October brings storm risk; December to February is cool and can be misty.
- Ninh Binh: the rice fields of Tam Coc are usually golden around late May and early June; spring is lush and green.
- Mekong Delta: December to April is the dry season; the high-water months from about August to November show the river at its fullest.
- Nha Trang: the sea is usually calmest outside the rainy season of about September to December.
For more on seasons and getting there, see our Halong Bay travel tips.
What’s Usually Included: Private Tours and Shared Cruises
Our boat tours usually include your own English-speaking guide and driver, hotel pick-up, boat tickets and entrance fees, and the meals shown in the itinerary – such as lunch on board a Halong Bay day cruise. Each tour page lists the exact inclusions.
Ninh Binh rowing boats and Mekong sampans usually carry only your own party and a local rower. Halong Bay cruise ships are shared with other guests; if you prefer the boat to yourselves, ask us about a private charter. For more trips with your own guide, see our Vietnam private tours.
Tips from Our Local Team
Jimmy and our team have arranged boat trips across Vietnam for international travellers for many years. Their advice:
- Bring a hat, sunscreen and water – Ninh Binh rowing boats are open to the sun.
- Keep a light jacket for a Halong Bay cruise from December to March.
- Small change for tipping your rower in Ninh Binh is appreciated but never compulsory.
- Wear shoes with grip for wet cave steps and boat landings.
- If you are prone to seasickness, Halong Bay’s sheltered waters are usually calm, but bring tablets just in case.
- Leave a free day after a cruise in storm season in case your sailing moves.
Book Your Vietnam Boat Tour
Tell us your dates, where you are starting and who is travelling, and we will suggest the right mix of cruises and river trips. Message us on WhatsApp +84 88 626 1368 or send us an inquiry – we reply within 24 hours.
