Bai Tu Long bay with kids : The Ultimate family friendly guide 2026

Are you considering Bai Tu Long Bay for your family vacation in Vietnam? Good choice, Bai Tu Long Bay is a great place to travel with kids in Northern Vietnam, wondering about any kid-friendly activities in Bai Tu Long. Read this Bai Tu Long with kids ultimate guide with everything you need to know when travelling with kids in Bai Tu Long Bay. 

I have researched the internet thoroughly to find a good article about travelling with kids in Bai Tu Long, but I found ZERO. So I decided to use my personal experience working as an English-speaking guide for 12+ years and as a father of a 2-year-old to write this complete guide to Bai Tu Long with Kids to help you plan a perfect adventure trip in Bai Tu Long Bay. 

Top tips when travelling to Bai Tu Long Bay with kids

• Book the overnight cruise at least 2 weeks to 1 month before your departure date. Since there aren’t many cruise options for the Bai Tu Long overnight tour, book them in advance
• If you want to head more amenities, book a bigger cruise (over 20 cabins), if you like fewer people on the boat, book the boutique private cruise.
• Getting a filled water bottle (plastic bottles aren’t allowed)
• Prepare cash to pay for drinks on board, since not every cruise allows credit card payments.

Best time to visit Bai Tu Long with kids

Middle to late April, and middle August to early January, are periods when is not too much rain and hot in Vietnam.

I also think summertime, from May to early August, is a good time to go, but choose a day which is not too hot. You need to check the weather forecast in advance. May and June are usually quiet tourist seasons.  

How to visit Bai Tu Long bay with kids

If you have smaller kids, take them on an overnight trip from 2 days to 3 days trip. The most recommended itinerary is a 3-day, 2-night Bai Tu Long cruise for a relaxing, slower-paced trip. As I said above, the cabins on the overnight cruises will be booked shortly during the high season: Christmas and New Year period, March, April

Indochina Junk, Reana Cruise, Swan Cruise, Athena Cruise, and Lily Cruise are cruise companies that offer overnight trips to Bai Tu Long Bay. We at Hanoi Eco Tour can provide advice and book overnight cruises. 

You should no that swimming is not allowed for overnight cruise in Bai Tu Long bay. Sightseeing, kayaking, caving, relaxing on the beach, and onboard activities are all YES, apart from swimming.

Alternatively, a Bai Tu Long bay tour from Van Don (Van Don Bay) with both water activities and non-water activities (kayaking, swimming, easy rider, hiking, walking, sightseeing) is all great fun for kids. The reason I suggest Halong is that it’s only a 1-hour drive from Halong.

From Hanoi, it takes 3 hours to get to Van Don to start the Bai Tu Long day trip. You can also choose to start in Halong and finish the tour in Hanoi. Your kids can take a nap on the way back. 

Bai Tu Long overnight cruise itinerary

Local fisherman in Vung Vieng fishing village – Bai TU Long bay

Most of the Bai Tu Long cruises offer pretty much the same itinerary. It’s a bit of a packed schedule from 6 am to 8 pm (After dinner), so you can choose to start the day at 7 am for breakfast. The second day, breakfast can be a little bit later, since you will be transferred to another day boat to spend your day with activities, then heading back to the big cruises around 3.30 pm 

Day 1 : Hanoi – Bai Tu Long Vung Vieng village

12:00 – 12:30: We checked in at the cruise at Halong International Port or at a private port belonging to the cruise. The team will welcome you with a briefing on the itinerary and safety instructions. While a welcome drink is served, the crew members will help bring our luggage to the cabins.

12:45: The ship set sail, and we are invited to enjoy a set-menu lunch with 7-8 courses in the restaurant

14:00: We arrived at Vung Vieng fishing village and were transported to the village on a tender (small boat). You’ll explore the village either by bamboo boat (6 people in one boat) or on a kayak (Your kids can sit with you on a kayak) 

16:00: We returned to the  and got on the top deck to enjoy the sunset while cruising to the overnight stop for anchoring

7pm : Dinner at the restaurant with a set menu

After dinner, everyone gets together at the bar area to get more drinks, chit chat or try your luck at squid fishing. You may want to put your kids to bed and enjoy your own time alone as an adult.

Day 2 : Further discoveries of Bai Tu Long Bay

8am : Breakfast. After that, transfer to another day boat for the second-day activities.

8.45am to 10.30 am: Explore Cap La by kayaking among towering limestone karst

10.30am : Back to the day boat. Cruise to the Cong Dam.

12.30Pm : BBQ Lunch will be served. Beach activities after lunch

14:30: Returned the cruise. Sit back and relax

17:15: Vietnamese cooking demonstration

7:00: Rest and dinner

Freetime

Day 3 : Bai Tu Long bay – Hanoi

06:00: Wake up early to watch the sunrise to watch the sunrise and join the Tai Chi class

07:30: We were taken by a tender to the entrance of Thien Canh Son cave. A guided tour with some key information 
09:00: Back to the ship. Checking out

You enjoy a buffet lunch in the restaurant, while the ship cruises back the shore

11:00: Back at Halong port. , It’s time to disembark and say goodbye to the cruise.

Highlights of the overnight cruise

• Sailing through towering limestone karst mountains
• Relaxing in your cabin with a balcony
• Enjoy sunrise and sunset
• Relaxing and chill out on the beach
• Kayaking amongst limestone mountains
• Exploring the floating village by bamboo boat

Bai Tu Long day cruise from Van Don itinerary

I have written a detailed itinerary for a private Bai Tu Long bay day trip in the link below. So the activities included: kayaking, swimming, riding an easier route on the island, hiking, sightseeing, and visiting a floating fish farm.

Read more : Van Don bay day tour itinerary

A packing list for Bai Tu Long Bay with kids

• Sun cream
• Sung glasses
• Hats
• Buck spray
• Swimsuits
• Towels
• Baby monitor
• Portable high chair
• Baby car seat for roller (If the cruise company use a limousine car, you don’t need it)
• Motion sickness tablet
• Spoons and cups
• Toys
• Motion sickness tablets
• Warm jackets for winter

Over to you

I hope you like visiting Bai Tu Long bay with your kids! Hanoi Eco Tour is here to help you have a family-friendly holiday in Bai Tu Long Bay, whether you choose day trips or overnight cruises. Please contact us via WhatsApp at +849741313104

Bai Tu Long Bay is an amazing place – I am sure that you’ll have an awesome trip. If you have any further questions about visiting Bai Tu Long Bay with your kids, just send us an email or a message via WhatsApp, and we are happy to help

Lastest update : 14th of July, 2026