Halong Bay Dinner Cruise – Which Sunset or Dinner Boat to Book

Not as an evening trip. GetYourGuide sells one evening-only dinner cruise, from Ha Long International Cruise Port; it has no reviews yet, so we don't list it, and the drive from Hanoi takes 2.5–3 hours each way, so you would be back very late. From Hanoi, dinner on the bay means a night on board, from $146 per person on the ships we compare, with the sunset party, dinner at anchor and breakfast on deck.

None of the cruises we compare on GetYourGuide lists fireworks, on a day boat or on an overnight ship. The evenings on board are quieter: a sunset party, dinner, squid fishing from the deck and music at the bar. If you want music with the bay around you, the Iris day cruise has a live band with a singer and a DJ on its sundeck.

Earlier than the name suggests, because day boats must be back at the pier in the afternoon. On the listings we read, the sunset party starts at 16:00 on the Amethyst, which docks at Tuan Chau at 17:15 to 17:30, and the Iris holds an afternoon snack party. Overnight ships hold theirs at anchor, from 17:30 to 18:30 on one three-day ship and at 17:45 on the Aqua Legend.

Usually not. The overnight ships include a welcome drink and water in the cabin, and sell everything else at the bar; one three-day ship runs a buy-two-get-one happy hour. On the day boats the sunset party brings tea, fruit and cakes, or wine and snacks on the Sunset Party day cruise, while drinks with lunch are extra. Bring cash for the bar.

The Iris day cruise has a live band on the sundeck, with a singer, musicians and a DJ, from $51 and ★5.0 from 8 reviews. The 6-Star Dolphin luxury day cruise from Hanoi also lists live music, from $144 and ★4.9 from 7 reviews. On overnight ships, music at the bar after dinner is the usual evening, and one three-day ship runs a film night.

As a bonus, yes; as the reason to choose a boat, no. The party is tea, fruit and cakes on deck on the way back to the pier, often before the sun is low. Choose the day boat for its route and lunch. If the sunset itself matters, a night on board is the only way to see it from a boat at anchor.

When a storm warning is issued, the Quang Ninh port authority stops issuing departure permits and no tourist boat leaves, day or night; the cruise is cancelled and refunded. Most listings also allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before. From late May to early November, check the forecast the evening before.