Discover Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay with our premier cruise tours. Enjoy breathtaking limestone karsts, emerald waters, and world-class hospitality curated by VDS Travel.
Discover the splendid beauty of Halong City from the sea in a completely new way with a unique restaurant cruise experience! This is the perfect combination of exquisite gastronomy and breathtaking scenery within just a few hours, ideal for a memorable lunch or a romantic evening admiring the glittering city by night.
The cruise’s special itinerary will take you gliding gently along the coastline, admiring famous landmarks such as the majestic Bai Chay Bridge, the vibrant Sun Wheel, or the tranquil Poem Mountain from the most unique perspective. On board, you will enjoy a rich culinary feast with countless attractive options, from distinctive Asian-European dishes to Halong’s renowned fresh seafood, thoughtfully served in a buffet style or a luxurious set menu. Some options even offer an ultimate fine dining experience for sophisticated diners.
Not stopping there, your journey will be even more exciting with lively entertainment programs, from captivating musical melodies to special artistic performances, creating a relaxing and memorable space.
Forget ordinary land-based meals, as Halong restaurant cruises invite you to a completely different world of experience, where class and emotions soar. This is not simply a meal, but an elaborately staged multi-sensory experience—a symbol of modern Halong tourism.
The experience begins with a “one-of-a-kind” space featuring a million-dollar view—where every window frames a living canvas of Halong Bay constantly changing, from the moment a fiery sunset dyes the horizon purple to a sparkling, magical city by night. Your taste buds will be awakened by a diverse and upscale culinary journey, from sumptuous fresh seafood buffets to sophisticated fine-dining set menus. And then, dinner is elevated into a top-tier entertainment event featuring soothing melodies, vibrant artistic shows, and even brilliant fireworks lighting up the night sky.
It is this perfect combination that transforms restaurant cruises beyond the limits of a regular tour into an iconic product, an indispensable part of Quang Ninh province’s “night-time economy” development strategy. However, to become the luxurious, glittering “floating palaces” we see today, this service has gone through an exciting journey of transformation.
Phase 1: Origins (Before 2015) – From lunch on wooden boats Years ago, the concept of “dinner on a cruise” was quite unfamiliar. Dining services on the bay were mainly simple lunches served during daytime sightseeing tours on traditional wooden boats, with the main purpose of satisfying travelers’ appetites to continue the journey. The first turning point came with the advent of pioneer restaurant cruises such as Princess Cruise around 2014. These were the first vessels to shape a rudimentary service specialized for dinner combined with sightseeing and ethnic dance performances, laying the foundation for an entirely new tourism product.
Princess Day Cruise is a pioneering vessel in the Halong Bay dinner restaurant cruise sector
Phase 2: Shaping (2015-2021) – Toward professionalism This period witnessed a clear professionalization in mindset and operations. The market began to differentiate, completely separating daytime sightseeing tours with lunch from specialized dinner tours. Businesses no longer just served meals, but strongly focused on culinary quality and spatial design like true high-end restaurants. More importantly, the itinerary for dinner tours was also strategically redefined: instead of venturing deep into the heritage core, cruises began navigating along the coast, tapping into the “gold mine” of Halong City’s glittering, magical landscape when the lights come on.
Phase 3: Boom (2022-Present) – The race of the “floating palaces” This is the most spectacular transformation phase, turning dinner cruises into an unmissable product in Halong. The decisive milestone was the launch of the “Cruise Night Street” in April 2022. This event officially turned dinner tours into a mainstay tourism trend and an essential part of Quang Ninh province’s night-time economy development strategy.
The launch of cruises such as Sea Octopus, Ambassador II, and Luna Cruise has marked a turning point in the development of Halong Bay dinner restaurant cruises
Immediately following that, a true “race” of “floating palaces” erupted. A series of super yachts worth hundreds of billions of VND such as Ambassador, Paradise Delight, Sea Octopus, and Luna were launched, competing not only in scale or luxury. The real battle lies in the experience, leading to an “entertainment arms race.” Exclusive, elaborately invested shows such as Ambassador’s Cabaret Show or Paradise Delight’s “Dance of the Deep Blue Sea” were born, turning every trip into a top-tier artistic performance on the water.
The Halong cruise market features dozens of names, but which ones are truly outstanding and most worthwhile in 2025? To help you easily find your dream itinerary, we will dive into a detailed review of the 7 most prominent cruises.
The ranking below is not subjective, but the result of multi-source synthesis and analysis conducted from Q4 2024 to Q2 2025. Our methodology is based on 3 main data sources:
Each cruise is scored based on key criteria, with “Entertainment & Amenities” and “Uniqueness (X-Factor)” weighted slightly higher, as these are the elements that make the biggest difference for the restaurant cruise experience.
(Note: Evaluations are based on the outstanding strengths of each cruise. Rated on a 10-point scale.)
| Cruise Name | Cuisine | Entertainment & Amenities | Space & Design | Uniqueness (X-Factor) | Overview (Ranking) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambassador II | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | Nightly fireworks | 9.2/10 |
| Paradise Delight | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | “Dance of the Sea” show | 9.0/10 |
| Squalia Yacht | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | Private yacht experience | 8.9/10 |
| Sea Octopus | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | Culinary story & cooking class | 8.8/10 |
| Luna Cruise | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | Glass-bottom pool | 8.8/10 |
| Symphony Cruise | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | Private cabins for rent | 8.4/10 |
| Princess Day Cruise | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | Strong in event organization | 7.9/10 |
Quick Takeaways:
If you are traveling with family or are an art enthusiast, Paradise Delight is the most perfect choice. Its most unique and distinctive highlight is the elaborate real-scene show “Dance of the Sea” staged right on the water, delivering a breathtaking visual experience. Notably, the cruise also features a dedicated children’s play area, allowing parents to comfortably enjoy their meal with peace of mind. Regarding cuisine, Paradise Delight treats diners to a sumptuous Asian-European buffet feast featuring over 100 dishes within a luxurious glass-domed restaurant space, guaranteed to satisfy every member of the family.
Paradise Delight Cruise
Earning the nickname of nightlife entertainment “king”, Ambassador II stands out exceptionally with a dazzling nightly fireworks display – a unique hallmark on Halong Bay. Beyond that, the atmosphere on board is always vibrant with an international band, professional DJs, and talented dancers. The cruise boasts a magnificent design, a 360-degree double sundeck, and an outdoor Jacuzzi pool for relaxation. An upscale Asian-European international buffet menu is also a major plus. This is the top choice for grand parties, corporate events, and groups of friends who love a lively, high-class atmosphere.
Ambassador II Dinner Cruise
Dedicated to sophisticated diners, Sea Octopus not only serves delicious food but also tells a culinary story inspired by local “Ruốc” (squid/octopus) specialties. The cruise focuses on elevating local cuisine, creatively blending it into the Asian-European menu to awaken all senses. The vessel’s interior is delicately and cozy designed, and guests also have the opportunity to participate in a cooking class to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culinary culture. This is the perfect voyage for anyone who considers gastronomy an essential part of their trip.
Sea Octopus Cruise
Symphony Cruise cleverly solves the privacy puzzle for day trips with a unique amenity: 4 comfortable private cabins available for rent right on board. This is an excellent solution for families with young children who need a resting space, or groups of friends wanting a private nook amidst sightseeing activities. Additionally, the cruise is equipped with Jacuzzi pools on both decks and serves an Asian-European buffet menu alongside a diverse set menu, meeting the needs of various customer groups.
Ha Long Symphony Cruise
As one of the most impressive 5-star newcomers, Luna Cruise makes a strong impression with its unique outdoor glass-bottom swimming pool on the 3rd deck—an unmissable photo spot. The cruise boasts a modern, luxurious design alongside a spacious 360-degree sundeck. Luna Cruise offers both dinner cruises and 7-day-style (7-hour day) tours exploring famous attractions such as Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island. Featuring a premium lunch buffet and high-end Asian-European dinners, this is an excellent choice for young travelers seeking fresh, luxurious, and trendy experiences.
Luna HaLong Cruise
Embodying the feel of a luxury private yacht, Squalia Yacht is the ultimate choice for those who demand sophistication and class. Highlights of the yacht include its upscale design, premium interior spaces, and trendy infinity pool. Squalia focuses on personalized service, offering an absolute sense of privacy. Culinary-wise, the yacht serves a fusion menu with dishes meticulously prepared and presented like works of art. This is the perfect choice for couples and close groups of friends looking for a truly distinctive experience.
Squalia Yacht
As one of the largest and most professional 5-star steel cruises, Princess Day Cruise is a top choice for full-day Halong Bay sightseeing tours and large-scale corporate events. With a large capacity and spacious layout, this cruise is particularly well-equipped to serve corporate groups and conferences. The lunch buffet featuring over 100 Asian and European dishes ensures satisfaction for every guest’s diverse palate. A 6-hour itinerary exploring classic destinations like Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island guarantees a fulfilling and memorable journey.
Ha Long Symphony Cruise
Comprehensive itineraries, harbor guidelines, and insider tips for your Halong Bay journey.
