The Indochine Chic Guide to Halong Bay: Choosing Your Perfect Luxury Cruise
There is a moment, just as the junk rounds a karst-studded corner, when Halong Bay reveals itself in full—a thousand islands of rock rising from jade waters, their peaks softened by mist, their bases lapped by waves. It is a landscape that feels almost mythic, and the way you experience it should be equally extraordinary.
For over three decades, Indochina Sails has been the name synonymous with luxury on these waters. Today, their fleet offers three distinct experiences—each with its own personality, its own style, its own perfect guest. This guide is designed to help you navigate the choice and find the cruise that feels like yours.
At a Glance: The Fleet
The Cruises, In Depth
Indochine Premium
Best Luxury Art Cruise in Southeast Asia – 2025 World Luxury Travel Awards
Indochine Premium is a floating gallery where Indochine style meets contemporary art. Its 37 spacious cabins, each with a private balcony, are adorned with handcrafted lacquer paintings and bespoke furnishings. The ship boasts a rare double sundeck (1,450m²)—one for tranquil sunbathing, another for vibrant evening parties. The fine-dining restaurant serves gourmet Vietnamese and international cuisine, while the piano lounge offers a sophisticated pre-dinner interlude.
Indochine Grand
The fleet’s newest jewel, launched in 2025, Indochine Grand redefines resort-style cruising. Its 32 artfully crafted cabins each feature a private terrace. The headline feature is an infinity pool overlooking the bay—a rare luxury on Halong Bay. A mini-golf course at the bow adds playful elegance, while the rooftop panoramic bar is the perfect perch for sunset. It’s designed for those who want resort amenities while exploring the bay.
Indochina Sails
The original, the legend. Since 1993, Indochina Sails has set the standard for overnight cruises. With just 23 cabins on a traditional wooden junk, it offers an intimate, nostalgic journey. Its signature yellow sails unfurl when the wind rises, evoking a bygone era of exploration. For those who seek romance and a connection to the bay’s heritage, this is the choice. It feels less like a resort and more like a private yacht.
Which Bay? Halong vs. Lan Ha
Your choice of cruise also determines which bay you’ll explore:
Halong Bay
Operated by: Indochine Premium, Indochina Sails
The iconic, UNESCO-listed core. More crowded, but the karsts are at their most dramatic. Includes Sung Sot Cave, Titov Island, and Luon Cave.
Lan Ha Bay
Operated by: Indochine Grand, Indochine Cruise
Adjacent to Halong, quieter and more pristine. Features Dark and Bright Cave, Trung Trang Cave, and more secluded beaches. Ideal for kayaking.
Choosing Your Journey: 2D1N vs. 3D2N
1 Night (2 Days / 1 Night)
- Full taste of the bay
- Cave visit (Sung Sot or Dark/Bright)
- Kayaking or sampan ride
- Sunset party on sundeck
- Tai Chi morning
Perfect for: Tight schedules, first-time visitors.
2 Nights (3 Days / 2 Nights)
- All 1‑night inclusions
- Visit to Viet Hai fishing village
- More kayaking, secluded beaches
- Pearl farm visit (Halong itineraries)
- Deeper sense of escape
Perfect for: Those seeking true immersion.
Still Unsure? Your Decision Matrix
Priorities
In the end, the choice is a reflection of your own travel soul. Do you crave the energy of a resort at sea, with an infinity pool and evening entertainment? Indochine Grand awaits. Do you seek award-winning design and an art-infused atmosphere? Indochine Premium calls. Or does your heart yearn for the romance of a bygone era, the whisper of yellow sails against a karst-studded sky? Then Indochina Sails is your ship.
Whichever you choose, you will experience Halong Bay in the only way that matters: with wonder, with luxury, and with time enough to let its magic seep into your bones.