Explore Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay on Velar of the Seas Cruise

This cruise was one of the best parts of my Vietnam trip. Kayaking in Tra Bau Floating Village felt peaceful and off the radar, unlike touristy spots. The view during Tai Chi was insane - quiet, with limestone cliffs around us. Rooms were solid too, modern and comfy.

We loved everything about our 3 days 2 nights on Velar. Viet Hai Village was so calm and pretty, and biking through it gave us a peek at real local life. Sunset cocktails were a vibe. The crew took great care of us from start to finish.

I went solo and didn’t expect to love the cooking class that much. The Bright Cave was the quietest and prettiest place I’ve seen in a while. The overnight cruise gave me space to disconnect and just breathe. Highly recommend for solo travelers needing a break.

Took my mom for her 60th and she was all smiles. She especially loved the boat ride through Dark & Bright Cave and relaxing on deck with coffee in the morning. The cruise was slow-paced, relaxing, and with just enough activities.

Booked the 2 days 1 night cruise for our family of four. Our kids loved squid fishing and kayaking around the bay. The staff was super sweet and even helped us with our picky eaters. Highlights: cave tour and the peaceful sunset view from the sundeck.

Didn’t think I’d be writing this but... we got engaged on the sundeck during happy hour! Ba Trai Dao Beach was stunning and swimming there felt like we were on a private island. Only thing I’d change? Stay longer.

The 3-day cruise was perfect for us. Loved that we could explore quiet spots like Viet Hai but also have downtime in the spa. Morning Tai Chi was peaceful. Dinner under the stars made it feel extra special.

I’ve been to Halong before, but Lan Ha is much more calm and clean. Velar cruise felt fancy but not stiff. Tra Bau kayaking was the highlight and I got the best photos! Crew were polite and always helpful.

Booked last-minute but it turned out to be amazing. From Hanoi hotel pickup to kayaking through the floating village, everything was smooth. Food was flavorful and not too heavy. The 2 days 1 night cruise felt longer in a good way.

This cruise was the first stop in our Vietnam honeymoon. Ba Trai Dao Beach was such a romantic place to relax and swim. Loved watching movies at night in the bar lounge. We didn’t want to leave!

I joined the cruise to log off from work, and it worked. Being in Lan Ha Bay with no rush and no noise was exactly what I needed. Highlight: kayaking at Tra Bau in total silence.

We picked the 3 days 2 nights cruise for our 15-year anniversary and it was better than we imagined. Exploring Viet Hai village and chatting with locals was a nice break from the usual beach stuff. Plus, the bed was super comfy.

Tra Bau Floating Village in the early morning was unreal. Kayaking around the calm water with zero noise from the outside world was probably my favorite part of this trip. The bamboo boat ride into Bright Cave was cool too. Everything felt slow and relaxed. The crew were super nice, and the food hit the spot every time.

We did the 2 days 1 night cruise and honestly, it was one of the best parts of our Vietnam trip. Ba Trai Dao Beach was gorgeous and not crowded. We got drinks during Happy Hour, chilled on the sundeck, and even joined the cooking class. The vibe was super chill and we met a few cool folks on board too.

I took the 3 days 2 nights cruise solo and enjoyed the peaceful vibe. Tai Chi at sunrise was a nice touch. Squid fishing after dinner was surprisingly fun and the crew helped show me how. Viet Hai Village gave me a good look into local life, and the kayak sessions were a solid workout.

This was my second time doing a Halong Bay trip but first time in Lan Ha Bay. Way more peaceful. The bamboo boat through Bright Cave was a real highlight and the beach time at Ba Trai Dao was great for just laying back. Loved that the staff didn’t rush anything and the cabin was surprisingly comfy.

Needed a break from the hustle of Hanoi and this overnight cruise delivered. The views were amazing, but I also just enjoyed sitting out with my coffee early morning, watching the bay. Dinner was fancy without being too much. Would do this again on a longer route next time.

We booked the 3 days 2 nights cruise and it was the right call. Day 2 took us to Viet Hai Village, where we got to ride bikes through forest trails. Super peaceful. Ba Trai Dao Beach was postcard-level pretty and quiet. Loved how the cruise wasn’t packed, and the staff were helpful without being too in-your-face.

Took the kids along on this cruise and we were all happy with it. The teens loved kayaking around the floating village and the cooking class was fun. Rooms were roomy enough for the four of us and food had variety. Everyone found something they liked. The beach time was a hit with the kids too.

Lan Ha Bay was less busy than I expected, which was great. Did the 2-day trip with my mom and we both felt so relaxed the whole time. The cave tour was lovely and I enjoyed chatting with the crew about the area. You get a taste of local life without it feeling like a show.

I came back to Vietnam after 10 years and took this cruise with my dad. Bright Cave and Tra Bau were stunning. It was his first time on a cruise and he loved the calm vibe. The crew was great with older guests and made sure he was comfortable the whole time. Big thumbs up from both of us.

Booked this kind of last minute and didn’t expect much. Turned out to be one of the best parts of my trip. The bamboo boat ride into Bright Cave felt like something out of a movie. Kayaking the next morning was great. I’m not a beach person, but I liked the quiet at Ba Trai Dao.

Booked the 2-day cruise mostly for convenience but ended up loving every bit. Transfers were smooth, food was tasty, and the views never stopped. Cooking class was fun, and the kayaking wasn’t too hard even for us as beginners. Met a few travelers and had great conversations on the deck.

I went solo and felt super welcome. Staff were friendly, food was good, and the kayaking around Tra Bau was the highlight for me. Bright Cave was relaxing too. Didn’t do much of the night activities but just sat up on deck after dinner and watched the stars. Pretty great way to end the day.

We’re both retired and just wanted something laid-back. This 3-day cruise was perfect. The cabin was comfortable, and there was just the right amount of stuff to do without it feeling packed. Viet Hai Village was a cool stop and the beach time at Ba Trai Dao was a nice bonus. Happy we chose Velar of the Seas.

Traveling with three of my closest friends, we were looking for something luxurious but peaceful, Velar delivered both. From the moment we boarded, everything was smooth, warm staff, gorgeous rooms with balconies, and that sundeck! We sipped cocktails at sunset and sang karaoke until midnight supeeeeeeeeeeeeer fun. This cruise felt like heaven for slay giiiiirls. Thank you, Velar of the seas cruise team, for such a perfect memory.

My wife and I were originally considering Halong Bay, but Asia Tour Deals recommended Velar to Lan Ha Bay as a quieter, more exclusive alternative, and they were absolutely right. The kayaking around Ba Trai Dao was stunning, and waking up to limestone cliffs outside our window was unforgettable. Big thanks to ATD for steering us to the cruise and I will come back with my kids.

As someone who works in hospitality, I notice the small things and Velar gets all of them right. From the soft linens to the spa treatments to the personalized touches like welcome tea, everything was top-tier. I left the cruise feeling like I’d stayed at a private retreat. 2 days onboard I feel more relax than ever before. Thank you, Velar of the seas cruise and Asia Tour Deals, for reminding me what real hospitality feels like.

I remember seeing the name Velar of the Seas and thinking wwwwow, that sounds beautiful. It felt soft, calming, almost poetic. I didn’t know what to expect, but the cruise totally matched that vibe. Everything was smooth, quiet, and elegant from the room to the food to the way the crew treated us. Big thanks to ATD for helping me choose this ship. The name drew me in, and the experience kept me smiling!

I celebrated my 30th birthday on Velar of the seas cruise with 5 friends, and it honestly couldn’t have been better. The staff surprised me with a little birthday cake after dinner, which was so sweet! We spent most of our time either chilling by the mini pool or taking pictures on the sundeck it’s super Instagram-worthy. Thanks Asia Tour Deals for suggesting Velar it made my birthday feel extra special without being too fancy.

My wife and I have done quite a few cruises, but Velar really stood out for its calm atmosphere and thoughtful design. We're in our 60s and wanted something quiet, with just the right amount of activity and that’s exactly what we got. Kayaking was surprisingly manageable, and the staff was always there if we needed help. Velar was a lovely way to celebrate 40 years together. Thank you, Anna for recommending something so peaceful and personal.

This was my first solo trip in Southeast Asia, and honestly I was a little nervous. But from the second I stepped onto Velar, I felt safe and cared for. I had my own cabin with a private balcony, and I spent most of my time just reading and enjoying the view. It didn’t feel lonely at all the crew and even other guests were so friendly. Huge thanks to Robert for making this solo journey smooth & memorable. I’d do it again in a heartbeat with my family.