A magnificent day on the bay with a beautiful boat led to a fantastic day. We enjoyed travelling with a friendly group of 9, who were all European, except for us 2 Australians. We were pleased to have an electric cart pick us up at the first stop and take us in to the village, where we could borrow bikes and/or have little fish eat our dead skin on our feet. Some of the travellers riding from the port appeared to be doing it a bit tough.
We were all a little wary of the water temperature when we stopped for a swim but all though a bit brisk it was quite fine and fun sliding in off the boat. We then enjoyed a nice lunch followed by a break and a slow cruise to then go kayaking.
Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay was truly the first thing that blew me away; the water was crystal clear and incredibly calm. Our guide, Hana, explained everything with great clarity and spoke excellent English. She even played the flute for us on the boat, which was such a delightful surprise. Since this is a small-group tour, the service felt extremely attentive and friendly. The food was served piping hot, featuring delicious local flavors that were easy to enjoy—even my vegetarian friend was completely satisfied. Cycling around Viet Hai Village was also an absolute highlight, so peaceful and charming!
I didn't have to worry about finding a private taxi to the bus station in Ninh Binh. The van was modern, clean, and the AC worked perfectly. Worth every penny!
Sarah Jenkins
02/03/2026
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A truly timeless and romantic experience!
We booked the Calypso Cruise for our anniversary getaway and it exceeded all our expectations. We deliberately chose Lan Ha Bay over Ha Long to avoid the crowds, and it was the best decision. The boutique feel of the boat is wonderful. Our Deluxe Balcony cabin was spotless, offering stunning, undisturbed views of the emerald waters right from our bed. The fine-dining dinner was exceptional, and the staff went out of their way to make us feel special. Highly recommend this for couples looking for a quiet, luxurious retreat!
I was dreading the long 11-hour trip to Sapa, but the sleeper bus was incredibly comfortable. The berths are spacious enough, and the blankets provided were clean. The air conditioning worked perfectly. Waking up to the misty mountains of Sapa after a good night's sleep was magical.
This beats working