Review Author: Elle

Review Date: 23 Apr 2025

Review Body: With so many Halong Bay cruises to choose from, where do you start? A couple of things were the contributing factors to why we decided on UniCharm. 1) we wanted a 2 night cruise and these were limited. 2) I knew different cruises catered to different priorities - we are adventurous and like to explore so wanted to see as much as possible in the time we had. Some are more party boats, some are more lux etc. (I will add that if you like a party vibe, this definitely isn’t the cruise for you. Early starts mean that most go to bed quite early and the main bar isn’t even open after dinner so there’s not much life at all after dark). 3) we like something a bit different. After researching, we came across UniCharm through Seek Sophie and it ticked the boxes; A 3D2N cruise that went off the beaten track to follow a route unique to the 100s of other boats cruising the Bay and offered hiking/trekking as well as the cycling and kayaking that most of the others do. From the first point of contact with our tour guide Quang, we knew it was going to be all kinds of fun. Doing the 2N version meant we built quite the rapport with him and there was only a small number doing the 2Ns so we received lots of attention. A lot of reviews said that 1 night was plenty but (again, depends on what you want from it) we were very glad we had 2 nights. The rooms were lush, the food was lush and we felt it was the perfect choice for us. Everything lived up to expectation and Quang made it the experience it was. He educated us on traditional culture and made it interesting and fun. Highly recommend and hope you get Quang Quack as your guide.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Avril

Review Date: 19 Sep 2026

Review Body: We had a fantastic experience on Unicharm cruise (Vega Travel) - the kayaking and trekking itinerary was what attracted us to this tour as we prefer adventurous travel experiences. The boat was also great - much more personalised experience given it was a smaller boat with far less people on board. The design of the boat had character and it was so pleasant to see the sails unfurled when we came back from our kayak tour! The bed was so comfortable and we enjoyed relaxing on our private balcony, taking in the incredible views. The food was incredible and staff so attentive to provide for my vegan requirement. Special mention to our tour guide Binh who looked after our every need and provided excellent guiding throughout each activity - I’d recommend this tour and company to anyone and hope to return in the future!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ruth

Review Date: 22 Sep 2026

Review Body: The experience with Unicharm was outstanding. The intinerary was well organised, our guide was very helpful, the room and bed was comfortable, the food was outstanding and the scenery we came to see was amazing. We chose this cruise based on Seek Sophie reviews because they are a smaller boat which goes to quieter, less touristy spots. We sailed past the much busier and popular Halong Bay, and spent the 2 nights and days in quieter waters. This is not a party ship with loud music, which suited us fine. The itinerary is quite active (kayaking, bike riding and trekking) but with the 3D2N cruise, we had a lot of relaxing time as well, so highly recommend that if you want to soak in the amazing natural surroundings.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Mary Lou, Adele and Tomás

Review Date: 02 Jun 2026

Review Body: This was an unforgettable experience! Even though we had made tons of research in social media, nothing like the real thing! Scenery, culture, history, it all came in a perfect collage to make those few days ready to be replayed over and over again. As for UniCharm Cruise, staff was simply amazing. Very friendly, making every effort to make us feel at home away from home. Our 9-year old daughter had a blast and discovered her new passion for squid fishing at night! And yes, Tiger is just something else! Clearly he enjoys what he does and wants to inoculate his passion to anyone willing to listen to him. Kudos guys! Hope to see you in the near future.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sabrina

Review Date: 17 Sep 2023

Review Body: What an incredible few days - we loved all the activities, Dem the guide was really brilliant, we got out of the typical tourist area and into some more spacious waters, the food and boat were everything you needed and the cocktails were great too. We also had such a great group of people on with us - I think that shows if you take some time to find something a bit different then you’ll find some great people too! Really recommend.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Carl Verhaeghe

Review Date: 15 May 2026

Review Body: Top choice if you want to experience Halong, Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island is small group without the crowds and without a ton of other boats around! Intimate and personal, calm and quiet with the most beautiful sights. Friendly crew, good food, delightful beds. I would definitely recommend this to my friends!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: D Douglas

Review Date: 26 Nov 2024

Review Body: The guide Hieu was great he was organized and personable and we felt safe and cared for. He was knowledgeable in local culture and shared that knowledge throughout the tour. We had a really great time and it felt like a trip of a lifetime!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Perry

Review Date: 26 Feb 2024

Review Body: Great trip, good food, clean comfortable room. Very friendly crew and excellent tour guide (Binh). Crammed a lot in to the 3D2N and everything was timed to a T. A bit of paradise with a touch of authenticity. Highly recommend.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Best part of Vietnam trip

Review Date: 12 Nov 2024

Review Body: Our guide Quang made the trip very fun and taught us a lot. He and the crew were amazing, the boat was great, ac and washrooms were nice and the food was solid. No issues at all and recommend it

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sarah

Review Date: 22 Feb 2025

Review Body: The organisation was superb and the boat was very clean and the staff very friendly. Our guide, Binh, was really fabulous. I would confidently recommend Unicharm.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: James Rushton

Review Date: 16 Oct 2023

Review Body: A fabulous guide, seamless tour, well arranged.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: PhamilyLyfe

Review Date: 06 Jan 2020

Review Body: Even after reading all the incredible reviews, Unicharm Cruise exceeded expectations!!! Our guide, Hai was amazing!!! He went with the bus driver to pick us all up from all the different hotels in Hanoi. He greeted everyone and checked each guest individually. On the way to our cruise, he introduced himself with a lot of humor and had us all introduced ourselves. I love that we were from all over the world, US, Australia, England, India, and Guatemala. One of our Guatemala friend was living in Spain. We learned that there will be thirty people total on our cruise that is meant for fifty. During the drive, Hai gave us some information about Hanoi. Then we had a pit stop for everyone to use the restroom, grab a drink or snack or just to stretch their legs. We had to take a bus, then bus on a ferry, continue with bus, then smaller boat to the cruise. When we arrived at the Cruise, the Captain and a few crew members greeted us. We got a cold wet cloth to wipe ourselves and some refreshing drinks while they checked us in. With four people in our family we got two adjoining rooms. One with a extra large full bed and one with two twins. The rooms were awesome! Spacious and we had window and balcony view. The bathroom was roomy as well. There was even a small fridge in each room. 2 sets of Flip flops were provided. Along with snorkel gear and a wet bag. We only did the two days and one night. We wished we did more. With the 2D/1N we got to go kayaking in Lan Ha Bay. It was stunningly beautiful!!! We couldn't believe how nice it was without the crowds. At some points, it felt like our small kayaking group were the only people there. We even went swimming. I don't usually like to get in when the water is cold, but I might not ever get this opportunity again so I jumped in with my husband and son. The whole time, Hai made sure our group was okay and gave people different options to kayaked further it stay with the boat that could take them back to the cruise. While he was kayaking with us, he told us some facts about the area. What we loved most with being on this side of Ha Long is they it's under a different province and they follow different rules. They care about the environment and maintaining the integrity of the area. The permit to be on this side cost more and harder for companies to obtain to ensure less boats will pollute the area. They also pay people to pick up plastic out of the bag every day. My friends warned me that Ha Long Bay smells from all the exhaust, but we didn't encounter any of that. The only smelled we dealt with were the fish that were near the houses because that's where they store the seafood. We also loved Unicharm Cruise because they work with the locals to rent their kayaks and bikes for our excursions. The meals also exceeded expectations! There were so many different options available, Vietnamese salads, western and Asian cuisine, vegetarian, vegan, fresh fruit, there was a pho bar one meal, bbq meats and seafood another meal, eggs bar, and so much more. We had lot of dietary request and they were very thorough at pick up to make sure foods were safe for individual people. They were also accommodating when my son didn't want to eat anything available and they fried up an egg for him for lunch.There was a spring roll making class. They went through ingredients, instructions and then customized the meat and vegetarian options. After dinner, they set up rods so we could squid fishing. Unfortunately no one caught any this time. Hai said the record was four squid. The next morning we went for a beautiful bike ride on Cat Ba Island. It was spectacular!!!! The views were stunning! It was so much fun to bike and meet one of the locals who invited us to her home to check out a piece of history. Her original home is set up now like a museum. She has a working farm with a charming pig that my son got to feed. An investor helped fund a homestay at her home. The home stay will be available after Tet. When we come back, we would love to experience the home stay. She makes a variety of rice wine and let everyone try some. I especially loved biking by all the different tropical fruit trees, seeing all the local animals, and lots of adorable doggies and puppies. When we got back, we packed up our stuff, had our last meal and then they took us back to our hotel in Hanoi! If you do go to Ha Long Bay, this is a can't miss cruise!!! Worth every penny and more!!! Plus, know that you are supporting a company that cares about the environment and the local people. I don't know if you can request a tour guide, but we can't say enough about Hai! He was so kind and knowledgeable. He was wonderful not only connecting with us, but with our kids. My son loved him. First morning on our Vietnam Vacation that my son willing woke up for our early morning bike ride because Hai was leading the tour. He checked in with us constantly to make sure we were okay or if we needed anything. When he heard that my daughter was sick, he offered her medicine. He did an amazing job providing information, but also giving us our personal space to enjoy the trip. Best part is that he is funny and knowledgeable about all the countries and making specific jokes for each one. Can't wait to do 3 days and 2 nights the next time we come back!!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Susan C

Review Date: 29 Dec 2019

Review Body: Planning provides a perfect experience. The images of Halong Bay are amazing but the reviews less so with many people disappointed. After considerable research I selected Unicharm Cruise for a cruise through Halong Bay but mooring in Lan Ha Bay because I thought it would give the experience I wanted - amazing views but safe, clean and peaceful. I was not disappointed and my Unicharm cruise was everything I desired. I and my daughter had a balcony twin room for a two night / three day cruise with a pick up and drop off from our hotel in Hanoi. The pick up was on time, the bus ride speedy and all transfers went smoothly. I had accidentally left my credit card at my hotel at checkout and the hotel and Unicharm Cruise arranged to have it delivered to me on the transfer bus before I left Hanoi. The balcony room had sliding doors with great views (note that your chairs are inside the room not outside which other reviewers have pointed out). The ensuite bathroom is small but spacious for a boat. Everything was very clean. There are multiple decks and nothing felt crowded. Wifi and internet can be a bit problematical because of the location - when I tried to settle the drinks bill on the last day there was no internet connection so I used cash instead. I had booked directly with Unicharm. Do note that there are other very similar internet sites that trade on their name and make sure you are on the right one (I ended up coming through from the links on TripAdvisor or booking.com). There was one dodgy link on their site that worried me and I kept missing the option to chat but once I did get in contact everything went fine. I paid the deposit and paid the rest on the day of the tour. Credit cards attract an extra percentage fee which is standard in Vietnam. Our tour guide was Hi and he provided exemplary service. There was always great communication about the itinerary, options available and food preferences. The activities are planned to provide you with uncrowded exploration time. The kayaking near sunset was beautiful. I worried about it because I am not the best at water sports but it was calm and serene in a lagoon and we were able to easily explore. The bicycle ride to the village on the last day was early so you escaped the crowds and it was an easy ride with some beautiful views. The middle day had a reasonably challenging climb but was a great experience. The cave visit was informative. At all times the option of just staying on the cruise was offered but I would recommend doing the activities if you are physically able to. We enjoyed the spring roll making and the squid fishing though the last was unsuccessful. The food was amazing. The first day lunch is a set menu and then a bbq dinner with a light breakfast then lunch on the last day. As a three day / two night cruise we had a leisurely full breakfast on the second day, an absolutely fantastic lunch on Cat Ba (bbq and the best tasting mango ever!) and the choice of bbq or set menu for 2nd night. We ended up getting the set menu for that night but in choosing the non-seafood we got quite a different meal from our first night. Vegetarian, vegan, and other food preferences or allergies are totally catered for. Many people choose the 2 day, one night cruise so expect some changes in your travelling companions. I have no regret on choosing the three day / two night option as we enjoyed the activities and our nights on the cruise and could really relax. The cruise itself offered amazing views and Hi made the whole experience very special.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jon

Review Date: 02 Jan 2020

Review Body: All the positive reviews are spot on - amazing!! What a great experience. We carefully researched and even agonized a bit over which cruise option to choose and TripAdvisor gets this one 100% right. The time we spent with Unicharm was great. So glad we chose the less crowded (but still pretty busy) Lan Ha Bay for our adventure. As so many others have noted, the guides can really help make the experience worthwhile and for us it was no different. Quang (”Quack” for fun) was great - obviously a happy and knowledgeable person who does his job really well. We did the three day option which allowed for some downtime and relaxation - really a good choice if you have the time. We were a group of three (one teen) and the room (on the third deck near the bar area) was really great. A bit tight with the extra bed but fantastic to be at the quieter front of the ship and the balcony area was really nice. Food was always spot on and activities were so enjoyable. We did the hike on Cat Ba island (a bit of a workout but well worth it), kayaking - twice, and biking to the farming village on Cat Ba for a look around. We loved each of these activities and have some of the best vacation pictures we've ever taken. The public spaces aboard were roomy and inviting. We felt like we had plenty of space to enjoy the quiet when we wanted to. There were no surprise costs, drinks were reasonable and the staff were all really pleasant and professional. Transportation fo and from Hanoi was direct and Quang was very good at collecting and dropping off his group. The shuttle bus itself was a bit dated compared to other similar cruise transportation providers we saw and the public ferry to Cat Ba is an eye opener (hopefully that new coat of paint is load bearing!) but overall this was a favorite experience and a perfect choice.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: carmela_7

Review Date: 06 Dec 2019

Review Body: Wonderful Way to Experience Ha Long Bay. We recently did the 3D/2N cruise of Halong Bay. We booked this trip based after a lot of research of other companies and based on the excellent reviews of Unicharm on Tripadvisor. Spacious cabins, immaculate and well maintained boat, variety and quality of food excellent, great selection of cocktails and a courteous crew. What more could we ask for! Initially, I had concerns about whether the 3D/2N tour would be too long and would we get bored ? This was far from the case. Unicharm offer a great itinerary, everything ran so smoothly and to time with the help of our tour guide, Quang Quack. Quang was very professional and offered a lot of good information. At all times, he took great care of all his guests. Unfortunately, my husband slipped on rocks whilst getting back into the kayak and sliced his foot. This meant he wasn't able to participate in the hike on Day 2 or bike ride around the village on Day 3. After our hike, my husband was able to join us for the lunch on Cat Ba Island and participate in the rest of the afternoon activities. For the village bike ride, Quang arranged a motorbike so my husband could join the tour and ride on the back of the bike with Quang. On our return to our hotel in Hanoi, I'd left my jacket on the bus. Quang went out of his way to return the jacket to our hotel reception. We couldn't ask for better service. Thank you Quang and Unicharm :)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Barbara & Claire

Review Date: 07 Nov 2025

Review Body: From the start till the end, the experience was FANTASTIC! We were picked up at our hotel in the Old Quarter by our guide, Tiger. Tiger has done a fantastic job. He had a lot of energy and kept informing us about the program throughout our 2 days. He gave us a lot of information about Vietnam, its people, its culture, its way of living. Not only have we discovered beautiful places, we also learned a lot. UniCharm's specificity is that they brought us to a less touristic route in the Halong Bay area. As mentioned by Tiger, tourists don't like to see tourists around. We could enjoy beautiful sceneries without having other tourists' boats around us. The boat was perfect. The staff was very attentive to satisfy all our needs. Everyone always had a big smile to give. On the first day, we went canoeing for 2 hours...practically all alone with the other guests of the boat. Beautiful feeling. Amazing landscape! The 2nd day, early in the morning, we went cycling and that gave us another view of how Vietnamese people are living on an island. We definitely recommend UniCharm for the great organization of the whole experience, for Tiger, who was an amazing tour guide, for the nice and very special route we had the chance to take at Halong Bay: from the pick up at our hotel till the return to our hotel, we enjoyed every minutes of it! THANK YOU!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Pierre-Marc

Review Date: 30 Dec 2019

Review Body: My girlfriend and I travelled with Unicharm Cruise following a recommendation from a friend and further to our trip, we would definitely recommend to friends travelling to Vietnam! The whole experience was really smooth, from the pickup and drop off from our hotel in Hanoi, to great drivers to get us safely to Lan Ha Bay, as well as very modern and comfortable cabin on the boat, excellent food on-board and on the island, plus great outdoor activities (kayaking at sunset, swimming, trekking, early morning bike tour, etc.) - all of which were included as part of this cruise. Unicharm boat was really well suited with its comfortable cabin, modern restaurant setting both indoor and outdoor, outside terrace and bar plus a sun deck on top of the boat to enjoy the view of the bay. In addition, there were numerous staff members on board to ensure a successful stay, they were all really gentle, thoughtful and professional! We would particularly like to thank, Hieu, our guide who was extremely kind, attentive and joyful, he definitively improved our stay with Unicharm Cruise! Thank you so much Hieu! Finally, we've heard that Ha Long Bay could be very crowded and be quite touristic sometime, however we did not feel that way on this cruise as we were anchored around Cat Ba Island in the same rock formations which were amazing to cruise through!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jarryd M

Review Date: 04 Nov 2019

Review Body: Went with my family on the Unicharm 3 days/2 nights cruise and I was at a loss for words. Amazing location, stunning food and an unforgettable experience. The cruise ship itself is superb - new, spacious and comfortable. The rooms are relaxing and there are various spots on the cruise to just have a drink and enjoy the scenery. The location itself is far away from too much activity so you don't have to worry about the waters being packed with other ships and ruining the scenery. The scene around is beyond words and the activities that allow you to explore the waters and surrounding islands are perfect. The food was on another level - the bbq was delicious with a large variety for any taste ranging from vegetarian dishes to fresh seafood and standard bbq glory. All the food was well-prepared and fresh as could be. You will never go hungry. The best part of the entire experience were the friendly staff around the ship and behind the bar who were always helpful and smiling. They make you feel at home and are happy to assist you whenever you need. Our tour guide Hi was exceptional - funny and full of charisma. He really added to the overall experience. The trip overall was a great value for money and wouldn't consider doing this trip through anyone else. Highly recommended and will 100% do it again. Don't miss out on this gem.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: zoukgal

Review Date: 27 Nov 2019

Review Body: everything exceeded expectations. room - beautifully designed, and spacius room with a really nice bathroom. the window opens up for an unobstructed view of the sea and its many limestone islands. itinerary - well spaced and interesting activities planned out. they're optional so you can choose to remain on the boat to enjoy the scenery and take it easy if relaxation's what you're after. conversely, lots of activities to keep you busy if you're the adventurous type. boat - spacious boat with a really nice dining area, 2 bars, and a sky deck for you to lounge and enjoy the view. travel guide - ours was a very charming lad named Hi. he made sure we're well taken care of and took time to share information on local culture and attractions. he was a bit sick but still jumped in the water to swim during kayaking to ensure all the guests had a good time. service crew - all very friendly and helpful. very good service. food - amazing spread daily. top notch menu. ate too much for my own good here. :D route - their route is unique. less packed. ergo, more peace and quite. no loud music from neighbouring party boats. and a nicer view of course. that's why we go there right?

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sue M

Review Date: 07 Feb 2020

Review Body: We were a group of 7. Booking and communication was excellent. We were picked up promptly from our hotel. The trip didn't seem too long as it is broken up by a quick coffee stop, a ferry crossing and a beautiful drive on Cat Ba Island. The coach was full, so around 24 people on the boat which I think is pretty much the maximum. But at no point did it feel crowded. Quite the opposite, there was so much space in the bar, restaurant and sun deck, so it felt quite peaceful and exclusive. We opted for the one night stay and enjoyed all the activities. The cabins were lovely, and it was great to wake up to the views in the bay. The food was all good and the drinks and cocktail selection was great. Quang was our guide, he was fun and engaging and he looked after us really well. I was so pleased that we picked Unicharm. Leaving from Cat Ba Island meant avoiding all the chaos. Also I saw no pollution in the area we were sailing in. The weather wasn't too good for us, quite cold and dull, but nothing could take away the beauty of this place. I would not hesitate in recommending Unicharm to anyone going to Halong Bay.

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Today you will cruise to enjoy the spectacular seascapes of the bay via a unique route

Itinerary Description: Morning: Pick-up from hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter between 07:40 - 08:15 3-hour drive to Ha Long City through the Red River Delta. Please note that the shared transfer may include 1–2 short roadside stops along the way for restroom breaks, coffee/snacks, or a quick stretch. These stops are usually at roadside shops, but there is no pressure or obligation to buy anything. Arrival at Tuan Chau Island wharf at 11:30 Welcome drink and room assignment on the boat Afternoon: Lunch served on Unicharm cruise (vegetarian or vegan options available) Cruise through Ha Long Bay, passing by ThienCung cave, Dau Go cave, fighting cock stones, Cap Bai islet, Finger Islet, etc. Unique route continues to Lan Ha Bay for kayaking and swimming Exploration of hidden route with sights like Dark and Light cave, Frog lagoon, Ba Trai Dao beach, Stick islet, Buddhist statue stone, etc. Visit fishing villages in narrow lanes of karst mountains, interact with fishermen Kayak through a tunnel grotto to a stunning lagoon (depending on tide) Enjoy sunset over the crystal bay Evening: Dinner and overnight stay on the peaceful bay Optional squid fishing for those seeking tranquility Enjoy a peaceful night on the bay

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Experience Sunrise, Bike Ride, Trek, Cave Visit, Beach Swim, Dinner, Fishing in Lan Ha Bay

Itinerary Description: Morning: Experience a spectacular sunrise on the sun deck at 6:00 AM Enjoy a light breakfast from 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM Board a tender ship at 7:10 AM to Cat Ba Island's Viet Hai dock Take a 30-minute bike ride on shaded paths to Viet Hai village Visit a local house to learn about the daily life of the people and the island school Return to Unicharm cruise and take a local boat ride through Lan Ha Bay, passing fishing villages Drive to the central park for trekking Moderate trek to Ngu Lam Peak for panoramic views of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay, and Halong Bay Visit Hospital cave or Trung Trang cave Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant Afternoon: Visit Cannon fort, an old battle base, for historical relics and views of Lan Ha Bay Walk along the cliff path from Cat Co 1 to Cat Co 3 for breathtaking landscapes Swim at Cat Co 3 beach for relaxation Return to the cruise by boat Optional kayaking or swimming activities Evening: Dinner served on the boat deck Fishing activity available at night Enjoy another peaceful night on the bay

Itinerary Day 3

Itinerary Summary: Today you will relaxing on board or swimming on the bay

Itinerary Description: Morning: Enjoy breakfast while witnessing the dawn over the bay (6:30 AM - 8:00 AM) Optional activities like kayaking or swimming from the cruise Relax on board, swim in the bay, or enjoy the natural surroundings on the sundeck Check out at 10:30 AM and cruise on a different route amidst numerous limestone islands and islets Capture memorable photos and savor a delicious brunch on the cruise Arrive back at Halong dock at 12:00 PM Afternoon: Disembark at 12:10 PM and bid farewell to Halong Bay Return to Hanoi by vehicle Estimated arrival in Hanoi between 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM Drop-off at Unicharm office or your hotel in the Old Quarter