Ginger Cruise

Welcome on board with heritage line through the serene waters of Lan Ha bay, the unknown extension of Halong bay. Lan Ha bay stretches almost all around the eastern coast line - from the northern to the southern tip - of Cat Ba island, which is the largest island in this area. Discover with us the wondrous scenery of quiet waters dotted with limestone pillars and tiny islets cladded with forest vegetation rising from the emerald sea of the gulf of Tonkin. Lan Ha bay, a unique world heritage.

08:00-08:30 Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi (extra transfer service can be booked in the next step).

Your luxurious floating home sets sail around noontime. Enjoy a welcome drink upon boarding while being acquainted with the facilities on board during the welcome briefing. We start our unique journey of exploring one of the new wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay. We enjoy lunch in Ginger’s light-flooded dining room offering panoramic views of the passing scenery. Along the cruise we can see an ancient lighthouse, built by the French over 100 years ago. We head deeper and further south into the maze of Lan Ha Bay. Lan Ha Bay is actually a part of Halong Bay which was just recently opened to the public. Relax on the sun deck and soak in the aura of the fascinating scenery that emanates from the surreal seascape.

During this cruising time there is enough time to enjoy our onboard activities. Take a plunge in the pool or let us pamper you with a selection of fine treatments and massages in our large Lady Ginger spa. We reach the landing spot of Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island where we hop on bikes (electric car available) for an active tour along small paved roads towards a village nestled in a valley. Meet and greet local inhabitants doing their daily work, see their homes and the village school.

Back on board, our chef is ready and prepared for an interactive cooking class in the open kitchen at the restaurant. Learn about local ingredients, preparation and cooking of particular dishes to imitate easily at home. We arrive at a tranquil anchor spot for the night. A hidden place to reminisce on the day’s adventures and enjoy cocktails under the stars. Dinner is served in the dining room. You may like to hang out at our bar after with a digestif or pay a visit to the evening cinema which is set up in the dining area. Kick back with your favourite drink in probably the most unusual cinema you have ever visited. Or - have some fun with our team joining them for squid fishing before retiring to your room. Overnight on boat. 

Wake up early and join our Tai Chi session on the sun deck to ease mind and muscles with the first rays of the sun touching the water.

Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries await you in the dining room to start the new day. Ginger anchors up and we cruise to Frog Lake, a secluded spot which is perfect for our morning excursion. In kayaks or swimming we enjoy a close encounter and discovery of the bay. Paddling through the dreamlike landscape with tree-topped islands, you will feel a sense of freedom and harmony with nature that you have never experienced before.

Back on board a hearty breakfast is served in the dining room as we cruise back to the pier where we arrive around 11 o’clock in the morning. Savor the last cruise moments of this unique journey relaxing on comfy sun beds on the terrace deck. We hope you enjoyed cruising with us in the Hidden World of Lan Ha Bay. End of the cruise at noon and transfer back to Hanoi. 
16:00-16:30 Arrive to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel. End of the trip. 

Welcome to the serene waters of Lan Ha Bay, a rather unknown extension of the world’s famous UNESCO site Halong Bay. Lan Ha Bay stretches almost all around the eastern and southern coast line of Cat Ba Island, which is the largest island in the Gulf of Tonkin in North Vietnam. Sail aboard the belle Ylang to discover the wonderful natural sceneries, experience the local life by bicycle, visit a remote floating fishing village deep in the bay, and enjoy a leisurely hiking tour in Cat Ba’s National Park. Above all, indulge in Ylang’s lifestyle & wellness theme onboard with extensive spa offerings and healthy food options.

08:00-08:30 Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi (extra transfer service can be booked in the next step).
Your luxurious floating home sets sail around noontime. We greet you with a refreshing welcome drink upon boarding while we acquaint you with the facilities and procedures of our Heritage Line ship - Ylang.
As our unique journey begins, lunch is served in the brilliant dining room on the terrace deck offering panoramic views of the passing scenery. We pass an ancient lighthouse built by the French more than a century ago. While heading deeper and further south into the maze of Lan Ha Bay, you can enjoy the activities offered onboard - take a plunge in the pool, have a taste of our signature beverages at the bar, or settle into relaxing bliss with a fine treatment or massage available in our expansive Ylang Spa.
Our first anchorage spot is a local pier at southern Cat Ba Island which is the entry point for a visit to a charming village named “Viet Hai”. We hop on bicycles (or electric cars) for a scenic exploration along small paved pathways, which meander through the lush tropical forest towards the village nestled in the valley. Meet and interact with the local inhabitants doing their daily work around their homes or gardens and get to know the life of this remote area where time seems to stand still.
Back on board, we set sail to at a tranquil place for our overnight mooring. Our chef will serve a multi-course dinner and afterwards you may join fellow passengers for a movie night in the dining room or join our crew fishing for squids.
Perhaps you might want to take a seat under the stars on the terrace deck or your private balcony to embrace the serenity of this surreal landscape. For those who like to fully immerse themselves in relaxation, our spa is open till late. Overnigth on boat. 

For those who wake with the sun, coffee, tea, and pastries are offered. To get the full wellness experience from Ylang, a Tai Chi session is held on the sun deck to ease mind and muscles with the first rays of daylight. Otherwise, you can sign up for a guided yoga class in our dedicated yoga room.
Once energized, breakfast is served in the dining room or in your suite before we set off to visit one of the few remaining local floating fishing villages. Get a close up view of how the families live and work on the water in their unique community.
We continue to the shore and travel a short distance along scenic island roads to Cat Ba National Park. A leisurely hiking tour brings you close to the elements of this lush national park with its jungle nature. Learn more about the endemic flora and fauna and the island itself as Northern Vietnam’s largest island in the Gulf of Tonkin.
During lunch, Ylang continues to sail through the bay to a secluded cove. The afternoon is free to choose from: you may like to swim and sunbath on a natural beach, or join a kayak tour – or a bit of both, or just kick-back on board and treat yourself to our wide selection of wellness offerings.
After dinner feel free to join a Q&A session with interesting insights about both Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay or simply kickback on your private balcony experiencing its natural splendor. Overnight on boat.

Start early again with a tasty traditional Vietnamese coffee, of which we hope will become part of your future morning routine
to remember this special place on earth. Join for another open air session of Tai Chi or take part in some Yoga indoors.
Ylang moors this morning, offering our guests some time to kayak or a refreshing early morning swim from the ships convenient platform. Take these final moments to fully merge with the scenery of the bay before Ylang gently glides back to its harbor.
Whilst we pass back through Lan Hay Bay towards the pier, we serve a hearty breakfast, and leave you time to relax on the deck day-dreaming before we have to say our final goodbyes. 
End of the cruise at noon and transfer back to Hanoi. 
16:00-16:30 Arrive to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel. End of the trip.