Bhaya Cruises is expanding its seasonal programme in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay with new wellness-focused sailings and cultural experiences
The cruise operator is positioning its Bhaya Soul and The Au Co vessels for travellers seeking to combine a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site with relaxation, wellness activities and encounters with local culture.
Wellness voyages aboard Bhaya Soul
The boutique vessel Bhaya Soul, which accommodates guests in 20 suites, will host a series of dedicated wellness programmes in October and November. The concept combines cruising through Ha Long Bay with activities designed around relaxation and physical well-being.
Two Sound Bath Experience sessions are scheduled for October 12 and 29, using handpan and crystal singing bowls as part of guided relaxation sessions. Yoga and Ocean Breathwork programmes will follow on November 11 and 21, combining movement and breathing exercises with the natural setting of the bay.
Regular sailings also include wellness elements drawing on Vietnamese traditions, including herbal foot rituals and treatments using local herbs. Guests can also participate in workshops such as the preparation of herbal eye sachets.
The vessel features private terraces and bay-view bathtubs in its cabins, while onboard facilities include spaces dedicated to relaxation and wellness.
Ha Long Bay journey can be combined with Hoi An
Bhaya Cruises is also linking its Ha Long Bay programme with another Vietnamese tourism destination. Guests booking a two-night Bhaya Soul voyage can currently combine the cruise with a one-night stay at Namia River Retreat in Hoi An.
The package is designed to create a broader wellness itinerary across Vietnam rather than treating the Ha Long Bay cruise as a standalone experience. Prices start at US$789 per person and include limousine transfers between Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. The offer is valid for reservations and travel until October 31, 2026.
Cultural experiences aboard The Au Co
The Au Co takes a different approach, focusing more strongly on cultural immersion and multi-generational travel. Its extended itineraries include visits to Cua Van Floating Village as well as kayaking excursions through Ha Long Bay’s limestone karst landscape.
Weekly activities introduce passengers to elements of Vietnamese culture through workshops such as traditional Nón lá hat painting, bamboo mask drawing and Trôi cake making.
The vessel combines these activities with conventional upscale cruise facilities, including ocean-view cabins, a spa and an open-air Jacuzzi deck.
Special programmes planned for Christmas and New Year
Both vessels will also operate special programmes over Christmas and New Year. These sailings will combine their regular itineraries with gala dinners and onboard celebrations.
The seasonal expansion reflects a broader trend in tourism towards trips that combine destination experiences with wellness, relaxation and cultural activities. Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s best-known international attractions, provides Bhaya Cruises with a setting in which these different travel segments can be integrated into multi-day itineraries.
Image Credit: © Bhaya Cruises
