Ylang, the latest member of Heritage Line’s ship collection in Lan Ha Bay, features a splendid blend of Asian-Vietnamese design with French-Colonial accents. This ancient flair of Indochina emanates throughout the vessel with a delicate floral leitmotif inspired by local poetry and related to the four seasons of the year. Local artisans contributed to Ylang’s decoration with hand-crafted paintings and artwork using various materials and techniques. All suites are dedicated to a particular blossom which typically represents a season in Vietnam. All this creates an inimitable sense of bliss and an exceptional abode at sea.
Ylang has only ten spacious suites on two decks – each room is flooded with natural light pouring in through floor-to-ceiling panoramic doors which open onto a private balcony. What makes Ylang unique, is her expansive spa with its extensive selection of thoughtfully selected treatments. The focus on wellness lives on in the more dynamic activities such as yoga in a dedicated room, or early morning Tai Chi lessons on the upper deck.
Day 1: Hanoi - Tuan Chau – Cat Ba National Park – Lan Ha Bay Mooring Point
- After meeting at Heritage Line’s welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina, we take a quick speedboat transfer to your luxurious floating home before starting our unique journey of exploring one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main island of Cat Ba. The first highlight of the cruise is lunch, which we serve in Ginger’s nearly 360-degree light-flooded restaurant. Our live cooking in the open kitchen is a one of a kind experience – enjoy the culinary display along with fantastic panoramic views of the passing scenery. Relax on the terrace deck or on your private balcony and soak in the enchanting aura which emanates from the surreal seascape. While we cruise along in the early afternoon, there is time to enjoy some unique facilities on board. Take a plunge in the pool with infinity-like vistas or get pampered with a selection of fine treatments and massages in spa area of the ship.
- As we reach the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, we hop on bicycles (e-cart transfers are also available) for a leisure pedaling along small paved roads towards the Viet Hai village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by think forest and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island’s other villages and towns. The only access is via sea. The community is self-sufficient, as the residents provide for themselves by cultivating vegetables and fruits in the next door fields, growing rice of cause in the valley, and go fishing out in the bay. This is truly unique and authentic opportunity to meet local inhabitants and experience their local daily life. We have a glimpse of local households, see how they make medicine organically from a tree bark and we can also try various homemade liquors.
- Back on board, and during the time we sailing northbound again, our chef invitees for an interactive cooking class in the restaurant’s big open kitchen. Learn about local ingredients as well as the preparation of classic Vietnamese dishes. You are warmly invited to lend a hand. As the sun sets, we arrive at our tranquil anchor spot for the night. Kick bank and let reveal in your mind’s eye today’s adventures as night falls gently over the bay. After a delicious dinner, you may like to unwind at our bar with a digestif or watch a movie in the cinema which is set up in the dining area later on. Or join our team and have some fun fishing for squid before retiring to your room.
Day 2: Lan Ha Bay - Tuan Chau - Hanoi
- Wake up early and join our Tai Chi session on the terrace deck to ease your mind and muscles with the first rays of the sun touching the water. Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries await in the dining room to start the day. It is time for Heritage Line Ginger to lift her anchors and cruise to a place called “Frog Lake”, a secluded area which is perfect for our energetic morning excursion. Go for a refreshing swim in the bay or explore this captivating marine landscape via kayak. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through this labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks and vivid tree-topped islets.
- Back on board, we serve a hearty breakfast while cruising back to our off-shore embarkation spot, from where we transfer you back to the welcome lounge at the pier by your speed boat. Savour the last moments of this unique journey while relaxing on comfy sun beds on the terrace deck.
Day 1: Hanoi - Tuan Chau – Viet Hai – Lan Ha Bay Mooring Point
- After meeting at Heritage Line’s welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina, we take a quick speedboat transfer to your luxurious floating home before starting our unique journey of exploring one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main island of Cat Ba. The first highlight of the cruise is lunch, which is served in Ylang’s nearly 360-degree light-flooded, elegant restaurant. Enjoy a fine menu of tasty local, international or vegetarian dishes freshly prepared by our culinary team. Relax on the terrace deck or on your private balcony and soak in the enchanting aura which emanates from the surreal seascape. While we cruise along in the early afternoon, there is time to enjoy the ship’s vast wellness and spa offerings. Choose your favourite treatment from an extensive spa menu, or take a plunge in the pool with infinity-like vistas.
- As we reach the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, we hop on bicycles (e-cart transfers are also available) for a leisure pedaling along small paved roads towards the Viet Hai village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by think forest and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island’s other villages and towns. The only access is via sea. The community is self-sufficient, as the residents provide for themselves by cultivating vegetables and fruits in the next door fields, growing rice of cause in the valley, and go fishing out in the bay. This is truly unique and authentic opportunity to meet local inhabitants and experience their local daily life. We have a glimpse of local households, see how they make medicine organically from a tree bark and we can also try various homemade liquors.
- Back on board, we are sailing a little bit to find an exclusive and undisturbed parking spot for the overnight mooring in the midst of southern Lan Ha Bay. Join an optional tea tasting lesson in the restaurant to learn about Vietnam’s traditional herbal teas and gain insight into their health benefits. Alternatively, get pampered with a spa treatment or take a sauna session in Ylang’s fantastic spa facilities. We can also provide you with a foot massage in the privacy of your suite. For dinner, you can choose assorted dishes from the delectable multiple course menu. After dining, we offer in the wellness studio a guided “singing bowl meditation”. This is an ancient Tibetan ritual which intends to invoke a deep state of relaxation – it alleviates stress and promotes a better night of sleep. You can also opt for one of the best ways to spend the evening by just taking a seat under the stars on the terrace deck or on your balcony to embrace the serenity of this surreal landscape. Or if you would like to fully immerse yourself in relaxation, our spa is open until late.
Day 2: Lan Ha Bay Mooring Point – Ben Beo – Cat Ba National Park – Lan Ha Bay Mooring Point
- Wake up early and have a coffee, tea or a pastry prepared in the restaurant before joining our Tai Chi session on the terrace deck. A great experience to ease your mind and muscles with the first rays of the sun touching the water. Afterwards you can re-energize from our wide selection of healthy or hearty breakfast offerings. Meanwhile, Ylang sails towards the very southern tip of Cat Ba Island. Here, we take our tender and visit one of a last remaining real authentic floating fishing villages, not far outside of the town of Ben Beo on the main island. This fishing village is home to approx. 300 families living in floating houses and making their living from fishing and aquaculture, much like their ancestors did. Get a close view of how the villagers live and work on the water in this unique community. We continue towards Ben Beo Pier, go ashore and travel a short distance along scenic island roads into the Cat Ba National Park. We like invite you for a leisurely and mindful walk (taking the same path both ways) through this lush, jungle-like forest to get a somewhat a feeling of this tropical island. Cat Ba National Park is designated as a biosphere reserve and hosts over 1,500 plant species, 78 avian, 20 reptilian and 32 mammalian species including deer, macaques and civets. Guests who would like to skip the light trekking, we bring back to the ship to enjoy Ylang’s facilities in the meantime.
- Once all back on board lunch is served, and the luxury Ylang resumes sailing northeast through the stony maze of Lan Ha Bay. Eventually we reach a secluded spot in the bay which will be the basis for our afternoon activities. Ylang will anchor here and we offer our guests an afternoon of “at-your-own-choice”. Our tender is available to commute between a wonderful natural island beach for relaxing or swimming. Kayaks are available as well to explore the calm area on your own. A snacks and drink station is set up on the beach if you get thirsty or need a bite to eat. Guests who like to stay on the ship, or those prefer to return from the beach, can enjoy from a treatment from our spa menu, or use the steam bath or sauna as complimentary available wellness facilities. Enjoy this afternoon the fullest as the clock is not ticking and take back home long-lasting memories from Lan Ha Bay.
- As the sun sets the ship is sailing further north to find is overnight mooring for the last night. Enjoy your last multi-course dinner in the ambient restaurant. We offering another guided “Singing Bowl Meditation” tonight to join optional, or simply unwind on your private balcony while taking in the tranquility of Lan Ha Bay.
Day 3: Lan Ha Bay Mooring Point – Tuan Chau - Hanoi
- Wake up early and join our Tai Chi session on the terrace deck to ease your mind and muscles with the first rays of the sun touching the water. A traditional Vietnamese coffee, tea and breakfast pastries await in the dining room to start the day. It is time for Heritage Line Ylang to lift her anchors and cruise to a place called “Frog Lake”, a secluded area which is perfect for our energetic morning excursion. Go for a refreshing swim in the bay or explore this captivating marine landscape via kayak. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through this labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks and vivid tree-topped islets.
- Back on board, we serve a hearty breakfast while cruising back to our off-shore embarkation spot, from where we transfer you back to the welcome lounge at the pier by your speed boat. Savour the last moments of this unique journey while relaxing on comfy sun beds on the terrace deck.
Overall rating
4.3 / 5
based on 7 reviews
Review summary
- Cruise condition/Cleanliness
4.3 / 5
- Room comfort/Standard
4.4 / 5
- Staff Performance
4.1 / 5
-
Food/Dining
4.3 / 5
- Service Quality
4.4 / 5
- Value for money
4.1 / 5
Can’t go wrong with these guys!
I wasn’t so sure this cruise was such a good idea – if it’s this touristy and crowded, can it still be something I’m going to like? It was all that and much more. The bay itself is beyond spectacular, but I was almost equally impressed with the quality of service they provide on board of Ylang Cruises. Excellent dining, wonderful rooms, nice choice of additional activities – but you’re also free just to laze about and spend the entire afternoon in an armchair on your private balcony, a drink in your hand! Really wonderful.
Ben Evans
United Kingdom
Travelled as Single
3 Days 2 Nights
December 29, 2019
Great choice for a holiday with kids
If you’re looking for a cruise to keep your kids entertained for two days, look no further than Ylang Cruise! We were all delighted with the cruise, our three boys included. It’s hard not to be happy when you’re swimming or kayaking in a bay this beautiful! Hats off to these guys, what they deliver is really something special. I will recommend them to all of my friends and family, it’s really worth every penny you spend on it.
Cynthia Ramirez
United States
Travelled as Family
3 Days 2 Nights
November 18, 2019
Perfect !
It was the first time that I organized a trip for my parents (and not the other way around) so I was quite anxious to get everything right. Of course I needn’t have worried – all the staff of our Ylang Cruise made this task very easy and smooth for me. My parents especially enjoyed the kayaking trip, which came as a bit of a surprise to me! All in all, we had a fantastic time and we can easily recommend this cruise to anyone wondering whether to book with them or not.
Sandra Larsson
Sweden
Travelled as Family
3 Days 2 Nights
October 20, 2019
A honeymoon for the ages!
The cruise was really just perfect, especially that it was our honeymoon! We were impressed how everything was so well organized and well timed – all the meals, additional attractions like kayaking and swimming. We can definitely recommend it to anyone!
Ariane Gobert
France
Travelled as Couple
3 Days 2 Nights
September 17, 2019
Splendid !
There’s virtually nothing we’d change about that cruise. We were picked up straight from our hotel, which we thought was very convenient, and then we received treatment fit for a king when we arrived on the ship. Perfect meals served in an elegant restaurant with panoramic windows. A spacious room with a private balcony. Wonderful all-around, highly recommended!
Teddy O'Neill
Ireland
Travelled as Couple
3 Days 2 Nights
August 1, 2019
Top quality cruise !
We took some time to choose a cruise which we thought suited our needs best – and we made the right choice, apparently. We were really impressed with the ship’s itinerary, the cuisine on board and all the additional trips and attractions. Biking was especially pleasant, but we also enjoyed doing Tai Chi early in the morning, with the sun rising in front of us. Recommended!
Ji-hun Shin
South Korea
Travelled as Group
3 Days 2 Nights
June 22, 2019
As good as it gets!
This was all we had hoped for. Everything organized to the perfection – all the meals and attractions, and really nice rooms with panoramic windows. 5 stars if you ask me!
Akito Noguchi
Japan
Travelled as Group
3 Days 2 Nights
May 10, 2019
