Oriental Sails Overview
At a glance
Why choose Oriental Sails?
- Built 2009, refurbished 0
- Budget Cruises, Junk Boat Cruises travel styles
- Capacity for up to 0 guests
The Oriental Sails cruise ship provides a traditional Vietnamese wooden vessel experience in Halong Bay, offering comfortable accommodations and a range of activities for budget-conscious travelers.
Oriental Sails: A Traditional Halong Bay Experience
The Oriental Sails, part of the Oriental Sails Group, launched in 2009 as a distinguished 3-star wooden vessel. Designed to reflect classic Vietnamese aesthetics, this ship offers a charming and budget-friendly way to explore the stunning landscapes of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. With 18 cabins, the vessel provides a cozy and intimate setting for guests.
Design and Atmosphere
The ship's interior and exterior showcase traditional wooden decor, creating an authentic ambiance that complements the natural beauty of the bay. While embracing its heritage, Oriental Sails also integrates essential amenities to ensure a comfortable journey. The vessel is structured across three decks: a lower deck primarily housing cabins and a kitchen area, an upper deck featuring additional cabins, the main bar, and the restaurant, and a sundeck on the rooftop.
Cabin Experience
Guest accommodations on board are crafted to international standards, featuring rich wooden furnishings. Each cabin includes large windows, allowing guests to take in the spectacular Halong Bay scenery directly from their room. The design emphasizes comfort and a connection to the surrounding environment.
Dining and Social Spaces
The onboard restaurant serves a variety of freshly caught local seafood and other Vietnamese delicacies, providing a delightful culinary journey. The dining atmosphere, enhanced by quiet waters and expansive views of the islands, creates memorable meal times. Adjacent to the restaurant, a bar offers a selection of beverages. The sundeck serves as a popular communal area, perfect for sunbathing, sightseeing, or enjoying cocktails while observing the sunset over Halong Bay.
Activities and Facilities
Throughout the voyage, guests can engage in various activities tailored to their itinerary, from exploring magnificent caves and kayaking through serene lagoons with local guides to participating in Tai Chi sessions at dawn. The ship's facilities are designed for relaxation and enjoyment, ensuring a well-rounded cruise experience.
Based on 146 reviews, Oriental Sails has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5. Guests appreciate the ship's traditional wooden design and comfortable, well-appointed cabins, particularly those on the lower deck suitable for families. The culinary experience, featuring local seafood and Vietnamese cuisine, is highly praised for its quality and inviting atmosphere. However, some feedback indicates that the ship's exterior and interior show signs of wear and tear, suggesting a need for refurbishment. Minor concerns include inconsistent bathroom ventilation, limited cabin WiFi, and occasional challenges with staff English proficiency. The itinerary is generally well-received for its activities like kayaking and cave exploration, though some visitors found the schedule to be quite busy.
Cabin Types
Most popular
Deluxe Cabin
Free cancellation, All board - meals included
Deluxe Cabin 2 pax
Routes & Itinerary Comparison
Compare the published programs below. Stops and timings may change with weather, port authority instructions and the selected departure.
| Program | Duration | Route | Next departure | From |
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Cruise Programs
No programs match the selected filters.
Clear filtersDining & Facilities
- Restaurant and Bar: Serving fresh local seafood and Vietnamese dishes.
- Sundeck: An open rooftop area for sunbathing, sightseeing, and enjoying cocktails.
- Golden Bar: A dedicated bar area with friendly staff.
- Shared Sitting Space: Areas for guests to relax and socialize.
- Business Center and Conference Spaces: Available for business travelers.
- Kitchen Area: Located on the lower deck.
- Restaurant and Bar: Serving fresh local seafood and Vietnamese dishes.
- Sundeck: An open rooftop area for sunbathing, sightseeing, and enjoying cocktails.
- Golden Bar: A dedicated bar area with friendly staff.
- Shared Sitting Space: Areas for guests to relax and socialize.
- Business Center and Conference Spaces: Available for business travelers.
- Kitchen Area: Located on the lower deck.
Oriental Sails offers a focus on Vietnamese seafood dishes and other local delicacies throughout the voyage. Meals are served at set times: breakfast from 7:00–8:00, lunch at 13:00, and dinner at 19:00.
While the cruise includes specified meals, all other beverages from the bar incur a surcharge based on the menu. Each cabin is provided with two complimentary bottles of water daily, and guests receive welcome drinks upon checking in.
- Explore stunning caves within Halong Bay.
- Paddle a kayak or bamboo boat through peaceful lagoons with a local guide.
- Participate in a morning Tai Chi exercise session on the sundeck.
- Swim in the bay's tranquil waters.
- Enjoy soft hiking on the limestone formations.
- Relax and sunbathe on the ship's deck.
- Attend a culinary class focusing on food decoration.
- Engage in evening squid fishing with the crew.
- Enjoy karaoke sessions.
Before You Book
Who this cruise suits
Budget Cruises, Junk Boat Cruises
Embarkation & transfers
Departure details: Halong International Cruise Port – No 9 Halong, Bai Chay, Quang Ninh City.
Read transportation detailsWeather & special requests
Routes can change for safety or port-authority instructions. Tell us about mobility, dietary or celebration requirements before booking.
Review cancellation termsNot included
- Transfer service between Hanoi and Halong (available for booking separately).
- Travel insurance.
- Personal expenses, including all drinks from the bar.
- Tips and gratuities for staff.
- Barbecue on the beach (if applicable, may incur extra cost).
Booking Policies
- Transfer service between Hanoi and Halong (available for booking separately).
- Travel insurance.
- Personal expenses, including all drinks from the bar.
- Tips and gratuities for staff.
- Barbecue on the beach (if applicable, may incur extra cost).
- A deposit is required to confirm your booking.
- Cancellations are subject to specific terms outlined in the cancellation policy.
- Children's policies vary by age and occupancy; please refer to the detailed children's policy.
- Surcharges apply for bookings on Christmas (24/12), New Year (31/12), and Lunar New Year’s Eve.
- Cancellations made more than 21 days before check-in: No charge.
- Cancellations made 11 to 20 days before check-in: 30% of total rates charged.
- Cancellations made 7 to 10 days before check-in: 50% of total rates charged.
- Cancellations made less than 7 days before check-in or in case of no-show: 100% of total rates charged.
- In case of cancellation due to bad weather by Halong Bay Management Board:
- Before departure from Hanoi (no services used): 100% refund.
- During the trip (some services used, e.g., transfer, lunch, day trip, hotel in Halong): Used services will be charged, and the remaining amount will be refunded.
- If a 2-night trip is reduced to 1 night: Guests will be charged for a 2-day/1-night trip plus any other used services, and the remainder will be refunded.
- The final refund cost will be confirmed by your consultant. Contact directly for urgent assistance.
- Children under 6 years old: Free of charge when sharing all services with parents. A second child in this age group will incur a compulsory service charge and insurance fee of $5 USD.
- Children aged 6 to 11 years old: Charged at 75% of the adult price.
- Two children under 11 years old requiring a separate room: Charged at 80% of the cabin rate.
Oriental Sails provides a shuttle bus service that departs daily from Hanoi city center between 8:00 and 8:30. The journey to Halong International Cruise Port (No 9 Halong, Bai Chay, Quang Ninh City) takes approximately 3.5 hours each way, including a brief stop. Private car transfers are also available upon request.
For guests arranging their own transportation, please ensure arrival at the Halong International Cruise Port to meet your guide and board the Oriental Sails before 11:30 - 12:00.
Guest Reviews
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| Operator | Oriental Sails |
| Cruise Line | Oriental Sails |
| Ship Type | Budget |
| Built Year | 2009 |
| Refurbished | 0 |
| Cabins | 18 |
| Passengers | 0 |
| Home Port | Halong International Cruise Port – No 9 Halong, Bai Chay, Quang Ninh City |
