My partner and I left the chaos of Hanoi for Tuần Châu Harbor in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. At the dedicated departure lounge, we sipped tea with real ginger and picked a scent to personalize our room (I chose rosemary orange). A Chinese violin crooned as we stepped aboard the 20-cabin, four‑deck cruise ship for two days over the Tet holiday.
TIME included Bhaya Soul in its 2026 “World’s Greatest Places” list, highlighting the wellness-focused overnight cruise for its luxury cabins, mindfulness offerings, healthy, multi-course meals, complementary massages, and a guided meditation under the stars. Select 2026 sailings incorporate ocean breathwork and sound healing sessions led by internationally trained practitioners. The journey to wellness begins the moment the boat leaves the dock.
Wellness-Focused Design and Cabins
The cruise ship cuts a path past towering karst outcroppings tinged with pale orange, with patches of green-brown scrub. The elegant, floor-to‑ceiling‑windowed restaurant is designed in hues of sea blue that mirror the colors of Halong Bay. This palette carries throughout the ship’s four decks and into the luxury suites.
From the privacy of my terrace, I watched Halong Bay’s gorgeous scenery drift past, signaling the time to unwind. Here you can take a bath with a bay view, indulge in 24-hour in-suite dining, or enjoy tailored spa treatments and massages.
A Dedicated Wellness Area
The Bhaya Soul cruise includes a dedicated wellness area that feels intentionally separate from the rest of the ship, a quiet refuge shaped by soft lighting, herbal aromas, and the steady rhythm of the Bay outside. All guests get a complimentary 10-minute herbal foot ritual and a 30‑minute head‑shoulder‑foot treatment.
Also available are guided meditation, detox beverages, and nature-inspired therapies. Nearby meditation spaces invite stillness. I joined a guided walking meditation at the sacred Tiên Ông Cave, part of Bhaya Soul’s wellness programming. After my foot treatment, I made my way to dinner.
Modern Vietnamese Gastronomy
On Bhaya Soul, no detail is too small. Before lunch, all staff stand in line to be introduced, each in light blue tunics, the women with matching headbands. Dinner is an elegant five-course affair. The menu offers healthy choices in line with the theme of wellbeing. As chef Nguyen Hoang Long says, “Wellness on Bhaya Soul is rooted in our garden‑to‑table concepts.” According to Long, this is achieved through fresh and local sourcing, nutritional balance, and sustainability.
The herbed pumpkin soup with ocean clams was thick and creamy. My main course, herb‑grilled lobster zucchini roll with black risotto, was a mix of textures; the creamy, slightly sweet risotto complemented the savory, succulent lobster. The crème brûlée was artfully served in a ceramic egg. After dinner, a sleep‑well meditation session helped us to wind down beneath the stars.
Visiting Cua Van Floating Village
We glided by the Cua Van Floating Village, the oldest and largest in Halong Bay. A few years ago, the fishermen and their families moved to dry land. The village remains intact, with many multicolored, one-room wooden houses balanced over the water. It offers a glimpse into the past of a community that once lived entirely on the Bay, protected by the rocky mountains.
Kayaking on Halong Bay
I’d been dreaming of kayaking on Halong Bay for a few months. The experience was surreal. I was one of a handful of guests at water level. My gaze went to the narrow strips of beach, underneath the limestone outcroppings.
Conclusion
Bhaya Soul is an excellent choice for travelers who want to avoid the crowds in one of Vietnam’s most visited landscapes. Wellness is integrated in every aspect of each voyage from sunrise meditations to nature-inspired therapies, inviting you to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover balance. The two-day cruise goes beyond sightseeing to offer a meaningful pause and a sense of calm.
Let’s Chat:
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