Red River sunset cruise offers new weekend escape in Hanoi

THE HANOI TIMES — Operated by Thang Long GTC JSC, the 90-minute luxury boat ride runs from 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. every Saturday, offering a fresh weekend attraction for both locals and international travelers. 

From the deck, Hanoi’s daily life on the river meets the glow of dusk, creating a cinematic backdrop.

As the boat leaves the wharf, traffic noise fades and the river scene takes over. Children play on the sandy banks, fishermen cast nets and cargo barges cut through the water.

Travelers lean on the rails with cameras ready, capturing the rhythm of the capital from a new angle.

The cruise passes under the Chuong Duong Bridge before reaching Long Bien Bridge, built in 1902 and still in use after wartime damage. The steel structure glows orange in the sunset.

On board, the atmosphere feels more like a rooftop lounge than a lecture. Soft jazz plays while staff serve cocktails, fruit, and local snacks.

Groups of Australian friends laugh as they toast their drinks, while a French couple quietly takes photograph of the skyline changing colors.

The diversity of passengers adds to the vibe, with expats mingling alongside backpackers and families from Hanoi sharing tables with visitors from Europe and Asia.

Travel blogger Bich Tran described the cruise as a rare blend of old and new.

“This is a must-try activity in Hanoi, giving travelers a perspectives where nostalgia and modern life meet,” she said.

For Hang Le, a 45-year-old Hanoian, the cruise taps into something the city has long overlooked. 

“The tour makes use of a riverbank full of history, which has not been explored much for tourism before. I joined as soon as it opened,” she noted.

The Red River itself tells a quieter story, known as the lifeline of the North that has shaped Hanoi’s history for centuries. From the deck, travelers see how life along the river remains deeply traditional.

Fishermen steer their wooden boats in silence, women wash vegetables on the banks, and temple roofs peek out from behind clusters of bamboo.

For many visitors used to neon-lit riverside tours in Bangkok or Singapore, this unfiltered daily life is the most memorable part.

Every cruise builds toward its climax at sunset. As the boat slows near Long Bien Bridge, the river reflects in shades of gold, orange, and deep crimson.

Conversations fade as passengers raise their phones, but for a moment even the cameras go quiet. The silence is filled with awe, turning strangers into companions sharing the same unforgettable scene.

Scenic lounge corner on the Red River Sunset Cruise with Nhat Tan Bridge glowing at dusk. While the scenery is the main draw, the service keeps the mood high throughout the trip.

Staff move quietly among passengers, refilling glasses, sharing local snacks, and answering questions about Hanoi’s bridges and riverside life. Children receive juice and cookies, while couples are offered champagne flutes for sunset toasts.

Some evenings bring special surprises that deepen the experience. On festival weekends, traditional musicians perform as lanterns drift from the riverbank during the Mid-Autumn Festival, drawing applause and quiet smiles alike.

By 6.00 p.m, the boat glides back toward Chuong Duong Do Wharf as the first city lights flicker on the water. Passengers step ashore with photos on their phones but a calm that lasts beyond the images.

For Hanoians, the cruise feels like reclaiming a forgotten part of their city. For foreign visitors, it reveals a Hanoi that is softer, more human and more cinematic in its own way.

The Red River Sunset Cruise offers a cinematic backdrop from start to finish. From parking at the wharf to watching the last light fade behind Long Bien Bridge, every detail is designed to make the city look new again.

For travelers seeking both beauty and authenticity, there may be no better way to meet Hanoi at dusk.