Some moments can only be experienced after nightfall.

As the final rays of sunlight disappear behind the limestone karsts, Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay gradually take on an entirely different beauty. The water becomes calmer, the lights from the surrounding cruises shimmer across the bay, and the atmosphere slows to a rhythm of its own.

This is also when one of the most anticipated evening experiences begins: night squid fishing.

You do not need to be an experienced angler or even have tried fishing before. On board Indochine Cruise, Indochine Premium and Indochine Grand, the activity is designed for everyone to enjoy, from families with young children and groups of friends to couples and international travellers discovering Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay for the first time.

The real pleasure of squid fishing is not measured by how many squid you catch.

It lies in the experience of standing together on the sundeck beneath a star-filled sky, quietly lowering your fishing line into the clear water and waiting with anticipation. Some guests patiently watch for the slightest movement on the surface, while others burst into laughter when a squid finally takes the bait. Some may not catch anything at all, yet still end the evening with countless stories to share.

Squid fishing is an everyday part of life for local fishing communities. However, when experienced against the magnificent backdrop of Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, it becomes something truly special.

After dinner, once the cruise has anchored in a peaceful area, the crew prepares all the necessary equipment, including fishing rods and artificial lures, before guiding guests through each step. Even those who have never held a fishing rod before can quickly become familiar with the technique within just a few minutes.

The lights from the cruise attract squid closer to the surface. All you need to do is wait patiently and enjoy the refreshing night air out on the bay. With a little luck, after only a few attempts, your first catch may appear to the cheers of your family or friends.

That moment always brings a very special kind of joy.

It is not about whether the squid is large or small, but about the feeling of becoming part of life on the bay and taking part in an activity that has been closely connected to Ha Long’s fishing communities for generations.

For many international travellers, night squid fishing is also one of the most authentic local experiences of the entire journey. Rather than simply admiring the scenery from a distance, guests have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rhythm of coastal life, listen to fascinating stories from the crew and discover a very different side of Ha Long Bay after dark.

Autumn and winter, particularly from October to February, are considered ideal seasons for night squid fishing. The cooler weather, clear skies and calm waters create pleasant conditions for an evening on the bay. However, the activity is available on most overnight itineraries whenever weather conditions permit, giving guests another opportunity to create a memorable moment during their voyage.

Night-time on board the Indochine Cruise Collection offers much more than squid fishing. It is also a chance for guests to embrace their own preferred pace of relaxation. Some enjoy a cocktail at the Sky Lounge, others admire the starry sky from the sundeck, while families gather together and eagerly wait to see who will claim the evening’s first catch.

Perhaps this is why night squid fishing remains one of the most popular experiences on board Indochine Cruise, Indochine Premium and Indochine Grand.

It requires no elaborate preparation and no previous experience, yet it has the power to transform an ordinary evening on the bay into an unforgettable memory.

Sometimes, what makes a journey truly memorable is not a famous destination or a busy itinerary, but the simplest of moments: standing amid the stillness of the sea and sky, a fishing rod in your hand, the bay sparkling with reflected lights before you and your loved ones smiling behind you as they wait in anticipation.

It is an evening that feels unmistakably Ha Long.

And it is an experience made truly complete when enjoyed within the refined, private and inspiring surroundings of the Indochine Cruise Collection.