Halong Bay
Halong Bay, in North Vietnam, is unquestionably Vietnam’s most popular tourist attraction, and for good reason. Halong Bay is regarded as one of the most stunning natural settings in the world, therefore a Halong Bay cruise is a “must-do” for many tourists.
Consider the emerald green ocean dotted with around 1,600 little limestone islets scattered across the bay. The area also has several caves, lagoons, bays, and small beaches, both natural and manmade.
Halong Bay is naturally on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and it was just declared one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, making it one of Vietnam’s most popular attractions.
When you look into the choices for a mini-cruise in Halong Bay, you’ll quickly realize that the options are as many as the number of islands that rise out of the sea in various sizes and odd shapes. It can be tough to pick because there are so many aspects to consider, including pricing, routes, cuisine, service, and time.
In essence, the view of the spectacular natural landscape is the same whether you book a 2-star or 6-star cruise, but the similarity ends between the inexpensive “low-budget” option and the somewhat more expensive middle alternative. Given that most individuals only see Halong Bay once in their lives, the argument must be that one of the world’s seven natural marvels is better appreciated from a sofa than from a bench.
Pakkerejser med Halong Bay
Fra: $1.895 / per person v. min. 2 pers.
- 15 dage
- Feb-Nov
På denne rejse vil du opleve: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, Hoi An, Mekong Delta og Ho Chi Minh City
Fra: $1.495 / per person v. min. 2 pers.
- 15 dage
- Hele året
På denne rejse vil du opleve: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, Mekong Delta og Phu Quoc
Fra: $1.995 / per person v. min. 2 pers.
- 15 dage
- Hele året
På denne rejse vil du opleve: Hanoi, Hanoi City tur, Halong Bay, Mai Chau og Badeferie i Hoi An
Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, or Lan Ha Bay?
Although Halong Bay is the most well-known, Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay are nearby. The two bays have become increasingly prominent as Halong has grown in popularity. This is, of course, due to the large number of tourists that wish to see the famous larger brother Halong Bay.
Bai Tu Long Bay
Bai Tu Long Bay is located north of Halong and features similar limestone structures, but it is less popular than both Halong and Lan Ha.
Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay, located south of Halong, includes Cat Ba Island, home of the Cat Ba National Park. Cat Ba is well known for backpackers, however there are a few exclusive resorts that couples and families like visiting.
Lan Ha also has lovely limestone formations, and I’m not sure you can tell the difference unless you see photographs of specific rocks or caves and go there specifically to see them. However, the largest cave, Sung Sot, is located in Halong.
You can choose to see “the real thing” Halong Bay, the less touristic Bad Tu Long Bay, or Lan Ha Bay, which includes the island of Cat Ba.
We are pleased to answer your inquiries and advise you on which bay is ideal for you and your companions.
The following considerations should be studied before picking your cruise:
What can you expect from a sailing excursion on Halong Bay?
The boat will constantly provide you with a view of the stunning limestone formations. You may enjoy the view from your hotel, the restaurant, or the sun deck on the boat. Most also state that you may go quite close to the ocean and rocks in a kayak. Most people’s plans include a visit to one or more caves.
The size of the caverns might vary significantly. The biggest and most popular is the Sung Sot cave. Most cruises allow you to fish for squid in the evenings using a bamboo fishing rod. Most offer a demonstration of how to create spring rolls; do not confuse this with a culinary instruction, though some include it in their materials.
What’s included in the price?
All excursions include everything except alcohol. You shouldn’t be surprised that drinks are much more expensive on the boat than on the shore. On the boat, you buy beverages at the restaurant, and the excess drinks frequently account for a major portion of the staff’ salaries.
Meals, one bottle of water per room, minibus transportation to and from Hanoi/Halong, cave visits, and all admission costs are always included (on our cruises).
Choose a Halong Bay cruise that is within your budget?
There are tours ranging in price from $60 USD to several hundreds. It goes without saying that the price you pay determines the ship’s decor, service, and food. Vietnam Travel does not necessarily recommend the cheapest vacations that travelers choose. The accommodations are cramped, the cuisine is subpar, and the ships are frequently dirty.
Furthermore, it should be noted that these cruises can be boisterous, with “happy hour”, colored lights, and karaoke singing late into the night. However, we feel that sacrificing a bit more money for the trip will result in a substantially better experience.
How much time would you like to spend in Halong Bay?
The cruises typically offer one, two, or three days on the bay. The one-day tour involves around 4 hours of sailing and 2×4 hours of transportation from Hanoi. As a result, you spend twice as much time on the bus as you do on the boat, and we recommend that you stay at least two days to get the most out of the trip while avoiding stress.
In addition to the wonderful scenery and a variety of enjoyable activities, the two-day excursion allows you to rest in the cabin, on the sun deck, or at the bar. The 3-day cruise is appreciated by individuals who want to participate in a variety of activities while also valuing the stress-relieving environment on board. This tour provides numerous opportunities to immerse yourself in new experiences.
Should you book with a travel agency or do it yourself?
If you want to book your trip yourself, you must first familiarize yourself with the bus schedule to Halong Bay, which requires at least one bus change. When you arrive at the dock, you will need to choose between the many offers from various travel agents, which can be difficult and frustrating. Of course, everybody offers money and verdant trees. If, on the other hand, you book with a reputable travel company, you may be confident that some of the issues of transportation and ship selection will be handled by people who are familiar with the various cruises. Vietnam Travel has been transporting tourists to Halong Bay for several years, and we have been on the great majority of cruises ourselves and know what we are talking about.
What facilities and services should I/we search for?
Most cruises provide the same amenities and services. However, a 4-star tour offers far better value for money than a 2-star tour. The food is significantly superior, the cleaning is impeccable, the cabins are larger – possibly with a balcony – and the restrooms are both larger and better, frequently complemented with a jacuzzi. The staff speaks better English, and the guide is more sensitive to any queries or expectations you may have.
How is the safety in Halong Bay?
To begin, a mini-cruise in Halong, Bai Tu Long, and Lan Ha Bay is relatively secure.
Companies have various criteria for life jackets and the amount of passengers on board. If there is a storm, the government will not hesitate to close the bay and force all boats to remain in port. There is no risk in terms of safety.
Over the years, a few boats have gone down. What they have in common is that they have all been on the low end of the price spectrum.
Does it matter the path the ship takes?
The many firms have their own routes, and because the harbor is so large, the heavy traffic is mainly seen while leaving and arriving at the dock. Along the journey, there are activities such as visiting caverns, bathing on the beach or from a boat, and visiting one of the floating villages (which are usually only supported by cruise ships).
Tourists want to experience the authentic, and floating villages play an essential role in this regard. However, one fact remains: if cruise ships did not come by, there would be no settlements. Additional activities include a visit to a pearl farm and canoeing.
Weather at Halong Bay: Does the season matter?
Halong Bay never closes, and tours may be booked all year. During the summer, from May to August, you may encounter a rainstorm, but this does not have to ruin the experience. If you choose the winter season (December and January), it will be colder (15-20 degrees), and you may not require sunscreen, as swimming is unlikely to be included in the schedule.
On the other hand, there is virtually no rain. From February to April, the weather is dry and the scorching heat has not yet set hold. This is the most popular time of year to visit Halong Bay. The chance of rain is lower in the autumn, from September to November, however the bay may be closed to tourists on occasion due to a storm.
How can I travel to Halong Bay?
There are various methods to reach Halong. You can order a bus to transport you to Halong or Cat Ba. If you wish to take a cruise, you will have to choose from a variety of options, and the price will not be lower than if you booked your trip from Hanoi. All of our programs include transportation from Hanoi and back at the end of the tour.
Having said that, your trip can be put together in an endless number of ways, so maybe you need to be taken to the airport after Halong, or maybe you need to be picked up at the train station and driven to Halong- then it is our responsibility to plan it so that everything works together as a larger unit.
Program
- 2 & 3 days
- Private tour
- HaLong Bay
There are roughly 500 boats in Halong Bay.
As a result, it might be difficult to determine which option is ideal for you.
As a result, we encourage you to contact us using the form provided below, and we will work with you to determine which cruise best meets your preferences and needs.
You may also find a list of the cruises we frequently employ for our guests here: List of Halong Bay Cruises