The kissing rocks, also called Hon Ga Troi (Fighting Cocks), picture by
tamlynallison.
More pictures.See the locations of Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay on
Halong Bay Google MapRead background about the Karst and Caves of Ha Long Bay by
Speleogenesis. Halong Bay is a Unesco World Heritage Site, read
more
You have to choose and get some help here
Everybody goes to Halong Bay, more than 2.5 millions of people every year, so there are crowds of tourists in some places. And there are many operators of tours and some of them specialized on rip off: not delivering good quality. That's why I collected reviews of guests, who have been to Halong Bay. And that's why you find three categories in this blog:
- Good reviews
- Critical reviews
- No reviews
Some tipps:
- Don't await to see brown, red or black ships as you see on many pictures: the provincial
authorities have ordered all the owners to paint their ships in white. Read about this:
Where have all the colours of Halong Bay gone?
- Don't look for the cheapest tours, the risk is high, that the service and the safety are cheap too
- Ask the tour seller: how old is the boat?
- Check, if the boat has glass windows - boats with wood windows are older. Newer boats have hammers to break the glass
- Check, if Kayaking or the transfer from Hanoi to Halong is included in the package, check if lifewests for Kayaking are included
- Check, if the route goes to Bai Tu Long Bay, which is less crowded than Halong Bay
- Check the weather, before you start. If storms are forcasted, you should not go. In September 2009 five people died, as a brand new tourist boat sank (
read more). Be aware, that the tour operater might not have an insurance, so take care, you have one yourself
- When going on board: ask for the security instruction. Check, where the lifewests are
- If you are not an experienced swimmer, take care, there can be streams in the water, may be the way back to the ship is much harder than the way away from the ship, there can also be jellyfish
- If you are not experienced in kayaking, don't go alone but with somebody who is experienced. Especially inside the caves there can be streams difficult to manage.
- Read, how
cupidwithoutarrows compares the junks
Good reviewsBai Tho Junk: View blog by
Stefan Daiberl and see pictures by
tamlynallison and
GaryGS1. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com by
kimw,
Actregular Traveller and
Travelling Tart.
Before boarding
Bai Tho Junk
Top deck
Dining room
More bay
All pictures by tamlynallison Stop at the beach of Ti Top island
Bhaya Cruises: Three days/two nights for two from 700 USD. The Bhaya is a new boat with an ancient history. It has been rebuilt after drawings of a junk, who was used by the Vietnamese Emperor Khai Dinh (1885-1925, read the
full story). "Great experience", comments
alicejlille, "perfect", notes
Air Journey. Also
Drew amd Liz liked the trip and
Gipsy Lemonade was not only fond of the "elaborate lunch buffet" on board. In Vung Vieng floating village you change for a moment to sampans rowed by "incredibly strong" women, as
Sam and David report, who show a lot of pictures of the trip. There is also a pearl farm to visit. See the detailed
itineraries.
Bhaya Classic
Picture David McKelveyPicture andreakwPicture David McKelveyBhaya Spirit
Emeraude Classic Cruises: A steamer. "You wont ever be more spoiled than on the Emeraude. We had the time of our lives", comments
tressophis. Read
Naysay's report about the trip and see pictures. And
Michael L. Grace knows the history of Emeraude.
Picture robertlafond2009 Emeraude
Emeraude
Picture sega10028Emeraude Deck.
Luxury Cruise Collection: 3 days two nights for two from 664 USD. Read review of Hanoi Ginger by
frommers.com. Good review by
Anantara.
Gretchen 2.0 notes, that she was transferred to amother, not so nice boat on the second day.
Picture David McKelveyHalong Ginger
Picture David McKelveyHalong Ginger
Picture The Exo Guy Halong Jasmine
Halong Jasmine
Huy Hoang: See pictures and read about the experience by
Photodiary of a Nomand and
Alan Shih at sea and
Tar chittarath and by
Karen and Matt. See picture of
Huy Hoang Boat Huy Hoang
Indochina Sails and Valentine: Good reviews on
tripadvisor.com.
Anniejet was "totally satisfied".
Bobw2046 had a "5 star time". Read also "A day on Halong Bay" with a lot of pictures by
Mattandjean.
Picture txfiddlechickIndochina Sails
Picture txfiddlechickDeluxe cabin
Lagoon Explorer: Tropical Sails Co. LTD, wo ran The Lagoon Explorer, has been merged into Indochina Junk. There are tours to Halong Bay but also to Quan Lan Island (
itineraries).
Trawelwolrd23 notes, that Lagoon Explorer 1 is the older boat and Lagoon Explorer 2 more comfortable. "Intimate boat", comments Kirby 319 on
tripadvisor.com, good review by
Alicie Green. "The two lunches and one dinner were all epic events", remembers
Brady.
Johnandjustine enjoyed it too. See picture by
BrianMcMorrow and by
Brady.
Picture tallphilLagoon Explorer
Picture Kurt JPinta: 3 days two nights for two from 408 USD. Pinta Gold has been taken out of traffic by an inspector for security reasons on 20 november 2009. The author of this blog was on board, when this happened. You can read the story
here and with pictures in this
blog. The author does not know, if its operating again. See
itineraries of Pinta Gold Cruiser. Read how
Vaax enjoyed the trip with Pinta Cruiser, and so did
Jacky on Pinta Gold Cruiser. "Great guide", "gorgeous deck"(sunlounges with white covers), "dinner was just as yummy as lunch and every time we thought that was the last dish they would bring more out", adds
Chez N Andys, who critizises the mattress in the bedroom as too hard. "They served gourmet, had tons of fruits on board", notes
Culinary Conquests. And
Erin and Jeff were fond of the ten-course-dinner served on a beach. Good reviews on
tripadvisor.comPicture BrandonPinta Gold Cruiser
The deck
Prince: 3 days two nights for two for 530 USD.
Itinerary. You don't have to change to another boat on the third day. Good reviews on
tripadvisor.com and
here. "We were looked after so well", write
Dane adn Dave. "The crew was great on our boat and treated us well", adds
KuchtaWorld.
Picture Indochina Travel NewsPrince
Critical reviewsDream Voyage: This boat had a bad accident with 12 tourists dead in February 2011. Read
How the dream turned to a nightmare on Halong Bay. Before this accident you could find reviews like theese: "A bit dowdy, with cracked and lifting deckplanks, broken wicker benches, erratic lighting and air conditioning; poor food and expensive drinks", comments Jeremy Hay on
Inkspot. Good review by
Trizzyb. But "Boat in bad condition", found
WicNYC, "dont use this bout", is the advise of
whizzyjayne.
Picture quack2121
Dream Voyage
No reviewsHai Long Dream: 3 days two nights for two from 460 USD.
Eveline & Noel liked it.
Binh Minh: See pictures by
BrianMcMorrwow
Trinh Vu: See pictures and read about the experience by
Photodiary of a Nomand
Read more about attractions near Halong Bay
Bai Tu Long Bay
Islands, caves and more in Lan Ha Bay
Quan Lan Island
Co To Island
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This is a very useful blog entry for people who want to visit Halong Bay.
ReplyDeleteIf you love Halong Bay, please vote for it to be one of new natural seven wonders on this site: http://www.new7wonders.com/community/en/new7wonders/new7wonders_of_nature/voting
A very tragical accident caoused 12 deaths on February 17 2011. The junk "Truong Hai 06" QN 5198, owned by Truong Hai Co. Ltd., sank in the night, when the tourists were sleeping. 12 persons did not survive, others could be saved. The tour was arranged by Hanoi-based Queen Tourism Service Co. Ltd.. Read more on http://english.thesaigontimes.vn/Home/society/nation/15279/
ReplyDeleteA very detailed report on the tragical accidend:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.570news.com/news/world/article/185678--tour-boat-s-safety-questioned-before-it-sank-in-vietnam-s-ha-long-bay-12-from-9-nations-die
We are dying to go to Halong Bay, Amazing! This is the photo of it that is in our dreams: http://goo.gl/tluUM. Are there any cruises that are more child friendly?
ReplyDeleteamazing post. and such nice pictures shared. this place looks so amazing. i really liked it. thanks for the share. and keep sharing more.
ReplyDeleteYacht Charter Dubai
Those ships look amazing. If I have the chance, I am really going to save money to try it. The scenery and the islands look gorgeous. It is similar to the trip we had in dolphins oban but the weather here is warm and good.
ReplyDeleteVery nice post for Ha Long and I like it.
ReplyDeletehalong bay junk
Your blog is amazing! thank you so much for your creative inspirations and thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNice post and picture.
ReplyDeleteWe offer service transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay only 79$ /04 seat. Read the reviews on tripadvisor.com and booking with us.
Have a nice day (^_^)