Being one of the natural wonders of the world, Halong Bay is a definitely must-visit if you are planning a trip to Hanoi. It makes for a comfortable 3d2n getaway, or if you do not have enough time to spare, just a day trip from Hanoi is also possible. However, bear in mind that it takes about 3h to get from Hanoi to Halong city, factoring in the heavy traffic that chokes up the roads heading out of the capital.

starting point of our overnight cruise

Halong Bay is the perfect getaway to sooth jangled nerves and let the serene surroundings of karst formations (limestone caves) take your breath away. You would be sailing on an old junk, so do not expect too much as the promotional pictures shown to you by the agents are always deceiving. I think almost all the cruises are the same, so do not be tricked by the sweet talk of how one cruise is more luxurious over the other. During my voyage on the junk ship, one of our friend’s room had an air-conditioning malfunction, so they had to sweat it out in the humid weather. The service staff were kind enough to provide them extra fans in the room, but it only alleviated the situation a little. Luckily the air-con issue was resolved the next day.

The ship meanders gently through the bay around some 3000 limestone islets that rise from the emerald waters. Halong Bay is a Unesco World Heritage Site, famous for its scenic beaches, grottos and caves. During the day, we could go kayaking around the caves and also had a shore excursion to the caves. The one thing that I did not enjoy was that the caves were lit by artificial lights in rainbow colours, spoiling its natural facade. Be prepared to jostle with the crowd for photos and scenic spots inside the caves. There were also floating fishing villages dotted around Halong Bay and as part of the kayaking tour, we were brought to these floating villages where the people tried to sell us handicrafts and drinks, the typical touristy tour. Well, support these local people if you feel like buying something or if you are feeling thirsty.

entrance to the caves

why must they shine lights on the limestone formation inside the caves?

exhilarating jump from the ship into the waters

On our ship (Halong Party), we were brought to a private beach one evening. The daring ones had fun jumping off the top of the ship (about four storeys high) into the turquoise waters of the bay, before swimming to the beach as the ship could not enter the shallower waters in case it ran aground. There were also other activities duirng sailing periods to keep us occupied. For example, we learnt how to make simple Vietnamese dishes such as the fried Vietnamese spring rolls. At night, some locals who had brought along their own catch, shared with us their delicious crabs. It was the interaction among fellow passengers that helped us tide time away and also forged new friendships.

learning how to make Vietnamese spring rolls

forging new friendships with the passengers

There are also extended tours to Cat Ba island, which makes up the southeastern edge of Halong Bay. It is less touristy over there and most people only join the 2d1n overnight cruise to the main sites in Halong Bay. Overall, it was an amazing side trip from Hanoi because we were rewarded with the most splendid sunrises and sunsets every day while sailing through the bay. It was like a seductress who reveals yet another facet of her allure.