🚨 Don’t Waste Money: Ha Long Bay Cruise Disappointment Revealed

Adding a trip to Halong Bay during the Spring Festival, I booked a 2-day 1-night Venus Cruise, and I’m here to share my experience. Ladies, pay close attention!

🚢 Facilities
▶︎ The waiting area before boarding was a letdown—dirty and noisy.
The journey from Hanoi took about 2.5 hours. Upon arrival, we were directed to what they called a “lodge,” which turned out to be a dilapidated little house next to the dock. Everything except water came with a price tag, and at that point, I was already contemplating turning back.

▶︎ Outdated facilities
The room amenities were shockingly outdated. Some sockets were loose, and the faint water stains on the floor-to-ceiling windows were a major disappointment.
▶︎ The advertised open-air swimming pool + gym
In reality, it was just a large water basin on the deck, and the so-called gym consisted of one elliptical machine and one treadmill on a patch of artificial grass.

🍽️ Dining
▶︎ The dinner was marketed as a “seafood feast”
Unfortunately, it was a collection of frozen, pre-made dishes that reeked of the fridge, served with painfully slow and inattentive service.
▶︎ All drinks came with an extra charge, and there was even a corkage fee for bringing your own alcohol.

⚠️ Hidden pitfalls
1️⃣ Any cave in China is better
The cave exploration included in the cruise was a short boat ride into a small cave where you could see the exit as soon as you entered. Really?
2️⃣ Extremely limited activities on the ship
Apart from the cave tour, the ship offered evening swimming, night fishing, and a village tour the next morning. These activities were as thrilling as they sound—boring and uneventful.

✅ Survival guide
If you still want to see Halong Bay, opt for a day cruise instead.
Alternatively, consider a trip to Guilin. It’s accessible by high-speed train, visa-free, and for the same price, you can stay in a luxurious five-star hotel. Isn’t that a better deal?

Finally, my Vietnam adventure has come to an end. Next, I’ll be sharing my travel guide to Spain, so stay tuned!