Discover Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay: 5th Must-Visit Destination on Your Southeast Asia Adventure

65/100 | The Overhyped “Little Guilin” of Vietnam

-Overview-
Conclusion: Not a must-visit, the scenery and experience itself is worth 60, with service added, I would give it at most 65. It’s a place you can go or skip. Similar to Guilin (which is not far from here).
If you want to go, a one-day tour from Hanoi is enough, 2-3 days are unnecessary.

-Tour Booking-
You can ask for prices at any travel agency on the street. Online recommendations suggest 5v5 Travel (a small agency near Hoan Kiem Lake), which has relatively cheaper prices. The cheapest one-day tour is 250 yuan, and the boss is very enthusiastic. You can just go there directly; find the address on Google. You can also book tours with other nearby agencies, as they are all agents for different companies and packages.

The 250 yuan package is the cheapest from this agency. It is recommended to add 10 yuan to choose the second package, which is provided by Dragon King, with better boats and experiences. There’s no need to pay more, as the activities are the same, only the boat and food differ.
Includes: Pick-up and drop-off in the city center to the bus / round-trip bus to Halong Bay port / cruise / Western lunch shared by six people / evening snacks / three disembarkation activities and required tickets.

-Itinerary-
Pick-up is around 8:30 AM (must be in the city center, they will contact you in advance) and take a 3-hour bus ride to the Halong Bay port to board the boat. From 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, you will be on the boat or on the islands. You will start eating soon after boarding, try to avoid sitting with Indians (remember this).

Activity ①: Hiking to see the view / swimming at the beach at the foot of the mountain ★★★
Choose one, 45 minutes is only enough for one activity. The hike is steep and tiring, but the view from the top is quite nice (P1). The water is hot and dirty (feedback from foreigners, P8).

Activity ②: Bamboo rafting or kayaking ★★
Bamboo rafts are paddled by someone, while kayaks are self-paddled. You might get wet and even capsize (P12-13). You go through a cave (P10-11) and come back, the whole trip is only a few hundred meters and takes about 20 minutes. The bamboo raft experience is average, and it’s actually a wooden boat. Kayaking is more fun.

Activity ③: Visiting a cave on an island ★★★
The cave is large, with many natural stalactites. You need to climb up and down, and it’s quite beautiful inside.

Return to the boat before 5 PM, head back to the port, and arrive at the shore at 6 PM. Return to Hanoi by bus, arriving around 9 PM, and then be dropped off at your hotel.

Compared to the boats lined up at the dock, you can see that the boats from this company are more luxurious. From the guide to the staff on the boat, they treat you like a VIP, which adds points.

-Tips-
1. **Halong Bay – Kayaking Adventure**: Don’t miss the chance to explore the stunning Ha Long Bay by kayak. Paddling through the emerald waters and weaving between the towering limestone cliffs is an unforgettable experience.

2. **Beverage Service After Lunch**: Following your meal, the server will promptly offer you a selection of drinks. While they may not mention it, these beverages are not included in your package and come with a hefty price tag. Be prepared for a surprise bill before you disembark. The only complimentary drink is the tea served at the beginning, which feels like a bit of a setup.

3. **Avoiding Unpleasant Encounters**: Throughout your journey, it’s advisable to keep a distance from any disruptive groups, such as certain tourists who might be overly aggressive or pushy. This can help ensure a more peaceful and enjoyable trip.

4. **Transportation to Halong Bay**: The 3-hour bus ride from Hanoi to the port of Halong Bay includes a stop each way for rest and meals. This break is a great opportunity to stretch your legs, grab a snack, and prepare for the next part of your adventure.

5. **Cave Photography**: When you visit the cave, friendly staff will take photos for you free of charge. They will provide you with a photo badge, and if you wish, you can pay an additional fee to have the photo framed as a keepsake.