Vietnam: Ha Long Bay Cruise

A trip to Vietnam will not be complete without a visit to Ha Long Bay.  Ha Long Bay is located in Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam.  The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and islands of various shapes and sizes.  In 1994, it was listed as among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.  Recently, it was named as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

The last itinerary on our Vietnam trip was a half-day cruise in Ha Long Bay.  The previous day, I booked a tour at the Sinh Tourist office in Hanoi.  A half-day cruise costs US$ 30 (approximately Php 1,200.00).  The package includes transportation to and from your hotel in Hanoi, lunch, entrance fees, and tour guides.

The tour bus fetched us at our hotel at around 8 o’clock in the morning.  We were 15 in the tour. Travel time from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.  The roads were in excellent condition.  At around 10 o’clock in the morning, our tour bus stopped by Ruby Souvenir Shop.  There are a lot of nice souvenir items in Ruby but they are all expensive.  You can get the same items in Hanoi for half the price.  After 30 minutes of shopping, we proceeded to Ha Long Bay.

We arrived at the port at around 12 noon.  The weather was still cloudy (since a storm just hit Central Vietnam two days ago).  Our guide bought us tickets and assisted us to our junk.  I was a bit disappointed with our junk since it does not look like a traditional junk with beautiful sails posted in various websites.  Anyway, we no longer have a choice, maybe you only get what you pay for.  The boat sailed off as soon as the last passenger boarded.

 

At the port, waiting for our tickets

Our gateway to Ha Long Bay.

Our boat looks like one of those...

The sun began to rise as soon as we sailed.  Lunch was likewise served.  The food, consisting of fish, vegetables, and chicken was superb.  After lunch, all of us went to the viewing deck to see one of God’s greatest creations.  The limestone karsts are stunning! Just do not mind the water. 

Approaching the karsts...

Waiting for lunch...

Our boat docked at a floating village near the center of the bay to give opportunity for tourists to kayak along the bay.  Our family did not join the others as we opted to rest in our boat.  We proceeded with the cruise after an hour.

As we approach the floating village...

Nice scenery at the floating village...

Tourists waiting for their kayaks/mini-boats...

And off they go...

Stunning scenery...

Beautiful...

While on our way back to the shore, we made a side trip to Dau Go cave.  The cave contains hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites.  You will immediately notice that the authorities placed artificial lights on the cave.  I do not know their reason but I think the lights were placed there to give a more “touristy” ambience to visitors. 

Our guide explaining the rules inside the cave...

First time to be in a cave with artificial lights...

In a way, the lights give life to the caves...

Nice color combo!

Sunset at Ha Long Bay...

We arrived at the port at around 5 o’clock in the afternoon.  We arrived in Hanoi at around 8:30 pm, just in time to catch our midnight flight to Manila.  I recommend people to visit Ha Long Bay.  Cruising around the bay is a wonderful experience.  Besides, Ha Long Bay would neither be a UNESCO World Heritage Site nor a Wonder of Nature for nothing!