This is Asia’s most spectacular and evocative seascape. The Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay Cruises are a must-do on any Vietnam holiday. Ignore anyone telling you to avoid them due to the crowds – they either haven’t been or didn’t go on the right boat. We have been returning to the bay year after year and the authorities are trying to clear up the waters and keep large crowds of boats away from each other. There is also a threat that in the next few years cruising on the bay overnight will be stopped, therefore now is definitely the time to go!
Steeped in myth, ‘Ha Long’ translates as ‘descending dragon’ and legend holds that the islets were created by a dragon’s lashing tail. In fact Halong Bay was formed as a result of millions of years of erosion on the limestone rocks and when the last ice age finished the seas rose as the glaciers melted, flooding the entire area and transforming the peaks into the islands we see today. There are nearly 3,000 of these limestone karsts and islands of various sizes and shapes, covering an area in excess of 600 square miles. Because of their precipitous nature, most are uninhabited and untouched by man, hiding peculiar grottos and caves often with huge chambers and strange rock formations. The surrounding turquoise waters play host to a great diversity of ecosystems including offshore coral reefs, freshwater swamp forests, mangrove forests, small freshwater lakes and sandy beaches. Whole families live in easily visited floating villages.
The newly opened highway linking Hai Phong to Hanoi allows a shorter 2 hour transfer from the city and gives access to some of our favourite cruises around Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. This area is far quieter than Ha Long Bay and also features some of the best boats on offer. Speak to one of our consultants for the current offerings as we also get some fantastic specials throughout the year.
We strongly advise that you avoid trying to make this into a day tour – a ferociously early start and 7 hours on the road isn’t an ideal way to spend your holiday time. A better way to appreciate this magical scene is by overnight boat, making for a more leisurely cruise amongst these karst cliffs. The best boats are very comfortable and professionally operated – the worst provide mediocre and often unsafe conditions for budget travellers.
In good weather (best months are from October to March), an overnight cruise on Halong Bay is an unforgettable experience. Sunset on the bay is a delight and the early morning mist is timelessly atmospheric.
