Travel Answers

I'm travelling to Vietnam alone in the spring and would like to go on a junk boat cruise for a few days. I was wondering if it matter which junk boat trip I should take? Also is it better to book ahead of time online?

Thank you ahead of time for any recommendations!

Hi There, We complete our halong bay cruise on the 28.04.13 and will then fly to Da Nang for the next leg of our honeymoon. My question is as follow: would we be better to travel back to hanoi and fly from there to Da Nang, or else travel the shorter distance to Cat Bi Airport and fly from there to Dan Nang? we can get the 18.00 flight from Hanoi arrive Da nang @ 19.15 or the 16.30 from Cat Bi arrrice danang 18.15. Any opinions on using cat bi airport would be greatly appreciated particularly in relation to getting taxis from halong bay to there, facilities at the airport (its looks pretty basic), safety, other western opinions/experiences of using it, and also its its affected by fog/weather at this time of year? All help and opinions would be great as we dont particularly want to spend 4 hours going back to hanoi airport if there is an easier way!

Hi guys! Im gonna do a trip to halong bay for 2 days 1 night. I heard of Halong Santa Maria from TA but not much infor about it. Is it good to do with it? I need family suite . Wait for your helps. Thanks

Hong Kong - Guilin - Yanhshuo - Halong BayPosted: Mon December 24, 2012 04:29 PM CET Hi! I'm thinking of combining Guilin and Halong Bay for a three-week trip next July/August. Intend to fly in to Hong Kong (spend a few days there first) and out of Hanoi. I've been told this is quite doable, but would be very interested in hearing from anyone who has travelled in this area. I'd like to spend quite a bit of time in Guilin and the rice terraces (Longji & Jinkeng) to soak up the atmosphere, and also go on a river cruise for a few days in Guilin and perhaps a junk overnight in Halong. Can anyone give me some insider tips, i.e. places to stay, how to travel (train, car/driver). Our budget is middle of the road. Thanks so much for any info!

During our coming holiday in Vietnam I would like to make a cruise on Halong Bay. Being disabled - wheelchairuser - I am searching for a company which organizes cruises with a ship which is accessible with wheelchair and where all facilities are accessible/suitable for a wheelchairuser. Are all cruises 2 or 3 days? Are the 1 day trips? (maybe easier with wheelchair). All sugestions are welcome

Planning a trip with my sisters & grandma to Halong Bay this summer. Can anybody give me the configuration of the beds in the 4 cabins of the Prince 2 or 3 Junk? On the official Indo-China Junks website there are no details, just says 4 deluxe cabins. On another site, its 1 cabin with twin beds, 1 with a double bed and 2 cabins with triples (1 double and 1 twin) while on yet another site 3 cabins with double beds and 1 with twin beds. Also, Thien Canh Son Cave is on the Prince itin, would it diificult for my grandma to ascend? (She's 67 and can ascend 2 flights of stairs with little problem.) Which cave amongst all Halong caves on the cruises itin is the least difficult to ascend for an older person. Thanks.

I am thinking about doing the Halong Bay cruise independently (in November). I would take a bus from Hanoi on early morning and look for a boat in Halong City myself (there will be 4 of us). Is this doable? Will the prices be any lower? More chance to bargain? How much are the actual prices on a budget (but still in reasonable conditions). Looking at the online offers for 1n/2d tour I would have to pay around 200 USD per person. This is a bit too high for my budget. How much will it be if we book from Hanoi? How much will it be if we book in Halong? How much would a private boat cost? Can you get a private boat for 4 people for 1 night at all? Thanks for anyfeedback

Most Junk operators offers two options to go/return from Hanoi to Halong Bay * Shuttle Bus * Private Car While I think that perhaps a Shuttle Bus is a good (and cheap) options, I have read comment of some tourists complaining about the bus is not comfortable enough, that there is not a place for the luggage (then you should keep it above you), etc... Also I wonder if a privete car may be used also as a private tour (perhaps to stop in the route to take some photos, etc... I would like to ear of those that have had experience in order to take a decision. Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone, my 3 friend and I plan to stop in ha long for 1 day during our tour in south east asia and wonder if it is possible to rent a small boat for a single day cruise through the bay, starting early in the morning. We will land in Hanoi around noon, and our plan is to travel to ha long city, stay there for the night and the day after have the cruise; then, another night in ha long and hydrofoil to mong cai (departures at 7 or 11 am). Are there no-travel-agency men offering their boats? Do they start cruising early in the morning? Where can you find them? Please do not suggest a 2D1N cruise. We need an alternative. Thanks

Friends, my friends and I (5 girls) are planning a Hanoi trip middle of April. We want to do a 3d/2n Halong Bay cruise. Can anyone recommend a good junk/ship? We're ok with paying a little extra for a nicer and safer choice :) Thanks in advance!

Hi, I would like to know which is the fastest way, and not to much expensive, to reach Ha Long Bay from Hanoi? thanks.

Hello everyone, has anyone experienced celebrating of New Year in Halong? is it fun? Me and my friends are going to Vietnam for the first time and we don't know any place where we can spend New year's eve in Halong Bay. And also I wonder whether we shall book something in advance? Thank you in advance for your help.

Has anyone heard of the travel agency: vietnam bamboo travel?

I contacted "Vietnam cruise holidays" on this site: halongkayakingtours.com/halo... About a 3 days-2 nights cruise on Poseidon Sails on March,2011 Is "Vietnam cruise holidays" reliable? How is the Poseidon Junk? Should we book it in advance? Any help will be great

Just a quick question which has probably been asked a 1000 times. Is it better to book a 2day/1 night Halong Bay cruise online before you leave or book it in Hanoion arrival. Also some advice on reputable good value operators-either in person or online. I dont need 5 star but dont wish to travel with rats either. Cheers, Scott

Hi Just checking if anyone can rcommend a reputable junk for a one night cruise next month. Would prefer a small pesonalised junk if possible unless feedback suggests big junks are also good. Thanks

Hi to all VT's, New to this so if repeating oft asked question please forgive. I have read with interest all of the posts for past few months to do with Ha Long and cruising. My question is that I have to be back in hanoi for a 1430 flight on the second day, how reliable are the times from different companies and does anyone have the name of a smaller more personal company over the big 5 that I should look out for when I am there. I lived in Vietnam as a child (shortly after the reunification) but have never been this far north and am excited but limited by time off work in OZ now. Cheers Bria

I note that some people on this site find Cat Ba a tourist trap; I do not quite share that opinion. Compared with the hundred of boats going out of the Bai Chay charter boat harbour it is very peaceful. I no longer live in Hanoi but I am back in Vietnam for work and would like to repeat my favourite trip. The itinerary would be: Day 1: Leave Hanoi at 6.30 am for the two-hour drive to Hai Phong and take the hydrofoil to Cat Ba. Arrival will be at 11.00 am. Check into hotel and then spend the afternoon on Cat Ba beach no. 2. Alternatively, a boat could be rented for the afternoon for50 or60 (possible activities are kayaking (extra cost about7), caves, swimming and an island with monkeys & lots of other tourists). Day 2: Take a boat for the day back to Halong City. This is a six - eight hour boat trip including stops. Normally I stop at a couple of “natural” caves (these being without any facilities) and go for a swim or two; either on remote beaches or just off the side of the boat. Lunch is on the boat. Return to Hanoi by around 5 or 6 pm. The costs for a good quality car or minibus from Hanoi to Hai Phong and subsequently back to Hanoi from Ha Long City is around100. Boat rental should be under100 for Cat Ba to Ha Long City. So with four people splitting the costs, each would have to pay under50, more participants would lower costs. Other costs for each individual are hydrofoil tickets ($10), hotel on Cat Ba ($15 for a single or double room in 2007 at my preferred hotel), and lunch on the boat ($2 or3). Lunch & dinner on the Saturday and all beverages are not included in the above budget. I am not sure how the practical aspects will work: I am working outside Hanoi before and after my proposed trip, but I would like some mechanism, so that I am not stuck alone with a minibus and hydrofoil at 6.30 on the Saturday morning! Alternatively, somebody else could collect down payments and fund the vehicle & hydrofoil reservation (I will do the practical work). Right now I am just seeing if anybody is interested, it is a beautiful trip away from the crowds.

Hi tourist of the world, I have recently posted my question on which halong agent to book with. After the valuable advise that i have rec'd we have decide to go for the Pinta Gold of Columbus Travel. However after make all the arrangment with them, they have requested for me to put a desposit with my credit card. Has any book with Columbus travel before can it be trusted? Can i not put this desposit? I am very uncomfortable with give these details. Can any one help..pls Thanks. Regards, Gillian

Hi fellow travellers, My friends a group of 6 of us, are intending to do a 3D2N trip to halong. We heard that staying on Cat island isnt that great. So we are going all out for a boat stay. But i am so overwhelmed with the number of cruises and type of package. Our budget is to keep it within 180USD per person. Please recommend help!!! Your valuable insight will definiately help this lost soul haha Regards Gillian

Greetings forum folks! I wonder if anyone knows of a reputable tour/cruise company that offers something alternative to the luxury cruises, at a reasonable price for a backpacker. I'm looking for something like Indochina Junk's fisherman homestay trip , but I'd also like to explore the caves and maybe even hike at Cat Ba National Park. Your recommendations would be very much appreciated!

I am planning on a trip to Halong bay next month. Any Halong Cruise to recommend? Anyone been on the Bai Tu long junk cruise or the Huong Hai cruise? I was quoted 149USD and 170USD respectively. Am i been ripped off or the price is reasonable?

I've read some previous VT tips regarding ODC and they seem to be generally favorable so I intend to book an overnight cruise with them. To have a confirmed booking however, their terms in their website stated that they need not just my credit card details but also my 3 signatures. Since I'm suppose to divulge credit card info, I need to know if this is a reliable company and if others who have toured with them had no booking problems. Thanks for any replies.

Hi please tell me if I should take a 3D2N or a 2D1N tour for Halong Bay. Thank you.

I went to the www.indochina-junk.com web site, having decided on the Red Dragon tour, e-mailed them, and got a reply from a "tropical-sails.com" e-mail address. Are these two companies the same thing? I always prefer dealing directly with the supplier and avoiding middle-men, so there is no finger-pointing if things go wrong.

After reading reviews here and at other sites, we have pretty much decided to book with Indochina Junk for a trip late July. We are my wife and I, our 6 year old daughter, and my mother-in-law - all experienced travellers. 1. From the Indochina Junk web-site, I think I've figured out that the Red Dragon and the Princ are of similar quality in terms of luxury, except that the Princess has fewer cabins and more varied itineraries. Could someone advise if I have this wrong? Are there other differences between the junks? 2. I have read about different cabin sizes on the Red Dragon - would it be possible for all four of us in one triple cabin with a cot, or something, or are we looking at getting two cabins? Similar question about the Prince. 3. Most interested in this one: has anyone sailed on any of these boats recently, as in, the past month? Are they still as good as most other reviews say they are? No major changes? Thank you.

I'm still in the mid of making decision whether to overnight on junk or in Cat Ba island? Appreciate if anybody can advise me on this issue. Will it be bored if overnight on board? What can I do if overnight in Cat ba Island or halong city? What are the night activities for on board and around Cat ba island? Is it safe to take the overnight junk which offers the cheapest tour fare at about USD50-80 (i couldn't remember the junk name)?

Hi, I wish to book a 2D1N tour at Halong, with overnight stay, in May. Is it more expensive to book online? For e.g., it costs abt US$112/pax at ODC Travel, and US$137 at Handspan? Is it more than what u guys pay when u book in Ha Noi at their offices? And are there hidden costs? One last worry, if I were to book when I'm in Ha Noi itself, will it be readily available i.e. I can go on the tour the next day? This will be my first time going to Vietnam... nervous!!!!=D

hi, I will make my trip for a 2D1N at Ha Long Bay around 3rd week of Jan 09, jz myself. I did surf the net and there are plenty of offers. Is there any price different between pre-book online and book thru local travel agent? Any more website for me to reference besides these 2 website http://www.halongluxurytravel.com/ http://www.southpacifictravel.com.vn Cheers, Marcus

It seems that for every agent recommended to me I can find 4or 5 people who had a terrible experience with them. Like I posted before this is making me very nervous about the whole Halong Bay cruise thing. I have read terrible reviews of Kangaroo, ODC and Tonkin, and even someone on LP Thorn tree whose ODC boat sank, and the crew did not help him and his wife! Can anyone recommend a company that is trustworthy?I know there are fake ones but how can I tell which are which? thank you .If I don't get reliable answers I will give up the quest pretty soon.