Ha Long Travel Forum

I'm still not sure whether to go for a 2d,1n or a 3d,2n trip dowwn to Ha Long. Can anyone advise me as to what the real difference between the two trips will be? Also I have heard quite a lot about ODc and also Handspan does anyone have recommendations based on their personal experience. I am a single female traveller.

Many thanks

Clare

I bet you're not even going there - you just wanted to create that brilliant title ;)

Excelent. To be honest 2d 1 night is enough, you will get on the boat lunchtime, see the main sights, dinner and sleep then the morning to muck around. Think the 3d is a bit repetative.
Hanspan have a good rep so I have heard

Definately going but I must admit I impressed myself with my titling of this question!!!!!!!!LOL

Clare

I really think 2d 1n is enough. It's a wonderful tour, but we found the climbing up and down the islands rather tiring and not worth the trouble, and the best part was when the boat stopped in a sort of cove and we jumped from the boat into the water which was as still as a lake and sort of lukewarm (this was in August), and also the next day just sailing around the misty bay, dreamy sights.

We went in 2002 so it may have changed, but the boat itself was awful -- rats at night so I didn't get any sleep, horrible cabins and bathroom. We bought practically the cheapest tour we found in Hanoi in the Old Quarter, so that may be the reason.

We're going again this summer so I'm shopping around for tours -- the programs are all the same everywhere, the same islands, the same "fresh seafood lunch and dinner", but so far, Handspan is the most expensive. We are a big party so we're going to rent a whole boat or junk, but the price difference ranges from $650 to $1040 (Handspan). Difficult to tell the actual difference, the description is always more or less the same. Handspan has sent the most detailed offer in the best English, but that doesn't always mean anything, so?If you're interested I can forward you Handspan's offer. It's for a private junk, but the tour itself is the same.

I always reccomend the Buffallo Tours boat, great boat and good staff

3D2N includes KAt Ba island for most companies. In Cat Ba there is NOTHING to see.. 2 beaches, yes.. really not worth it if you also visit Hoi An or pass by Thailand,..

I recommend to spend more money on a 2D1N trip, to get a better quality overall.
I booked the trip in my hotel in old quarter, Hanoi. I asked for the BEST one (was 84$ for 3D2N) and the quality was poor. (comfort, bikes, kayak,..)

Please DO NOT BOOK WITH GOLOA TOURS