Ha Long Travel Forum

We are shopping around for a junk to tour Halong Bay and there are so many offers at very different prices, plus a lot of negative info about how unsafe the junks are, how they aren't fit to sail etc. that we don't know what to think. Our travel agent suggests Huong Hai Deluxe Junk as the "best in Halong". Any thoughts?

Also, does anybody have an opinion on whether it's best to take a boat or a junk?

We went to Halong bay in 2002 on a boat and the tour itself was really nice, but the boat was awful. There were rats in the cabins so we all slept on the terrace.

I joined the VEGA Travel(Fansipan tour, from LP guidebook) last month and only 10 of us on the boat. The meal was fantastic, guide(BA) was excellent. Strongly recommended for small group. Mine package was USD39 per person.

The boats now are much much better, mainly due to competition there. I went on the Buffallo tours boat which was excellent, deffinately no rats etc.

Huong Hai junk is one of the best junk in Ha Long bay. It is very beautiful and safe. Service is excellent.
Boat is now better than before, but it depends. With normal daily tour to Halong, budget about 35 - 40 USD, I'm not sure about this. If you are lucky, you can have good boat without rats...
You just have a really good boat when you pay more, for some luxury boat or junk like of Bufalow tour or Huong Hai, Dragon's Pearl.
I recommend Huong Hai junk and Dragon's Pearl. They have a long history and service is very perfect.

About the best, Ginger Junk is the best in Bay now. Price is also the best too , but , it's worth the money.
Hien