Ha Long Travel Forum

We're tourists on a budget trip. Is it possible to go to Ha Long by ourselves by taking a bus or cab or is taking a tour operator a better option? Around how much is a 2-day 1-night tour around Ha Long? Do Ha Long tour operators charge less than Hanoi tour operators for the Ha Long tour?

I never ever ever go on tours, not for budgetary resons, though I don't like paying more than I have to, but just because I don't like going on tours. But you know what? Halong was the lone exception, and it was worth the compromise. Yes, you can do it yourself. In fact, despite the status quo, you can go anywhere in Vietnam on your own, but Halong may not be worth it. Between sorting out all the little legs of the trip, finding a boat that will go where you want, etc, a tour is actaully an economical option if time is as important as money for you. If I were spending a week in Halong Bay, I'd do it on my own without even thinking about it. But if you want to go for just 2 days, it's worth the very small cash difference to let someone else to all the legwork for you.
I don't recall how much the tours are, but they really are very cheap for what you get.

Bob

I agree with Bob above about taking a tour. I can't imagine that there's a way to do it yourself that is worth the money. But, speaking of money, Halong Bay is definitely worth spending money for a good tour. Do not go for the cheapest. You can do a search on old posts here on the subject, with horror stories, and I've heard terrible stories of people doing it on the cheap....It's always a mess, and they never talk about their experience on Halong Bay, but rather the hassle that they had.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that if you can't afford a halfway decent tour, it may be better to reconsider going at all....As in most cases, you get what you pay for.

Well, a nice photo beside Ginkaku-ji !!!

- It's possible to go to Halong by taking bus...
- However, I specially recommend: taking a cheap tour from an open operator tou that are around Old Quater.
Ex: Sinh cafe
52 Hang Bac
Tel: (84 4) 9261585

I used to buy cheap tour from this agent if want to go around with friend. I remembered that, 1 day tour to Halong just only around 22-25USD. I will check for you in the case of need..

- I think, tour operator will be more professor than over there, Halong. Therefore, it's better if you take it in Hanoi.

Good luck

Thanks for the replies!:) How about going to the perfume pagoda? Do you recommend we also take a tour operator?

I checked out Camellia Hotels travel agency(just log onto the hotel website-tours). The exact trip we did 3 years ago and will do next year is $US23pp overnight on CatBa Island at the Prince Hotel return to Hanoi the next day this includes lunch& dinner on day 1, day 2 b/fast & lunch. They have about 8 options for Halong Bay check it out. I did not enjoy the Perfume Pagoda I found 2 hours on the bus, 2 hours in a tiny rowing boat then a 2 hour hard trek up to the Pagoda turn around and come down, then being abused by the lady rowers for not giving a big enough tip(we booked& paid this through Sinh Cafe and did not take lots of extra $$) repeat the trip back for me it was not worth it I prefered the Tam Coc trip. If you do the PP make sure you have plenty of water the higher up you go the more expensive it becomes!!!

Hello, TWCLHanoi, I just read about the forum and plan to go Halong Bay in May. Can you check for me the price of the package and what the package inclusive? As this is my first time to Vietnam, any recommendation on what to do there?Thank you

@ kokheng2 :

Welcome to Vietnam...

About the travel agent that I note abouve, please notice that it was changed. Some week ago, I had just went there to book for my friend too go to Halong in 2 days tour, & found out the original travel agent had move to a new address.
The Travel Agent I means, now are localed at:

108 Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem , Hanoi
Tel: (84-4) 926 0572
Fax: (84-4) 9260 617
Email: trekking-travel@hn.vnn.vn
Web: www.trekkingtravel.com.vn

You can check tours at the website. It seems have almost information you need, now. The price is fine with it's service. Go there in May, I think the weather is nice, too.

I hope you have good trip

Cheers
Akatonbo