Ha Long Travel Forum

I am planning to book a flight to Hanoi in the first week of December. Based on initial plans, I'll have 4 full days and one of my objectives is to visit Ha Long Bay. I've been browsing through VT and with the wealth of info available, I'm having info overload :) To simplify, I have few clarifications:

1. I'm thinking of spending day 1 and day 4 in Hanoi, and days 2&3 in Ha Long. Will an overnight be enough to see Ha Long including travel time from/to Hanoi?

2. As I understood it, Ha Long bay can be toured in either a junk boat or a paddle-wheel boat. Based on pix, the latter seems to be more luxurius and thus more pricey, am I correct? Any idea on the price difference between a junk and a paddle-wheel boat? Do they have the same itinerary such that it won't matter which one I book (except the boat's amenities)?

3. I read too that Vietnam has distinct dry-wet weather months. Generally, what is the weather like in December? Rainy, windy, cold? Is it wise to go to Ha Long during this time of the year?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Hi Aids! am planning a Hanoi trip in august as well. i've researched some and these may help you. many in VT has advised 2d/1n as being enough to tour halong bay and back. i get mixed info on rates of 2d/1n but i estimate $50 being reasonable with a prominent and reliable tour operator. we are warned of dubious operators with very attractive low rates. of course travelling DIY is best to get value for money, as long as you're well-researched. Hanoi to Bai Chay (for halong) is 3 hours by bus. Hanoi is about 2-5 degrees lower than ours but quite rainy/stormy during summer. Check wikipedia for historical climate and weather. In december it's described as cool/dry, Baguio climate without rain :-)

I travelled from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay about 4 years ago.
I signed up for the tour at a place called the Kangaroo Cafe - near the Lake in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The Vietnam, Lonely Planet has all instructions about this.
It cost $50 US for 2 days and one night in Halong Bay on junk boat which was great fun. All meals are included. I shared a cabin with my friend and we had an ensuite bathroom. The only extra cost was drinks. I don't know the price difference but the junk boat was lovely anyway.

Good luck!

Thanks Yla and Alex for your prompt replies. I confirmed my booking after reading your posts :)

Some follow up questions though.

1. When you said 2d/1n (overnight), does this include the bus ride to Bai Chay and back?
2. In case I decide to get a packaged tour of Ha Long (which I'm inclined to do since I'll be traveling with my sister and an elderly aunt), will it include the bus ride?
3. Also, will we have time to leave the boat and explore or will we spend the whole trip on the boat, admiring the rock formations from there?

Thanks again.

Many 'taveller's cafes' in Hanoi offer 'organized tours' to Halong which includes transport transfer from/back to Hanoi. But choose your company carefully because there are quite a few that sell you off to other companies that consolidate tours and provide very poor service. One of the more reputable companies is 'Handspan' which generally gets good reveiws (and the occasional bad one). They do charge more than most but that's because they're well organized and have their own buses/minivans and boats.
Since you've only got 4 days with a small window to visit Halong, I would recommend pre-arranging a tour in contrast to waiting until you arrive.
My experience with visiting Halong in Dec. is that it's a pretty 'iffy' time of the year with some days being quite misty or overcast. but here's hoping you'll encounter great weather.

Thanks seagypsy for your advise. I noted down your recommendation re- reliable tour operator.

there are several reliable tour operators at the old quarter in hanoi. the usual 2d/1n package to/around halong includes RT bus trip, boat ride, land exploration (and caves), meals and overnight at boat or at Cat Ba, but just to be sure get all the details before you book, just to be sure. VTers advise booking on site as you get the benefit of checking more operators, current market prices and amenities offered rather than via website, unless you're coming as a very group.

thanks again yla... been doing some surfing in the net for tour operators. since you're going in august, maybe you could give reco after your trip. how long will you be in hanoi?

will be happy to :D will be there 5 days or so ...

I took my family to Vietnam last December with an Intrepid Tour and spent an overnighter on a jnunk in Halong Bay. The junk vary alittle but I had nothing but praise for ours.

As for the weather at that time of year in Halong bay, I think you have to be lucky. Seems to be very overcast however the day we meandered into Halong Bay was ideal....a little misty but basically fine, good visibility.....and serene. Just about my favourite experience in Vietnam.

I think we may have been lucky with the weather in general in Vietnam. Had just one brief light shower in Hoi An but enjoyed fine weather over the 18 days. Overcast in Saigon but humid, mid twenties and clear on Mekong Delta, mild (around 20 degrees) everywhere else. Took one jumper and one rainproof jacket with us....never got them out of the case.

I have been to Ha Long for 2 days so I agree with you about day 1 and 4 in Hanoi, and days 2&3 in Ha Long. Because on 2 days, you can enjoy all of sightseeings in Ha Long. I recommend you traveling Ha Long by a Junk, you can see the beautiful sightseeings at the top of Junk. At that time I booked Ha Long Bay Package tour in traveltovietnam.cc service. I think that the price 110$ is reasonable for 2 days include room and food. It is the good choice to go to Ha Long in December because the weather is cool and windy.
I hope you have good time in Ha Long.
Bye

No worry about the weather. Early December seems to be the best time visiting Northern Vietnam.
2 day trip to Halong Bay with night on the Junk is something you should not miss.
I took this trip with Handspan travel 2 years ago on Dragon Pearl Junk ( www.handspan.com). It was fantastic!

Hi Ms.
I would be pleased to share my experience in Vietnam in the begining of December:
1, if you planned to spend 4 days in VN, you are right to spend day1 & day 4 in Hanoi, day 2 & 3 in Halong
2, There are a hundred of junk name in Halong, you should asked for service quality in each junk or Sail boat. in general, there are 2 kinds of Junk, Cruise: Wooden Junk & Metal Junk ( I think you should choose wooden Junk)
Wooden junk is always smaller and convenient to see close to beauty spot. you can searh junks info in vistalandtravel.com for reference.Each Junk has it own intinerary and there's difference of amenities.
3, The weather in Halong on December is very cold ( 18 - 24 Degree centigrade)
It is wise if you bring warm coat & glasses .