Ha Long Travel Forum

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.

Yeah, not too sure about that one... Seems like two distinct companies, but both advertise the Lagoon Explorer as one of their junks. I would not be surprised if these two companies amalgamated or are owned by the same holding company.
You could contact a reputable travel agent in Vietnam and ask them.
With regards, dealing directly with the supplier: I thought the same as you re my Halong Bay cruise and initially contacted the supplier direct. What a surprise then when I obtained a cheaper quote from a very good travel agency in Hanoi! Obviously, we decided to book with them.
I think in some instances reputable travel agencies may be in a position to bargain more strongly than customers off the street, so to speak, and can therefore pass on specials or negotiated fares to their patrons.
Just a thougth.

Thanks, Johan. Their addresses are the same, so it's probably all right. I want to leave the next morning after I land, as I've already seen Hanoi, so I don't have time to shop around in town, unfortunately.

Have a great time - Halong Bay is beautiful.

They are the same thing.
Tropical Sails brand names has Lagoon Explorer 1 & 2.
Indochina Junks has Prince, Princess, Red Dragon.
1 owner, he just wanted to create a new brand name of luxury small cruises.

Thanks, hientonkin; this helps ease my mind. We are proceeding with the booking.