Ha Long Bay
A trip to Vietnam would not be complete without taking a cruise around the magical Ha Long Bay. The bay is heart-stoppingly beautiful, especially at dawn and dusk, when the shadows on the forested limestone towers turn it into dreamland. The UNESCO world heritage-listed Ha Long Bay is both mystical and magnificent, an incredible feat of nature that did not fail to impress and captivate me.
Ha Long Bay Scenes
Ha Long Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin, within Quang Ninh Province, in the northeast of Vietnam, is 165 km from the capital of Hanoi. The bay consists of a dense cluster of over 1,969 limestone monolithic islands each topped with thick jungle vegetation, rising spectacularly from the ocean – like dragons in the sea. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves.
Views from out the window of Ha Long Bay
We departed from the city of Hanoi for our cruise and drove almost three hours out to Ha Long Bay where we boarded a luxury cruise boat (Vietnamese junk style) for three days and two blissful nights. After a cruise briefing we were settled into our comfortable suites, complete with queen sized bed, balcony and our own ensuite bathroom. We were then treated to a delicious five course Vietnamese lunch whilst we sailed out into the bay taking in the stunning views out of our window seats.
Ha Long Bay Cruise Boat
Our first stop was at Luon Cave where we got on a row boat and were rowed through the cave into a beautiful lake surrounded by towering limestone monoliths.
Luon Caves, Ha Long Bay
Next stop was at Tip Top Island where we walked up 400 stairs to a very scenic lookout with breathtaking views of the Bay all around us. After descending the stairs we came to a sandy beach where you could hire a kayak, have a refreshing swim or just relax on the shore.
Tip Top Island, Ha Long Bay
After a deluxe Vietnamese and Western style Buffet dinner and a few refreshments aboard our boat we sat back and relaxed and enjoyed the spectacle of Ha Long Bay by night.
We were awake and ready for a spot of Tai Chi to kickstart the mind and body on the sundeck on top of the boat at 7.00 am the next morning. What a wonderful start to the day, followed by another buffet breakfast, with everything under the sun to eat.
Tai Chi on the Sundeck
The second day we visited an entirely self sufficient floating village complete with their own school and a fish farm. Our big boat anchored in the deeper waters and the local villagers took us aboard their small Vietnamese boats and rowed us through the village. We got to interact with the people who live here who make a living by fishing the surrounding waters and selling goods from their boats to the tourists. We also dropped into the floating village school to meet the teacher and his pupils.
Floating Fishing Village, Ha Long Bay
The next port of call was to a working pearl farm where we learnt how the pearls are cultivated from oysters. There was a showroom here displaying the beautiful pearls, some crafted into jewellery, which were available for purchase.
Floating Pearl Farm, Ha Long Bay
After a full on day of activities it was back to the boat and more opportunities to kayak or swim after a delicious lunch. Otherwise you could kick back and relax on the sundeck on the top of the boat.
Relaxing on the Sundeck, Ha Long Bay
Another magnificent feast awaited us for our final night on the cruise and the chance to mingle and chat with other guests on the boat. Some of our fellow passengers tried their hand at ‘squid jigging’ off the the side of the boat and others, like us, played cards.
After another early morning Tai Chi class it was off to Surprise Cave, where we walked up 100 stairs to the cave entrance and explored the cave. Views from Surprise Cave were stunning over the bay with many other boats anchored in the area.
Surprise Cave, Halong Bay
Sadly, it was time to pack our bags and cruise back to Ha Long Pier and get on our bus back to the city of Hanoi. I could not fault our two night/three day tour of Ha Long Bay. The Indochina cruise boat was 5-star all the way: the food was delicious and plentiful, the service impeccable, our room was very comfortable and we even got a free bottle of wine included. But the best thing was the amazing views from the boat of the ‘Dragons in the Sea’ of Ha Long Bay – magical!
Linking up with Travel Photo Thursday
Comments are closed.
Rae Hilhorst
November 21, 2014I have been very reluctant to visit Vietnam but I think a trip should be on the cards, especially after reading your posts and seeing your fantastic photos x
Kathy
November 21, 2014Wait until you see my blog on Hoi An Rae. It was wonderful too. I highly recommend Vietnam as a travel destination.
Rachel
November 21, 2014Jealous, jealous, jealous just reading what your wrote with the attached pictures makes me long to be where you have been. Judy thanks for that, I knew at some stage I wanted to go to Vietnam but your blog made sure of that.
Kathy
November 21, 2014Vietnam is most definitely one of my favourite travel destinations. It is very diverse, interesting historically, has some beautiful coastal areas and is very cheap.
Pinky Poinker
November 21, 2014‘Heart-stoppingly beautiful’ and ‘stunning’ pretty much sums it up Kathy. The colour of the water it gorgeous. I really want to go now. Really, really.
Kathy
November 21, 2014The water was an interesting jade green colour. Unfortunately the weather was a little inclement when were there so the photos would have been more spectacular had we had fine weather. Still heart-stoppingly beautiful however! :)
eileen @ FamiliesGo!
November 22, 2014I loved my visit to Halong Bay even with a typhoon on the horizon it was beautiful and so different from anywhere else I’d been. Thanks for a brief trip back!
Kathy
November 22, 2014You are very welcome Eileen. The weather was very inclement when we there but at least it wasn’t a typhoon! We experienced the typhoon in Ho Chi Minh City a week earlier. Halong Bay is a magical place and I would highly recommend it to any traveller. Thank you for visiting my blog. :)
Nancie
November 22, 2014Hi Kathy. Your post brings back some great memories of my visit to Halong Bay. I do agree, it is magical. Your photos are lovely. Thanks for linking up this week. #TPThursday
Kathy
November 23, 2014Halong Bay is a one off travel experience and a must see when you go to Vietnam. I enjoy checking out all the other photos and travel tales on #TPThursday.
Bob R
November 24, 2014Nice selection of shots. It is an exceptionally nice corner of the planet, but I left quite worried. A few years have passed since I was there but there were way too many people (and I wasn’t there in peak season), no apparent development plan, and no apparent limits on the number of boats/passengers. At least ones that were being enforced. The mainland area doesn’t have the infrastructure or services to handle so many people. Status quo is not sustainable.
Kathy
November 24, 2014Thank you Bob. You are correct in what you have said. Halong Bay is now very commercialised and crowded with boats and people. We noticed substantial pollution in the waters – not very enticing for a swim! Thank you for dropping by my blog. :)
Marisol@TravelingSolemates
November 24, 2014Hi Kathy, nice post about Halong Bay. I’ve been to Halong Bay twice. Loved it so much the first time, a bit disappointed the second time bec of commercialism. But Halong Bay as a nature is still beautiful. I’m glad you enjoyed your cruise. Ahh… love those tai-cho session on board. I like that your ship still has the traditional non-white color.
Kathy
November 24, 2014The early morning Tai Chi classes were a highlight of the cruise and the amazing scenery. However I think you are right in saying that it is becoming very commercialised and we also noticed pollution in the waters. Our ship was beautiful, but apparently was undergoing a paint job in the white colour as per new Vietnamese shipping regulations.
Johanna
November 24, 2014We’ve been considering Vietnam for a holiday and were wondering if Halong Bay had been spoilt. But from your photos evidently not. The junk trip looks amazing, and quite safe too ;) something which I always worry about when at sea! Definitely one for the bucket list.
Kathy
November 24, 2014Halong Bay was magical. But on the downside a little congested with lots of other boats and some pollution in the waters. We really enjoyed a blissful few days cruising around the monoliths and seeing some of the islands and caves.