I'm writing this review because we had such an AMAZING time in
halong bay itself.
My friend and I engaged WORLD HERITAGE NETWORK for a 3 day 2 night Halong Bay tour from Hanoi.
Initially we thought it would be easier & cheaper doing it
by our own, cos everyone said it was more expensive on the net. But it wasn't
really easier or cheaper! Maybe we did it wrong, because we spent one whole day
in noisy honking dusty hot humid sweaty Hanoi old quarter, getting semi-lost in
the little streets, traipsing from one tour agency to the next, comparing
tours. We were quite stressed, and they all sounded similar, but some were
really expensive. We almost didn't want
to go to halong bay after that!!!
We didn't realise there are like 5000 boat/tour operators in Hanoi selling tours to Halong Bay - it was confusing trying to distinguish the real-deal operators from the copy-cats. We didn't even find some of the tour operators which were on our short-list (gleaned from extensive research via google and tripadvisor and lonely planet).
In the end, we engaged a global online tour network called World Heritage Network to arrange their popular 3D2N Hanoi & Halong Bay tour for us that covers private transport from Hanoi to Halong Bay, hotel accommodation in Hanoi and one night at the best Junk in Halong Bay plus a local guide who speaks good english to guide us along AND BOY WERE WE GLAD WE DID IT !!!!
We didn't realise there are like 5000 boat/tour operators in Hanoi selling tours to Halong Bay - it was confusing trying to distinguish the real-deal operators from the copy-cats. We didn't even find some of the tour operators which were on our short-list (gleaned from extensive research via google and tripadvisor and lonely planet).
In the end, we engaged a global online tour network called World Heritage Network to arrange their popular 3D2N Hanoi & Halong Bay tour for us that covers private transport from Hanoi to Halong Bay, hotel accommodation in Hanoi and one night at the best Junk in Halong Bay plus a local guide who speaks good english to guide us along AND BOY WERE WE GLAD WE DID IT !!!!
We had SUCH a great time in halong bay - it was so relaxing and
beautiful, and we met some really nice people (which I also know was luck of
the draw) even the haziness of the weather did not detract from the beauty. It
was a well organized tour made possible by World
Heritage Network and we would like to acknowledge our appreciation of their
impeccable service especially their friendly and funny guide called Adam that
made our journey to Halong Bay ever memorable. Thank you very much for
everything guys!
...By Catherine Sneyder, Sydney, Australia 
“Definitely must visit at least once in your lifetime.”
What
can I say? Halong bay is simply breathtaking. Bring a digital camera otherwise
you will go broke buying film! The photos & TV coverage don't do this place
justice. The karsts are magnificent and the water is a gorgeous emerald green.
Do
yourself a favour and stay overnight on a junk boat as the best bit happens
when all the day trippers return to Halong City and the overnight boats anchor
in a cove for the night. You can drink beer, gaze at stars and watch the
twinkling lights from the neighbouring junks. Pretty hard to find a more
romantic setting. The Hong Kong star ferry at night comes close but it only
last for 8 mins! Don't waste your time staying in Halong City to save a few
bucks unless you are into karaoke bars.
If you are coming from Hanoi and don’t know which junk to go for the cruise, try engaging World Heritage Network, their network will assist you in getting the best available junk and even provide you a local guide called Adam that speaks good english. They have their popular standard 3D2N tour that covers excursion in Hanoi and then to Halong Bay that includes private transport, meals and overnight stay in a private air-con cabin with 2 beds & ensuite in a Junk. You have to pay extra for drinks. Hint - the beer from the room fridge is cheaper than from the onboard restaurant! You can also buy beer and snacks from floating "shops" - people will row their boat to sell you food.
This junk is pretty new unlike some of the other junks which look a bit creaky. We also like the staff on Annam Junk. They are pretty laid back and don't hassle you to hire kayaks or buy stuff but these are available if you want. The food is ok and the deck has lots of lounge chairs. Couple with our ever funny and friendly guide, Adam, it just made our trip memorable and lots of fun.
The only downside to Halong Bay is that it is a victim of its beauty. Super touristy - there are zillions of tourists with the same idea as you. The harbour is a bit like a market but once you get out into the bay, there is plenty of room for everyone.
Another tip - leave your main luggage in your Hanoi hotel and just bring a day pack for the junk stay. If you ever go for Halong Bay cruise, just hire the services of World Heritage Network as they will handle everything for you in one go.
If you are coming from Hanoi and don’t know which junk to go for the cruise, try engaging World Heritage Network, their network will assist you in getting the best available junk and even provide you a local guide called Adam that speaks good english. They have their popular standard 3D2N tour that covers excursion in Hanoi and then to Halong Bay that includes private transport, meals and overnight stay in a private air-con cabin with 2 beds & ensuite in a Junk. You have to pay extra for drinks. Hint - the beer from the room fridge is cheaper than from the onboard restaurant! You can also buy beer and snacks from floating "shops" - people will row their boat to sell you food.
This junk is pretty new unlike some of the other junks which look a bit creaky. We also like the staff on Annam Junk. They are pretty laid back and don't hassle you to hire kayaks or buy stuff but these are available if you want. The food is ok and the deck has lots of lounge chairs. Couple with our ever funny and friendly guide, Adam, it just made our trip memorable and lots of fun.
The only downside to Halong Bay is that it is a victim of its beauty. Super touristy - there are zillions of tourists with the same idea as you. The harbour is a bit like a market but once you get out into the bay, there is plenty of room for everyone.
Another tip - leave your main luggage in your Hanoi hotel and just bring a day pack for the junk stay. If you ever go for Halong Bay cruise, just hire the services of World Heritage Network as they will handle everything for you in one go.
...By Elvis T. Sinclair, Perth, Australia
“Halong Bay is breathtaking,
unimaginable until you see it”
We organised a day
trip to Halong Bay thru World Heritage
Network for the two of us. The trip is quite worth it, as we had a personal
guide and driver. We got picked up at 8am and it's about a harrowing 3 hr trip
(reckless drivers who overtake even when there are oncoming traffic!!) from
Hanoi. On the way, we stopped at a Government owned cultural handicraft centre
that caters for war-ophans. It's amazing to see what the Government does to kept
the kids employed and occupied so that they don't end up as beggars but as
skilled craftmans.
HaLong Bay was quite busy as it was a Saturday, but we managed to board our boat in no time. The scenery at the bay is so amazing with lots of magnificient limestone mountain peaks or islands (we were told, 2000) rising from the calm emerald green water. As the islands are of limestone, the contrast of bare grey limestone and greenery makes the islands quite breathtaking. The scenery is just so amazing that it is difficult to describe until you see it for yourself. It also reminded us of postcards photos that we have seen of Guilin in China but we were told Halong Bay is prettier.
Our first stop is at a large limestone cave. It's probably one of the most beautiful cave I have seen in my life. The cave is quite big and colorfully lighted up. We took heaps of photos of the caves and the bay.
The seafood lunch provided on board was quite delicious and plentiful. We also stopped at a fishing village where you can buy live seafood which will be cooked for you there and then.
The visit to Halong Bay is a lifetime experience and is a MUST for those are visiting Hanoi. It would have been nice if we had another day so that we can spend the night on board the boat and visit more caves and grottos, but even for a day trip, it was well worth it, despite the harrowing drive!. We definitely will come back to Halong Bay again with World Heritage Network.
HaLong Bay was quite busy as it was a Saturday, but we managed to board our boat in no time. The scenery at the bay is so amazing with lots of magnificient limestone mountain peaks or islands (we were told, 2000) rising from the calm emerald green water. As the islands are of limestone, the contrast of bare grey limestone and greenery makes the islands quite breathtaking. The scenery is just so amazing that it is difficult to describe until you see it for yourself. It also reminded us of postcards photos that we have seen of Guilin in China but we were told Halong Bay is prettier.
Our first stop is at a large limestone cave. It's probably one of the most beautiful cave I have seen in my life. The cave is quite big and colorfully lighted up. We took heaps of photos of the caves and the bay.
The seafood lunch provided on board was quite delicious and plentiful. We also stopped at a fishing village where you can buy live seafood which will be cooked for you there and then.
The visit to Halong Bay is a lifetime experience and is a MUST for those are visiting Hanoi. It would have been nice if we had another day so that we can spend the night on board the boat and visit more caves and grottos, but even for a day trip, it was well worth it, despite the harrowing drive!. We definitely will come back to Halong Bay again with World Heritage Network.
... By Mavis Lee, Beijing, China
