Experience booking Ha Long Cruise tours

Ha Long is a can't-miss destination for international tourists when they visit Vietnam. In particular, they often enjoy the experience of sleeping overnight on yachts, floating on the ocean waves and immersing themselves in the majestic nature of the bay. Currently, there are more than 200 night cruise ships in the bay, and choosing the right one can be difficult. Below are some experiences in booking Ha Long cruise tours, hopefully they can help you get more useful information!

How long do you want to visit Ha Long Bay?

You have several options for visiting Ha Long Bay:
  • Day sightseeing boat tour: There is a 4-hour tour in the morning or afternoon, you can choose a private boat or join a boat with another group.
  • 2 days 1 night tour: This is a popular choice, suitable for people who want to experience the night on the boat and visit rocky islands, caves, fishing villages, and participate in interesting activities.
  • 3 days 2 nights tour: If you have more time, you can explore more islands by kayak and bamboo boat.
  • 4 days 3 nights tour: This tour can only be done by private boat due to high cost. For people who want to experience many activities and often attract foreign visitors.
Experience booking Ha Long Cruise tours

Will you visit Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay?

You plan to visit one of the three famous bays in Ha Long, but you don't know which bay to choose? Let me help you:
  • Ha Long Bay: This is the most popular destination, with many cruise ships and Sung Sot cave and Ti Top island. This is the choice if you want a vibrant and action-packed experience.
  • Bai Tu Long Bay: Located in the East, this area still retains its wildness and quieter nature. This is an option for those who want a private and quiet experience, despite the higher tour price.
  • Lan Ha Bay: Located in the south and often combined with visiting Cat Ba island. There are tours with overnight stays in Cat Ba. This is an option if you want to combine visiting Cat Ba island and have a quite peaceful experience.

How are the cruise ships in Ha Long different?

After deciding to choose a tourist bay in Ha Long, next, you need to choose a boat that suits your preferences and needs. There are some important differences between cruise ships sailing in the same bay:
  • Shape of the boat: All tourist boats in Ha Long since 2012 are required to be painted white, so you will not see brown or wooden boats anymore. However, there are still two main groups of ships based on structure and construction materials.
  • Wooden ship group: Usually has fewer bedrooms (usually less than 16 bedrooms). The bedrooms in this group of ships usually have an area of about 15m2 and are equipped with a private bathroom and toilet in the room.
  • Iron ships: Usually have more than 16 bedrooms. The bedrooms in this group of ships are often spacious and equipped with more modern amenities. Ships in this group are usually newer ships and have more advanced equipment.
Choosing the right train for you will depend on the number of passengers, the standard of service you desire and your personal budget.
 
Experience booking Ha Long Cruise tours

What does the price of a Ha Long cruise tour usually include?

Ha Long cruise tour prices usually include a range of services and amenities related to the trip, but not all costs. Normally, the tour price includes accommodation and transportation costs from Hanoi to Ha Long and back. However, there are some personal expenses and services that are not included in the tour price, including drinks, souvenir shopping, or the purchase of seafood at the fishing village.

It should be noted that "almost all" does not mean "all," so visitors need to carefully check specific costs that the tour does not include.

Additionally, to ensure that you have a favorable Ha Long cruise experience, you should consider the following expenses:
  • Car price: Most cruise tours depart from Hanoi and usually include pick-up and drop-off services in Hanoi's Old Quarter area. However, if you need additional private car service, you need to check the price and make arrangements in advance.
  • Kayaking or bamboo boating fee: If you want to participate in exciting activities such as kayaking or bamboo boating, you should check to see if this fee is included in the tour price.
  • Ticket prices to visit tourist attractions in the tour: If your tour includes visits to interesting destinations in Ha Long Bay or surrounding areas, check to see if the entrance fees to these attractions are included in the price. Tour price or not?
Experience booking Ha Long Cruise tours

What is the reasonable cost for such a Ha Long tour?

When considering the cost of a trip to Ha Long, deciding between booking a hotel room and choosing a cruise tour involves a necessary comparison. Usually the tour price will be higher than booking a hotel room, because it includes many different services such as food, activities and sightseeing.

When you search for information online or contact travel companies, you will find that there are many different prices for the same tour. It is important that you consider the quality and reputation of the tour provider before deciding. Instead of choosing the cheapest tour possible (usually less than 1 million VND/person for a 1-night program), consider that low prices can lead to undesirable things, like staying on an old or poor ship. Meal quality and service are not guaranteed.

Choosing a reputable travel company to experience the Ha Long cruise is a good decision, because once you get on the cruise, you just need to relax, enjoy nature and not worry about anything else.

Hopefully, the above information will help you choose a perfect overnight trip to Ha Long Bay. Wishing you an exciting and memorable journey!