The best way to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay is by seaplane. I know this because I’m on one and it’s spectacular. The views of the countryside, with its green fields and snaking rivers, give way to thousands of spectacular limestone islands and white junk boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. I can’t take my eyes off this magical place.
As my plane glides down from the sky into the water, I look across the harbor to my home for the night: a luxurious Paradise Cruises ship.
My seaborne travels have been arranged by Flight Centre, who sent me to Vietnam to experience their tailor-made Journeys. As I board the boat I’m transported into a dream.
My cabin is all dark wood and red throw pillows, and its little deck offers views across the bay. Above it is the dining room, and on top of that is a wide terrace with panoramas of the limestone karst landscape Halong Bay is known for.
The cruise ship leaves the harbor and moves into the island archipelago. The bay is bigger than I imagined, with many more dramatic stones rising up out of the water than I ever thought possible.
Throughout the afternoon and the following morning, I alternate between soaking up the views from the top deck and going ashore to swim beside pint-size beaches and climb up into deep caves.
I take in floating villages and watch local women row boats full of souvenirs from ship to ship in a sort of moveable market.
In the evening, I watch a stunning pink sunset that saturates the sky with so much color it’s hard to believe, then sit under a full moon listening to music and laughter echoing off the boats and islands in the bay. It’s so peaceful I can hardly believe I was just in busy Hanoi.
It’s even harder to believe that the next morning I’m heading back to the city. There’s a bit of confusion about how I’m getting there, but it’s the only snag in the otherwise well-planned itinerary.
It’s a four-hour van ride from Halong Bay to Hanoi, and I pack my bags and leave the ship reluctantly when it docks at the harbor.
Halong Bay has some of the most stunning natural features I’ve seen on all of my travels, and in addition to my bags, I carry memories of the rocks, the islands, the beach, the bay, and the sunset. The lovely, lovely sunset.
But my Halong Bay cruise ship isn’t the only ship I’m going to experience on my trip to Vietnam. I’m heading south to the Mekong Delta next, and a whole different kind of boat awaits me there. To be continued…
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28 Comments on Lady’s Guide to a Halong Bay Cruise in Vietnam
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I did a one day ‘cruise’ when I was in Halong Bay, but it didn’t look as comfortable as your cabin :-). But I do remember how amazing the Bay looked, especially around sunset and sunrise. The photos with the pink/orange/purple clouds are amazing!
Yeah, the sunset was amazing!
I love Halong Bay. When I went in ‘cold season’ it was very misty and mystical, so my experience was very different to yours. Isn’t the folklore behind it just so interesting? Dragons, who knew! Looking forward to your Mekong Delta post! x
Jasiminne
Yeah, I love the dragon legend!
Wow, Julie, these photos are stunning! I love that shot of the souvenirs boat – to us it looks so unique but that little girl is clearly bored 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more about your trip.
Thanks! Looking forward to sharing more this week!
Such mythical scenery, and your cabin looks very cosy – can’t wait to read about the next stage of your trip
Suze
Thanks!
What a dream!! Loving these photos. Thanks for sharing.
Happy travels 🙂
You’re welcome!
What a great experience! Thanks for your wonderful pictures and the informations. Sunny greatings from Berlin/Germany
You’re welcome!
I’ve taken that four hour drive each way from Hanoi to Halong Bay and back – twice. Never even contemplated a sea-plane! First time our overnight stay on a junk was cancelled due to a typhoon so we went anyway and were able to go out the next day on a day trip. A few years later we were luckier and spent the night on a junk in the bay which was magical 🙂
Wow, I’m glad you got to spend a night on a boat in the end. It’s such an amazing experience!
Unbelievable!!!! Just so stunning! I don’t even have words ^_^
Yeah, it was amazing!
Wow, the sky looks amazing! I know that my friends that have been to Halong Bay have had it as overcast and rainy so you are so lucky it looks majestic. I need to get over to Vietnam ASAP
Yeah, I was really lucky with the weather!
Love your photographs, especially those beautiful skies!
Thanks!
Feeling so sad that I didn’t make it there. After having stayed in Middle Vietnam for two weeks, doing research for this project, we had planned to travel up north. Unfortunately, the weather up there spoilt things for us and we headed south instead (Nha Trang, Dalat & Ho Chi Minh City). That was great, but I really want to return one day to see Hanoi, Halong Bay and Sapa. You’ve got some great captures of that natural beauty 🙂 x Maaike
That’s too bad! It’s definitely worth getting up north on your next trip.
Wow, your trip to Halong Bay is so interesting. I went there last year and it was a great experience. The rocks and islands are breath-taking. I enjoyed exploring the caves too.
That’s great!
It just looks so amazing! Glad to hear you had a great time and can’t wait for my upcoming trip!
Yeah, it’s really beautiful there. I hope you have a great time!
This whole place looks and sounds like a dream. How beautiful!
Yeah!