Halong Bay cruise

A popular destination for cruises in Vietnam is Ha Long Bay, an awe-inspiring sight with mystic mountains jutting from the cobalt waters. Ha Long is regarded by locals as the eighth wonder of the world and legend has it the 2000 islands were made by the Dragon Gods as they descended to earth to protect the ancient Vietnamese people from Chinese invaders.

The most interesting part of a HaLong tour is the boat cruise around the bay to admire hundreds of stone islets that seem to move and change as the boat passes, first seen from a distance, then hidden below the waves. The boat moors on some islands to allow tourists to visit caves and grottoes, and at sandy beaches for a rest, sunbathing and swimming.

Without advance knowledge, tourists may miss many beautiful stone islets, as there is so much to explore. Reading the introduction to the islands and the routes on the bay is good preparation, especially if you take a map of Ha Long Bay to know where the boat is and which islands it is going to pass. You can also ask the captain to take the best route for the most picturesque scenery, and what to expect. You can also ask to reduce speed and cruise closer to the bases of spectacular and scenery.

It is an interesting experience to climb. Visiting the caves and grottoes is an interesting experience. Most are above sea level, but there are good stone and wooden steps leading to the entrances. The only difficulty is perhaps the narrow wooden gangway used for getting on and off the boat, as it is sometimes very steep when the tide is high. Sensible shoes are essential!

The paths in large caves are quite even and are illuminated. Tourists should, however, follow the guide and go in groups. You will be shown the many extraordinary figures among thousands of stalactites, stalagmites and other fascinating rock formations.

A cruise in Halong Bay allows you to discover hidden lagoons and explore secret caves, unearthing the treasures of this tropical paradise. Swim in the bath warm waters and admire the varied aquatic life and colourful coral reefs, and then go back to the luxury bedding on the boat in the evening.

Tourists should return to boat schedule to be on time for visits to other places and to avoid keeping others waiting. There is plenty to explore and admire.

It is advisable to remember the boat's name and number so that you can recognize it among the many boats anchoring at the pick-up point, particularly at busy times, as they are very similar to one another. Also, the landing and pick-up points are often in different places.

The cruising boats the Vietnamese use to take guests on a coastal cruise are somewhat worryingly known as Junks – though thankfully are lavishly decorated and nothing like their name implies. Most are made from traditional teak wood and the spacious twin cabins come complete with en suite bathrooms and air conditioning as standard. Some of the more luxury Junks are fully equipped with bar and lounge, library, gym and spa. Cabins in the high-end Junks also have Jacuzzi baths and a balcony.

If you want a truly memorable Halong Bay trip, best hop aboard an overnight ‘junk’, from where you can visit a host of islands, go cycling amongst the paddy fields, play with the local monkeys and take plenty of chances to jump in and swim in the tepid water. Meals are usually included, and with a night booked in advance, you can put a restriction on how early the dodgy boatsman can bring you back to shore. If you have a bit of cash to throw around, there are some other exceptional experiences, too, such as heading down into the impressive assortment of caves to be found on the islands, or even indulging in a surprisingly affordable helicopter trip over it all.