Ha Long Bay is one of the eight UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. It was our main destination when we visited Vietnam for the first time.  To reach Ha Long Bay, we passed through the capital city of Hanoi as our initial gateway to the mind-blowing group of about 1,600 limestone islets. We spent overnight in Hanoi in a charming hotel and with the help of the hotel staff we arranged an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay.

The following day we were picked up at our Hanoi hotel by the tour bus that would take us to Bai Chay port in around three hours for the 150 km trip. The tour company that we chose was Halong Phoenix Cruiser.

 

We waited at the Bai Chay port departure area until we were told to take a small boat that would take us to the cruise boat.

 

 

My wife and I were more than ready for our first cruise together in this side of the world.

 

 

Here she is, our awesome, English-speaking tour guide, Trần Hồng Hạnh. Let the cruise begin!

 

DAY 1

The small boat took us to the area where small wooden boats were docked on the bay.

 

 

We reached the wooden boat that would be our home for the next two days.

 

The wooden boat’s main deck was designed to have a hallway around the private rooms and common areas. There were no private balconies.

 

 

This was our room with a private bathroom.  I believe all the rooms were similarly designed only differing in sizes.

 

 

Shown here is the dining area…..

 

 

…with the must-have bar!

 

 

We spent some time in the bow of the boat and took some snapshots.

 

 

Can you see in the background the thumb up islet?

 

Going up one level higher…

 

…..is the relaxation area that has a a few dining tables and some lounge chairs.

 

 

To An Island On Kayak

Around mid-afternoon, we were all dropped off in a kayak station and we were released to the kayaks in pairs.

 

 

Our mission was to row to a nearby island.  For kayaking first timers like us we had a hard time making a straight and smooth sail and the nearby was too far away! However, it was  an absolute fun to try kayaking for the first time! We did not need to drop those paddles as they ‘re worth $20!

 

 

Finally, we reached the correct island after five years! Ha ha! We got off from the kayak and were told to take a short rest after which we were free to do whatever we wanted: climb up the island for a stunning view of Ha Long Bay,  swim and laze on the beach or simply just relax at the resting area sipping a drink being sold at small stores lining up the area.

 

 

We decided to hike just halfway to the mountaintop to get this view.

 

 

Even in a gloomy weather the view of the towering karst islands far beyond as our eyes could see were so overwhelming.

 

 

After spending some time at the high viewing point we decided to descend back to the beachfront where we just watched the crowd at the beach and sipped some cold drinks. Then it was time to go back to the boat and refresh ourselves.

 

 

Dinner

Still reeling from the constant circling of our kayak, we finally diverted our attention to our dinner being served at the dining area starting with healthy salads.

 

 

One of seafood was uniquely set and we had a wide selection of beer too.  I chose Singapore’s Tiger beer.

 

 

One of the main dishes served was the hearty, deep-fried, breaded meat.

 

 

Exotic fruits like rambutans were also served.

 

 

Suddenly, it was evening!  After dinner we spent some time at the upper level of the boat having some drinks and then we called it a night.  Overall we had a very relaxing and peaceful sleep only awakened twice by some noise probably by flying creatures around the area.

 

 

DAY 2

Wakey, wakey! It is the second cruise day! After spending time at the tiny bathroom, we proceeded to the dining area to see an exciting breakfast waiting for us. Just as we discovered in Hanoi two days earlier, the venerable Vietnamese “pho” is available even during breakfast.

A Majestic Cave

After a relaxed breakfast, the boat sailed farther south passing mysterious fog-covered karst islands.

 

 

We arrived at our destination after around thirty minutes. We had to get off the boat and follow a wooden walkway to the entrance of…..

 

 

….Sung Sot Cave (Cave of Surprises)!

 

 

We climb around 100 steps and got inside through a narrow entrance leading…..

 

 

 

…to what looked like its main lobby.  To the right side is the narrow flight of stairs that took us deep inside the chambers of the cave.

 

 

The massive cave is well-lighted with different colors.  This is what they call a light show inside the cave.

 

 

The interior can be eerie at times but mostly I was in awe.

 

 

The lights definitely helped create a better visual effect inside the cave compared with no lights at all.

 

 

I have disliked caves before but this experience changed my mindset about caves wherein inside this breathtaking natural phenomenon pathways were clearly marked and lighted and the place was not …..

 

 

…….claustrophobic. You can see how this is one heck of a majestic cave with a 30-meter high ceiling and 500-meter long passage.

 

 

The cave covers a staggering 10,000 square meters of which its larger cavern can accommodate up to 1,000 people.

 

 

It was an amazing experience touring the cave which is just one of the caves in Ha Long Bay but is considered the largest and the most beautiful.  Thanks to the lights too!

 

 

 

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As we exited the cave chambers, we were taken back to the same area where we entered the cave.  It was a high viewing point overlooking the bay.

 

 

As we walked back to the boat we noticed some small boats selling food and all.

 

 

Lunch and A Cooking Lesson

As soon as we were back in the wooden boat, we were ushered to the dining are where our tour guide and one of the boat staff prepared us for the next exciting activity. We would be making Vietnamese spring rolls that would be a part of our lunch menu.

 

We were provided the steps and the list of ingredients.

 

 

The ingredients were already prepared and we just had to mix them.

 

 

Here’s the final mixture of the ingredients before wrapping and making them into tiny spring rolls.

 

 

 

 

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Everyone enjoyed the activity as the mixture were wrapped before deep- frying them.

 

 

Back to the Mainland

After lunch, the boat sailed for the mainland.

 

 

We did not have any other activities anymore except to immerse for the last time in the amazing scenery around the bay.

 

 

We passed by the kissing rooster and hen islets.

 

 

Certainly, my wife and I enjoyed the short cruise. There were other cruise options spending more nights on the bay with added activities like beach BBQ, visiting fishing villages and more but our schedule only allowed us to take the 2 days/1 night cruise which was already enough to see the bay.

 

 

This was my last shot of Ha Long Bay that I took as we neared the mainland. Tạm biệt (goodbye) Ha Long for now!

 

 

It was mostly overcast days and at short times it was raining when we were in Ha Long Bay.  It was summertime but during the season lasting from May to September, one can expect some rainy days and even typhoons. The best times to visit is during the months of April and May (spring) & September and October (fall).

Even in a not-so-good weather, Ha Long Bay indeed impressed me primarily due to the overwhelming and sheer abundance of those spectacular limestone islands. I love nature and the place was a sight to behold at any angle and at any time of the day. I am not sure though about the emerald water which appeared a bit murky if it clears up on sunny days. Also I have shockingly noticed a number of times plastic garbage floating in the “protected” area. Maybe irresponsible visitors, maybe not. I hope the proper authorities have already done something about it when we come back during its best season.