Photo: Jakub Hałun (CC BY 4.0)
Sea and islands · Vietnam
A night aboard a ship in Ha Long Bay
A cruise among the limestone islands, with caves, kayaking and sunset on deck. The finest way to see the bay.
Ha Long Bay · Vietnam
The experience
A cruise in Ha Long Bay is the heart of any journey to northern Vietnam. The ship leaves at midday from a harbour near Ha Long city, about two and a half hours by car from Hanoi, and threads between green limestone islands rising from emerald water.
It stops at large caves such as Sung Sot, at small beaches where you can swim in summer, and offers kayaking or a wooden boat among the floating fishing villages. At sunset guests gather on deck, followed by dinner on board and a night in a cabin looking out over the islands.
Early in the morning there is tai chi on deck for those who wish, then breakfast and a last excursion before returning to harbour at midday. You can extend to a second night in the quieter Lan Ha Bay.
We choose fine ships with spacious cabins and private balconies, ask the kitchen in advance for halal meals or seafood only, and book connecting cabins for families when available.
Vietnam
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