There are a variety of Halong Bay tours available, catering to different interests, budgets, and schedules. Some popular options include:
Overnight cruises: These tours typically involve spending one or two nights on a traditional wooden junk boat, exploring the bay’s stunning scenery during the day and enjoying meals and activities on board at night. Some tours also offer the option to sleep on a private island or in a beachfront bungalow.
Day trips: If you’re short on time, a day trip to Halong Bay is a great way to see some of the highlights. These tours usually involve a few hours of cruising the bay, stopping at key sights like the iconic limestone pillars and floating fishing villages, and enjoying lunch on board.
Kayaking tours: For a more active and immersive experience, consider a kayaking tour of Halong Bay. These tours typically involve paddling through hidden lagoons, caves, and tunnels, getting up close to the bay’s unique rock formations and wildlife.
Seaplane tours: For a bird’s-eye view of Halong Bay, consider a seaplane tour. These tours offer a unique perspective on the bay’s dramatic scenery, with the added thrill of taking off and landing on the water.
Regardless of which type of tour you choose, you can expect to be wowed by Halong Bay’s natural beauty and cultural richness. Be sure to pack sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable clothing for your tour, and don’t forget your camera to capture the memories of this unforgettable destination.
During a Halong Bay day trip, visitors can expect to see some of the most iconic sights in the area, such as the towering limestone cliffs, floating fishing villages, and hidden lagoons. Many day trips include stops at popular attractions like Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave), which is filled with stunning rock formations and colorful lights. Visitors may also have the chance to kayak or swim in the bay’s calm waters, depending on the tour.
A typical Halong Bay day trip also includes a delicious seafood lunch served on board the boat, featuring fresh catch from the bay. There’s plenty of time to relax and take in the scenery, or chat with fellow travelers and learn about the local culture and history.
Overall, a Halong Bay day trip is a great way to experience one of Vietnam’s most stunning natural wonders, even if you only have a limited amount of time. Just be sure to pack sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable clothing, and bring a camera to capture the memories of this unforgettable destination.
My Experience of Halong Bay Day Trip:
Our first stop was a cave, which took around 40 minutes to explore. After that, we had the opportunity to go kayaking. While the cave we visited was regular, Vietnam is home to world-class caves, with Phong Nha being a prime example. Kayaking was one of the best experiences of the day trip. Luon Cave was a popular spot for kayaking, where we took our kayaks from a low lying roof and entered a lake surrounded by hills, creating a beautiful and breathtaking view. We could chill here for a while. Remember to carry a swimsuit while kayaking, or you may get wet!
After kayaking, we visited an artificial beach that was crowded with tourists. However, there was a hiking point that took us to the top, where we could experience a panoramic view of Halong Bay. It was a picture-perfect postcard view.
Parting Thoughts:
Just when we thought our Halong Bay day trip couldn’t get any better, the most exciting experience awaited us – the boat ride back to the coast in the evening. The air was filled with anticipation as we boarded the boat once again. Refreshments were served on the boat, and the sound of music added to the thrill of the moment.
As we set sail towards the coast, the sun slowly began to dip below the horizon. The sky turned into a beautiful shade of orange and pink, and the waters of Halong Bay glistened like diamonds. The scenery was nothing short of breathtaking, and each passing moment left us in awe of nature’s beauty.
As we basked in the magical atmosphere, it dawned on me how lucky we were to be experiencing such a moment. The boat ride back to the coast was the highlight of the tour, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of euphoria wash over me as we approached the end of the journey.
In that moment, I realized that it was the perfect end to an already exhilarating day trip. The memories of that boat ride will stay with me forever, and I’ll forever cherish the feeling of being surrounded by such beauty and tranquility.
The price of experiencing such an experience will be around VND 12,00,000 (depends on time you book it). I went in 2022.