Top 5 Halong Bay cruises you should try

How to Get To Halong Bay?

Due to its huge popularity, Halong Bay is very well connected to any part of Vietnam and other countries. You can go there through different routes:

By water: There's a big international cruise ship that regularly ferries visitors to Halong Bay. The Cai Lan International Port where the ship docks in is just 10 minutes away from Halong Bay cruises.

By air: Hanoi and Hai Phong are the closest airports. Regular flights are available from Nha Trang, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. You can also fly to these two airports from most Southeast Asian airports. South Vietnam tours

By road: This is the most preferred option, as you can get there by car from virtually any neighboring locales.

Sunset in Halong, a thing to die for.

And now, here're the top five Halong Bay cruises you should try:
Emeraude Day Cruise (top day cruise)

The design is absolutely eye-catching. Unlike other cruises, Emeraude exudes its original French design with pride. It’s a short one-day trip to Halong Bay that'll quite easily provide an unforgettable experience as it takes its passengers to Surprise Grotto or Surprise Cave (Sung Sot Cave), which is considered to be the finest and most magnificent cave in the bay by many, followed by a trip to Hang Trong cave. Most people agree the food and the service are awesome. PANDAW CRUISE

Rate: $74

Glory Cruise (value for money)

For a most glorious cruising experience

If a serene trip free from crowds is what you want when visiting Halong, then this cruise is for you. On its 2D1N trip, you will be taken to a nearby fishing village where you can see its villagers' daily activities. You can even try kayaking, have on-board cooking lessons, go fishing or exploring caves.

Rate: $110

Dragon Pearl (awesome itinerary)

Targets in vacation? No way! It’s time to chill.

When the other cruises struggle to clear the traffic, this one makes sure that its on-board tourists do not have to wait in queue. In its 2D1N program, you can cover almost all famous hotspots, yet get some more time to chill.

Rate: $150

Paradise Peak Cruise (best luxury trip)

Paradise Peak Cruise: the epitome of opulence and perfection.

Just only one word is needed to define this cruise, it would be "luxury". From the aesthetic beauty of the cruise to the rooms, amenities, food, staffs and service, the entire cruise is classy in every sense. It makes a trip of 2D1N.

Rate: $200

Pelican Cruise (top newcomer)

Indulging in luxury is not a sin after all

Launched in 2012, Pelican has already built a rock-solid reputation with its top notch facilities, good service, superb amenities and friendly staff. It offers bay trip packages of 2D1N and 3D2N.

Rate: $260 and $370 respectively

Dong Van Karst Plateau Ha Giang Vietnam

Dong Van karst plateau has an area of 2.350 square kilometers, spreads over four districts of Ha Giang province: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac at an average height of 1.400 - 1.600 meters with a number of beautiful limestone and winding road. Here, scientists have found 33 tectonics heritages, 45 geomorphology heritages and many unique fossils in sedimentary rock, which creates opportunities for the tourist attraction, brings income for indigenous people. Mai Chau Valley 2 days

From Ha Giang town, along 4C Highway about 50 kilometers, tourists step into Quan Ba districts with spectacular and grandeur mountain scenery. In the journey to the rocky plateau, visitors can enjoy the beauty of Can Ty Pass. Dong Van karst plateau has 80% limestone, is one of the most distinctive karst in Vietnam with black and majestic boulders. The shapes of boulders are created by environmental conditions and different stages of development. Here, the whole scene is rocks with various shapes such as petals, flowers, flower branch (Khau vai rock garden, Veo Vac District) or the shape of tiger (Lung Cu rock garden). Van Chai rock garden has green grass that creates the majestic and grandeur beauty for landscape. PANDAW CRUISE

Besides the geological value, Dong Van karst plateau also attracts tourists by the unique cultural and spiritual values associated with the ethnic Mong, Dao, Lo Lo… living on the plateau. They picked up stones to build house, walls. They carved stone to grow corn. They renovated the mountainside into a vast of rice. The beauty and grandeur of Dong Van plateau comes from not only the huge natural boulders but also the fair of the H’mong, Dao, Lo Lo… In the morning, ethnic people from neighbor districts come to fair with colorful costumes.

• Treasure Junk, Halong Travel

Dong Van Karst Plateau Ha Giang Vietnam

From the geological unique, in the end of 2010, Dong Van karst plateau was recognized as the first geological park of Vietnam and Geoparks of the world. Dong Van karst plateau is one of the special limestone mountain, including the marks of the history of the earth’s crust process and tradition of indigenous communities.

Dong Van karst plateau has all elements convergence to become global Geoparks. Rocky plateau also has national relic such as: mansion of Vuong family, Lung Cu flag pole, Dong Van ancient, Ma Li Peng pass, Quan Ba Twin Mountain…

Top 10 FREE things to do in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

With an abundance of things to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City, it can be difficult to prioritise and balance the travel budget. With these ten free things to do in Vietnam’s former capital, you’ll wish you could stay longer!

Notre Dame Cathedral
The elaborate Notre Dame Catholic Cathedral which was built by the French during the 1800s and stands next to the Post Office in central HCMC is free to enter. This is an active cathedral though so be sure to respect the attending worshippers. South Vietnam tours

Central Post Office
And just across the road from the Notre Dame Cathedral is the handsome French-colonial Town Hall building which was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Town Hall has a classically elegant interior complete with a vaulted glass-canopy ceiling. Inside hangs a massive portrait of the great leader, Ho Chi Minh himself. Jasmine Cruise

Top 10 FREE things to do in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

Thien Hau Pagoda
The Thien Hau Pagoda in the Chinatown district of Cholon is dedicated to sea goddess, Lady Thien Hau which features two giant turtles to guard the pagoda. There are elaborate sculptures adorning the courtyard walls and each March an elaborate festival takes place at this free to enter building.

Quan Am Pagoda
Within Vietnam’s largest Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City at Cholon is also the Quan Am Pagoda which is free to explore. This is the oldest Chinese pagoda in Saigon and is close to the Thien Hau Pagoda.

• SONG XANH CRUISE

Take a walking tour
Grab a free tourist map from your hotel, wear your most comfortable shoes and head onto the streets for a leisurely walking tour. As you wander you’ll spot the locals going about their daily lives; cooking on the street, shopping for fresh vegetables and even sleeping on their motorbikes. And one essential tip for crossing the street amidst the millions of mopeds and motorbikes; walk at one continuous speed, do not run and try to make eye contact with the driver. It’s daunting at first but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

Ben Thanh Market
Browse the Ben Thanh Market on Ho Chi Minh’s Le Loi Street where the local market stall are piled high with just about everything you could imagine from spices, housewares, souvenirs, textiles and jewellery. Browse without picking anything up and you’ll not get hassled by the traders too much.

Rex Hotel
Visit the iconic Rex Hotel which became famous thanks to the ‘Five O’clock Follies’ – the press conferences that were held each day during the Vietnam War. The name originates from the journalists who nicknamed the spin that existed during the period. Admire the hotel from the street or if your budget allows, enjoy a drink (and an awesome view of Ho Chi Minh City below) at the rooftop bar.

Dam Sen Water Park
The kids will get in for free to the Dam Sen Water Park if they’re under 0.8 meters in height. There are some great water slide experiences including the thrilling Space Bowl.

Tour the Reunification Palace
Once inside the 1960s Reunification Palace there are free tours of the various state rooms.  Entrance is 30,000 dong which is less than 1.50 USD and well worth the modest fee. The Palace is a shrine to all things 60s and is virtually untouched since the fall of Saigon to the north on 30 April 1975. The gates of the palace are famous in their own right as the images were beamed worldwide of the tank 843 clattered through the gate signalling the end of the Vietnam War.