Ha Long Bay

Yes, you can purchase tickets in HLB.

BUT check out the boat you are sailing on physically. Shopping for price doesn't buy you the best.

Inquire about food (and who cooks it - a greasy engine room hand?); where you sleep (some boats dump you ashore in a cheap hotel); safety (life jackets, decent radios [white round dome on the roof); does the crew dress/behave professionally; does the electricity stay on all night (cheaper boats turn the power off around 23.00H)?

It might be called a 'bay' but you should treat it as open sea, some of the storms there are quite impressive and boats have sunk along with tourists on them.

Leave everything you won't need in the hotel you are staying at on land and assume everything is for grabs/theft. Leave your passport behind but carry a photocopy.

The land between Ha Long City (actually two cities and a bridge) and the Chinese border is very beautiful and few tourists go there.

Thank you!!

Yes, please share the contacts and recommended cruises you have experience with or know about.

my.nh wrote:

Hi,

Many choices of overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, you can book directly to boat company or tour operator however if you book direct the price is higher than the tour company. You can shop and check which is the best for you. If you need some boat company i can advise, i and my wife also stayed 2 nights on boat, this was cool and enjoy so much

Regards,
My Nguyen

Yes, please share the contacts and recommended cruises you have experience with or know about.