I have been to Halong Bay on a day trip but did not join an overnight trip. I can recommend a English speaking Vietnamese tour guide and he can do your planning for you. I recommended at least half a dozen parties from different parts of the world to use his service and every party is very pleased with his tour service.

Hi. It’s the name of the tour you’ve booked. They’re all named after flowers. We were in Halong Bay in May and we booked with Orchid cruises. We also saw offices for Peony cruises. I think it’s actually all the same company it’s just how the make It easy for you to find where to go once you’ve arrived as there are so many people and buses at the drop off point. Don’t worry about that as the bus drivers are experts at getting you to where you need to go and each boat has a tour director who meets you on shore, ticks of your name and makes sure you get out to the boat.

Really good question. I have always booked in advance. I have been 3 times, taking friends, and have experienced the weather both clear and rainy with mist. Both are beautiful but as you really want to be able to see the land formations it is a good idea to book once you get to Vietnam. Most hotels can do that for you.

Our experience was that every hotel we stayed in arranged transportation for us to wherever we were going. Let the front desk know your plans and they will arrange your transportation. We were staying in Hanoi and a bus picked us up and took us to our destination. The bus was included in the price of our tour.

Super easy, can paddle at own speed and it is a tiny area one is paddling in. Can go in kayak with someone else. Quite awkward though getting in and out due to jetty height etc. first time we visited Halung Bay we boarded kayaks from vessel but that seems to have changed to all kayaks bring at the jetty. I don’t know whether it was the time of the year of the fact we were on a vessel for only one night and they don’t travel as far but the water was pretty gritty due to so many people visiting but I didn’t entertain swimming in it. Our first visit 3 years prior we were on a vessel for three nights and it was great and more personalised eg the kayaking. Service, staff and meals on the vessels was terrific both times. I think though I would recommend a two or three night cruise to goto more locations and perhaps cleaner water. Apologies being so late in responding.

Hi. We used Orchid Cruises and booked this through our travel agent. I would highly recommend this company as the boat was very modern, our room was fantastic and the staff very very friendly. I would use them again without hesitation. However, I would suggest that you do the two nights, as we did, as this gives you the best value for money and it’s a more relaxing and enjoyable trip. Be prepared to have a most enjoyable time. Cheers