By Zach Feral
Halong Bay is one of Vietnam's most famous destinations. Consisting of islands of varying shapes and sizes, more than a thousand limestone karsts and the long coast of Bai Chay
beach, Halong Bay hosts an astounding array of ecosystems. Mangrove forests, sandy
beaches, offshore coral reefs and freshwater swamps all can be explored when cruising the bay.
Princess Junk Cruise
Just 17 meters in length, 5.2 meters wide and 5 meters high, the Princess Junk cruise ships were designed for couples seeking romantic private cruises of Halong Bay. These ships are reminiscent of ancient Chinese sailboats and come equipped with dining rooms, a sunbathing area, a deluxe bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a separate staff area and a cabin for the captain. The itinerary is totally up to you; as this is a private chartered cruise, be sure to do your research in advance. For instance, you could visit the Vung Vieng fishing village so you can see firsthand how the locals earn their bread and butter. Other possible stop-offs include a private beach, Sen Village, Cat Ba Island and Quan Lan island.
Halong Luxury Travel
56 Ma May St.
Hanoi, Vietnam
011 (+844) 926 3858
halongluxurytravel.com
Indochina Sails
Those seeking a more traditional cruise will find what they're looking for with Indochina Sails---though the ships aren't so huge as to be impersonal. They contain 15 cabins of superior and deluxe class. The latter are the largest and come with rainfall showers. They are situated on the second floor, affording better views. There is a bar, dining room and sundeck. Overall, the ships are 40 meters long, 8.5 meters wide and 19 meters high. Choose from a two- or three-night cruise, with activities such as cave tours, snorkeling, kayaking and visits to private beaches included.
Indochina Sails
27A6 Dam Trau
Hanoi, Vietnam
011 (+844) 3984 2362
indochinasails.com
Halong Phoenix Cruiser
The Halong Phoenix Cruiser has two ships and offers a choice between three two- or three-day tours. Active guests will be drawn toward the kayaking tour, in which you can propel yourself through tiny islets, lagoons, hidden caves and unspoiled beaches. "The Mythical Way to Islands" tour is the shortest tour--just an overnighter--but is nevertheless a good way of seeing a lot of Halong Bay for those who don't have a lot of time. Finally, there's "Discover Halong Bay and Cat Ba," a more traditional three-day cruise that allows you to explore the wonders of the area in-depth.
South Pacific Travel
73 Ly Nam De St.
Hanoi, Vietnam
011 (+844) 3747 8565
halongphoenixcruiser.com
About the Author:
Zach Feral has been writing and editing professionally since 2003. He has a B.A. in philosophy from the New School for Social Research in New York and pursued postgraduate studies at the Open University in the U.K. His writing has appeared in numerous international publications, including "Dazed & Confused," "Artforum" and "Think Again."
