Is a Ha Long Bay cruise worth it? Our two-day cruise review

Another Vietnamese UNESCO World Heritage site, Ha Long Bay, is located in northern Vietnam and is famous for its towering limestone karsts and jungle-covered islands.

But with so much hype, does it actually live up to the reputation?

Read on for our honest, two-day review to see exactly what to expect and why you should add it to your Vietnam itinerary.

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Is Ha Long Bay worth visiting?

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Yes. Ha Long bay is pretty unique, and the cruise through the islands is amazing. You spend a fair bit of time relaxing, staring at the passing cliffs. This is supported by sipping a drink or two in comfort on the upper decks of the junks.

It was a wonderful experience. If I had any regrets, it would be that the cruise we were on was too short. Three or even four days would be so much better.

Realxing top deck of Orchid junk in Ha Long Bay

This cruise also stops at two islands for kayaking and exploring limestone caves.

Ha Long Bay: Junk

We used Orchid Cruises for a two-day, one night cruise. Whilst I slightly regret not selecting the three day, two night cruise – I have to admit not sure where I could have sacrificed a day elsewhere in Vietnam, just love this country!

The cabins and indeed the whole junk is quite luxurious and well equipped even with a swimming pool.

View from the Orchid cabins in Ha Long Bay

The restaurant food was excellent, and there are options to do cooking classes onboard during the cruise as well. Or you can simply just relax on the top deck with a drink or two.

Ha Long Bay: Airport

Ha Long Bay doesn’t have its own airport. The three closest airports are the Van Don International Airport (VDO), the Cat Bi International Airport (HPH), and the Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) at Hanoi.

We chose to take a taxi back to Hanoi to fly down to Central Vietnam after Ha Long Bay. That was by far the quickest travel method.

The alternatives are a sleeper bus to Central Vietnam, or taxi back to Hanoi to catch the sleeper train instead. Both of these options take at least twelve hours, compared to the one hour flight.

Cruising through Ha Long Bay

Day 1 – Ha Long Bay Cruise

The cruise itinerary is quite a busy one.

We transferred from the Ha Long terminals via a tender boat to get to the actual junk usually around midday.

We had a short while to get settled before lunch was served. We had a very enjoyable lunch while the junk started to cruise through the bay towards Cat Ba island.

After lunch, you have a couple of hours to relax and watch the cliff side islands or karsts float by…

Cruising through Ha Long Bay towards sunset.

Serene Halong Bay views from the Orchid Junk, Vietnam.

Around mid afternoon, we transferred to Cat Ba island to go the Trung Trang Cave in the national park.

The park is full on jungle, and the Trung Trang Cave at around 300 meters long, is quite impressive.

After that, back to the junk, and relax at anchor at Tra Bau – Lan Ha Bay, where we jumped off the junk into the sea for swim, and relaxed on deck with a drink or three during their Happy Hour.

After a multi-course meal in the restaurant, back to the sundeck for more drinks.

This was a Christmas Day cruise for us, not the best time of year to cruise through Ha Long Bay, but even now the water temperature was easily 26°C.

It did get a little cooler on deck later in the evening, and the crew do have blankets you can use if needed.

Day 2 – Ha Long Bay Cruise

Next morning, the junk was on its way before we woke up to a great breakfast on the way to another area of Ha Long Bay called Ao Ech.

We jumped onto the tender boat to go across to a large floating platform. We grabbed our kayaks to go through a couple of bays, and even through/under the limestone cliffs out into new bays. There are pretty spectacular views from the water going through these towering cliffs.

Back on-board the cruise, we then continued back to the disembarking point. We were served a mid morning brunch before getting a tender boat back to the Tuan Chau Marina and the Orchid Cruises Terminal.

The Orchid Junk from the water in Ha Long Bay.

Best time to visit Ha Long Bay

Dry Season: April to June, September to November.

Warm to hot, with clear sunny skies.

Wet Season: June to August, December to March

Cool to cold weather, rainy, misty and cloudy.

We had Christmas on the junk in Ha Long Bay, and the sea was still warm enough to swim in. The evenings can get a bit chilly, and the junks have blankets on the upper deck.

Drinks on the upper deck of the Orchid Junk in Ha Long Bay

Practical Tips before booking Ha Long Bay

Who to cruise with in Ha Long Bay

From what we could see, there are two types of boats, the more traditional looking junks and more modern looking cruise ships cruising around Ha Long Bay.

We did go for the more traditional look junk, with Orchid Cruises, and the boat was very comfortable and very spacious.

If you are in Hanoi, some of the companies offer transfers from Hanoi as part of the overall package.

How long should you cruise in Ha Long Bay?

We selected the two day, one night cruise, because we were trying to see a lot of Vietnam in two weeks. I think another day onboard would have been nice, as the two day cruise is pretty busy, two nights, three days might be better.

If you don’t have the spare time, even the two days is awesome, Ha Long Bay is not be missed over an extra day.

Final Review of Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is a pretty unique location, and the cruise through the islands and limestone cliffs is very impressive.

The excursions to the Cat Ba Island and to Ao Ech are both interesting and enjoyable.

You don’t have to do the excursions if you don’t want to, and you can simply relax on the upper deck just admiring the scenery around the boat instead. Up to you !

Upper deck while cruising through Ha Long Bay

The unique scenery of this World Heritage Site make it well worth the distance!

Ha Long Bay: Costs

Hotels:

We selected Orchid Cruises for the more traditional style and the smaller number of cabins on the junk. The cost included transfers from Hanoi, and cost about the same as a 4,5 star city hotel in Australia. The junk was fully booked based on the number of people in the restaurant during meals, but on the upper decks, there was always space everywhere, with no sense of crowding.

Eating Out:

The food onboard was excellent and was included in the overall cruise package. Only drinks on the top deck had to be paid for extra.

Excursions:

The excursions were included in the cruise package.

Transportation:

The transfers from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay are far cheaper than the equivalent in Australia, under half the price.

Value For Money:

Overall, the cruise with Orchid Cruises through Ha Long Bay is pretty good value for money. The room onboard the junk is easily comparable in quality to top level Australian hotels, but includes the cruise through Ha Long Bay, two excursions to two different islands. You get so much more – expensive but worth it.

Ha Long Bay: Review

Ease of Getting Around:

The cruise companies have organised these trips pretty effectively, offering or including transfers to and from multiple locations in Vietnam including Hanoi. The transfer out to the junk with their tender is seamless, they manage your luggage and make sure it gets to your cabin. The excursions are all well planned, as the groups are smaller on the smaller boats.

Atmosphere and Vibe:

The Orchid junk is luxurious, and designed in traditional styles, and the cabins and bathrooms are large and very comfortable. The whole boat is designed for viewing the surrounding islands in relaxing comfort.

Food and Culture:

The meals onboard are presented in traditional style, and the multiple courses are all superb.

Friendliness and Local Hospitality:

Service onboard is excellent with the traditional Vietnamese hospitality.