Halong Bay: Accommodation

Accommodation in Halong Bay is available in a huge variety. For visitors spending the night on shore, hotels range from fairly basic to sophisticated resorts. However, as the main attraction, cruises come in all shapes and sizes. The big distinction here is the type of boat, with a choice between the traditional wooden junk ships to modern cruise liners.

Luxury cabins are available on both types of ship. These cabins are complete with classic Vietnamese carved wooden furniture and handmade textiles. For those visitors looking at the top of the market, the best-in-range modern cruise liners are practically floating five star hotels, fitted with reading rooms, spas and even a gym!

For guests selecting a cruise, one of the most important choices is that of the type of boat. Whilst some visitors may prefer the traditional wooden junk boat, larger modern, yacht-like boats are also available. On one hand, wooden junk boats vary in size from single-cabin boats to larger fifteen cabin boats. These boats may be smaller in size, but offer huge amounts of historic character. For couples and families wishing to make the most of their time together, smaller sized junk boats may be recommended. 

On the other hand, cruise liners start at around fifteen-cabin capacity and can grow up to huge forty-cabin liners. Cruise liners tend to be more spacious, and include more on board facilities, suited to their size. Some companies offer both modern cruise liners and wooden junk boats which range from one cabin to eleven cabins.  

Visitors can privately hire junk boats of all sizes. Guests on public junk boat cruises should be aware that such boats are likely to be full during the main tourist season. Private boats are an ideal way to celebrate a special event, such as a wedding reception or honeymoon. In this way guests will be able to enjoy complete privacy on board all areas of the ship. Please note that modern cruise liners are not usually available for private hire. 

Summary

As Halong Bay is a clear highlight of any Vietnam travel itinerary, the choice of cruise and boat should not be taken lightly. Luxury or premium options can sometimes offer the best value for money in terms of the facilities and services that they provide. Furthermore, the very cheapest day-trips sometimes skimp on food, water, and worryingly, safety precautions.

The good news here is that so-called luxury cruises can be surprisingly affordable (if booked either well in advance or at the last minute). Guests should consider contacting travel agents and seeing if they might be able to secure an exceptional deal. More importantly for first-time visitors to Vietnam, travel companies can use their years of experience to distinguish the quality providers from the substandard ones.