Bai Tu Long Bay is located in the northeastern part of Vietnam. It is part of the more well-known area of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its incredible landscape and emerald water. One of the popular tourist activities to do is to take a cruise around the Bay. Cruises range from luxury to budget-friendly and offer a range of activities.
Since there are many different companies offering cruises around Halong Bay, the options are endless. But, you will get what you pay for. While doing research on cruise companies remember to look for where exactly you will be sailing. Not all cruises go to Halong Bay but instead go to Bai Tu Long Bay.
Now, there’s nothing different in the landscape of Bai Tu Long Bay. It’s actually part of Halong Bay, located on the eastern side close to the Chinese border. So it shouldn’t make much of a difference, but if your heart of set on Halong Bay specifically, make sure you’re going where you want to go.
For me, I didn’t care where I went, I was just excited to go on a cruise.
IndoChina Junk
IndoChina Junk is one of the companies that sail through Bai Tu Long Bay. They have many different options of ships, length of stay and activities. I opted for the Dragon Legend Cruise, two days one night.
All the cruise companies operate like clockwork, which you will see in Hanoi dropping off and picking up guests every day. However, this does not lower the kind of customer service and hospitality every guest receives. My cruise manager knew everyone’s name on the ship in a matter of hours, hours! There were about 50 people on the ship and knowing everyone’s name in a few hours is quite impressive. Especially since it takes me at least a week or two to learn my student’s names.
Itinerary
Day One
Starting off, you will be picked up from Hanoi Old Quarter in a luxury 7 or 9 passenger van around 8 am. The journey to Halong Bay from Hanoi is about 3-4 hours. Somewhere in the middle, everyone stops for snacks and the toilet. After arriving in Halong Bay, you will be ushered into the waiting area of IndoChina Junk. Here is where you will meet your cruise manager, pay the outstanding balance, and start meeting other passengers and indulging in your cruise experience.
It won’t be long before you’re called up to board the ship. Once introductions are made from the staff in the dining room onboard, checking into the cabin is the next step.
The Cabin
The facilities onboard are top-notch and compete with 5-star hotel rooms in Hanoi. The cabin includes features such as:
- TV
- Fully stocked refrigerator
- Ensuite full bathroom with shower, and bathtub where you have options for a freshwater or saltwater bath
- Closet
- King size bed
- Air-conditioner
- Safe
- Vanity
- Seating area with snacks
- Vietnamese artwork and dark wood paneling throughout the cabin
The Ship
Once you’ve settled in and managed to pull yourself away from the impressive cabin. It’s time to check out the rest of the ship. There are 3 decks, 2 decks are cabins and the top deck is where all the action is.
Located on the top deck are the restaurant, bar, outdoor seating area, pool, spa, and lounge deck. In addition, there is also a small gym on the second deck at the back of the boat.
Afternoon and Evening Activities
By around 1:30 pm, lunch will be served in the outdoor seating area (weather permitting). This is a set menu with 5 courses. The staff will come by and take drink orders which will be kept on a room tab until check out.
The food onboard is delicious and elegantly prepared. Each cabin has its own table. Since I was alone, I had a table to myself. But luckily there was another solo female traveler on board so we ended up sticking together for the rest of the cruise.
After lunch, there is some free time to take in the scenery as you sail through the Bay area. In a few hours, the ship will dock in Vung Dang – Cong Dam where guests can go kayaking and swimming. Just watch out for the jellyfish!
By 6 pm, it’s time to head back to the ship, and cruise off to the docking location for the evening. Dinner is served at 8 pm and is also a set menu. The head chef will make an appearance along with the kitchen staff. They will also bring out an impressive dragon made out of carrots.
To end the day, try your luck at squid fishing near the back of the boat. I wasn’t so lucky but another guest managed to catch a squid.
Day 2
Day 2 starts off bright and early with Tai Chi at 6:30 am on the sundeck. By 7 am, it’s time for a breakfast buffet in the restaurant. This meal has western and Vietnamese options. And coffee, don’t forget the Vietnamese coffee!
During breakfast, the ship will make its way toward Cong Do area. There is a cave called Thien Canh Son which was discovered by a local fisherman. Once the ship docks guests can go to the small island and explore. Don’t forget to take your camera for some good photo opportunities.
By 10 am you head back to the ship for the last leg of the cruise back to Halong Bay City. If you worked up an appetite wandering around the cave, don’t worry because there is another buffet available on the ship after check out.
Before you know it, it’s time to say goodbye to all your new friends you made on the ship. Once you pick up your luggage, you’ll go to a water puppet show on your way back to Hanoi.
So are you ready to sail the seas with IndoChina Junk?
