Halong bay travel tips
1. Travelling on the Bay
The most interesting part of a Hạ Long tour is the boat cruise around the bay to admire hundreds of stone islets that seem to move and change as the boat passes, first seen from a distance, then hidden below the waves. The boat moors on some islands to allow tourists to visit caves and grottoes, and at sandy beaches for a rest, sunbathing and swimming.
Without advance knowledge, tourists may miss many beautiful stone islets, as there is so much to explore. Reading the introduction to the islands and the routes on the bay is good preparation, especially if you take a map of Hạ Long Bay to know where the boat is and which islands it is going to pass. You can also ask the captain to take the best route for the most picturesque scenery, and what to expect. You can also ask to reduce speed and cruise closer to the bases of spectacular and scenery.
It is an interesting experience to climb. Visiting the caves and grottoes is an interesting experience. Most are above sea level, but there are good stone and wooden steps leading to the entrances. The only difficulty is perhaps the narrow wooden gangway used for getting on and off the boat, as it is sometimes very steep when the tide is high. Sensible shoes are essential!
It is advisable to remember the boat’s name and number so that you can recognize it among the many boats anchoring at the pick-up point, particularly at busy times, as they are very similar to one another. Also, the landing and pick-up points are often in different places.
The paths in large caves are quite even and are illuminated. Tourists should, however, follow the guide and go in groups. You will be shown the many extraordinary figures among thousands of stalactites, stalagmites and other fascinating rock formations.
Tourists should return to boat schedule to be on time for visits to other places and to avoid keeping others waiting. There is plenty to explore and admire.
2. Bãi Cháy Tourist Wharf
Traveling from Hanoi, shortly before reaching Bãi Cháy, tourists will see the Bãi Cháy Tourist Wharf on the right. It is very large and fenced, with a parking area for hundreds of cars.
All tourist boats anchor, load and unload here, except for a few large ships and speedboats.
Tourists should only buy tickets, hire boats and get on the boat inside the wharf. There are ticket offices (Tel: (84-33) 846 592), with a table of prices. Hiring or embarking on boats moored outside the wharf is likely to lead to trouble, as they are often unlicensed.
In Hòn Gai, there is another wharf for tourists to take trips to the bay from the eastern part of Ha Long City. Tourists can hire a boat at the ticket offices there.
3. Kayaking
This is a romantic, adventurous kind of tourism. A large boat carries tourists and small inflatable kayaks to a deserted area of sea around the bay. The boat anchors and the kayaks are inflated. Tourists are shown how to use lifejackets, paddles, the first aid kit, and how to call for help. Kayakers paddle in groups to little known areas and into caves, spending the night camping at the foot of an island. Boats providing food, tour guides and lifeguards are at hand.
Kayaking was introduced in Hạ Long in 1998, and is now a popular activity. A 2-day tour is priced at US$105, 5 days at US$290, and 7 days at US$390.
You can book these tours at Vidotour, Buffalo Tour and others.
4. Ticket for trips to the bay
All tourists are required to buy tickets to visit the bay. A ticket costs VND15,000 per route for a Vietnamese citizen, or VND30,000 per route for a foreigner.
Ticket class 1: is valid for visiting Thiên Cung Grotto and other caves (except Sung Sôt Grotto).
Ticket class 2: is valid for visiting Sửng Sôt Grotto and other caves (except Thiên Cung Grotto).
Two tickets will be therefore being necessary to visit both Thiên Cung Grotto and Sửng Sốt Grotto.
Tickets are available at the tourist wharf and at the entrances to Thiên Cung and Sửng Sốt.
Members of a package tour group should not buy tickets, as these are included in the tour price.5. Tourist Guide Information Centre
The Tourist Guide Information Centre is located just beside the exit gate of the Hạ Long Tourist Wharf (Tel: (84-33) 847 481). The centre provides help and information relating to land and sea tours. Maps, books and brochures about Hạ Long Bay in Vietnamese, English, Chinese and French are on sale.
The centre provides tour guides speaking Vietnamese, English, French, Chinese and Japanese. Large groups arriving early can ask for a tour guide free of charge
6. Overnight trips on the bay
All tourist boats anchoring or travelling overnight on the bay are required to have a licence issued by an authorised agency. Boat owners bear full responsibility for this procedure and for ensuring security and safety. Tourists should observe all the instructions of the tour guide with regard to security and safety.
7. Incidents, accidents, or medical emergencies on the sea
In the cold season (December, January, February and March) and on rainy and windy days, it is advisable to travel on large boats, which have enclosed compartments and roll less. In the stormy season (August, September and October), it is advisable to consult the tourist information centre before travelling to Hạ Long. Tourists should comply with any temporary travel restrictions on the bay to avoid dangers. Before paying for a tour, tourists should know what kind of boat the tourist company has hired for them.
Tourists should be aware of where the lifejackets are stowed and whether they are adequate. If a person falls overboard, anyone nearby should call loudly for help and immediately throw down a lifebuoy. Those who are strong swimmers should take a life belt and save the victim. First aid, such as artificial respiration, chest press or making the victim vomit water, should be attempted if necessary.
If someone becomes unconscious or gets injured: Any doctor or nurse, or anyone with good knowledge of first aid should help. If necessary, call for help from other boats, use the walkie-talkie in the steering cabin or use a mobile phone to call the information centre at the Tourist Wharf for help.
In case of unusually strong wind: Tourists should insist that boat heads for the nearest island that offer an anchorage and shelter. In case of unusually strong wind: Tourists should insist that boat heads for the nearest island that offer an anchorage and shelter.
8. Dining and drinking aboard
Having a meal cooked from live seafood on the boat is a great pleasure. Almost all package tours include a meal of fresh shrimps and fish brought aboard before departure.
If hiring the whole boat, tourists can request a meal on the boat. Menus and prices are open to negotiation and are not included in the price of boat hire. The average price ranges from VNĐ30,000 to VNĐ50,000 per person, not including drinks. The price will be higher if the meal includes lobster, or crabs with large roes. Cold food and rice are also available. Orders for meals should be made to the captain 30 minutes in advance.
On the boat, there are also soft drinks, tinned beer and mineral water available for sale at the same price as on land.
If travelling alone or grouped with other parties, tourists should ask the captain about joining dinner on the boat.
9. Film and photography
There are many photogenic seascapes, landscapes and scenery on the bay and in caves that are of great interest to photography and film enthusiasts.
Fast film, from 200 to 400 ASA, is advisable because the boat shakes, and the light in caves is dim. Be careful to protect cameras from saltwater splashes. Passing through the islands, it is wise to stand on the upper deck or on the top of the boat for a view of both sides. Cameras should be attached by a cord to avoid losing one’s grasp when the boat is rolling.
In caves, a tripod should be used with the camera on the B setting. To take photos from inside the cave outwards, the photographer should switch off the flash in order to reach a good contrast and definition. Popular colour, and black and white films, and batteries are available for sale at the photography service kiosks at Thiên Cung, Ðầu Gỗ, Sửng Sốt Grottoes and on Ti Tốp Island. Videotapes and special films and batteries should be prepared in advance before the trip. Batteries of video recorders should be fully charged and replacements are advisable. The electricity source on the boat is not suitable for charging and may cause serious damage.
Taking photographs from high positions. From the entrances of high caves and the tops of mountains, splendid shots of the landscape are possible. The best locations are the left of the entrance to Sung Sôt Grotto, the top of Titov Island, at the entrance of Thiên Cung Grotto and at the exit from Ðầu Gỗ Grotto.
There are also places on land where photographers can get good scenic overviews: the top or upper windows of the Plaza, Ha Long 1, 2, 3, Vường Đào and Heritage hotels, the top of Bài Thơ Mountain, the Maritime Guest House and from Cửa Ông Temple.
Dawns and sunsets in Hạ Long, especially in summer and autumn, are wonderful, but very short, shadowed by the many islands. Photographers should be well prepared for taking photos of these strikingly beautiful views. 10. Time for visits to the bay
Tourists are allowed to visit islands, caves and beaches only during stipulated hours. Boats arriving early or late are not allowed to dock.Opening time:
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