Halong Bay is stunning and a deservedly popular site but here are a few additional thoughts before you commit to an overnight cruise.

- The boats don’t travel very far into Halong Bay and all follow the same route; …View image…

- If you are unfortunate enough to have bad weather, consider it money flushed down the toilet; and

- There is nothing new to see on the early morning return. We were back at Bai Chay by 9:30 am, others return at noon. Take a three-day cruise if you have the time.

I suggest the day cruise. You’ll see the same vistas as you would on an overnight cruise.

Ha Long Bay sights, Vietnam
Fortunately for our group, the weather stayed sunny and calm on the cruise out and through the night. ( It wasn’t until the return to Hanoi that rain seriously began again.) At dusk, all the boats moor in the same Halong Bay area and don’t venture out into the Pacific Ocean (too rough).

sunset over Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
My personal highlights – the fisherman pulling in their nets…View image……timber boats…View image……fishing boats…our junk pilot doing chin-ups on deck..View image….women rowing their laden boats over the big junks hoping to make a sale, filled with Ritz crackers, water, beer, Oreo Cookies, Choco Pies, soft drinks and sea shells)…and time to just sit on deck watching Fish Eagles and all the junks jockeying for position.

whatever you desire for sale on Ha Long Bay in Vietnam 

selling seashells from Ha Long Bay in Vietnam 

ex-Marine taking in Ha Long Bay sights. Vietnam
Once again, Ha Long Bay is an experience. Worth it?  You decide.