Halong Bay Cruises Vietnam

My Ha Long Bay Visit

2012-05-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

Before I moved to Vietnam, one of the things that most impressed me about the country were pictures I had seen of Ha Long Bay. The beautiful pictures showed romantic views of limestone islands sitting in gorgeous blue water, and I knew this would be a place that I would have to visit!

Much to my surprise, when I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City I realized that this magical place was pretty far away. Unfortunately, after a year of working in, and traveling around, this impressive country I had yet to accomplish my goal of visiting the bay. Recently, while on a business trip to Hanoi, I took a few extra days and finally got to Ha Long Bay.

I booked a tour with a local Hanoi travel agent recommended by a friend. I knew that I didn’t want to go for a cheap, low budget tour on my first visit to the bay so I decided to go for one of the nicer, but still affordable, options. When I had everything booked I could barely sleep because I was so excited.

A bus picked me up in Hanoi in the morning and we made the long drive to the boats. I was surprised how long the drive took as I originally thought that Ha Long Bay was closer to the city. Still, the ride was comfortable and we made it to the water with few complaints. Plus, while we drove along, we got the chance to introduce ourselves to the other travelers who would be joining us on our adventure.

We boarded a small boat at the somewhat chaotic and crowded marina and rode out to the larger boat we would be spending the night on. The boat was beautiful with a rustic, wooden exterior that fit perfectly with the timeless location that surrounded us. Although the boat looked like a more traditional vessel, inside it was equipped with all the modern amenities that you would expect in a modern hotel room. The beds were comfortable and the rooms were surprisingly large for being on a boat.

Slowly, the boat moved into the area of the towering islands. Although I had seen many pictures I was unprepared for how truly impressive the rock formations are in real life! They were truly amazing to look at and compared to nothing else I had ever seen.

Eventually, the boat came to a stop where the rocks formed a kind of natural harbor. Here we exited and got the opportunity to check out a large cave toward the top of one of the large islands. The inside of the cave was massive, bigger than any other cave I had been to and I was surprised that it was in as good of shape as it was, considering the amount of tourists that pass through it daily. While I thought the cave was nice, the best part was the view it afforded from its high location. The boats resting on the calm water next to the islands were truly a sight to see, it reminded me of something you would see in a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movie!

After exploring the cave, we had a couple of hours to kayak around in the clear, blue water. I had really been looking forward to the kayaking and it didn’t disappoint. Although the outside temperature was cooler than in HCMC I was surprised by how warm the water was as I paddled along.

Once we were finished kayaking it was time for dinner on the boat. We ate some delicious seafood as the sun sat around us and the rocks were bathed in an orange light. Once night fell I retired to my room where I peacefully went to sleep. I rested peacefully as the water was gentle and there was barely a sound outside.

In the morning we watched the sun rise over the landscape, had a simple breakfast and cruised out of the bay. Overnight, clouds had crept into the area and we got the chance to see a more mystical, foggy side of the bay. This was charming in its own way and I felt like an early explorer discovering a new land.

Finally we made it back to the mainland, boarded a bus and returned to the city. I didn’t want to leave such a magical place but I knew this would be the first of many trips as I don’t think I could ever spend enough time in this picturesque land that is truly a natural wonder.

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

INDOCHINA SAILS

Hanoi Office

Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

Email: info@indochinasails.com

Website: www.indochinasails.com

Tips for enjoying Descending Dragon Bay without going completely insane

2012-05-07T23:55:00.000-07:00

By far one of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth can be savored while sitting on the deck of a boat in “Descending Dragon Bay,” otherwise known as Halong Bay, off the coast of North Vietnam. A beautiful ocean landscape, Halong Bay is riddled with the kind of limestone karsts you find jutting out of the waters in Krabi, Thailand – only it is said to be even more dramatic and otherworldly.

You float along on boats designed to replicate ancient Chinese junks, gaping at the looming towers of jungle-covered rock, and I must admit it is one of the more humbling experiences of a lifetime.

But traveling in Halong Bay can be a jading travel experience due to the extreme commercialism going on there. It has become one of the major stops on the southeast Asian backpacking trail – couple that with the often “money-grubbing” attitude of many tourist-industry locals towards foreigners and you’ve got a situation where people are herded through like cattle with little thought to whether they are enjoying themselves or having a good time.

So is this monumental landscape still worth the trouble then? It can be if you follow these tips to maintain your sanity en-route.

1. Know what to expect

First off, the treatment of tourists in Halong Bay comes served at its most sour when you don’t realize what you’re getting yourself into. Your tour guides back in the big city will likely pump you up by selling you a vision of a peaceful bay tour with people waiting on you hand and foot, but that’s not how things really go down.

So visit the place because the scenery is out of this world, but realize that there will be challenges involved. Prepare yourself mentally.

2. Do your research and pay extra

As in many places in Vietnam, I uncharacteristically urge you to pay a premium price and go with a more luxurious tour. In Vietnam, and indeed Halong Bay, the old adage that you get what you pay for rings truer than ever.

Add in that it has become second nature for tour companies to scam you and lie to you in Hanoi, thinking they’ll never see you again, and doing your research ahead of time is crucial.

Talk to other tourists about their trips, post on forums like the one mentioned above to ask for referrals, and find a boat company that is setting themselves apart by offering world class tours to people who are willing to pay more.

I saw some Asian tourists on other boats who had done this and were riding lavish indeed, and best of all, you’ll get real customer service rather than the cheap Halong Bay variety.

3. Start at Cat Ba Island

Another way to get the most out of Halong Bay is to avoid the bus/boat combo tickets and shoot straight to Cat Ba. From there, you can get to know the people at your hotel and book day tickets off of the island, circumventing the scammers who often come from Hanoi. Cat Ba also offers great trips trekking across the island or kayaking through karsts in the smaller, more unspoiled Lan Ha Bay.

4. Pay attention to the season

Any trip to Halong Bay will be a little more sane if you go in the off season from around late September to June. Not to mention that if you decide to stay on Cat Ba Island, the hotel rooms will go for a fraction of the price during off season – I had an ocean-view room for a mere $10 a night with one of the most amazing sunsets I’ve seen in all my travels.

5. Advoid it completely

You don’t have to go to Halong Bay to see the scenery it has become famous for. As noted in The Lonely Planet, the limestone-studded waters continue all the way up to Southern China, and the view is just as breath-taking. Ask around about Bai Tu Long Bay to get a sense of what Halong Bay was like before the tourists arrived.

The waters there are largely untouched and don’t have the crowds or water pollution you find in Halong. It’s definitely off the beaten track, but with a little extra effort, you can make it happen. People are starting to get word about these other places but still largely avoid them because the lack of tourist infrastructure.

Source: tikikiki

Ways of Saving Money on Halong Bay Cruises

2012-04-24T20:41:00.000-07:00

Going on Halong Bay cruises is one of the best ways to enjoy a vacation with loved ones. However, these cruises can be a bit expensive. Hence, you need to know of some of the ways to keep the costs of going for Halong Bay cruises low. This will make your vacation enjoyable since you will not spend it worrying about all the money you have spent.

The first way that you can reduce the expenses is by booking early. If you want to go on Halong Bay luxury cruises, you should make buy your ticket early. This is because many of the cruise operators prefer filling all the spots in their ships early. Therefore, if you book early you might be entitled to some enticing Halong tours offers.

If you are flying to the destination for the Halong luxury cruises, it is advisable that you handle your own flight arrangements. There are some cruises which have complete packages that include round tickets.

However, you might find that this is quite expensive, and youd be better of planning your own travel arrangements for the Halong Bay trips.

Everything is usually a bit more expensive during peak holiday seasons than other times. Therefore, if you want to save some money you can go for Halong cruises during off peak seasons. When you do this you not only save money, but you will also have a serene time on Halong cruises. This is because there are few people and that means you will enjoy Halong cruises without all the crowding.

You can also ask for discounts that are available for Halong cruises. Most of the time, you will not be informed about discounts unless you ask for them. You can also check for Halong cruises offers online.

If there are no discounts that are currently available, you can enquire if there will be any in the recent future. You can decide to postpone your Halong Bay tours for a while if you will get a signifant discount then.

When you go for Halong Bay cruises, you should carry your own camera. There are usually photographers on board, but they are expensive. Therefore, you can save a lot of money by taking your own pictures for your album. You can, however, get the professional photographers to take on or two photos of you when you are on Halong Bay cruises.

Halong bay cruises normally include meals in the whole package. When you go for excursions on land, you can save some money, therefore, by coming back to the ship for lunch. You can take one or two meals on land so that you can sample some local cuisines on Halong bay tours. You should limit this, however, so that you do not spend so much money by eating the meals that you had already paid for.

If you do not need your cellphone so much, then you should not take it along with you on Halong bay tours. This is because you will spend a lot of money on satellite calls. You will also enjoy Halong bay tours when you do not have to keep picking your phone all the time.

Indochina Sails Cruise chosen as “Dream Hotel” by famous German Movie Series

2012-04-16T00:09:00.000-07:00

The popular, long-running German movie series called “Das Traumhotel” was filmed onIndochina Sails. The series of movies Das Traumhotel, which translates in English to “Dream Hotel”, features 5-Star properties from all over the world in which to set the stories. Previous installations in the series have been filmed in such locales as Dubai, Thailand, Bali, the Maldives, Brazil and Mexico… The latest installation in the series was on location in Vietnam. In Hoi An, the famous Nam Hai Resort was chosen and in Halong Bay, the Indochina Sails was the set for the movie. Indochina Sails is proud to be recognized along with other famous properties as a world-class destination.

You can see the trailer of the movie here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S86HzqwTtCU&feature=endscreen&NR=1

or take time to watch the full movie at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9lWU4HmsM4

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

INDOCHINA SAILS

Hanoi Office

Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

Email: info@indochinasails.com

Website: www.indochinasails.com

I could get used to this life!

2012-04-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

According to local legend, a long time ago when the Vietnamese were fighting Chinese invaders, the gods sent down a family of dragons to help defend the land. They began spitting out jewels and jade which transformed into thousands of islands and islets dotting the bay, forming a great wall to block the invaders. These thousands of tiny limestone islands enabled the Vietnamese to successfully defend their land. This bay was named Ha Long Bay (Ha means descending, Long means dragon), and sits just south of the China Sea. It was recently named a Unesco World Heritage site, and is one of the most amazing things I have seen.

We booked a 2 day, 1 night cruise aboard one of the many “junk” cruises offered to tourists, which was quite amazing! The boat was gorgeous, and the cabins luxurious. It offered not only the nicest stay we had during our entire trip, but also the best shower I have maybe had in my entire life! We went with Indochina Sails Cruise, and although it was one of the more expensive cruises on Ha Long Bay, I highly recommend this cruise for quality and comfort and activities offered both on and off the ship. Also because there are many not so great ships that we saw, one of which sank the day after our cruise ended, killing 12 people. Seriously heartbreaking. And not to make light of a horrific situation, but unfortunately it doesn’t seem like the crews are overly prepared. During our “safety” talk, all they said was “throw on a life vest and run… don’t even worry about buckling the vest, just try to do that as you’re running to safety.” Hmmm…interesting. However, the junk cruise was my favorite part of the trip, and I highly suggest that anyone visiting Vietnam take one of these cruises, but just make sure to go with a reputable company.

One of the activities that we had on the cruise was a tour of Cua Van, the largest floating fisher village in the Bay. It was quite unbelievable and fascinating to see an entire village situated on rafts that were anchored down so their village would stay put. Full families of multiple generations lived in one room shacks… and they even had dogs! There was a school, a post office, bars and even a restaurant, all part of this fisher village. We learned that water is brought in once a week on a larger ship, and they fill up with buckets for their weekly needs. They have small paddle boats that serve as transportation around the village, and we even saw small children rowing these boats and helping out with chores. We were able to get an up close and personal look inside this community by women who lived there, as they took us in a boat tour around the village. And bright and early the next morning we were greeted by some of these women as they paddled up to our large boat peddling their pearls and handicrafts that they made. I was quite amused when I wanted to look at some jewelry that they were selling but didn’t have a means to get down to the water to look at their offerings (since we were on a ship in the middle of the bay). Just after I yelled this down to them, I was greeted with a large net dancing in front of my face, full of the necklaces that they were trying to sell! When I found one I wanted I put the money in the net and yelled down “Thank you!”, and that’s how the women from the fisher village sell their crafts.

We also had the opportunity to dock at a beach for a while, allowing us time to hike up to Tip Top Point, and afterwards cool off by swimming in the bay. It was such a nice treat swimming in the ocean again, smelling the saltwater and laying out on the beach listening to the waves break the surf and children laughing and screeching out of delight. Oh how I miss the ocean! But probably my favorite thing to do on the cruise was to lay out on the top deck on their comfortable lounge chairs, taking in the fresh air and the cool breeze as we sailed along the bay, and being mesmerized with the beauty all around me. It was truly enchanting!

My bed! It was so nice!!

My phone (I knew my parents would love this!)

We hiked to the top of Tip Top point and this was the view we were greeted with... not bad!

Some of the houses in the fishing village.

Our boat!

The view from a cave we hiked through!

I could get used to this life!

By Kate

Visit May, 2011

Indochina Sails kicks off the Summer Saver Sensation 2012

2012-04-06T00:45:00.001-07:00

This promotion is valid from May 1st, 2012 to September 30th, 2012

2Days 1Night cruise:

Superior Double: 448 USD/cabin (for 2 adults)
Superior Single: 338 USD/cabin (for 1 adults)
Deluxe Double: 500 USD/cabin (for 2 adults)
Deluxe Single: 380 USD/cabin (for 1 adults)
Suite Double: 568 USD/cabin (for 2 adults)
Suite Single: 430 USD/cabin (for 1 adults)

3Days 2Nights cruise:

Superior Double: 699 USD/cabin (for 2 adults)
Superior Single: 545 USD/cabin (for 1 adults)
Deluxe Double: 720 USD/cabin (for 2 adults)
Deluxe Single: 579 USD/cabin (for 1 adults)
Suite Double: 820 USD/cabin (for 2 adults)
Suite Single: 680 USD/cabin (for 1 adults)

Inclusions:

Shuttle bus Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi.
Kayaking on Halong Bay.
Wine Tasting
Welcome Drink.
Entrance and Sightseeing Fees.
Luxury en-suite air-conditioned Cabin
All meals as itinerary.
Safety Equipment
Taxes and service charges.
Onboard Insurance.

Exclusions:

Airfares, Car Transfers and Hotels
Visa Arrangements
Beverages, Tips and Personal Expenses
All other services not clearly mentioned above

Terms and conditions:

Advance booking required
Available on Indochina Sails only
Child policy will be case by case .
Others term and condition apply

Details itinerary:

Contact us at : info@indochinasails.com or visit websitehttp://www.indochinasails.com/en/ for more details.

How to Choose a Ship for Halong Bay Luxury Cruises

2012-04-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

There are so many ships that can take you on Halong Bay luxury cruises. Since you pay a lot to go on these Halong luxury cruises, you need to ensure that you get value for your money. There are a few things that you can look out for when you are choosing the best Halong Cruises. You need to be careful especially if you have never been on Halong Bay tours before. These days you can find and make bookings online. This is, therefore, the best place to get information about Halong luxury cruises.

The first thing to consider when choosing Halong luxury cruises is price. You need to look for Halong cruises that are reasonably priced and fit in with your budget. You can enquire about discounts that you are entitled to depending on when you are taking Halong Bay trips. You should not just look at the prices, but the whole package in general. You should go for fairly priced Halong luxury cruises that have a great deal for you and your loved ones.

There are different routes that are taken on Halong Bay sails. If you want to have a memorable experience, you should go for Halong Bay sails on unique routes. These offer you a chance to explore the inner parts of the bay that are rarely reached. You should enquire about the route that Halong Bay sails take before you settle on one. Choose Halong Bay sails that will allow you to explore many islands and destinations.

When you go on Halong luxury cruises, you will spend a lot of time in the cruise ship. You need, therefore, to take time and look at the design of the cruise ship. Before choosing a ship for your Halong luxury cruises, you should see the features on the ship.

If you are looking for Halong luxury cruises online, you can view photos of the ships. Take time and consider things such as space and luxury that the ships have to offer before you settle on one.

If you want to have a memorable experience on Halong Bay cruises, you should go for ships that offer a cultural experience. You do not want to go on Halong Bay cruises and have a room that looks like the one in your local motel. You should, therefore, consider the interior decoration in the ship. They should also offer you exotic food with a wide range of variety. You also do not want to be eating burgers and fries that you eat at home every day!

Finally, you have to ensure that you remain responsible even as you go for Halong Bay cruises. You need to ensure that you do your part to protect the environment by going for Halong Bay cruises that do not harm the environment. You need to, therefore, choose Halong luxury cruises that are committed to preserving the local environment. This will also help support the local communities by ensuring that they have proper environment surrounding them.

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

INDOCHINA SAILS

Hanoi Office

Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

Email: info@indochinasails.com

Website: www.indochinasails.com

Ha Long Bay to focus on safe tourism, clean environment

2012-03-28T00:44:00.000-07:00

Ha Long Bay has seen a boom in tourism over the last two months, as a result, authorities in Quang Ninh Province are paying special heed to ensure safety and security for visitors and implementing measures to protect the environment.

Ever since Ha Long Bay was listed among the New Seven Wonders of the World, the numbers of visitors have kept increasing.

According to Ha Quang Long, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, province authorities have implemented several measures to improve quality of tourist vessels operating on the Bay.

Fire prevention and other safety measures are being strengthened on all vessels.

The province is planning to install electronic devices to keep round-the-clock track of 100 per cent of all tourist vessels on the Bay, even those that may be undergoing maintenance or repairs.

Besides this, the province is planning to spend 4-5 per cent of its total budget this year on environment protection projects to preserve the Bay from being polluted from heavy tourist traffic. A total fund of VND500 billion (US$24 million) will be put aside to protect the pristine and sublime atmosphere of the Bay.

Quang Ninh Province is also working on a programme to relocate people living in fishing villages along theBay to mainland areas, so that they can avail of better health and education facilities.

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

INDOCHINA SAILS

Hanoi Office

Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

Email: info@indochinasails.com

Website: www.indochinasails.com

Halong Bay Treasures the Caves of the Dragon

2012-03-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries of Southeast Asia and one of the most popular destinations for European tourists. Among its natural landscapes the Halong Bay in the north of the nation, continues to surprise visitors from around the world.

The Vietnamese call this place the Bay of the descendants of the Dragon (Vinh Ha Long). It extends along a coastline of 120 kilometers. More than 3 000 irregular limestone islands emerge from their deep blue waters with dense vegetation and the sound of birds singing since early in the morning.

According to the legend, during the time of the Emperor, the Chinese invaders wanted to seize the land of the Vietnamese empire. The Emperor asked for help to a family of dragons that launched pearls and jades in order to sink the enemy ships. Once finished the battle, due to the beauty of the place, the dragons and their descendants decided to stay.

In November 2011, Halong Bay was declared as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, a title which was formally ratified in January this year. It already had the status of World Heritage granted by UNESCO since 1994.

While some islands are nothing more than large rocks, others are much more important and contain large caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites. The largest island in Halong, and one of the few that are inhabited, is Cat Ba, which has beautiful beaches and a national park.

Many caves have formed in the huge islands of Halong. The most famous are Hang Sung Sot (Stunning Cave), Hang Dau Go (Hidden Wood cave), Hang Thieng Cung (Heavenly Palace Grotto), Hang Bo Nau Cave (Pelican), Dong Tam Cung (cave of the three Palaces) and Hang Trong (Drum cave). During your Vietnam holidays you can not miss visiting the small island of fishermen, Sung Sot Cave (Cave of Surprises), famous because inside has a shaped like penis rock.

The best way to appreciate the charms of Halong bay is to cruise it between the islands in a wooden boat. The vastness of the place makes such a walk essential for you to enjoy the beauty of this natural landscape. Local fishermen sell directly from their rowing boats fish and seafood, which can be cooked instantly for a delicious lunch. In the morning activities continue, including Tai Chi and demonstration on how to cook spring rolls.

Around the bay there is a typical Vietnamese village with quaint houses, a small pagoda and a market, next to the port. To access the village you have to cross a road at the base of the bay, surrounded by hotels and a beautiful bridge, which reminds those of Lisbon, Portugal.

For its natural wonders Vietnam has increased the reception of tourism growing in 2011 to a total of 19% compared to last year. In January this year, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism reported an increase of 25% over the same month in 2011.

Source: Technorati

Discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay in your own style

2012-03-12T00:36:00.001-07:00

Have you already started planning for next vacation? If you are planning to spend the vacation outside the country, you can think about Vietnam, especially Ha Long Bay.

About Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay has been declared as world heritage by UNESCO and now has been known as one of the new seven Wonders of the World. The bay is a body of water of about 1,500 sq. kilometers in the northern part of Vietnam with a long coastline of 120 kilometers. The bay is known for its high terrestrial biodiversity. It features over 1000 beautiful limestone karsts and islands of different shapes and sizes. The bay is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

How to reach Ha Long Bay

Tourists generally visit the place on pre-purchased tours from Hanoi. The best way to reach Ha Long is to rent a car from Hanoi airport. You can also take a tourist open bus.

Sites to visit during your tour to Ha Long Bay

Ha Long has become one of the most popular and sought after holiday destination of Vietnam. People around the world come to this bay to explore its stunning natural scenic beauty. There are a lot of site that you could see, for example: Thien Cung Grotto, Dau Go cave, Sung Sot cave ...

Another must visit is Su Tu Bien Islet on the route to Thien Cung Grotto and Dau Go Cave.

Things that you must not miss at Ha Long Bay

You must not miss visiting caves, kayaking, island stopovers, bike riding amongst paddy fields, swimming, climbing Titop Mountain. You should taste the flavor of local dishes, seafood including mussels, shrimp and su fish, and rice dishes.

Thing to remember

Here are the 3 things which you should keep in mind while traveling to Ha Long Bay.

- Hire English speaking guide

- Don’t forget to keep your own bottle of water, if you are on the boat

- Don’t forget to buy your trip cancellation insurance, because if you cancel your trip, you can get your money back.

Ha Long Bay – the name itself is a travel-invitation. If you are a passionate traveler, you will love to explore the gorgeous bay. It is a must-see for every Vietnam tourist.

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

INDOCHINA SAILS

Hanoi Office

Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

Email: info@indochinasails.com

Website: www.indochinasails.com

Halong is magical no matter the weather

2012-03-05T20:04:00.000-08:00

I’ve been haunted by Halong Bay for years. This beautiful spot on the north coast of Vietnam screams ‘dream holiday’ from every photo, with its famous blue skies, clear seas and towering limestone columns.

We ignored the hundreds of touts offering organized tours and arranged an independent trip from Hanoi. Our reward was a personalized, cheap and flexible weekend, minus the crowds.

Transport was easy to arrange. We bought a local bus-boat-bus combination ticket from Hanoi’s Luong Yen Bus Terminal to Cat Ba Island. To return, we organized a speedboat and bus trip which took us directly to Ninh Binh. Our bumpy bus rides passed beautiful rural scenes and we felt like pirate explorers when our boat approached Cat Ba Island - the first views of around 1,600 islands and islets are dreamlike.

Budget accommodation was readily available on the sea front and our evenings were spent exploring the many restaurants which sell delicious sea food and Vietnamese dishes at low prices.

On our first day we hired scooters and traversed the length of Cat Ba Island. We stopped off at the national park and went hiking for hours, listening to the call of monkeys and tropical birds. At sunset we went to the public beach - a glistening expanse of white sand and turquoise waters.

The second day was water based, with a boat tour round the islands by a local fisherman. We stopped off at a floating village to marvel at life-lived-on-water and share some rice wine with fishermen.

Did I mention the weather? Sadly, it being January, there were no blue skies and not a drop of sunshine. Testament to the wonder of the place, the poor weather did not detract from our experience. Whatever the conditions, Halong Bay is one of the most beautiful places on earth to visit.

Source: thesaigontimes

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

INDOCHINA SAILS

Hanoi Office

Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

Email: info@indochinasails.com

Website: www.indochinasails.com

Indochina Sails announces to attend World’s Leading Travel Trade Show

2012-02-28T18:58:00.000-08:00

Indochina Sails fleet of six newly built wooden junks is designed to combine the very best of traditional styling and contemporary luxury. We provide our passengers with a sumptuous "home away from home” in which to enjoy the spectacular scenery of Halong Bay, Vietnam.

Indochina Sails will attend ITB Berlin from 07 – 11 March, 2012. Our team welcomes all attendees at ITB in Berlin 2012 to discuss the possibilities of working together. Please stop at our booth for the latest details and brochures regarding our unique product. For a preview see http://indochinasails.com/brochure/Brochure_indochinasails_2011.pdf

Contact person: Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang

Position: Sales Manager

Company: Indochina Sails – Halong Bay Vietnam

Sharing booth: Hall 26A Stand Number 128 – sharing with Focus Travel

We look forward to meeting you

BBC confirmed that Halong Bay, Vietnam now a safe place to visit

2012-02-22T23:15:00.000-08:00

Halong Bay is much safer place to visit, Carmen Roberts has reported in a TV broadcast recently on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Thanking to great efforts by local authorities, Carmen said Halong Bay cruise services have improved remarkable with new safety equipment for tourists.

Through the BBC film, viewers can see the positive changes in Halong Bay. Carmen added that tourism boats are now well-equipped with rescue facilities, such as life jackets, life boats, underwater lights and hammers in case of emergencies.

In recent months, the number of foreign arrivals has increased sharply.

The local Department for Culture, Sports and Tourism said Halong Bay, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, welcomed more than 337,000 tourists in January 2012, up 14 percent compared to the same month of last year.

Reported by Bernama

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

INDOCHINA SAILS

Hanoi Office

Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

Email: info@indochinasails.com

Website: www.indochinasails.com

Sung Sot – one of most beautiful caves in the world

2012-02-21T20:40:00.000-08:00

Sung Sot (Amazing) cave, one of the largest caves in Ha Long Bay, has been selected as one of the world’s ten most beautiful caves by the Association of Tourism Offices and Brokers in the Czech Republic.

According to the Association, Sung Sot cave is blessed with the natural beauty of stalactites and stalagmites that have created a wonderful world.

The cave, divided into two main chambers like big opera houses, was discovered by French visitors in 1901.

Other world-famous caves included in the list are Skocjan cave in Slovenia, Patagons ice cave in Argentina, and Lehaman Nevada cave in the US.

Source: vov

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

INDOCHINA SAILS

Hanoi Office

Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

Email: info@indochinasails.com

Website: www.indochinasails.com

Halong Bay – A Impressive Holiday Experience

2012-02-15T23:13:00.000-08:00

Halong Bay is a very popular travel and leisure destination.

It’s location is in the Quang Ninh province of Vietnam and is also acknowledged as being a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a body of ocean of roughly one thousand five hundred square kilometres in Northern Vietnam. It incorporates a 120 km’s of shoreline around the Gulf of Tonkin Gulf close to the border of China. The gulf is largely clustered with 3000 limestone islands. The alluring splendor of them climbing out of the sea is amazing. The development of the limestone karst has taken place over many millions of years. Actually one will discover absolutely nothing such as this {any where} on the planet, it’s a collection of absolute beauty and natural wonder.

According to historical analysis there is evidence of prehistoric people there 1000′s of years ago. Praise and popularity have been awarded over many years, documented dating back five-hundred years. It was then praised “the rock wonder in the sky”, in a verse by Nguyen Trai. In 1962 Halong Bay was also recorded in the National Relics and Landscapes publication, along with the 1994 UNESCO listing as a World Heritage site.

Regional legend will tell you that fabled gods sent mythical beasts to Vietnam to enable them to battle the Chinese. As ammunition the mythical beasts started spitting out jade and jewels. This formed into the islets and the islands that are scattered along the bay. All these connected together creating a wall of sorts for defense.

Halong Bay is also a location of extreme biological diversity. With tropical forests, coral reefs and literally thousands of species of animals and plants. There is a population of around 1600 most living in floating homes and fishing being the mainstay here. However with over 200 kinds of fish and over 450 varieties of mollusks there is fishing a plenty.

If you are planning on going to Halong Bay, generally there are a lot of ways to do this. When arriving at Noi Bai International air-port you then want to go to Hanoi. From Hanoi you actually have a several different choices to get to Halong Bay. Helicopter is 1 way to go and definitely the most exceptional method to get there. Other methods to get there might be by public bus, which can be really an adventure as it takes 5 to 6 hours based on traffic. By private car is the very best way to go. Normally takes around 3.5 hours and you have a car driver that knows exactly where to go, well worth the price.

Kayaking Halong Bay, Vietnam

Now when in Halong Bay there are several opportunities for one to go on the many Halong bay tours . A lot of tourists desire to come from Hanoi for the day to tour and other people arrange to take longer. No matter of the timeframe it’s a trip you will undoubtedly want to do. You will discover no better magnificence then sailing down the emerald seas and seeing the stunning islands, mountains and islets, it is truly spectacular and a once in a lifetime encounter.

There are numerous Halong Bay tours, cruises and junk boats. You can decide on to go as a group or opt to do it privately. This particular way you can have more convenience and your tour guide is all yours. The duration of your trip is up to you, yet to do it justice at the very least three or more days and nights or more is advised. Be ready for the Halong Bay tours of your life, you will discover you have never really witnessed something so awesome.

Source:discounttraveltips

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

INDOCHINA SAILS
Hanoi Office
Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam
Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362
Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150
Email: info@indochinasails.com
Website: www.indochinasails.com

The stunning Halong Bay

2012-02-09T19:26:00.000-08:00

Luxury cruising through the stunning Halong Bay, swimming in turquoise waters, lazing on island beaches, kayaking through caves, cocktails on deck - for me anyway - and amazing 6 course meals.... such has been our lot for the last few days. It's a hard life!

As north Vietnam is our last stop in what have been an incredible six months in SE Asia, we decided to treat ourselves to a bit of luxury and see Halong Bay in style. A decision we did not regret. Our three days cruising with Indochina Sails around the beautiful Halong Bay were perfect - a memorable experience and a definite highlight of the trip. Luca loved every minute of it and joined in every activity - from captaining the ship, to jumping off the boat for a swim, to owl spotting in caves and even kayaking. His energy never ceases to amaze.

From Halong Bay, we returned to Hanoi for a brief 24 hours, and then headed to Sapa on the overnight train. Again we decided to spoil ourselves with a few luxurious nights in Topas Ecolodge, a peaceful bungalow resort set amidst the misty, ethereally beautiful rice terraces. But, rice liquor awaits me, so more on Sapa anon....

Source: aroundtheworldwithluca

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

INDOCHINA SAILS

Hanoi Office

Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

Email: info@indochinasails.com

Website: www.indochinasails.com

There be dragons – Halong Bay

2012-01-17T19:46:00.000-08:00

The legend goes that the islands of Halong Bay were formed by dragons who spit out jade and jewels into the sea to help the Vietnamese build a barrier to defend against would be invaders. After attempts to conquer the area were thwarted, the dragons fell in love with the bay and took eternal residence there. One look at these giant, limestone karsts, and I couldn’t help but be overtaken with the sense that we were sailing among the sleeping beasts.

Traveling three hours east of Hanoi, we arrived in Halong City and boarded a traditional Vietnamese junk for a three day, two night tour of Halong Bay. Words can’t described how ethereal the bay is – emerald waters… giant, jungle topped islands… ancient boats… it was a different world.

Off the boat, we got to explore the bay and travel to island caves by kayak. Our main boat pulled into a small sheltered “lagoon” between the karsts that served as protection for some floating homes that had kayaks available for us.

Swimming in the Pacific, on the other side of the world, proved absolutely magical. Splashing around in Halong Bay, I couldn’t get it out of my head that I was swimming on the other side of the world.

And that I was swimming with dragons. Words really can’t explain how out-of-this-world it was. And the salinity of the water was so strong that you couldn’t sink if you tried (and I tried… so much so that I got a double ear infection – but prepared travelers that we were, the antibiotics we brought cleared them right up).

The second day had us heading off to a different section of the bay for more exploration inkayaks. Halong Bay is huge, and we would just as easily run across a small fishing boat as we would a globe trotting cargo ship. Being in the middle of it made the current tensions that are arising that much more real. Still, it was easier to turn off the current events and just enjoy being in this different world.

We toured secluded lagoons that were straight out of a “best-of” tourism book. One can really see why Halong Bay was recently voted one of the “new seven wonders of nature.” I am so grateful that we got to experience it firsthand. And as if that wasn’t enough, we spent the rest of the day on a secluded island, complete with a view of the bay, and a white sandy beach to lounge upon. Then we still had the sunset to enjoy back on the boat.

Our final day on the bay was spent visiting a floating village. Four villages dot the area, totaling about 1600 residents that sustain themselves on fishing, and now with a boon from the tourism industry (the government subsidizes the villages, and our floating village tour guides were employees of the national park system).

Though we were less than a week into our trip, I had an inkling at the time that Halong Bay was to be my favorite part of Vietnam. Reflecting upon, and writing about, the entire experience now, Halong Bay really was my favorite part of the trip. Though I have yet to tell, all of our amazing adventures, Halong really set my spirit right. It turned out to be a really deep connection to something that was beyond imagination that I, personally, needed.

Source: saypdx.wordpress.com

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

INDOCHINA SAILS

Hanoi Office

Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

Email: info@indochinasails.com

Website: www.indochinasails.com

The Perfect Love Cruise

2012-01-09T19:20:00.000-08:00

The Indochina Sails is the perfect cruise to Halong Bay.

The staff is friendly. It is always nice to chat with the locals to know them and Vietnam better.

The food is delicious and in abundance. When you are travelling with 3 growing teenagers, it is important that they serve a lot of food! Indochina Sails' cooking staff cooked delicious food and we always look forward to have a meal in the dining room.

The bedrooms are 5 star standard. It is a full bathroom , with marble top basin counter and shower cubicle. The room decoration is beautiful and comfortable.

The itinerary is very well planned for a 2 night stay package. Lots of activities for the 3 day stay, to keep all of us occupied. The visit to the fishing village , the climb up to TipTop Island, the kayaking activities to the caves, the swim on the beach , are all executed professionally.

Will definitely recommend Indochina Sails to all who is thinking of visitng Halong Bay. It is a bit more expensive, but definitely value for money.

Visited December 2011

Source: Tripadvisor

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

Backed by over ten years experience hosting international guests on the tranquil waters of Halong Bay, Indochina Sails has set a new standard for luxury cruising. The first company to offer overnight cruises on the bay, we are now widely known as the number one choice for discerning travelers. Our fleet of six newly built wooden junks are designed in time-honored traditional style, with contemporary and luxurious cabins and facilities. What better way to experience the natural beauty and spectacular seascape of this UNESCO World Heritage site than on board an Indochina Sails junk!

INDOCHINA SAILS

Hanoi Office

Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

Email: info@indochinasails.com

Website: www.indochinasails.com

Experience of a lifetime

2012-01-02T19:47:00.000-08:00

It is hard to choose a cruise for Halong Bay - there are so many, and there is very little to differentiate between the companies. I chose to book with Indochina Sails because of their mention of adequate life jackets etc (which is important to know when traveling in SE Asia!), but I am glad that we did.

The rooms are beautiful, the program is great, food is delicious (although if you dislike seafood like me, the set lunches can be a challenge, although the chefs are quite willing to cook you something different) and the staff are cheerful, attentive and professional. Drink prices are reasonable and we received a complimentary bottle of wine as well, which we drank with dinner one night. The bathroom is amazing!

I would highly recommend this trip.

I would highly recommend taking the extra time for the three day-two night option, as the day trip on day two is wonderful.

Visited December 2011
Soure: Tripadvisor
Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

Backed by over ten years experience hosting international guests on the tranquil waters of Halong Bay, Indochina Sails has set a new standard for luxury cruising. The first company to offer overnight cruises on the bay, we are now widely known as the number one choice for discerning travelers. Our fleet of six newly built wooden junks are designed in time-honored traditional style, with contemporary and luxurious cabins and facilities. What better way to experience the natural beauty and spectacular seascape of this UNESCO World Heritage site than on board an Indochina Sails junk!

INDOCHINA SAILS
Hanoi Office
Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam
Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362
Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150
Email: info@indochinasails.com
Website: www.indochinasails.com

“Fantastic and attentive crew and serenity at its best.”

2011-12-28T18:28:00.000-08:00

This is my first experience on board a junk and I must say, it leaves me wanting more.

The scenery is absolutely beautiful. The place is so tranquil that you really at peace with the world.
The crew is fantastic too. Our cruise manager, Mr Le Xuan Hoang was vey attentive to each and everyone in my family. He made our one-night stay most enjoyable. He was affectionately called Mr Reliable by my family.
The rooms on board were comfortable. The towels and bed linen were clean and toiletries were even provided.

Thoroughly enjoyed myself at Halong Bay.

Visited December 2011
Soure: Tripadvisor
Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

Backed by over ten years experience hosting international guests on the tranquil waters of Halong Bay, Indochina Sails has set a new standard for luxury cruising. The first company to offer overnight cruises on the bay, we are now widely known as the number one choice for discerning travelers. Our fleet of six newly built wooden junks are designed in time-honored traditional style, with contemporary and luxurious cabins and facilities. What better way to experience the natural beauty and spectacular seascape of this UNESCO World Heritage site than on board an Indochina Sails junk!

"Great Cruise"

2011-12-20T19:31:00.000-08:00

Just got off the Indochina Sails - spent 2 nights on it.

Everything is exceptional from the food to the service to the rooms. There is nothing we can fault. It is definitely worth doing the 2night, the people who only did the 1 night regretted it as soon as they saw how beautiful the place and Indochina Sails is.

Our tour guide called 'lucky' made the trip special. He was brilliant. A very nice person and would do anything for you. He made us laugh the whole trip.

If you plan a trip to along bay, use Indochina Sails - they won't disappoint.

Thank you Indochina Sails for a great trip.

Visited December 2011

Source: tripadvisor

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

"romantic, sublime, beautiful, awe inspiring..."

2011-12-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

Words cannot do justice to the beauty and tranquility of Halong Bay...

We could not have been happier picking Indochina Sails for our 2 day, 1 night trip - the staff was AWESOME, the level of service was just amazing, the food incredible irregardless of it being served on a boat or not, the itinerary balanced just right between having activities and time just to soak up the natural beauty all around... finally, the junk itself was not too large so as to make it feel not intimate and not too small that you can't find a quiet spot and it was very very very well appointed... our room felt luxurious with a jacuzzi tub with a view of the karsts and a little balcony...

Quan (spelling ?) our guide was funny and knowledgeable and through talking with him, we learned what life was like for a local Vietnamese... he made sure everyone's needs were met...

I can't swim so sleeping on a boat makes me a wee bit nervous but the staff and the condition of the junk, including the little boat that they use to transport people to and from points of interest, were all confidence inspiring...

I was reading forums and having trouble picking tour operators but from the hotel pick up service to the welcome briefing to the activities and whatnot, this was a first rate and luxurious cruise...

I am sure there are more luxurious cruises on ha long bay but for this price you cannot beat Indochina Sails...

Visited November 2011
Source: Tripadvisor

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

Review Indochina Sails

Indochina Sails Announces New Itinerary on Halong Bay

2011-12-05T19:38:00.000-08:00

It’s time for a change! In order to adjust to the increasing traffic on the Bay and to choose the optimum routes and locales to ensure the very best Ha Long Bay experience for our guests, Indochina Sails launches a new itinerary as of 10 December 2011.

The new route on the first day will take us through beautiful Bai Tu Long Bay before reaching our first destination in Ha Long Bay – Luon Cave. At Luon Cave we depart the boat and journey past such popular sites as “Đầu Người” Head Island, “Con Rùa” Turtle Island and “Cổng Trời” Heaven’s Gate Island on the way to the cave. The journey will continue through the cave and surrounding waters on sampans or kayaks (passengers’ choice). From Luon Cave we will continue on to Titop Island in the late afternoon when the island is less crowded for a more relaxed visit.

We are confident the changes will provide the best possible Ha Long Bay journey for our guests. For more information at Indochina Sails - Halong Bay New Itineraries

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

A dream journey in stunning surroundings

2011-11-27T18:54:00.000-08:00

We travelled on the beautiful Indochina Sails junk on Halong Bay.

Overall well organised, staff go the extra mile (like retrieving a fellow travellers camera bag left in another tour bus after an initial mix up on the drive to Halong City).

The boat facilities are top notch, food and drinks were excellent and staff get exactly the right balance between making sure you everything runs on schedule, without spoiling their guests experience.

While 2 days/one night is surely enough, would consider staying 2 nights next time to make it even more relaxing.

Highly recommend going kayaking (US$10 extra pp but well worth it), much enjoyed the Tai Chi instruction in the morning.

While quite visible touristy, as other reviewers have stated, words can't describe the beauty of Halong Bay. A must see stop if travelling in Vietnam.

Source: Tripadvisor

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

Indochina Sails - Luxurious

2011-11-13T19:18:00.000-08:00

My husband and I were in Halong Bay in September. Our tour operator, Haivenu booked us on a 2 day/ 1night cruise on Indochina Sails Premium.

The boat was luxurious, the bedroom and en-suite bathroom were luxurious. The bedding and towels felt luxurious. The dining room was wonderful, the meals were delicious. The entire staff was friendly and courteous. The scenery was a bonus - just joking.

Halong Bay is spectacular, well worth the long drive from Hanoi. The activities included swimming off the beach, climbing a hill for a view of the Bay's beautiful seascape, visiting a fishing village, and taking a tour of one of the caves. Just lounging on the top deck with a book with the view of the karst mountains in Halong Bay was relaxing.

There was nothing we didn't like and we would recommend Indochina Sails.

Visited September 2011

Source: Tripadvisor

Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay