 At
about 170 km. Hanoi in the Gulf of Tonkin and over
120km of coastline, is one of the most breathtaking
landscapes that we see along the unique geography
Vietnamese.
The name of Ha Long, which translated means
descending dragon, refers to a legend according to
which a huge dragon jumped into the water descending
from the nearby mountains as it passes sweeping all
before it. With its plunge into the sea, filled all
depressions that had caused with his paws and tail,
resulting in this wonderful landscape.
It is pretty easy to schedule a
visit to Halong bay
from Hanoi. Hundreds of agencies offer the
opportunity to do so although you can do from the
same Ha Long and
Cat Ba Island. We recommend before
hiring anything, make clear the kind of trip you
want to do: type of vessel, number of passengers,
visitors and activities to do, etc.. Vietnam is in
full "boom" tourism and "anything goes" prevails at
home in the tourist areas
The cheapest but also the easiest way is to book a
tour from Hanoi. Hundreds of agencies offer the
opportunity to do so although you can do from the
same Ha Long and Cat Ba Island. A nornal "cheap"
backpacker tour to Halong Bay will cost about 40-60
usd per person. This is for 3 days including the
transportation from Hanoi to Halong Bay and back,
all your food and accommodation is included, you
will just pay for extra drinks! Most backpacker boat
tours are the same, and you can have an "open"
choice, that is you can book a 2 day tour and then
extend 1 more day on boat or travel more with a
longer stay in Catba island. The morning of the
second day you will be dropped (if you slept on the
boat) and you are free to stay as long as you want.
If you want to go back, you give this to a
pre-arranged office and you the next day back to
Hanoi. However, if you do not return to Hanoi, you
better book a tour spot in Halong City or discounts
in Hanoi. From Cat Ba you can easily take a boat to
Hai Phong and so further south.
What can you see and do in Halong Bay?
Halong Bay is as already mentioned a really
beautiful area. It is since 1994 on the world
heritage list in 2011 and is also nominated for the
World's 7 Natural Wonders. The most common is that
with a tour 2 days on a boat sailing through this
great bay. But do not expect that you're the only
one because like all beautiful, fascinating places
on earth are more tourists. This can be noticed
especially when the evening anchor is thrown and you
look around you! All boats have been required to be
recorded in the same place! The little tour is
included and always swim with a little luck your
boat and kayaks also what you can towards the sun
during sunset paddle. You go visit beautiful caves
which, unfortunately, a sort of disco have been
transformed. The most strange lights are focused on
the stalagmites and there is even a waterfall pieced
together. Also, you will have one day go ashore on
Cat Ba. famous for the beautiful National Park where
you do a drawing. Very beautiful of course but take
shoes that you can easily walk in the mountains! You
have choice to this day on the boat or at the hotel
to sleep. The boat is highly recommended! What could
be better than with other backpackers from the deck
to see the sun go in this great environment and in
the evening under the stars a drink!
To be continued. |
