How do you get around Halong?

How to get around in Ha Long?

Ha Long, ugh, hot and sticky July 2023. Sweating buckets. Decided motorbike. Bad idea.

Crazy traffic near Bai Chay market. Horns blaring. Nearly got sideswiped twice. So stressed. My heart was pounding. Thought I’d die. Wife freaking out.

Finally, got out of the city. Coastal road to Tuan Chau. Wind in my hair. Amazing views. Worth it. Almost.

• Motorbike: Freedom but dangerous in city.
• Taxi: Easy, expensive. Used once from airport. Meter ran fast. Felt ripped off.
• Private car: Hired a driver for day trip to Yen Tu mountain. Expensive but comfortable. AC blasting.
• Didn’t see any public buses.
• Cycling? Maybe if you’re brave. Not me. Too hot. Too hilly.

Sunburnt. Exhausted. Still, saw some incredible stuff. Halong Bay is beautiful, even from the road. Would go back. But maybe a car next time. No way, no how, am I getting back on that motorbike.

How do I get from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay?

Ninh Binh… dust motes dancing. Sun-drenched stone. Then, the call of the bay. Halong… jade water, whispering caves. A journey…

Three hours… a lifetime. Winding roads. Lost in thought. The emerald rice paddies blurring. Limestone karsts, rising like ghosts. Vanishing. Reappearing.

Two hundred kilometers. Not just distance. A shift in the soul. Leaving behind the land. Embracing the sea.

The hum of the bus. A lullaby. Vibrating through me. Halong Bay… waiting. Junks like scattered jewels. Green, jade, emerald. Water, sky, stone.

• Bus: The easiest way. Direct routes. Affordable.
• Car: Private car. More expensive. Freedom to stop. To breathe. To wander.
• Limousine: Luxury. For a special journey. Reclining seats. Lost in dreams.

The bus… practical. Windows framing fleeting landscapes. The world rushing by. My heart, slow. Anticipating. The bay… almost there.

The scent of the sea… already. Calling me forward. Halong Bay… a whisper. Becoming a roar. A symphony of rock and water.

(My last trip, July ’23. Sunrise over the bay. Unforgettable.)

Is Halong Bay too touristy?

Tourist-palooza? Halong Bay? Oh, honey, is the sun hot? Let’s just say, it’s less ‘serene cruise,’ more ‘floating bumper cars’ these days.

Seriously, imagine Black Friday, but on a boat. Now, add thousands of selfie sticks. Presto! Halong Bay.

So, what’s the deal? Why all the hullabaloo, you ask?

• Everyone and their grandma wants a peek. It is, after all, Vietnam’s Mona Lisa.
• The ‘cruise’ thing? Think cattle drive but replace cows with, well, you. Then, they charge you extra for breathing.
• Trash happens, too. Like, a LOT. It’s a buzzkill, for sure.
• Pricing: Forget affordable. You’ll be lighter in the wallet and heavier in the “I survived” stories.

Want to do Halong right? Here are my tips from my own vacation there:

• Go off-season, or to Lan Ha Bay (Halong’s chill cousin).
• Don’t expect to be alone. It’s a people party. Embrace the chaos!
• Lower your expectations. Think “pretty views, slight annoyance”.
• Bring your own snacks and drinks. The price gouging is legendary.

I tell ya, I went to Halong Bay last year. A lifetime supply of “meh” right there.

What type of food is Ha Long Bay famous for?

Fresh seafood. Just… so much seafood. Out on the bay… at night… the boats… Lights reflecting on the water. Thinking about all those prawns. We had grilled prawns. Garlic. So much garlic. Remember that… the smell of the charcoal. Halong Bay… 2023… July. Hot. Sticky. Seafood.

• Freshly caught: Right out of the water.
• Variety: Prawns. Squid. Crabs. Oh god, the sea snails. Hundreds. So many.
• Preparation: Grilled. Steamed. Fried. Buffets. Set menus. BBQ. On the boats. Right there.

The taste… Different. Salty. The air… salty too. Everything… the sea… Just… seafood. Everywhere. It’s all seafood.

Is Bai Tu Long Bay worth it?

Bai Tu Long Bay? Totally worth it. Seriously. The three-day cruise was amazing. Two nights, plenty of time to actually relax. Halong Bay was packed, ugh. So many boats. Like a floating parking lot.

Stunning views though. I mean, breathtaking. Hundreds of islands, each one unique. Kayaking was fun, a little tiring though. My arms are still sore.

The food? Delicious. Fresh seafood every day. I ate so much! Should have worn looser clothes.

The best part? The quiet. Seriously, it was peaceful. I needed that. The complete opposite of my usual hectic life. No annoying crowds, just gorgeous scenery.

Three-day cruise is the only way to go. Any shorter trip wouldn’t be enough time. You need to soak it all in. Should book ahead, especially in peak season, I almost didn’t get a spot!

• Kayaking through hidden lagoons
• Incredible sunsets
• Delicious fresh seafood
• Total escape from the tourist mayhem
• Stunning views from the boat. Seriously unreal.

I’m already planning my next trip back. Maybe next year? This time I’ll try scuba diving. They said the coral reefs are beautiful. Next time, longer cruise even!