Exploring the Halong bay

The typically rushed one-day-tour from Hanoi is a far from ideal way to experience this wonderful place; by the time you get to Halong Bay and board your boat almost half the day is gone. Those with time and specific sites in mind could spend a few days cruising around the bay. Tickets for the many tour boats are available at the pier in Bai Chay,  though a much better option is to book a package from a Hanoi  based tour operator. As some of the caves are wet, a sturdy pair of shoes and a flash light are handy items to have.

Another alternative is to base oneself on Cat Ba island, the bay’s largest island and a national park in its own right. Not only is it cleaner and less crowded than some other parts of the bay, it is also closer to many of the most dramatic grottoes.