Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 141

Most visitors sensibly opt for tours that include sleeping on a boat in the bay. Some
dodge the humdrum gateway Halong City completely and head for Cat Ba Town, from
where trips to less-visited, equally alluring Lan Ha Bay are easily set up.
Halong Bay Management Department ( 033-384 6592; www.halong.org.vn ; 166 Ð Le Thanh
Tong) , 2km west of Halong City, regulates independent cruises on the bay. It's easy to hook
up with other people to share a boat with here; rates start at around 50,000d per hour.
DON'T MISS
CRUISING THE KARSTS: TOURS TO HALONG BAY
Halong Bay tours sold out of Hanoi start from US$50 per person for a dodgy day trip, rising to around
US$200 for two nights on the bay with kayaking. For around US$90 to US$110, you should get a
worthwhile overnight cruise.
We get many complaints about poor service, bad food and rats running around boats, but these tend
to be on the ultra-budget tours. Spend a little more and enjoy the experience a whole lot more. Most
tours include transport, meals and, sometimes, island hikes or kayaking.
Boat tours are sometimes cancelled in bad weather - ascertain in advance what a refund will be.
You should also take real care with your valuables if on a day trip (most overnight cruises have lock-
able cabins).
If you've got more time and want to experience Halong Bay without the crowds, consider heading
to Cat Ba Island. From there, tour operators concentrate on Lan Ha Bay, which is relatively untouched
and has sublime sandy beaches.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Halong City
033 / POP 198,000
Halong City is the main gateway to Halong Bay. Overdeveloped but underloved, the
seafront is blighted by high-rise hotels. That said, it has good-value accommodation and
its waterside setting is breathtaking on a fine day.
An elegant suspension bridge connects the western, touristy side of town (known as Bai
Chay) with the much more Vietnamese entity (Hon Gai) to the east.
Sleeping & Eating