Hanoi to Halong Bay

KTMphil

Senior member
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Location
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Bikes
2007 KTM 990 Adventure Suzuki DRZ 400
If you visit Hanoi, you'd be foolish not to visit Halong Bay while you're there, which is about 160km to the east of Hanoi, 3-3 1/2 hours.


DSC_2662_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Mostly highway all the way, you do pass a memorial site where a B 52 bomber crashed into a river, all the plane remains have been removed.


Hanoi to halong bay txt by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Once in Halong Bay, you have multiple boat charter choices - Join a day cruise, charter your own boat for the day or Join a larger boat that offers overnight sleeping in the bay. There's a multituide of hotels and restaurants around the boat wharf if you dont fancy a night on the boat.



DSC_2631_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





As you can see there's plenty of boats, June through late July being the busiest period in Halong Bay



DSC_2629_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr
 
If you're not doing an overnight thing, ideally you want about a 6 hour cruise so that you have time to do the caves and see the most photogenic islands nearby

Our driver reversing off the steps


DSC_2632_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Headed south in Halong Bay


DSC_2655_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_2644_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Provisioning, floating shop that has everything. A floating 7-11



DSC_2645_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Water barges



DSC_2641_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr
 
It takes about 30 minutes to reach the islands in Halong Bay


DSC_2698_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



"Chicken Kissing Island" on the way in


DSC_2681_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Small boats ferrying you to some of the caves



DSC_2676_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_2675_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Local fishing boats


DSC_2665_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





"Dog Rock" to the right



DSC_2664_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_2682_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





You'd be a fool to miss it


DSC_2659_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr
 
Great photos. Cat Ba Island is worth a stopover too if you have a few days in the area, it's quiet and has a nice relaxed traveller vibe.
 
One more Halong Bay panoramic shot


DSC_2693_edited.jpg
 
Got to love Halong Bay. I had lovely weather there... end of July, 2010









 
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