i am in hanoi at the moment at this backpacker hostel called the drift. they offer a package tour for one night and 2 days in halong bay, although i am told i will only be on the boat for 24 hours. their price is $68, which i am told is quite decent, but someone mentioned that it would be cheaper to jump on a bus and head over there, then book on a tour from the bay.
thoughts?
has anyone done this before and has tips or recommendations?
cheers
To get the package from agent is the cheapest. You can come to the street and bargain with the travel agent on the streets. They may give you better price. Remmember to bargain and bargain as there are so many agents, so they must compete with each others.
If you want to do it solo, it’s quite hard as you have to move by yourself to the bus stationa, and move from bus station in Halong to the wharf, where you may not rent the junk and the price may be very high as they know you must rent from them. So, all this will take your time and mind (it’s not like a vacation for you any more).
Take the right choice!
By huananduong on Feb 4, 2010 | Reply
To get the package from agent is the cheapest. You can come to the street and bargain with the travel agent on the streets. They may give you better price. Remmember to bargain and bargain as there are so many agents, so they must compete with each others.
If you want to do it solo, it’s quite hard as you have to move by yourself to the bus stationa, and move from bus station in Halong to the wharf, where you may not rent the junk and the price may be very high as they know you must rent from them. So, all this will take your time and mind (it’s not like a vacation for you any more).
Take the right choice!
References :
http://www.easyvietnamtravel.com
By nguyenthanhtungtinbk on Feb 4, 2010 | Reply
Some agents in the Old Quarters (Hanoi) offer cheaper packs such as US$35 -> US$45 (slightly different in program). I’m not sure about the services compare to US$68 pack that you mentioned but should be good enough.
In the summer, sleeping on the boat would be cool, but in this weather, you can also think about sleeping in a hotel in Cat Ba island (very near Ha Long Bay). I think the package price is the same and you may go to the beach in very early morning.
References :
By cHjChI on Feb 4, 2010 | Reply
i have some information about transportation from Hanoi to Halong Bay! Hope it’s useful for you!
Halong city is far from Hanoi about 170km in a good condition way!And you have some choice to go from Hanoi to Halong
1. by helicopter: flight time is a hour, cost US $210/hour. Available only on Saturday from Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi
2. by private car, minibus or bus:the best way to go to halong bay is to rent or hire a car with a driver. The driver takes approx 3,5hours one way cost about US $80-$120 oneway/trip and US $150-$220 for return trip depend on the type of vehicle
3. by public bus: only US $5 but it takes 5-6hours
http://www.vietnamvisa-online.com
References :
By ong jon on Feb 4, 2010 | Reply
for the 1st time , alone, i would say take the out of the hostel, you "steered" to their restaurants and souvenir shoppes but you’ll have traveling companions and have a worry free enjoyable day.. on your own you could spend most of your time planning and searching out the best things to do best places to go.. 1st time around ..take the tour.next time [and there will be a next time.. maybe go it on your own..
References :