A Day In Halong Bay

Many times when guidebooks and websites say that something is a number one must see location I can usually find several things nearby that are better. Halong Bay however certainly defies that in every way. It is definitely something that should be seen while visiting northern Vietnam and sooner rather than later as it is quickly developing, new hotels are arising, and tourist numbers are rapidly increasing.

In Hanoi there are hundreds of tour agencies all offering the same standard 1, 2 or 3 day trips to Halong Bay with varying price tags. I regrettably only did a one day trip which starts with a 3 and a half hour bus ride. Once there you get the overwhelming sense of being a tourist as droves of minivans and tour buses drop of hundreds if not thousands of unsuspecting tourists at the same pier at the same time.

One by one, 2 story white house boats pull up and group after group board and head out in a fleet of vessels. When leaving the port only a faint rocky shore line can be seen in the distance and all passengers are called into the dining hall to be served an elegant 9 coarse meal to be shared with fellow passengers from around the world. When lunch is complete the workers indicate to go onto the deck where the once foggy coast line now reveals dark shapes jutting out of the water with distant boats disappearing into the fog giving the sense of a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movie setting.

As the ship approaches the dark figures continue to rise out of the water seemingly higher and higher as they turn from dark illusive figures to vibrant lush green islands. Left, right, straight, or behind every view becomes instantaneously postcard perfect and the cameras go wild. Flora can be seen closer and closer while birds and butterflies can be viewed circling the pristine islands. The fleet of ships that all set out like taxis going to the same party, all seem to have gone different ways and that the piece of paradise being viewed is for your eyes only.

Cruising around the various islands leaves the atmosphere silent with only the sound of waves crashing on the boat as everyone gazes around themselves in total awe. A small floating village lays hidden and protected within the coves of the islands and is home to 100 of the luckiest people in Vietnam that have the opportunity to live in a fairy tale setting such as this

Once around the islands the day tour allows passengers the chance to stretch their legs and get off on one of the islands to ascend one of the pointed hills and enter into a spacious cave. Although quite tacky with its neon bulbs illuminating its inside, the size alone along with the sound of trickling water from the cave ceiling and sunlight breaking through holes makes for a good break from the boat.

Puttering away from the islands back to the mainland while watching the sun begin to set makes for the perfect end to the perfect day of relaxation in the sun. Halong Bay deserves its UNESCO title but unfortunately it is only a matter of time until the connecting roads are paved, cruise ships come, and more hotels taint the shore line. For me it was one of the most spectacular natural wonders I have seen and am glad to have been able to do so while nature holds onto its beautiful land. It is with great hope that this struggling developing nation does it’s best to maintain the islands and ensure future generations can enjoy their natural splendor as well.