Day trip to Ha Long Bay 🏝️

After a week in Hanoi it was past time we left the city for some adventure. So Nils, Annika, Will & I drove to the famous Hay Long Bay. The previously night we'd last minute booked a day tour on a boat to go around the many small islands Ha Long Bay is famous for.

The drive there went much more smoothly than anticipated and we arrived with plenty of time to walk around the rather underwhelming shoreline and see a sea plane get ready for take off.

Once the rest of our tour group arrived (they all went buy bus from Hanoi) we boarded our ship (the sunlight grand cruise) and made our way to the first of three stops.

1st Stop: Luon Cave - a beautiful cave/ bay area that is entered by bamboo boat or kayak.
Will and I chose to pay extra to go on an amazing speed boat trip to go around the area. The boat ride was awesome although, as expected, health and safety regulations weren't taken overly seriouly.

2nd Stop: Surprising Cave (Sung Sot Cave) - a very large cave, unfortunately unbelievably crowded with people as well or to quote our lovely guide: you'll be surprised by the crowds not the cave.

3rd and final Stop: Tiptop Island - a very high island with a stunning panoramic view if you manage to climb up the 400+ stairs.

All in all we had a great day although we all agreed that we prefer slightly less overcrowded areas but who are we to judge (4 tourists visiting one of the main attractions in Vietnam shortly after new Year's).Læs mere