12 Days Vietnam : Hanoi, Sapa & Halong Bay, Day 9

After eight days of exploring Vietnam’s dynamic capital of Hanoi and the terraced rice paddies of Sapa’s rolling hills, I continued my northward journey to the renowned Halong Bay. This UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the Gulf of Tonkin enthralls visitors with over 1,600 emerald limestone islands and islets dotting its tranquil waters. On the morning of my trip’s 9th day, I set sail on a majestic cruise through this mesmerizing seascape steeped in legends and timeless beauty. In this post i share my 12 Days Vietnam : Hanoi, Sapa & Halong Bay journey.

An air-conditioned shuttle collected me from my hotel punctually at 8 am for the four-hour drive to Halong City on the Gulf of Tonkin coast. We traveled east and soon entered vibrant rural landscapes decorated with water buffaloes plowing vibrant green rice paddies. Grabbing Vietnamese iced coffee at a rest stop outside Nam Dinh, we continued onward to traverse bridges spanning rivers flowing from the forested evergreen mountain ranges guiding us towards the sea. We ultimately arrived at Tuan Chau International Marina, the cruise’s luxurious departure point, at noon. There I met my guide Long who escorted me onto the elegant junk boat to begin our bay exploration.

The crew warmly welcomed me aboard the intimate cruise liner housing just 12 suites. Long showed me to my spacious room equipped with a king bed, stylish wooden furnishings, and a private balcony with lounge chairs overlooking the shimmering bay. After freshening up, I headed back out on deck as appetizers and cocktails were served while we set sail. I introduced myself to fellow passengers from across the globe as we admired Halong Bay’s first mysterious islets wearing lush green jungle caps slowly passing by. After that, the ship’s head chef skillfully prepared a five-course gourmet lunch for us inside the elegant dining room.

My food coma was soon remedied by our first excursion – kayaking to Drum Cave situated within a peaceful lagoon. As I paddled across jade waters rippling gently in the day’s light breeze, Long shared folklore on these natural wonders formed by wind and waves over millennia. Inside we drifted through sculpted limestone corridors before emerging back into the bright afternoon sunlight. We continued venturing further into a hidden cove to then jump off our kayaks for a refreshing swim in the bay’s calm emerald waters. The hard paddling powered my appetite to enjoy another sublime dinner later as the boat anchored that evening due to ideal overnight conditions.

I awoke at the crack of dawn, eager to witness sunrise over the mythical seascape. The scene that greeted me from my private balcony took my breath away. Poetry of mountains, clouds, and sea collided in pastel splendor before my eyes in total silence but for the occasional fish leaping. I reveled in this magical moment for nearly an hour before heading inside for the breakfast buffet’s colorful array of Vietnamese dishes fresh off the pan. Fortified for our second day touring, I was giddy with anticipation when Long announced our cruise would next navigate through the Cua Van floating fishing village.

Around mid-morning, our boat carefully pulled up to the charming fishing village built entirely on pontoons crisscrossing a protected cove. We hopped aboard bamboo rowboats skillfully handled by village fishermen and their families to peacefully float between stilt shacks, docks, and floating warehouses constituting this unique community sustaining itself on aquaculture. Friendly young school kids waved from windows as aging lifelong inhabitants sat preparing crab pots and sorting fish. Dogs lazed under dwellings built from tin and salvaged wood reflected on glassy waters while flocks of seabirds surveyed the action from a safe distance as our silent rowboats moved through.  We returned to the cruise an hour later, enriched from this precious opportunity engaging firsthand with local people masterfully adapting to life immersed in Halong Bay’s incredible seascape.

Beauty – With over 1,600 emerald islands haloed in legends, Halong Bay’s scenery defies imagination and delivers serene vistas overlooking grottoes at every turn.

Cuisine – Lavish cruises, like mine, nurture body and soul with exceptional Vietnamese fare crafted from regional ingredients paired with tropical cocktails and wines.

Excursions – Kayaking into isolated lagoons rewards with swimming and hiking through labyrinthine caves underneath soaring limestone cliffs.

Culture – Cua Van’s floating fishing village provides meaningful interactions with those indigenous to Halong Bay living in harmony with its gifts and challenges.

Relaxation – Unplug surrounded by surreal seascapes from a private balcony soaking in unobstructed celestial views or inside your suite’s creature comforts.

Halong Bay exceeded all expectations with its mystic seascape dripping in tranquility. Cruising across its jade waters and into floating villages constitutes the perfect recipe to nourish the mind, body and spirit. My 12-day Vietnam : Hanoi, Sapa & Halong trip was greatly enhanced by dedicating time to peacefully reconnect with nature and people relying upon Halong’s splendor for sustenance. I ache to return to further explore this wondrous corner of Vietnam. I hope you like my 12 Days Vietnam : Hanoi, Sapa & Halong Bay, Day 9 post.