Cat Ba Cruise through Halong Bay (Aug 2-3, 2025):
United Arab Emirates:
Abu Dhabi
Singapore:
Singapore
Malaysia:
Langkawi
Kuala Lumpur
Thailand:
Chiang Rai
Chiang Mai
Sukhothai
Bangkok
History of Ha Long Bay in a few lines:
Origins:
The bay was formed millions of years ago by geological processes and erosion, creating more than 1,600 islands and unique karst formations.
Its name means “Descending Dragon.” According to tradition, dragons sent by the gods spat out jewels and jade to form the islands and protect Vietnam from invaders.
Historical period:
Ha Long has been inhabited by fishing communities for centuries and was a strategic point on maritime routes in northern Vietnam.
20th Century:
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994 for its natural beauty and geological value.
Present:
It is one of Vietnam's most iconic destinations, famous for its spectacular landscapes, caves, and island cruises.
We caught it with GetYourGuide.
It's a unique experience; we really enjoyed sleeping on the boat. We were expecting much worse, but it was fantastic. You don't feel the boat's movement at all, and watching the sunrise from your bed overlooking Ha Long Bay is amazing.
The groups aren't very large, approximately 10-15 people. We met many Spaniards, 3 Italians, 2 English people, and the rest were Spanish or spoke Spanish. Vietnamese people aren't known for speaking perfect English, so don't worry if you don't understand much.
The rooms have everything you need: air conditioning, a ceiling fan, and a huge window with panoramic views of the landscape and the sea from your bed. The rooms are very spacious. They don't have blinds, but they do have curtains for privacy; we recommend sleeping with the curtains drawn.
The excursion included water activities, cycling, and activities on the boat.
The food on board surprised us a lot (in a good way), plenty of it and good quality.
Halong Bay goes very well with Hanoi because the bay is usually visited departing from the capital and is the natural extension of any route through the north, and with Phú Quốc because it forms a perfect contrast between karst landscapes, cruises and nature with a final escape to quiet beaches in the south of the country.
Flight: In this case, we were picked up by bus in Bangkok for a 1-night cruise with full board and activities included, and dropped back in Bangkok for €254 for the two of us. Getyourguide (cruise data). Highly recommended It goes through the less touristy area, meaning it's not crowded but just as beautiful. Recommendation: take the first-class bus; it's well worth it.
Hotel: Venice cruises.
Travel insurance: Heymondo (Tranquility trip, for 22 days): €80/person.
Information obtained from the web https://www.exteriores.gob.es
Passport: required with a minimum validity of 6 months.
Visa: No visa is required for stays of up to 45 days.
Travel insurance: Highly recommended.
Vaccines: None.
Security: Although the country is very safe, robberies are frequent in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and in tourist areas such as Lao Cai, Sapa, Hoi An, Halong Bay, etc., so it is recommended to leave your belongings in a safe place during short daily commutes and, in any case, remain vigilant.
Badge: Vietnamese Dong (VND).
Payment card/currency exchange: we always go with Revolut y N26.
Roaming: NO Yes, so if you have data enabled, you might get a nice little gift in return. We recommend it. Airalo in Asia better than Holafly.
GPS: Maps.me Download the maps for Spain and they work great offline, whether you're on foot, by car, or on public transport.
Translator: It's gotten us out of a few tight spots; it's a translator that doesn't require an internet connection, just download the language before you leave and you're good to go. Offline translator.
International driving permit: It is necessary because it does not belong to the EU. It order through the website DGT. We remind you that they drive on the left because it was a British colony. The app GRAB It works very well and is very cheap.
The card costs €10.51. The good thing is you can order it online and pick it up without an appointment. It took a couple of days for ours, then you go to pick it up and it's a cardboard card like the ones they had 20 years ago.
Other destinations in Vietnam: 
