Vietnam forum

Enk

2 days, 1 night means:

Day 1 - pick up between 8 + 9 am, driven to Ha Long city (wharves) to arrive about midday. You'll be packed onto a boat, and motored to a cave complex (with literally dozens of other boats, and hundreds of other people), then by about 3pm, the boat will go moor somewhere. If you choose well the boat will go find a quiet place without other boats. Otherwise, you'll be moored in a bay with dozens of other boats, with passengers yahooing, etc, till the wee hours of the am. Then, sometime around 9am, you boat will head back to the Halong City wharf. You'll have been to Halong Bay, but most likely not seen the attributes for which it is famous.

The alternative, is to do a 3 day, 2 night, wherein you are most likely to get to see Halong Bay in all its glory.

Have you looked at the lengthy 'feature' on Halong Bay on Travelfish, if not, go to:

http://www.travelfish.org/feature/77

There is also a Forum discussion at:

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/vietnam/5305_halong-tours

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Before you make up your mind, I also suggest you also take a look at:

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/vietnam/6178_ocean-travel---dishonest-travel-agent-in-hanoi--recommended-by-lonely-planet-

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Halong is great, don't waste the potentially wonderful experience by choosing a package that isn't for you.

Cheers

Posted from within Vietnam.

I have actually been to Ha Long bay about 4 times already (as live in VN) and have been with ODC and also gone independently. I am well aware of Handspans great reputation. I have a couple of good friends coming from home (they can only do a 2 day trip) and seeing as its been about 2 years since I did a tour wanted to get some up to date info on the companies.

We are leaning to Handspan, but..the kayaking seems minimal (or costs extra) and whilst the Lagoon Explorer boat looks beautiful (can actually sail) wondering if room on deck for lounging around and enjoying the scenery or not?

Also has anyone been with both Ocean Tours and Handspan and could give me their opinion on the pros and cons?

Posted from within Vietnam.

Yep the Lagoon Explorer looks like a small boat -positives and negatives with that. Just concerned whether there is enough room for sunning ourselves or not?

I read the review about Ocean Travel, I am not sure whether or not they are the same company as the one I met with -Ocean Tours.

Even if they are, living in VN I am pretty accepting of the situation in VN with the service industry, particularly tourism and am accepting of the fact that things don't always go to plan. As we would be doing their standard tour (so assume their most cost effective) I imagine the risk of encountering a similar problem is reduced.

Having said that no matter what precautions you take or what operator you go with there will always be cases where people don't have a good time -there is always going to be someone who has a bad experience for whatever reason. I have also read some bad things about Handspan despite its generally good reputation.

So still unsure what to do! Too much choice!

Posted from within Vietnam.

Thanks for the link, had a look at the sight and looks quite luxury - can't seem to get any prices or itineraries from the website either. Will try to go see them.

Seems like no operator gets 100% positive reviews. Makes it hard to choose. If it was just me I'd just pick one go, make the most of it etc, but having friends visit I want to make sure they have a good time!