subject: Indochina Sails is the best bhoice of your vacations [print this page] Ha Long Bay (also "Halong Bay") is in northern Vietnam, 170 km east of Hanoi. The bay is famous for its scenic rock formations.
"Ha Long" is literally translated as "Bay of Descending Dragons." Prior to the 19th century, this name was not recorded in any document or archive. When mentioning the present-day Quang Ninh Sea or Ha Long Bay, old historical books often referred to them by the names of An Bang, Luc Thuy or Van Don. Not until the late 19th century did the name of Ha Long Bay appear on a French Marine Map. The Hai Phong News, a French newspaper of the time, had an article, Dragon appears on Ha Long Bay, reporting the following story: In 1898 a sub-lieutenant named Lagredin, captaining the Avalanse reported seeing a huge sea snake on Ha Long Bay. This was also witnessed by many of the crews. Thus emerged the European image of the Asian dragon. Whether this appearance of a strange animal looking like a dragon resulted the name of Ha Long Bay is not known.
Ha Long Bay is a beautiful area with 1969 limestone islands jutting imposingly upon the skyline. Unfortunately the place is a tourist trap and the unique panorama is spoilt by a tremendous amount of "junks" which are in fact slimly disguised tourist boats that bear no resemblance to the authentic Chinese sailing vessels of the same name. These diesel-powered floating money-makers careen about the bay with casual indifference to safety as they bump and crunch against each other in a frenzy to drop their fares onto the obligatory island or floating shop before depositing the harried passengers back at Halong Bay dock feeling like they've been cheated out of their Dong, even if that isn't particularly true. The romantic setting is forever spoilt by the cattle-market mentality. Still... nice scenery.
Visitors to Ha Long Bay must purchase a ticket from the Ha Long Bay management department, which gives the option of following one of two routes:
Thien Cung Grotto, Dau Go Cave, and other sites (excluding Sung Sot Cave).
Sung Sot Cave and other sites (excluding Thien Cung Grotto and Dau Go Cave).
We give you a special package tour: Hanoi Halong with Indochina Sails (3 days/ 2 nights)
You will have an opportunity to enjoy the picturesque scenic sight of limestone, water and sky was blended together on comfortable and beautiful Indochina Sails
DAY 1. HANOI/ HA LONG (-,L,D)
08:30: Car transfer from Hanoi to Halong by a private car.
12.15: Check-in registration, Boarding Indochina Sails. Welcome drink is served
13.00: Have lunch board while the board start a fantastic cruise in Ha Long bay
15.30 Cruising to visit to exciting Cua Van fishing village
17.00 Trekking or swimming at SOI SIM Island
18.30 Docking for overnight
19.30: Enjoy dinner on board
21.00: Fishing or relax and spending a night on board.
DAY 2. HA LONG BAY (B,L,D)
7.30: Having breakfast
9.00: Transfer to the day-trip boat and cruise to the bay's most untouched areas with the Kayak Lunch is served on board of the day trip board
16.00: Cruise back to Indochina Sails board
19.30: Have dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 3: HA LONG - HANOI (B, L)
7.00 Coffee or tea is served
08.0 Visit splendid SUNG SOT grotto
9.15 Luggages pull out.
9.30 Buffet brunch (breakfast and lunch) while cruising back through Ha Long Bay to the pier
