Halong Bay is of course the paradise bay in the north of Vietnam that has become the mecca for worshippers of nature’s beauty. This 660 square mile UNESCO Heritage Site is a place of outstanding natural beauty. Every year thousands flock here in search of a tranquil setting in which to escape the daily grind. It really does work. The scenery is of epic proportions and the cruise boats offer 5 star luxury sailing with excellent facilities and superb cuisine. It’s great for all ages and all types of people. Sitting on the upper deck of a luxury cruises, sipping a glorious cocktail as the sun bids farewell to another day in the bay, is quite simply, one of life’s best moments.
There is plenty to do here if you so wish. Scuba diving and snorkeling is big business here and thousands come to swim in between the giant karst formations that make this part of the world so interesting. PADI instructors are on hand to assist with divers of any level of experience. Kayaking and canoeing is popular also. The limestone karsts look enormous from on board a cruise ship, get up close and personal in a kayak and they take on gargantuan proportions. Another highlight here is an evening barbecue on the beach of one of the more sandy islands. Many islands are simply just rock formations jutting imperiously out of the water, however some have great little beaches. Fresh fish and seafood is thrown on the barbecue and the ice cold beers are cracked open, it’s a good way to spend an evening. Fishing trips can be organized at many different places. Some of the islands boast wonderful cave formations that receive visitors daily.
For many though, the real treat in Halong Bay is to do nothing but sit back on your cruise boat, and soak it all in. The scenery is breath taking and there is so much of it. Every time your boat cruises past one island the view changes. It is extraordinary. This is one of the greatest areas of beauty anywhere in the world. It has picked up awards at regular intervals and in addition to the UNESCO accolade, it was voted one of the Seven Wonders of Nature in a global poll. CNN and various travel websites have placed in their top ten list of best destinations in the world. It is that good!
Tours can be booked through Asia Tour Advisor and can be tailored to suit your exact requirements from a one day quick trip round the bay, to a week in the utmost luxury with your own state room. Groups can easily be catered for and depending on numbers can often result in your group having the entire luxury cruise boats and its staff, at you complete disposal. Halong Bay leads the way in the world of cruises.