Halong Bay Cruise

Halong Bay, on Vietnam’s north-east coast, is filled with some 1,600 limestone islands and islets rising sheer from calm, green water, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies about two and a half hours by expressway from Hanoi, and the only way to experience it properly is from a boat.

Day cruises cover the highlights, but an overnight cruise lets you see the bay at sunset and at dawn, after the day boats have gone. Typical stops include a walk through the chambers of Sung Sot Cave, kayaking or a bamboo-boat ride around a floating village, and the climb to the viewpoint on Ti Top Island.

We choose boats that can prepare vegetarian meals, and often Jain meals, with notice. Bring a light jacket for the deck in the cooler months, and keep plans flexible: cruises are occasionally held in port during storms.