AN INTRO TO

HALONG BAY
Essential information for Halong Bay cruises and tours

A Publication of

Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Weathers
Transportation

Halong Bay cruises

Indochina Junk fleet
Yen Duc village
FAQs

A Publication of

HALONG BAY

Halong city,

Quang Ninh
province

Northeast of
Vietnam

165 km from the

capital of Hanoi

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Quick Facts
1553 km

HALONG
BAY CENTER

120 km coastline
1969 islets

BAI TU LONG
BAY

LAN HA BAY & CAT

BA ISLAND

main areas: Halong Bay center,

Bai Tu Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba

island

Recognition
1962: 'Renowned National Landscape Monument' by Vietnam
Tourism Authority.

1994: UNESCO World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its

outstanding, universal aesthetic value
2000: UNESCO World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its outstanding
geological and geomorphological value.
2012: New 7 Wonders by New 7 Wonders Foundation

Member of Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World

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Bai Tu Long Bay

occupying

area

of Ha Long Bay which is

rich in biodiversity, fresh
environment, and
naturally marvelous
landscapes.

Bai Tu Long consists of 3 main areas: Cong Do area, Vung Ha area and
Cong Dam area. Until now, Bai Tu Long still remains as an unspoiled area of
Halong Bay. There are many great attractions to visit: Cong Do area, Vong
Vieng floating fishing village, Da Xep park, Cong Dam area, Thien Canh Son
Cave, Tra Gioi Beach, etc.

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HALONG BAY WEATHER

Ha Long Bay is worth visiting the whole year round for its own hidden
beauty in every single season. There are four distinctive seasons in Ha Long:
the wet and hot summer, the cool autumn, the cold and dry winter, and the
warm spring. The average temperature of Ha Long is around 15oC - 25oC.
The seasons tend to fall with the following months:

May, June, July and August

September and October

November, December, January and February

March, April

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SUMMER

SUMMER FACTS

Hot and Moist Summer (May to August)

In the summer, the average temperature is 34.9oC, while
the maximum temperature recorded is 38oC. From June,
the hot and dry Southwest monsoon starts blowing over
the city. Nevertheless, the heat may be significantly
reduced thanks to the cool breeze which seems to exist
in areas near the sea.

Temperature:
+30C +38C
Duration:
Around 120 days
Top Summer Experiences:

Swimming
Kayaking
Sunbathing
Visiting caves, islands
Fishing
We recommend:

Summer, which brings clear views of the stunning islands

and pleasant swimming temperatures, is an ideal time
for cruising. At this time, the sun shines from very early
morning until as late as 7 p.m in Halong, which makes
you feel the daytime is longer than the nighttime.
Bring sun glasses, sun block, wide
Summer also gives you a perfect chance to have sunbrim hat, insect repellents, and your
tanned skin.
original passport.
However, we have a small note for those who would like
to spend time on a sundeck or sunbathe on the beach:
do not sunbathing at noon. Too much sun exposure can
probably cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or sunburn.

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AUTUMN

SUMMER FACTS

Cool Autumn (September and October)

Summer ends with the transformation of weather. The
average temperature is lower than 27oC, so you can
enjoy the cool and pleasant atmosphere during this time.
If you travel to Ha Long Bay from August to September,
there may be infrequent typhoons, which may render
cancellation or delay of your trip. Most of the time,
storms and typhoons are small, and they last in a very
short time and thus considered to be harmless. In case
of a big storm, be sure to contact your agent for
alternative solutions, such as staying a night or two in a
hotel on the mainland and continuing the cruise the next
day under sunshine; or alternatively, visiting another
destination in the North of Vietnam and come back to
Ha Long Bay later. These storms will not last longer than
2-3 days.
From October onwards, it is the ideal time for tourists
to take a cruise on the bay. The wonderful weather will
enable you to enjoy all activities offered on board while
making sightseeing as perfect as it could be. You can
immerse yourself in a graceful Ha Long Bay with a
tranquil beauty of emerald water, unspoiled beaches,
majestic limestone, etc.
Autumn is a perfect season for couples or small families
to have private life-time experiences together while
sailing through Ha Long Bay. Imagine a romantic dinner
in the cave with sparkling candles, or a steamy BBQ
lunch on the coastline of a gorgeous natural complex of
the world its all about experience.

Temperature:
+22C +29C
Duration:
Around 60 days

Top 5 Autumn Experiences:

Sightseeing
Kayaking
Dinning in the cave
Fishing with local fishermen

We recommend:
Using kayaks to explore the beauty of
limestone caves that can reach only
by a small boat. But dont ever forget
wearing the life jacket even when you
can swim.

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WINTER

Cold and Dry Winter (November to February)

Lying in the tropical zone and consisting mainly of water,
Ha Long Bay enjoys a dry and cool winter. The winter
officially arrives at Ha Long Bay in November and gets
colder and colder in January and February. It is possible
to take a boat cruise in Ha Long Bay in winter, but it may
be considerably colder compared to spring and autumn
months. The highest temperature reaches to only 20oC,
while the temperature can drop to about 8oC. The sea
temperature continues to lower to 23oC. There are only
5 hours of sunshine during the 11 hours of daylight in
December.

WINTER FACTS
Temperature:
+8C +20C
Duration:
Around 90 days
Top 5 Winter Experiences:

Sightseeing (everything is so
mystery with fog everywhere.
Dress warmly and enjoy it!)
Enjoying peaceful time in a luxury
Ha Long possesses a mystery beauty in the winter.
cabin on the water
Although swimming is not ideal, there are a lot of
Taking foggy photos
exciting activities in this season. Waking up after a winter Exploring caves, islands, etc.
night on a boat, you might be amazed at the foggy
Visiting floating fishing village
magnificent scenery. Some may like the fog as it adds
mystique to the area, whereas others may find this
We recommend:
distracting as they wish to see more of the islands.
Enjoying the beauty of the bay
Sometimes, it is too cold to sit outside, so you can stay in surrounded by fog in the early
the cabins and enjoy reading books, listening to music
morning, exploring the bay by kayaks
and having dinner inside the boat. The cabins, which are (but when kayaking, dont forget to
well equipped with heating systems, are very
follow the group and tour guide. It
comfortable for those kinds of activities.
can be suddenly foggy that you can
get lost.)

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SPRING

Warm Spring (March and April)

SPRING FACTS

Winter extends from November through February and

sometimes as late as to the middle of March. Spring lasts
from the middle of March through June, which is
referred to as a shoulder season. Temperatures during
the spring season range from 19oC to 31oC. The months
of March, April and May welcome blossoms and new
greenery along the various cliffs. The bay becomes more
inviting in April and remains attractive to tourists till the
summer. There is still the possibility of rainy and foggy
conditions during the spring months, but the fog is not as
thick as it is in the winter. March is considered as an ideal
time of year for a trip to Ha Long Bay.
The weather in Ha Long Bay between March and April
is warmer than it is in winter, and the amount of rain is
lower compared to summer months. Spring is the time
of flowers blooming and swallows flying over the bay.
Although tourists can visit Ha Long Bay all year round,
spring is the best time for traveling as the weather
conditions are absolutely perfect for all sorts of
activities, especially cruising. In the spring, the sun
shines constantly all day, and the water is gentle and
calm. With this kind of weather, tourist can truly
experience the best of Ha Long as they are cruising
slowly around and staring at the breathtaking scenery
which contains thousands of limestone karsts and islets
in various sizes and shapes.

Temperature:
+19C +31C
Duration:
Around 60 days
Top 5 Spring Experiences:

Sightseeing
Kayaking
Festival (Happy Lunar New Year)
Exploring caves, islands, etc.
Taking photos

We recommend:
All of these activities with an
overnight cruise on the water.

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Reasons for tour cancellation

Storms
Monsoon
Foggy
Thundestorm
Others

Halong Bay is a World Heritage Site and a must to visit in Vietnam. However, this trip can be ended
suddenly because of weather conditions that we could not control, the tour cancellation is made for
the highest safety level for tourists coming to Halong Bay
Cancellation news is informed in advance;
the trip is not started from Hanoi

Cancellation news is informed when you

arrive at Halong Bay

Cancellation news is informed when you

are doing trip in the Bay

Contact your travel agents to know cancellation

time, when you could get the next trip or any
alternative option.
Check your hotel booking in your hotel and then
find the alternative tour
Refund will be made in full by cruise operators,
travel agents.

You can choose to stay in Halong Bay hotel for

the next day cruise (not recommended for
cancellation by storm which makes bad rainy
weather and wait some days to cruise again)
Get back to Hanoi and enjoy other alternative
tours
Refund will based on service that has been
delivered

If the weather is expected to be better on the

next day and you are on the first day of the trip,
you will be advised to stay one night in hotel
(Halong Bay) then continue your cruise.
If the weather is bad, cruise operator will arrange
transfer for you back to hotel in Hanoi and you
choose yourself for other alternative option.
Refund will based on service that has been
delivered

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9 FACTS about
TRANSPORTATION

1.

Shuttle bus/car

is the most popular transport

mean to Halong Bay among
other options: train,
helicopter. You can choose to
hire private car or use shuttle
bus.

4.

You can get

directly from Noi Bai Airport

to Halong Bay, it takes 3.5
hour from Airport to Halong
Bay. Because there is not
shuttle bus service with pick
up at Airport so you have to
hire private car for this service

7.

You can

travel from Halong Bay to

Ninh Binh city by local
bus or private car servcie

2.

3.5 4

hours is the certain

time for transfer from
Hanoi to Halong Bay
for 170km distance.

5.

You can

travel from Hai Phong

Airport to Halong Bay
by private car. It is
about 75 km from Hai
Phong city/ Hai Phong
Airport to Halong Bay
and 2 hour transfer.

8.

3.

You will be picking

up at your hotel in Hanoi Old

Quarter in the morning ( 7:30
8:00 am) and drop off ( 5:00
5:30 pm). Indochina Junk does
pick up our visitors at their hotel
in Hanoi Old Quarter

6.

from Halong Bay to Cat Ba

island by taking wooden junk
from Hon Gai, Bai Chay habor or
ferry from Tuan Chau island.

9.
Scenic highway,

transfer from Hanoi to Halong

Bay passing by Bac Ninh, Hai
Duong and Quang Ninh
province, you will get to see
country side with many
villages, water buffalo, rice
fields

You can travel

Yen Duc village

is a plus experience after

Halong Bay cruise. Yen Duc
village locates 70km from
Halong Bay, on the way back
to Hanoi, is a great place to
admire Vietnamese culture
and life. More details at
www.yenducvillagetour.com

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ACTIVITIES ON HALONG BAY

Sleep overnight on boat

Kayaking to islands and lagoons

Visiting float fishing village

Dining in the cave

Swimming on the beach

Visiting caves

Fishing squid at night

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Q: What kinds of food served on board?

A : We serve every meal with a mixture of seafood, meats and vegetables, all the dishes
are cooked in Vietnamese style which is very healthy and delicious. However, if you have
any special food request (Western style) please let us know to prepare.

Q: Do you provide vegetarian food?

A: Yes, we do. We cater all the diet and vegetarian food as long as you give us request
in advance and details. Our vegetarian food is also very delicious.

Q: Whats about seasickness while cruising?

A: The sea water in Ha Long Bay is calm and you are fine to relax, enjoy and sleep
well during cruise time.

Q: Can I bring my own drinks on board?

A: You are recommended to use drinks on board, you can but a service charge is
applied for using your own drinks. On board, we also have a wide range of drinks
selection as beer, soft drinks, wine, cocktails and you are to slip into our cool bars .

Q: What happens if the weather is bad (heavy rain) and guests

could not enjoy outdoor activities?
A: In case of bad weather like heavy rain and you could not enjoy activities outside,
it is true that you will stay on board to enjoy other service spa, watching movies,
cooking show it is very interesting too.
If the rain is light, we still operate activities during cruise as normal.

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A Publication of

Indochina Junk cruises to Bai Tu Long Bay, a less

visited and beautiful area in Halong Bay

Princess Junk

Prince Junk

Red Dragon Junk

(1 cabin)

( 2-4 cabins)

(5 cabins)

Dragons Pearl Junk

Dragon Legend cruise

( 11 cabins)

( 24 cabins)

YEN DUC VILLAGE

Yen Duc village is 70 km from Halong Bay,

on the way to Hanoi

is a nice traditional village to get a

deep insight to Vietnamese culture and
life

Yen Duc village cultural tour &

overnight stay to combine with Halong
Bay cruises

www.yenducvillagetour.com
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HALONG BAY IS WAITING FOR

YOU TO DISCOVER AND ENJOY!
Book a trip with Indochina Junk and take your time to cheer happiness
and smiles at World Natural Wonder !

BOOKING NOW

Hanoi Sales office: No. 58, Au Trieu St., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi
Halong Head office: 06 Le Thanh Tong str, Hanoi
: +844 3926 4085
: info@indochina-junk.com
: www.indochina-junk.com

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