Heritage Line Cruises - Halong & Lan Ha Bay
Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay, Hanoi & North, Vietnam
Reviewed by
Tom Bell
Imperious Halong Bay - a Unesco World Heritage site that resembles the set of a James Bond movie - has 1,500 forested limestone karsts rising sharply from the azure waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. This breathtaking seascape is becoming increasingly popular with tourists, so you might prefer to sail away into calmer waters at Lan Ha Bay. We've chosen to work with Heritage Line, which operates breathtaking cruise experiences to both destinations, so take your pick. You can zip up from Hanoi early in the morning, then decant onto one of these wonderful junks for a rather good lunch while sailing through a magical landscape, stopping off to check out beaches and kayak through crystal clear waters. Continue past floating fishing villages, then anchor up amid magnificent scenery before tucking into a 5-course dinner.
After a nightcap on the top deck, drop down to your suite for a good night’s sleep and find comfy beds, shiny wood, huge views and fancy showers. Sleep with your curtains open and wake to magical views. In the morning there’s tai chi on the deck (your teacher’s performance is quite sublime) and a trip to mountain caves for the best views in the islands. Then you jump back on board for a leisurely brunch before heading onwards. Choose the snazzy Heritage Line Ginger and newest vessel Heritage Line Ylang for an upmarket junk experience through less-touristy Lan Ha Bay, or jump aboard Heritage Line Violet for a traditional, great-value Halong Bay experience.
After a nightcap on the top deck, drop down to your suite for a good night’s sleep and find comfy beds, shiny wood, huge views and fancy showers. Sleep with your curtains open and wake to magical views. In the morning there’s tai chi on the deck (your teacher’s performance is quite sublime) and a trip to mountain caves for the best views in the islands. Then you jump back on board for a leisurely brunch before heading onwards. Choose the snazzy Heritage Line Ginger and newest vessel Heritage Line Ylang for an upmarket junk experience through less-touristy Lan Ha Bay, or jump aboard Heritage Line Violet for a traditional, great-value Halong Bay experience.
Why we chose this partner
- Of the many Halong cruise operators, we found Heritage Line the most comfortable and the most innovative: they have hosted ambassadors and travel journalists, and feedback has been superb
- Heritage Line Ginger is very upmarket, with a plunge pool, live cooking demos and a spa on board
- Two boats cruise through the less-touristy Lan Ha Bay, with a stop to cycle on Cat Ba island - perfect if you want to get off the beaten track; while the other boat offers 2- or 3-day classic Halong Bay experiences
- With just 6 suites, Heritage Line Violet (which cruises Halong Bay) offers a more intimate cruising experience than most other vessels
Please be aware
- Halong Bay is increasingly busy with cruise boats, but you can get away from the crowds if you opt for a Lan Ha cruise
- The 2-day itinerary on Halong Bay is pretty packed - we'd strongly recommend the 3-day one if you can afford it
- The 2.5-hour drive here from Hanoi is somewhat hectic so you may want to book the 1-hour seaplane transfer instead
- The older boats are starting to look a little tired in places
Best time to go
The rainy season here is at its peak in July and August; September is also wet. July is the hottest month, January the coolest. The dry season runs from November to April.
Our top tips
Nights can get chilly, so bring a sweater. Also bring a pair of walking boots, a lightweight waterproof jacket in case of rain, and your swimmers for kayaking and sunbathing on the deck.