Dragon Legend Halong Bay 2-Day Cruise from Hanoi
5
Dragon Legend Halong Bay 2-Day Cruise from Hanoi
By Indochina Junk
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About
The idyllic islands and dramatic karst formations of Halong Bay are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Vietnam’s most photographed sights. On this tour, cruise to some of the bay’s less-visited attractions, including Bai Tu Long Bay, Vung Dang–Cong Dam, and Thien Canh Son Cave, and then spend an unforgettable night on a boat in the bay.
Ages 0-99, max of 48 per group
Duration: 2 days
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Fewer crowds: visit the more remote Bai Tu Long Bay and Tra San Beach
- Sleep on board: spectacular views of Halong Bay at sunset and sunrise
- Traditional water puppet show in Yen Duc village
- Hassle-free hotel pickup and round-trip transport from Hanoi
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Welcome drink
- Overnight accommodation
- Local taxes
- A bottle of water per person per day
- Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- All activities as program
- English-speaking guide on board
- Tea & Coffee in breakfast
- Tai Chi
What's not included- Extra drinks
- Personal expenses
- Spa and massage services
- Gratuities
- Day 1 After pickup from your Hanoi hotel and transfer to the port at Hon Gai International harbor, board your cruise ship, sip a welcome drink, and meet your guide, crew, and fellow cruisers. Cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay for a photo op. Then, enjoy a luncheon of delicious Vietnamese cuisine in the open-air dining room. Continue to the Vung Dang and Cong Dam area to swim in warm waters or relax on white-sand beaches. On the ship, make the most of the facilities, including a mineral seawater pool, fitness room, and spa (own expense), before returning to the dining room for dinner. Your boat will dock in the Tra San area overnight. Day 2 Join a tai chi class on the sundeck and then gaze out over the bay, enjoying breakfast on deck. Set sail for Cong Do to explore the mysterious Thien Canh Son Cave, before checking out of your cabin and enjoying a buffet lunch on board. Your driver will be waiting upon your return to port. Stop at Yen Duc village in Dong Trieu district to experience life in a rural Vietnamese village and watch a traditional water puppet show before drop-off at your hotel.
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.Pickup details
- Departure Point: Your Hanoi Old Quarter hotel Dates: Daily Return point: Returns to original departure point
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Infant seats available
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 40530P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- The itinerary might subject to change due to the weather or tide condition without prior notice
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- A current valid passport is required in the time of cruise
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Visitors not be recommended on board (for safety reason): People with physical or sensory disabilities; Person with symptoms of hallucination, sleepwalking, claustrophobia, epilepsy
- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 48 travellers
- If you cancel at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
- If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
- If you cancel within 2 days of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 40530P1
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- arisan20170 contributionsBeautiful experienceHighly recommend. The water did not feel at all crowded--only a few other boats around (maybe this is because we went to Bai tu long bay). Scenery was gorgeous. Food was consistently phenomenal, fanciest food I've ever eaten. We saw very little trash in the water--we were told that Indochina pays local fisherman to pick up trash. Cabin was beautiful, full shower with hot water, and bed was comfy. The program was a good mix of relaxing time and activities--beach bbq was really fun, we got to swim! Meeting people on the tour was also really fun. Peter and team did a wonderful job, every need was catered to. We did 3D2N and I'm glad, it was nice to have some extra time out there. We were on dragon pearl 01.Written 22 January 2025
- CathyL6830 contributionsPerfect 3 day, 2 night tripWe were on a cruise.. 3 day, 2 nights with Indochina junk boat 1 and it far exceeded our expectations. The living area was great. Peter did a great job of “managing” everything. The food…..8 courses for most meals? Wow. Amazing seafood with beauty presentation. We had someone on board who didn’t eat seafood and she also had 8 courses although we were thrilled with all the seafood. Kayaking, cruising, squid fishing , cave hiking, cooking presentations and more. The staff was beyond accommodating and cheerful, making for an excellent tripWritten 22 January 2025
- Peggy O0 contributionsTake this JunkFrom the moment we were picked up in our luxury van, the experience could not have been better. We were on the Dragon legend one which was for three days and two nights. Versions were buried, well, organized, interesting, and fun. We kayaked, squid fished, went through a village on a bamboo boat, and had a barbecue on the beach. Barbecue on the beach I would have to say it was not a typical barbecue on the beach. They were tables and chairs and like all our other meals 6 to 7 courses. The food was beyond excellent. Lots of seafood and there was one woman on the ship who did not like seafood so they were very flexible giving her other food. Service was Top Notch, I think there was as many servers as there were people on our job. Highly recommend the 3 nights and 2 days. And Peter was very organized and helpful.Written 22 January 2025
- hollacante0 contributionsGreat trip, I highly recommend to everyone! Do this this route instead of Ha Long Bay routeWe went on Indo China junk #1 from January 19-21 with Peter as our guide and I have nothing but good things to say about the experience. The staff was phenomenal and Peter was very informative throughout the whole trip. The ship is a little old, but it definitely had a lot of charm in it so it wasn’t a big deal to me. I enjoyed that it was a smaller ship and wasn’t crowded. We became friends with the rest of the people traveling since there are only about 18 total passengers in the trip so everyone basically gets to know each other. The spots the shop took us to were very secluded and great. I highly recommend taking the Bai tu Long route instead of the typical Ha Long Bay route due to there being less crowds and it’s just way more peaceful.Written 21 January 2025
- Cj A0 contributionsGreat!Dragon pearl 1 was excellent! The food was great and service was great! Peter our guide was great! You get to kayak, bbq on the beach. Very private experienceWritten 20 January 2025
- 623bogdant0 contributionsAwesome cruise Dragon Pearl 1 3d2nWe had the 3d2n tour on Dragon Pearl 1 and had an amazing experience. We were only 7 tourists on the boat (20 capacity) and it was really perfect - from the boat, room, to the itinerary and the food was just amazing, taking care of specific needs. Congrats to the chef and the cooking crew! Peter, our guide, was kind and friendly and we enjoyed the good vibes of "Gin", thank You! They also asked about any anniversaries and celebrated us with cake and a small gift, very nice of them. Not only the food was amazing, but all the drinks as well. Would do it again, same 3d2n as i think just 1 night would feel a bit rushed.Written 18 January 2025
- Eggy100000 contributionsThe best Halong Bay cruise companyWe did a one night cruise on the Dragon Pearl and it was absolutely perfect. Everything about the trip from organisation to transport to the guide to the food was 10/10. Indochina Junk takes you to the quietest part of Halong Bay and the scenery is magical. Would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants a 1 night cruise. Tony the guide was also great.Written 17 January 2025
- 255junep0 contributionsSuperb trip on Dragon Legensd 1The most amazing tour. The Dragon Pearl 1 was well maintained well equipped very clean. The crew were exceptional in all aspects of seamanship and extremely friendly. Peter was very knowledgeable throughout the 2 days and 1 night. The food was outstanding and well presented at every meal. The tours to the caves kyacking and the fishing village were very interesting. We enjoyed the cooking class and the fishing We would highly recommend this boat and crew to anyone thinking of taking a trip on Halong Bay. Thank you Peter Gin and the rest of the crewWritten 16 January 2025
- L8617UTpetert0 contributionsGreat 3-day cruiseGreat experience. Rooms were spacious and clean. Staff, especially our guide who wanted to be called “Kenny G”, were outstanding. Food was plentiful and emphasized local seafood. It was a bit cool when we went so less swimming than we expected but views and excursions were outstanding. Highly recommend Bai Tulong Bay route for quieter less crowded waters.Written 13 January 2025
- mattisa20170 contributionsAmazing cruise with sunset kayaking!We went on the 3-day 2-night cruise on the Dragon Pearl and it was an incredible experience! From kayaking in the sunset, to barbecuing on the beach and fishing squid (caught one!!) it was really something to recommend! Peter and Gin was incredible nice and helpful! The Ba Tu Long Bay was so nice and not at all crowded! If you are indecisive on which cruise to choose, go on this one! It was truly amazing!Written 9 January 2025
- jewelh20250 contributionsBest Cruise in HaLong / Bai Tu Long BayWe went on Dragon Pearl Junk 01 for the 2 night 3 day tour and had the most amazing experience! Our tour guide, Peter, was very professional and knowledgeable and the staff (especially the chef) were above anything we could have imagined. The food was seriously incredible. We were traveling for our honeymoon and they made it very special for us, I would highly recommend for a special occasion. If I were you, I would try for the 3 night 4 day, because the only bad part about this trip was having to leave. Extremely highly recommend and will be back some day!Written 7 January 2025
- jessicacJ1601AN0 contributionsGreat cruise!We were on Dragon Pearl 1. Amazing trip and food. The guide and crew were very nice. Interesting and fun activities. Everything was perfect.Written 6 January 2025
- Road097308045190 contributionsExceptional from start to finishFrom start to finish the 2 night, 3 day cruise on Dragon Legend was exceptional. Our cabin was absolutely gorgeous with beautiful views of the bay. The bed was so comfortable and we slept so well on board. The staff could not do enough to help, special thanks to Quynh anh who always went out of her way at mealtimes. We weren't over keen on the chicken dishes personal taste, nothing wrong with the food). Quynh always brought us something different from the kitchen to make sure we didn't miss out. It was such a kind and personal touch. The food was divine!! Loved kayaking on the bay despite the weather, that was a highlight for me. It was so peaceful. I would highly recommend this cruise. Sad to leave the cruise when it was over. Thank you to all the staff for making it such a memorable tripWritten 2 January 2025
- BeniDeB0 contributionsUnforgettable 50th wedding anniversary on the Dragon LegendA wonderful experience for all the family .. We celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of the parents and we will never forgot the team of Dragon Legend ans the 2 Kenny ! Every moment on board was an absolute delight, and we were deeply touched by your special attentions that made this milestone in our lives so memorable. Thank you for your kindness, your smiles, and your dedication to making this experience truly unique.Written 2 January 2025
- Mohit070 contributionsBest one day cruise ! New routeIt was an incredible experience ! The crew members and staff were exceptional ! Highly highly recommend ! The new route was not crowded and it felt exclusive to us !Written 31 December 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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5.0
920 reviews
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802
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75
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21
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13
Terrible
9
conejotravel
Springville, UT94 contributions
Jan 2020
There's not a lot I would add that hasn't already been said except to agree that this was pure luxury! The staff were attentive without being bothersome. This company has perfected the system of getting passengers into the vans, into the waiting room, onto the boat, etc. It was a little more expensive than some of the other options, but we were happy to spend time in a quieter part of the region, we felt the extra expense was worth it.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fabregasuk
London, UK181 contributions
The first thing to say is that the company is very well organised, with all transfers sorted without any complication or problem.
The guides, Hai, Milky Man etc were all very welcoming, professional and good fun. They were knowledgeable and passionate about the waters we were travelling and the cave island we visited. There was a reasonably strong eco message as well, as the company had banned their use of single-use plastics.
The cruise travels through endless beautiful tiny islands on a deep green sea.
Food is plentiful (7 course lunch!) and veggie options well catered for (tell them in advance).
The cabins were impressive, with a large double bed, a small work/relaxation area, decent wardrobe space, a TV and a safe. It was well maintained and looked premium. The shower was excellent and there was also a bath.
There was a modicum of WiFi in one area of the boat, but don’t rely on it.
Dinner was excellent and we were treated to an excellent flute solo by the ship’s engineer!
Excursions included a canoe trip around an island (if you wanted to, I opted to stay on board for a nap) and then early the next day, a visit to a cave. The cave was nice to see, it’s nothing spectacular. Wear some shoes with decent tread as it’s a slight hike to get to, about three or four minutes of steep rocky steps.
I couldn’t feel any motion at all on the boat, even when cruising.
The only thing that lacked was the final “brunch” after the cave trip, I felt it was a bit meagre and to be honest, drinks/coffee/fruit would have sufficed.
Once again, the company was super-efficient at getting us to our taxi to our next location.
I’d recommend this as a way of getting away from the noise of Hanoi for some peace and quiet. Yes, it holds over 40 people but I didn’t feel any anxiety about speaking with strangers or doing activities that I didn’t want to participate in if I didn’t want to.
Well done to all involved.
The guides, Hai, Milky Man etc were all very welcoming, professional and good fun. They were knowledgeable and passionate about the waters we were travelling and the cave island we visited. There was a reasonably strong eco message as well, as the company had banned their use of single-use plastics.
The cruise travels through endless beautiful tiny islands on a deep green sea.
Food is plentiful (7 course lunch!) and veggie options well catered for (tell them in advance).
The cabins were impressive, with a large double bed, a small work/relaxation area, decent wardrobe space, a TV and a safe. It was well maintained and looked premium. The shower was excellent and there was also a bath.
There was a modicum of WiFi in one area of the boat, but don’t rely on it.
Dinner was excellent and we were treated to an excellent flute solo by the ship’s engineer!
Excursions included a canoe trip around an island (if you wanted to, I opted to stay on board for a nap) and then early the next day, a visit to a cave. The cave was nice to see, it’s nothing spectacular. Wear some shoes with decent tread as it’s a slight hike to get to, about three or four minutes of steep rocky steps.
I couldn’t feel any motion at all on the boat, even when cruising.
The only thing that lacked was the final “brunch” after the cave trip, I felt it was a bit meagre and to be honest, drinks/coffee/fruit would have sufficed.
Once again, the company was super-efficient at getting us to our taxi to our next location.
I’d recommend this as a way of getting away from the noise of Hanoi for some peace and quiet. Yes, it holds over 40 people but I didn’t feel any anxiety about speaking with strangers or doing activities that I didn’t want to participate in if I didn’t want to.
Well done to all involved.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Fabregasuk,
We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to write a good feedback of your recent 2 days 1night trip in Halong Bay. It is always encouraging for us to learn that our guests are satisfied with our services as it is what we strive for every day.
We also appreciate your contributive comments as a motivation to work harder to improve our quality. We are happy that you like our glass bottle replacement. We acknowledge that this is a long journey to go, but with your participation and support, we feel much more motivated to achieve this with pride.
Once again, thank you for spending your meaningful vacation with us. We wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you again in Vietnam.
Sincerely,
Indochina Junk
Written 10 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
2checkingout
Auckland Central, New Zealand340 contributions
Jan 2020
We got upgraded to the Dragon Legend Boat a few days before our trip to Bai Tu Long. Our cabin was excellent - very large and comfortable bed. Large bathroom including a corner tub.
All the staff were friendly, helpful, and smiley. The food was fantastic, as fish eating vegetarians the staff tailored the set menus so we got all the best options. Lots of variety, and tasty too. The wine was a little pricey but that's to be expected for Vietnam.
Trying Tai Chi was fun, and the cave stop was a nice addition.
On the downside (and not necessarily 100% the fault of the Indochina Junk Co) - the check in process the the ferry building is a nightmare. Crazy busy, chaotic and not overly organised. It could certainly be improved.
We didn't really enjoy the sculpture/art selling stop en route either. Too long, and nowhere warm to enjoy a decent hot drink. The water puppet show was OK, but we had to wait nearly an hour for everyone to arrive before it got started. Not ideal.
All the staff were friendly, helpful, and smiley. The food was fantastic, as fish eating vegetarians the staff tailored the set menus so we got all the best options. Lots of variety, and tasty too. The wine was a little pricey but that's to be expected for Vietnam.
Trying Tai Chi was fun, and the cave stop was a nice addition.
On the downside (and not necessarily 100% the fault of the Indochina Junk Co) - the check in process the the ferry building is a nightmare. Crazy busy, chaotic and not overly organised. It could certainly be improved.
We didn't really enjoy the sculpture/art selling stop en route either. Too long, and nowhere warm to enjoy a decent hot drink. The water puppet show was OK, but we had to wait nearly an hour for everyone to arrive before it got started. Not ideal.
Written 25 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xierwan
Paris, France25 contributions
Feb 2023
This is, by no means, a luxury cruise nor a 5 star trip. This is actually a rip-off trap in which even the experienced travellers my wife and I are, fell into.
They sell you a privileged cruise but you end-up packed with many tourists, on an old smelly boat, in a dysfunctional room. The food is blank (and there’s not enough of it), the staff is fishing for tips, there’s no real organisation whatsoever at all and then suddenly they rush everything. You barely finished your lunch and it is suddenly time to do the next thing on the « program ».
They sell a program with swimming, Tai Chi, etc, but all this does not exist. They just bring you to an uninteresting cave packed with tourists where you can’t even walk normally as it’s as crowded as the center of Hanoi, and then kayaking on a shadowless beach under a scorching sun (together with all the tourists from the other boats as well, of course). We avoided the « fishing village » visit, as we knew it would be another scam. I bet all other companies are exactly the same. It’s really sad but I think Halong or Bai Tu bays should be avoided completely. The place has been destroyed by mass tourism.
It would be laughable if it was not annoying, but all the crew’s announcement were done through very loud speakers that were even in the cabins. The sound was really bad and you could barely understand what they were saying (if you could catch what language they were speaking). I felt like a prisoner being called by the warden in the morning. At 6:45 they wake you like this because it’s time for breakfast (until 7:30, not a minute more) before going to the fishing village. You don’t wan’t to go ? You’ll be awakened anyway because they don’t personalise the wake-up call. They ALWAYS go with what’s easier for them. Nothing is done in the interest of the customer.
Oh btw, the shower had no hot water, the TV didn't work and one window could not close.
There are so many good comments because most tourists doing those trips are inexperienced travellers with no expectation and nothing to compare this to other travelling experiences. The only good thing I got out of this « cruise » was meeting an American couple who was really nice to talk to.
They sell you a privileged cruise but you end-up packed with many tourists, on an old smelly boat, in a dysfunctional room. The food is blank (and there’s not enough of it), the staff is fishing for tips, there’s no real organisation whatsoever at all and then suddenly they rush everything. You barely finished your lunch and it is suddenly time to do the next thing on the « program ».
They sell a program with swimming, Tai Chi, etc, but all this does not exist. They just bring you to an uninteresting cave packed with tourists where you can’t even walk normally as it’s as crowded as the center of Hanoi, and then kayaking on a shadowless beach under a scorching sun (together with all the tourists from the other boats as well, of course). We avoided the « fishing village » visit, as we knew it would be another scam. I bet all other companies are exactly the same. It’s really sad but I think Halong or Bai Tu bays should be avoided completely. The place has been destroyed by mass tourism.
It would be laughable if it was not annoying, but all the crew’s announcement were done through very loud speakers that were even in the cabins. The sound was really bad and you could barely understand what they were saying (if you could catch what language they were speaking). I felt like a prisoner being called by the warden in the morning. At 6:45 they wake you like this because it’s time for breakfast (until 7:30, not a minute more) before going to the fishing village. You don’t wan’t to go ? You’ll be awakened anyway because they don’t personalise the wake-up call. They ALWAYS go with what’s easier for them. Nothing is done in the interest of the customer.
Oh btw, the shower had no hot water, the TV didn't work and one window could not close.
There are so many good comments because most tourists doing those trips are inexperienced travellers with no expectation and nothing to compare this to other travelling experiences. The only good thing I got out of this « cruise » was meeting an American couple who was really nice to talk to.
Written 20 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Xierwan
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us, we truly appreciate the feedback. We strive to ensure that each one of our beautiful cabins is maintained to the highest standard, so I’m so sorry to read that may have fallen short. Please rest assured that we will do a complete inventory of the boat to ensure that any possible discrepancies in the boat inventory are noted and fixed.
With regard to the activities & itinerary, we always strive to ensure that the activities are safe and that visitors are as comfortable as possible. However, we are unable to do so due to the influence of factors such as the weather.
Thank you again for your feedback. I’m very sorry that your stay did not meet your expectations and would love the opportunity to regain your trust. Please let me know the next time you or friends plan on visiting Ha Long Bay and We’ll make sure that your stay not only meets, but exceeds your expectations.
Thank you so much for your kind understanding & have a beautiful day!
Very Respectfully,
Indochina Junk Manager
Written 5 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CARLY
6 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Where do I begin. First off, I did a TON of research on the best options for Halong bay and by far this one was the most recommended for being one of the only groups who cruised through Bai Tu long bay, away from the other crowded areas of Halong bay. It was so amazing! We woke up to no other boats in our view and it couldn’t have been more incredible.
Outside of that, indoChina junk made our little stay with them epic! It was a highlight of our entire 3 week trip through Asia. The boat is awesome and the food was incredible! The Rooms are so cool, with a bathtub overlooking the view of the ocean! My husbands fav part was happy hour on the boat roof while we cruised at sunset. We met so many people from around the world on the cruise during meals and enjoyed that part a lot.
**** THE SERVICE!! when we checked in our main tour guide “JD” memorized every single one of our names! It was such a special touch that he knew me and even knew I was a vegetarian 😂. He was absolutely amazing and made our stay so memorable. Milkyman was also great!
The rooms are clean and the busses that transport you are very nice with plugins and WiFi, so the 3.5 hour drive is not bad at all. Only piece of feedback I could provide is that when we checked out, we had a few unaccounted for drinks on our tab which we had corrected, but maybe getting an electronic system for the bar would be more efficient/effective for this! Also the puppet tour on the way home is pretty so so... I think everyone at that point is just ready to hit the road and get home but it was just 40 mins or so, so not the end of the world. Outside of that I have literally nothing bad to say.
I could go on and on and on about our experience those 2 days. We will recommend this cruise to anyone and everyone we can and we hope they get lucky enough to cruise with JD and MilkyMan!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful Halong bay with us! We will never ever forget it!
Outside of that, indoChina junk made our little stay with them epic! It was a highlight of our entire 3 week trip through Asia. The boat is awesome and the food was incredible! The Rooms are so cool, with a bathtub overlooking the view of the ocean! My husbands fav part was happy hour on the boat roof while we cruised at sunset. We met so many people from around the world on the cruise during meals and enjoyed that part a lot.
**** THE SERVICE!! when we checked in our main tour guide “JD” memorized every single one of our names! It was such a special touch that he knew me and even knew I was a vegetarian 😂. He was absolutely amazing and made our stay so memorable. Milkyman was also great!
The rooms are clean and the busses that transport you are very nice with plugins and WiFi, so the 3.5 hour drive is not bad at all. Only piece of feedback I could provide is that when we checked out, we had a few unaccounted for drinks on our tab which we had corrected, but maybe getting an electronic system for the bar would be more efficient/effective for this! Also the puppet tour on the way home is pretty so so... I think everyone at that point is just ready to hit the road and get home but it was just 40 mins or so, so not the end of the world. Outside of that I have literally nothing bad to say.
I could go on and on and on about our experience those 2 days. We will recommend this cruise to anyone and everyone we can and we hope they get lucky enough to cruise with JD and MilkyMan!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful Halong bay with us! We will never ever forget it!
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lili
Toronto, Canada1 contribution
Dec 2022
It was my family’s first time going to Halong Bay and my sister and I were tasked with finding the right cruise for our large group (we were seven people). We’re so glad we ended up going with Indochina Junk, everything went smoothly and the staff were so hospitable and helpful! We were welcomed with a sweet tea drink and enthusiastic waves when we boarded the Dragon Legend 1 cruiseship. The lunch was fantastic, so delicious! My favourite was the clay pot seafood stew, everything tasted so fresh.
Shortly after lunch we went on a hike, explored some caves which were super cool and big! I’m a little sad that we were unable to kayak and bbq on the beach due to bad weather (it was very windy!). We had a bit of free time between cave exploration and dinner. Dinner was also spectacular, the chef prepared 3 pieces of food decoration (steaks, dragon, and birds made of carrots, pumpkins and radishes) and my dad was super impressed! After dinner we were free to do whatever but they also offered squid fishing on the lower deck. It was very hard, no one from our group was able to catch any.
The next morning, we were all loudly woken up by the engineer rumbling at 6:15. This also allowed us to get us and see the sunrise! Then breakfast was served, very yummy! All our meals were amazing but breakfast was exceptional. I love bánh cuốn!! They served buffet style Vietnamese traditional breakfast but also offered continental breakfast for those who had more American tastes. After breakfast we went to visit a fishing village and hopped on a row boat. Each row boat could only carry 6 people so my dad was voted off (sorry, he joined another boat tho and looked like he had fun). It was super cool to see how the fishermen lived amongst the limestone rocks and waters! Many of them had pet dogs and cats, so so cute.
We ended our cruise with some delicious lunch! The only thing that didn’t satisfy our tastebuds were the sweet and sour ribs, but everything else was so good. Milky man and smiley were exceptional and we can’t recommend them enough. Milky man can work on his magician tricks though (haha).
All the activities and meals were included in the price, except for drinks. We ordered some every meal and our total at the end of the trip was around ~1.5million Vietnamese Dong which was about 85 CAD! The rooms and the boat are a lil more dated than photos online but honestly everything was clean and spacious and my family had no issues or complaints.
Shortly after lunch we went on a hike, explored some caves which were super cool and big! I’m a little sad that we were unable to kayak and bbq on the beach due to bad weather (it was very windy!). We had a bit of free time between cave exploration and dinner. Dinner was also spectacular, the chef prepared 3 pieces of food decoration (steaks, dragon, and birds made of carrots, pumpkins and radishes) and my dad was super impressed! After dinner we were free to do whatever but they also offered squid fishing on the lower deck. It was very hard, no one from our group was able to catch any.
The next morning, we were all loudly woken up by the engineer rumbling at 6:15. This also allowed us to get us and see the sunrise! Then breakfast was served, very yummy! All our meals were amazing but breakfast was exceptional. I love bánh cuốn!! They served buffet style Vietnamese traditional breakfast but also offered continental breakfast for those who had more American tastes. After breakfast we went to visit a fishing village and hopped on a row boat. Each row boat could only carry 6 people so my dad was voted off (sorry, he joined another boat tho and looked like he had fun). It was super cool to see how the fishermen lived amongst the limestone rocks and waters! Many of them had pet dogs and cats, so so cute.
We ended our cruise with some delicious lunch! The only thing that didn’t satisfy our tastebuds were the sweet and sour ribs, but everything else was so good. Milky man and smiley were exceptional and we can’t recommend them enough. Milky man can work on his magician tricks though (haha).
All the activities and meals were included in the price, except for drinks. We ordered some every meal and our total at the end of the trip was around ~1.5million Vietnamese Dong which was about 85 CAD! The rooms and the boat are a lil more dated than photos online but honestly everything was clean and spacious and my family had no issues or complaints.
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald Thomas P
Saskatoon, Canada6 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We could not have been happier with this tour. The company is very professional and every meeting and drop off and exchange was handled very smoothly. We enjoyed the stops the boat made at the cave and oyster village and floating village. Loved the peace and serenity of the bamboo boat ride. The food was excellent with lots of variety. Would have been nice to have more fresh fruit like mangos. One other thing we would have liked would have been commentary from the drivers on the way there and back from Hanoi. We saw many interesting things along the way but didn’t knew what we were seeing. Like the fields or landscape. More like a guided tour on the way instead of just a transfer. Or just tell us more about the country, the culture, the history of the area as we were driving. The boat was fun and very comfortable and our private cabins were lovely too. We met the nicest fellow travellers on this journey. All very interesting to visit with. We have no hesitation recommending this company to anyone looking for a cruise of Ha Long Bay. Four and a half stars.
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Ronaldthomasp,
We sincerely appreciate your positive reviews about your recent stay on the Dragon’s Pearl Junk. It is an absolute delight reading your informative reviews. We are glad that our accommodation, itinerary and service have met your expectations. Our staff would be very flattered to read these compliments. This will serve as motivation for us to further strive to improve such standards.
We are grateful to have you as our company to admire the beautiful Bai Tu Long Bay and we do hope to see you again.
Sincerely,
Indochina Junk
Written 16 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gustafjeric
Washington State, USA58 contributions
We have nothing but great things to say about this tour, the operator, the facilities and the staff. Some 3-5 year old reviews gave poor marks but those are absolutely not what we experienced.
Our guide Coco was jovial, decent English, very organized, and took care of every need of all 18 passengers. The cabin was small, but the bed was comfortable and there was good hot water for showering. The food was highly Asian and seafood oriented, but if you ask ahead when you book for, say no squid, but prefer chicken and pork at times they will accommodate. They run at least two if not three different sizes of boats, but we opted for the mid size as we enjoy getting to know some other travelers, and the 3 day 2 night, rather than the 2 day 1 night itinerary which only goes to the busiest places like most operators. Because our boat did not return to the dock, we went further out where there was only one other overnight boat. Friends had booked a 3 day 2 night tour with another company but were highly disappointed that it basically came back at the first night to near starting dock and then went out largely in the same area in reverse. Be sure to check if using any other company.
Our guide Coco was jovial, decent English, very organized, and took care of every need of all 18 passengers. The cabin was small, but the bed was comfortable and there was good hot water for showering. The food was highly Asian and seafood oriented, but if you ask ahead when you book for, say no squid, but prefer chicken and pork at times they will accommodate. They run at least two if not three different sizes of boats, but we opted for the mid size as we enjoy getting to know some other travelers, and the 3 day 2 night, rather than the 2 day 1 night itinerary which only goes to the busiest places like most operators. Because our boat did not return to the dock, we went further out where there was only one other overnight boat. Friends had booked a 3 day 2 night tour with another company but were highly disappointed that it basically came back at the first night to near starting dock and then went out largely in the same area in reverse. Be sure to check if using any other company.
Written 19 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mallory B
2 contributions
Dec 2019
1 word... AMAZING. My husband and I booked the 2 day, 1 night cruise this past December. Dragon Legend 2 is one of the large boats but it never felt crowded. There were multiple activities including kayaking, squid fishing and tai chi class. The rooms were spacious and clean. The staff on the boat was excellent. They quickly learn your name and are willing to help with anything. The food was delicious and no one went hungry. They were very attentive to people that had food allergies. It should be noted that all food was covered and any alcohol was an additional charge paid for at the end. At dinner we had a magic show from Milky Man and a tradition flute performance from Thai. Long was an excellent manager and made this a wonderful experience. 10/10 would recommend you book this boat!
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter O
3 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
My wife and I decided to book the 'Amora Junk’ after doing a decent amount of research, with many stating how crowded Ha Long Bay has become in recent years. Our intentions were to try our best to book a cruise to get away from the masses to really appreciate Ha Long Bay’s beautiful landscape. With this in mind, we decided to choose the L’amour Junk boat, a single birth vessel to cruise Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bays.
We were not disappointed. From start to finish the whole experience was excellent. Pick up and drop off transfers were all included – a small six-seater luxury transporter made the journey to Ha Long Bay very comfortable. On arrival, we were attended to, and considerable effort was made by all staff to make the stay feel special. Yes, I understand that is what we pay them for, but good service is becoming more of a rarity these days, so staff that go the extra mile with the small things really turns a good experience into an exceptional one. With this said, let me introduce our tour guide Harry. We were not expecting our own tour guide on the cruise, so were very surprised when he introduced himself at the check in facility stating he would be accompanying us. From start to finish Harry was extremely attentive and driven, giving to a perfect mix of privacy and interaction and overall a good human. Having grown up in Ha Long Bay, Harry has a vast amount of knowledge to share on Ha Long Bay’s history and willing to share this information with a great amount of passion and detail. Harry is also very talented and played his guitar and sang to us after dinner, adding that extra touch to what was already an incredible experience. I have noticed that various reviews are stating that Ha Long Bay is becoming crowded and that many cruise boats can equate to an ‘insta crowd’ when visiting the attractions and cruising the bay. Harry carries situational awareness where we did not have to deal with crowds whilst visiting all the Ha Long attractions and only seen a few boats whilst cruising around. We were by ourselves for the tour of the caves and kayaking, enjoying the surroundings exclusively while kayaking was a fantastic experience. So a big thank you to Harry for which his professionalism is a big asset to Indochina.
If you choose this cruise, be prepared to eat. Lunch, dinner and the second day brunch are all five course fine dining meals – each incorporating flavours from Vietnamese cuisine. This was a something we were not expecting but the experience was no less than awesome.
Once the cruise was complete, we were then taken back to Hanoi via a water puppet show. Sure, this show is getting kickbacks from the Indochina but if you take the show for what it is, sit back and enjoy the show run by little Vietnamese ladies. Highly recommend you choose the L’amour Junk if you are looking to make the most of visiting Ha Long Bay. It is certainly an experience we will not forget any time soon.
We were not disappointed. From start to finish the whole experience was excellent. Pick up and drop off transfers were all included – a small six-seater luxury transporter made the journey to Ha Long Bay very comfortable. On arrival, we were attended to, and considerable effort was made by all staff to make the stay feel special. Yes, I understand that is what we pay them for, but good service is becoming more of a rarity these days, so staff that go the extra mile with the small things really turns a good experience into an exceptional one. With this said, let me introduce our tour guide Harry. We were not expecting our own tour guide on the cruise, so were very surprised when he introduced himself at the check in facility stating he would be accompanying us. From start to finish Harry was extremely attentive and driven, giving to a perfect mix of privacy and interaction and overall a good human. Having grown up in Ha Long Bay, Harry has a vast amount of knowledge to share on Ha Long Bay’s history and willing to share this information with a great amount of passion and detail. Harry is also very talented and played his guitar and sang to us after dinner, adding that extra touch to what was already an incredible experience. I have noticed that various reviews are stating that Ha Long Bay is becoming crowded and that many cruise boats can equate to an ‘insta crowd’ when visiting the attractions and cruising the bay. Harry carries situational awareness where we did not have to deal with crowds whilst visiting all the Ha Long attractions and only seen a few boats whilst cruising around. We were by ourselves for the tour of the caves and kayaking, enjoying the surroundings exclusively while kayaking was a fantastic experience. So a big thank you to Harry for which his professionalism is a big asset to Indochina.
If you choose this cruise, be prepared to eat. Lunch, dinner and the second day brunch are all five course fine dining meals – each incorporating flavours from Vietnamese cuisine. This was a something we were not expecting but the experience was no less than awesome.
Once the cruise was complete, we were then taken back to Hanoi via a water puppet show. Sure, this show is getting kickbacks from the Indochina but if you take the show for what it is, sit back and enjoy the show run by little Vietnamese ladies. Highly recommend you choose the L’amour Junk if you are looking to make the most of visiting Ha Long Bay. It is certainly an experience we will not forget any time soon.
Written 21 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a room in particular to request- by number or area on the ship- or any to avoid?
Written 6 December 2019
Can't recall the room number but we also booked the top floor front room (tub and shower)- it was lovely and I believe it was supposed to be bigger. Enjoy!
Written 7 December 2019
Hi, can anyone share the approximate prices of drinks on board? Or did anyone get a photo of the drink menu? Thanks!
Written 22 November 2019
I do not have a photo of the menu, but by western standards they were very reasonable. I think beers were $1.50-$3.00. It seems to me that wine was around $5-7 and cocktails similar. Expensive compared to Hanoi but not really when you consider it is on a boat. We loved our experience on the Dragon Legend - the customer service was topnotch and food very good. Amazing scenery!
Written 24 November 2019
What time will be back to Hanoi town next day?
Written 21 October 2019
It might be sometime between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to be back in Hanoi the next day.
Written 6 December 2019
We are in ha long bay for two days and two nights between Jan 20 and 24 ...not sure of exact days yet. What do you have available? Prefer nicest accommodations?
Written 22 September 2019
I see 2 days one night option and we want to know if there is an option for two nights/3days
Written 20 September 2019
Yes, they do offer cruises for three days and two nights
Written 6 December 2019
Hi we are planning a cruise for mid November this year. I see 2 days one night option and we want to know if there is an option for two nights/3days
Written 20 September 2019
Ciao, scusate la domanda, leggevo che l'imbarcazione è nn fumatori, ma solo nelle camere o anche fuori nella terrazza?? Dobbiamo partire, ma siamo due fumatori.. Grazie
Written 7 August 2019
Deepa D
Seattle, Washington
Trying to book a trip for 5 adults. For any date that I select I am allowed to book only for 4. Is it a limitation of the site? Any recommendations to proceed forward without splitting the reservations?
Written 4 August 2019
Hello, the company owns several boats capable to host from 2 to 42 passengers.
The dragon legend has two cabins with a double bed each .
so it might be necessary to book a three cabin boat or send the company an e mail for a special request (extra bed).
Our trip was organised by Hanoy Voyages Ha Noy you can email them too
Written 5 August 2019
Hi, I heard the Vietnamese government has decided to discontinue overnight tours of Ha Long and Bai Tu Long bay in 2020. Is this true? I plan to visit in March/April 2020.. will I be able to do a 2 night cruise in March/April 2020?
Written 23 July 2019
It's hard to say. The best approach might be to book a cruise that offers a refund in case of changes or cancellation to the cruise. It might also help to book a tour through one of the travel aggregator websites (instead of booking directly with the tour operator), where you will be charged close to your travel date, and will offer free cancellation until a certain number of days prior to the cruise. These would ensure that if a ban actually comes into effect, you will be able to avoid financial losses. You should be able to re-purpose the days you had planned for Halong Bay cruise for other options within Vietnam. Hope this helps.
Written 6 December 2019
Cruiser696615 answered this very well. It mimicked our experience.
Written 21 July 2019
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