Hi everyone, Just completed a 2 day/ 1 night trip to Halong Bay with Handspan Travel in Hanoi and can report that we had a wonderful time. Despite the overcast weather, the scenery was beautiful and very peaceful. I highly recommend this tour with only one suggestion. The Chinese junks have generators operating all night to supply electricity for the air conditioners and lights and is rather noisy. My suggestion, is to pick a room towards the front of the boat where it is much quieter. Cheers.

Victor, which junk did you take?
We are deciding between Ginger and Valentine for end of June.
thanks.
alison

Hi Allison,

We booked the 2 day/ 1 night cruise of Halong Bay with Handspan on the new boat called, "Sail Ha Long Junk ". Many of the junks used for tours of the Halong Bay area are very similar in construction. With on or 2 small generators operating during the evenings to supply electricity for air conditioning etc.. Enjoy!

Alison,

We were on the Halong Jasmine two weeks ago and it was wonderful. I see in the Bay map provided, the Halong Ginger is a sister ship. You will be delighted.

We wish we could have stayed on board longer.

Enjoy the elegance.

patlanta
who did you book this thru? and also what time do they pick you up fron Hanoi? I am hoping to do this but would like to be picked up straight from the airport and then dropped back in Hanoi so need to understand timings for flights.

Many thanks
Smeagol

Did the Ginger junk in Jan. Would reccommend. It may be more expensive than some of the others but you get what you pay for.

And I did the Emeraude (not a junk) in January. Lots of options!

My booking was made by Exotissimo; they can arrange private transfers from airport to ship and back to Hanoi. But I would guess that any agency can do this... I was pleased with Exotissimo, however.

www.exotissimo.com


http://www.exotissimo.com/travel-asi...xperience.html

i ended up switching from the ginger to the valentine and will report when i return in July.
The Valentine is newer and smaller (only 5 cabins) and has had great reviews by folks who have just returned. It also carries kayaks on board; the Ginger doesn't.
It was more expensive for the cruise, but much cheaper for the kayaking, so it ended up the same price and we decided to go for the Valentine.