Hi
Travelling to Vietnam in May for a whirlwind tour - 2 days HCMC, 2 days Hanoi, 2 days Halong Bay, 3 days Siem Reap.
I would like to stay on a Junk when we are in Halong Bay, does anyone have experience of this? Is it better to spend more time in Hanoi and just do a long day trip to Halong Bay (have been told it is around 3 hrs each way, so departing hotel 8.30am, arrive lunchtime, 5 hrs Halong Bay and then back to hotel at night). It seems like it might be nice to spend a night on a boat in the bay - but please tell me if you think otherwise!

Also, when in Hanoi we would like to go to the Water Puppet Theatre but have been told that it books up weeks in advance. Is there an easy way to make this booking before we leave for Vietnam?

And ALSO, (sorry, too many q's), does anyone have an opinion on getting private car transfers from airports or using the taxi services? I have read from one traveller that some taxi drivers will drive you round in circles running up the meter??

Susie, the Halong Bay tours get talked about all the time on this board. Do a search, and I expect all of your questions will be answered.

SusieQ,

Taxi from Hanoi airport: Once you're outside the terminal they will have a taxi stand and it's a flat fee to go into town, about $12. The taxi are white in colour so avoid other touts who might approach you before you get to the taxi stand.

Water Puppet Theatre: We bought our tickets the morning of the day which we saw the show(we were there last December). I recall that they have at least 3 shows per day. To be on the safe side get your hotel's concierge, or go by yourself, the day before you intend to see the show and reserve your tickets. They will have a seating chart where you can choose the available seats and do try and the get the very front row if possible.

Yes, it is worthwhile staying overnight on a junk in Halong Bay and not worth going there as a day trip. imo

Get tix for the water puppets when you get to Hanoi. I think I bought tickets in the morning before the show that night.

Find out from your hotel what the taxi fare should be. No, they won't drive you around in circles. They might press a little button on their meters that causes the meter to run faster, though.

But if you don't know what the fare is to your hotel then don't pay it until you get confirmation from the doorman. That is what I did when I arrived in Hanoi. I paid the rate the doorman said, not the taxi meter.

It is certainly worthwhile, and best to go with a reputable organisation such as Handspan. You will pay more, but get an excellent junk and excellent food.

The web addy is http://handspan.com/

The cost will be about $110US. This is the one I did about 18 months ago:

http://handspan.com/?opt=tour&cId=48&tId=23

You can get much cheaper cruises, but at your own peril. I've heard some wretched stories *lol* about rats, mice, and rain getting into cabins.

The drive from Hanoi to Halong Bai is about 3.5 hours each way.

I have some photos at http://jmprphotography.com

Thanks Mitch04 - you certainly have some amazing photographs of Vietnam! Hopefully mine will be half as good !

We have just booked an overnight junk. I spent ages looking at the internet then decided on columbus cruises, santa maria junk. The price is $94US. You pay when you arrive in Hanoi 24 hrs before the cruise.
Has anyone been on this junk? I would love to hear about it.

Ozziepam, if you do a search on Trip Advisor, there are tons of recent reports on the Santa Maria, mostly very positive. Please post your trip report on Fodors when you return. I still haven't decided on which junk to take end of June -- I am leaning toward splurging on Ginger, Bhaya or Valentine.

Alison: Can highly remommend Bhaya cruises. If you go with them stay 2 nights and go out with their guide kayaking.

My elderly female friend was in quite a 'hot and bothered' state about the excellent, handsome, muscled guide.

Susie...the Emeraude was much more elegant that the junks, but well worth it. We loved it.
For the water puppets, we walked up about 8:30 and got tickets for a 9:30am show. I don't know if the evening shows sell out faster, but as long as you aren't set on a specific time, you shouldn't have any problems.

Just returned in October from Vietnam & Siem Reap. We were a bit dissapointed with the Halong Bay experience -- very crowded and commercial. But to do it in one day is a very long (and boring) drive. If you have visited karsts elswhere (Thailand), then I would pass on the trip altogether. We booked Water Puppet Theatre same day but day prior shows were sold out. I would suggest checking theatre as soon as you arrive and plan your day around show. Worthwhile and it was very enjoyable.