Hi,

We're heading on the Jasmine cruise in Halong Bay in February, and they quoted me $35 per person each way for transportation cost.

Does that seem like a good price to you? I thought so, as it's 3.5hours each way. But I wasn't sure.

Thanks!

Usually the transfer to Halong Bay is included in the price, since almost everyone departs from and returns to Hanoi. Is this for a private vehicle or not? I would think for that price per person, you could get your own car and driver.

We just did an overnight on the Jasmine Junk in October and loved it. We booked it with Vietnamstay and the RT transport was included in the price. So check out the price with them and them compare the package.
Here is something we didn't know about: there are options that you can buy, one of them is doing a short kayak trip to the fishing village while the junk is docked there. If we had known about it, we would have done it. Also, we booked a room with a balcony thinking that we would feel less confined. But they keep you VERY busy and the views from the top of the boat are really great. So we ended up spending very little time on the balcony.
The guide is terrific, very funny. The food was better than I expected also. Enjoy.
Also, it doesn't take 3 1/2 hours to get there. They are factoring in a stop at this huge souvenir center. So if you don't want to stop there, let them know. You will probably get some push back on that because I am sure they get a commission. Our driver stopped there on the way and we only went to the restroom and we didn't stop on the return.

I too am confused by the breakout of a transportation cost. It has been a little over two years since we did a similar trip but then the one price included Hanoi-Halong Bay-Hanoi transfers. There were only supplements if you needed an airport transfer.

FromDC makes two points that resonate with me. First, the kayaking was indeed delightful (and I am not remotely athletic). I did not swim -- deterred by the water quality -- but our small group was split 50-50 on this. My teen-aged son and some intrepid acquaintances did a certain amount of madcap diving and jumping off the boat that suited them just fine. A Hanoi-based physician had discouraged us from swimming there though so I was happier just kayaking and exploring the caves.

Second, the transfers included were, in our case, by mid-sized van, both times at this one cavernous road-side shop that sold food and crafts/wares, including paintings by artists claiming grievous damage from Agent Orange. Everyone was ordered out of the van and it was temporarily locked -- a charming way of enhancing the cultural exchange and the shopping experience, eh? It was uncomfortable, of course, but there were so many levels to the experience that I just chose to analyze them and move on without getting worked up about my compromised "right" to sit on the bus. With time, one gets very skillful at avoiding all "mandatory shopping" in the entrepreneurial countries of Asia but in a group transfer this is type of interlude is likely to happen.

I remember paying $100 flat for return transfers, two people, private car twelve months ago. Why not Google 'Hanoi to Halong Bay transfer' and see what other companies are charging.

Yup, that included the obligatory stop at the hateful place on the way. Guilt Shopping Emporium Inc. The drivers get free lunch there - that's why you'll never avoid it. Plus commission, I'd bet.

And I'll add to the kayaking praise. I took a 70 yr. old pal. Once we'd got her into the boat with a handsome Vietnamese lad to paddle she was like a little girl again. But that may have had more to do with the handsome guide than the scenery.

That sounds high to me, but my transfer was included with the boat. But I, too, got to stop at the shopping op... both ways...

absolutely thursday: I stupidly booked it thru the Metropole - but, I confess, was thinking far more about my 70 yr. old companion than the $$ at the time.

Hi,
yes, Hanoi - Halong is 3,5hours, and 35USD for 1way or 2ways, I think for bus transportation, but it isnt cheap!

dogster...two people....is there something you are not telling us??

It was an aberration, rhk: a dear pal and I off on a jaunt, is all. She is in her 70th year and required a companion of elegance, sophistication and, as it turned out, endless patience with a Zen-like ability to admit his failings repeatedly, in public. Still, she's my dear friend and I have to put up with her odd little ways.

She, in return, tolerates mine. I can't, for the life of me think what they are - but she tolerates them just the same.

But Dogster romance it is not. More like The Odd Couple. I prefer my own company.