![]() ![]() We picked up one other couple from a nearby hotel and then headed on our way. We were picked up at our hotel at 7am in a lovely van with recliner seats and aircon. There was nothing personal or special about this trip. It was spendy, rushed, and the water was full with trash due to the amount of tourist. We arrived back to our hotel in Old Quarter around 9pm. I felt like I was in elementary school again on an awful field trip. I thought it was ridiculous when you pay to enjoy a view you won't see again and you can't even enjoy it. If you enjoy sitting in a small room at a table with limited views of Halong Bay then this may be for you. Every time the boat took off and docked the tour guide would not allow you upstairs. Lots of on/off the boat, no opportunity to swim/lounge on a floating mat which I read in another review, or even enjoy the rooftop as it was often gated off. We arrived to Ti Top and had 40 minutes to hike or swim, then rushed back to the boat to ride to the kayaking spot that was flooded with hundreds of other boats and we had 20 minutes to kayak then rushed back onto the boat to walk through a cave which was another 40 minute excursion. ![]() The tour itself was a complete letdown, you could see how rushed every event was. The vegetarian option was soggy tofu, peanuts, and fries. We were instructed to not bring the water bottles but then boarded only to realize we had to purchase our water/drinks (25k+ for small water). There was about 40-50 people on our tour. We stopped at the pearl shop and then finally to the area to load onto the boat around 12:30pm. We got picked up at our hotel in Old Quarter at 8:45am which was great but we were greeted by a very packed bus sitting shoulder/shoulder with others for 2+ hours. I think that the positive reviews influenced me to book this trip and I regret spending the money on something that was a clear waste. ![]() The trip home is nice because you see the lights of Hanoi or you have a 2 hour nap.Many reviews complain about certain things but if you spend and extra $15 or so you will have nothing to complain about.Don't forget to give your guides a little tip [ they are pleasant and work very hard} Hope this helps you enjoy your experience a little more.Happy travels. You must choose wisely when booking your trip.By western prices to upgrade your trip is very minimal, so choose well.Firstly, choose a limousine or the premium bus to get there, The other bus has around 40-50 people on board ,the limousine around 8-10 and the premium bus has 20.The limousine bus is a little faster and has wifi etc.Then you can choose to have the buffet or the premium buffet.The price difference is negligible.Then make sure you are on a premium boat.The premium boats are not very crowded and very easy to manouvre with easy access to the toilet.The other thing to know is that all buses stop for 20 minutes before getting to HalongBay.This is to get you try and buy pearls and souvenirs.Its really a waste of time but par for the course.The rest of your trip is exactly what everyone gets: a visit to the caves ,kyaking or bamboo boat and lastly swimming or hiking.At the swimming beach you can hire a beach chair,pay for showers and hire floats.
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