Vietnam Cruises: Halong Bay cruise tours and Mekong River boat trips

Vietnam is characterized as a long narrow country with a coastline of 1,400 miles (3,260 kilometers) on the eastern side of the country along the Gulf of Tonkin and Eastern Sea. The system of beaches, islands, archipelagoes, and islets in Vietnam always stun tourists when they travel to Vietnam.

Vietnam possesses a relatively dense network of freshwater rivers and lakes. Mekong River (in the south) and Red River (in the north) are two longest rivers in Vietnam. The emerald paddy fields, diverse ecosystem, and tranquil local life along the river banks attract a lot of international tourists around the world to visit our country.

Halong Bay and Mekong Rivers are two common places for cruising in Vietnam. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage in 1994 and 2000, Halong Bay is a surreal landscape with a system of imposing limestone mountains, magnificent grottoes floating on the emerald water, as well as mist-shrouded bays dotted with various fishing villages. This place is dotted with 1,600 islands and islets with a wide range of biodiversity.

Cruising through Mekong Rivers, you will have a chance to capture idyllic sceneries and observe local life in the Mekong Delta, the most prosperous area in Vietnam. This region will thrill you with exotic experiences: shopping at a floating market, picking fruits in an orchard, cycling in a bucolic village, riding boats through capujut forests, and exploring Khmer culture in some ancient pagodas.

Cruising is a great opportunity to spend time with your family and friends, explore the beauty of our natural wonder, and experience Vietnam’s history and culture. Cruise programs aim at introducing you a glimpse of the region you are visiting, as well as allowing you to understand local life.

Halong Bay Cruises

You can choose different cruise packages to Halong Bay: 4 or 6-hour trip, day trip, overnight cruise, and 2-night cruise. We recommend that you choose a 2 days/ 1 night or 3 days/ 2 nights packages since Halong is very beautiful and a day trip is not enough for you to discover.

The vessels are usually made from steel or wood. Depending on cruise types, the number of cabins ranges from 1 to 30 for overnight cruises. Day cruises do not have cabins. Cruise routes are limited within the boundary of the bay.

You can imagine a cruise like a movable hotel, equipped with premium facilities and services. Some luxurious cruises offer private Jacuzzi, spas, bars, and fancy restaurants. Travelers can enjoy interesting outdoor activities like kayaking, swimming, squid fishing, practicing tai chi, and sunbathing.

Mekong River Cruises

Mekong Delta is a vast land with a dense network of waterways and roads, making it arduous to transport between different areas. Thus, there is no better way to capture the beauty of natural and bucolic scenery along the way than taking a cruise.

Some small local boat operators offer 4 to 8 hours cruising around the famous areas such as My Tho, Vinh Long, Sa Dec, and Ca Mau. The cruises board from Ho Chi Minh City’s harbors. Larger cruise operators have multiple day cruises and you can have a chance to sense the vibrancy of the whole region: My Tho and Vinh Long with colorful floating markets, Sa Dec for stunning river scenery and flower plantation, and Ca Mau for lush mangroves and swamplands. You can also choose to visit the famous Tonle Sap with enchanting floating villages and gorgeous sunset scenery on a multi-day Mekong River cruise.

There are some important things you should consider before booking a cruise in Vietnam:

Research the Weather

The best time to visit Halong Bay and Northern Vietnam in general is from November to April. From July to September, this region experiences heavy typhoons and tropical storms, leading to the cancellation of Halong Bay cruise sometimes.

In Southern Vietnam, dry season lasts from November to April while rainy season is from May to October. You can experience different beauty of Mekong River in different times of the year.

It is understandable that the cruise prices are lower and more promotional deals are available during low seasons. However, extreme weather, such as heavy rains and typhoons, appears in this time of year. So consider research the weather before booking a cruise in rainy seasons.

You can read our Vietnam Seasons article to find out more about weather in Vietnam.

Go through Cruise Itinerary and Amenities

Cruise operators offer different itineraries and you can choose which one you prefer, whether it is a touristy area or an off-the-beaten-track one. On a Mekong River cruise, you can even have a chance to visit Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand.

Most vessels are made from either steel or wood, and you can check their condition on the operators’ official website. Cleanliness is the main concern for all travelers, so make sure you go through reviews on some reputable sites like Tripadvisor or Booking.com. Each cabin has basic facilities like TV, showers, and air-conditioner.

See the Inclusion and Exclusion Section

Sightseeing tickets, meals, and activities (kayaking, tai chi, cooking class and so on) are often included in cruise programs. However, you may have to pay for transfers, drinks and spa service, so make sure you read through the Inclusion and Exclusion section. If you travel on Christmas and New Year’s Eve, remember to prepare for surcharge!

We advise that you do not go for the cheapest vessel you can find. There will be many hidden cost you do not know for every single service, and with that cheap price the vessel quality is not guaranteed.

Know your Special Requirements

It is extremely important for customers to inform in advance if you have allergy or dietary requirements. Be specific about what you can and cannot eat (for example, no seafood but fish is fine or no seafood and fish but meat is fine).

Some luxury cruises offer international menu which includes both local and international cuisine, vegetarian menu, and gluten-free menu. If you travel to Vietnam from India, choose a cruise that has Halal menu.

For handicapped travelers, wheelchairs sometimes are not allowed on the vessel, so you have to check in advance with the operator. Since all high-quality cruise has tour guides, people with limited visibility can also enjoy the tour. Remember to purchase travel insurance before your trip to Vietnam.

Choose the Right Booking Channel

There are a lot of resellers for cruise in the marketplace, both online and offline. You can be surprised that that if you book through your hotel or even the cruise operator themselves, the price is always higher than through travel agency or tour operator.

Paradise Travel guaranteed the most appropriate selling prices without compromising the quality. Travelers can choose a variety of options on our website: budget to luxury, different itineraries, and visiting points. Contact us now if you have any requests and we can ensure the fastest and hassel-free booking process with free cancellation.

It is important to notice that behavior which is accepted in your country may not be accepted in another. Therefore, pay attention to the local life and environment when visiting Vietnam on a cruise tour.

Here are things you should bear in mind on your cruise trip:

• Research about Vietnam’s culture and customs before your trip
• Minimize the use of plastic products (single-use bottles, plastic straws, and plastic bags)
• “Take nothing but your photographs, leave nothing but your footprints”: Collect all your rubbish wastes before disembarking. Do not litter when you visit local villages.
• Dress modestly to religious sites (pagodas, temples, and monasteries). Sleeveless shirts and shorts are not acceptable in those places.
• Shop locally made products to support local artisans
• Please ask for permission before taking pictures of people, especially children