kbert92069 Posted December 12, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 12, 2016 We are on the Celebrity Millennium in February that spends a half day then overnight then a second full day in Halong Bay. Hanoi is 3.5 hours minimum bus ride each way so typically one overnights at a hotel in Hanoi. Is a trip to Hanoi worth it? As an alternative we would just tour Halong Bay by local junk type ship. If you didn't go to Hanoi do you fell you missed out? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loerie Posted December 12, 2016 #2 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Ha long Bay is beyond words-rate it as one of the top 10 places in the world -in my opinion Hanoi is just a big crowded city. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryann ns Posted December 13, 2016 #3 Share Posted December 13, 2016 We enjoyed Hanoi but I think your time would be better spent on a junk in Halong Bay. Reserve ahead, and consider Indochina Junks which go into a secluded bay off Halong Bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbert92069 Posted December 13, 2016 Author #4 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Wow, I appreciate the responses. Both in agreement and so that's the way we are leaning. More thoughts welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NantahalaCruiser Posted February 12, 2017 #5 Share Posted February 12, 2017 We enjoyed Hanoi but I think your time would be better spent on a junk in Halong Bay. Reserve ahead, and consider Indochina Junks which go into a secluded bay off Halong Bay. Fully agree - last November we were part of a CC group of 16 that chartered one of Indochina Junk's three Dragon Pearl junks for an overnight. It was the highlight of our 14-N cruise: beautiful scenery, wonderful food (lunch & dinner 1st day and breakfast & lunch 2nd day), visit to a cave, kayaking, swimming, rowboat trip into a floating fishing village, visit to a cultured pearl farm. Ship was beautiful, cabins were small but had private bathroom with shower. Our charter included van transportation from the cruise tender dock across a bridge to the other side of the harbor to the dock used by the various Junk companies. Although the junk could hold 20 passengers, we limited our group to 16 and paid about 200 USD per person for the charter - well worth the cost. No buyer's regrets or second thoughts about missing Hanoi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugarbird Posted February 12, 2017 #6 Share Posted February 12, 2017 Halong Bay is a terrific experience---however, so is Hanoi despite the long ride---The French Quarter, The house where Ho Chi Minh lived, the old city, Hanoi Hilton(where John Mccain was held), etc If it is still there --try the Cafe Mocha for lunch--very atmospheric--like an old Humphry Bogart movie. If you go to Hanoi -- stay overnight Halong Bay is also great--floating villages, great scenery. You can do both if you do Hanoi in 1 day--we have done that 2 times-- -- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iluvcruising2 Posted February 13, 2017 #7 Share Posted February 13, 2017 We spent 3 Nights in Hanoi late last year on a 'do nothing' type of trip. Frankly, I didn't find much to do there and I would recommend skipping it, especially if you can spend the time at Ha Long bay. It is just another city, with bad traffic jams. Some videos. Walked around the Old Quarter a bit. Didn't like it [YOUTUBE]hsT6a-OlU4g[/YOUTUBE] Walk from the Opera House to the Hoan Kiem Lake. This was a car-free weekend at the Lake area, which was a relief! [YOUTUBE]QJ-kUS6tDOc[/YOUTUBE] Snippets from our taxi, as we took a taxi from the JW Marriott to the Opera House. Plenty of motorcycles and traffic! [YOUTUBE]GywX9eooKPU[/YOUTUBE] Yes, plenty of motorbikes. [YOUTUBE]WNpMXTKjXhQ[/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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