One of the quintessential experiences you should have in Vietnam is a cruise on Ha Long Bay. Spread across 1,553 square kilometres, this natural wonder was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994
All images by Aatreyee MohantaA three-hour drive from Hanoi takes you to Tuần Châu port at Ha Long Bay, where you board a tender boat that takes you to your luxury cruise ship. The 20-minute boat ride is a scenic journey, with emerald green waters and limestone rock formations rising out of it
Most of the cruise tours on the bay are as luxurious as they come, giving you a five-star experience — an itinerary of activities to pamper you with and all the creature comforts
Among the activities is a visit to the river caves of Ha Long Bay — which look like they belong in Pandora (from ‘Avatar’) — with a choice of kayaking or sailing on a bamboo boat. The majestic rock formations loom in front, giving you a perfect backdrop to soak in the sun and the natural beauty
Evenings on the cruise, after a day of activities, usually feature sundowners, where you can sit back with a drink or cocktail of your choice as you watch an ombre orange sky from the deck during sunset
The menu on the cruise is usually an extravagant buffet spread, and delicious. It usually features Vietnamese dishes like stir-fried seafood and veggies, deep-fried spring rolls, steamed prawns and even kimbap. For dinner, there is usually a set menu that features delicacies like Turquoise Abalone soup and garlic butter toast with cheese, green papaya salad with Ha Long squid cake, roll chicken with cheese served with french fries, Lobster, seabass, squid served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables with special seafood sauce, and fresh fruits and sweet cake. The cruises will also take your dietary preferences into consideration
If you’re on a two-day cruise, you might get a stop at Cat Ba Island, which is home to a number of fisherman villages. The view from the island is breathtaking and the waters seem to shine clearer every minute
You can cycle around Cat Ba or hop on to an electric car that will take you around while looking at a piece of Vietnamese history as you tour old fishermen’s huts. You can also get a fish spa for your feet — a unique albeit ticklish experience
Come nightfall, the cruise ships anchor close to the bay and you can spend hours watching the twinkling lights from other cruises. Bask in the silence of calm waters and a breeze, or test your mettle at karaoke or squid fishing before retiring for the night
The writer travelled on the Aspira Cruise on a 2 night-3 day tour. The prices for a similar tour are usually around Rs 68,000 for two adults, however keep an eye out for offers and discounts that will give you lower rates