Comments on: Halong Bay – Can You Say Beautiful?

By: Been There

Been There — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:38:27 +0000

Yes, I have been there. It is just beautiful. I always thought the haystacks on the Oregon coast were interesting and beautiful until I saw these 3000 mountain tops for myself aboard a Bay cruiser made of Teak wood. The food was great and the weather wonderful in October, 2009. From the cruiser, you can also catch a junk paddled by women to go to the islands. There is a floating fishing village with maybe 200 people and a school house and a floating cultured pearl business in the bay. Other things worthy of seeing/doing are the caves, swimming in the bay; but only if you are a good swimmer, because there is a strong current and the water is cold, and the monkeys on the islands. All this can be seen in 2 days.

Otherwise, leave Halong Bay and drive west to HaNoi. Catch the over-night train to Lao Cai for some wonderful sight seeing around the village of Sapa in the mountains among the Hill peoples of the region. From Lao Cai you can also look across the Red River into China. Sapa, Vietnam is a great town for its beauty and native peoples. The prices for handmade goods is very reasonable. I shopped for Christmas gifts of wood carvings, fine handcrafted silver jewelry, and silk scarves and clothing. If this means anything to you, Sapa has at least 2 pizza parlors and many other ethnic food types besides Vietnamese.

By: Cliff CHEN

Cliff CHEN — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:14:27 +0000

Halong Bay of Vietnam is amazing, I will go there, and Saigon also. thank you for the comments, It helps…

By: siriwan

siriwan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:51:11 +0000

beautiful halong bay

By: Drew Meyers

Drew Meyers — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:20:51 +0000

Thanks for the comments, they all seem like awesome suggestions.

By: Adam Metz

Adam Metz — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:35:38 +0000

You should check out my flickr photos from our trip in June ’06. We rented an entire boat on Halong Bay (slightly overkill). I would reccomend 3, maybe even 4 days in Hoi An. The coolest clothing shopping I’ve ever seen in my life. The people are also very cool. Pho Quoc Island wasn’t worth the trip, but HCMC was pretty amazing too, esp. the Massage School Of The Blind.

By: Joel Burslem

Joel Burslem — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:55:46 +0000

I second Marcus’ recommendation of Ko Lanta. Krabi is really nice too. Personally I’d avoid the Gulf side of Thailand and stay on the Andaman Sea side.

Highly recommend a few days in Saigon (HMC) and definitely a stay in Hoi An. Vietnam was by far my favorite country in SE Asia.

If you make it to Cambodia – the jetboat ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap over Tonle Sap is amazing. Heard Sihanoukville is really nice too.

By: Magnus

Magnus — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 13:15:49 +0000

Drew, I just spent 6 weeks in Thailand and I recommend Ko Lanta. It’s much more relaxed than many parts of Thailand, still with lovely beaches. IT’s also close to Phi Phi islands and Krabi with its stunning islands.

Have a great trip.