Ha Long Bay

The tour guide and driver is good. But the tourist spots eg. the cave and the road climbing up the hill were full of tourists, even though we went on a weekday. We needed to queue up for climbing and entering.

We were a Japanese couple. In the morning, a bus picked us up and dropped us off at the tour hotel. We were unsure which bus to take, but our guide found us, making for a smooth departure. On the way there, we stopped at a rest stop. It seemed to be a place introducing bamboo towels and other items. We saw demonstrations of their history and water supply rates, and we were so impressed with the bamboo towels that we ended up buying one. After boarding the cruise ship, the buffet started. The food was delicious. Our guide explained the buffet rules in advance, so we enjoyed our meal while respecting proper etiquette. After arriving at the island with the cave, we had to walk quite a bit, including some stairs. Therefore, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Our guide always recommended photo spots, so we had no trouble finding them. Next, we went kayaking. I was worried about getting wet because I didn't bring a swimsuit, but when I put the towel I brought with me under my buttocks, only the bottom of my dress got wet. Water naturally dripped in while paddling, so if I hadn't put the towel under my buttocks, my underwear would probably have gotten wet too. You should bring a towel. Finally, we went to an island and relaxed on the beach, drinking coconut juice. On the way back, we ate sweets and fruit while listening to music on the rooftop, and it was a wonderful way to end the trip. It wasn't a problem because he could understand English, but it was a comfortable atmosphere even if you couldn't speak English. The guide's explanations were thorough, and above all, his smile was the best! We had a wonderful time that will remain in our memories for the rest of our lives (^^)

The overall service is very considerate, the hotel pick-up is convenient, the bus is comfortable and new, the Hercules boat is generally clean and the meals are fresh, the Halong Bay attractions are very beautiful and spectacular, and it is very suitable for a must-do itinerary for first-time visitors to Hanoi.