Ha Long Bay: Three days in a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Oasis in Northern Vietnam

There are many options for cruising Ha Long Bay, and I’d be happy to help you find your perfect fit. Our boat, The Emperor Legacy, was the ideal size with only 10 suites. We chose two State Suites, enormous cabins packed with amenities like a jacuzzi bathtub, huge balcony and 24-hour room service. The entire boat had only 18 passengers, so we enjoyed completely attentive service and meeting other travelers.

Highlights of our three days included:

• Majestic views of the massive rock formations and mountains. Seeing other vessels up close also made for incredible outlooks.

• Kayaking in a picture-perfect section of Lan Ha Bay.

• Visiting Viet Hai Village, where only 83 families live and together run a small tourist destination that includes sampling snake wine and fish pedicures.

• Swimming on a secluded beach with incredibly warm water and huge views.

• Visiting an oyster farm where we learned about the ancient profession and had the chance to purchase hyper-local pearls.

• Riding on an authentic fishing boat at sunrise with an opportunity to pilot the boat with the long wooden oars.

Life onboard:

On the boat, we were treated to all of our meals, most of which were delicious and a few of which were not to our taste. That’s the point, though, isn't it? Adventure means leaving your comfort zone. Our vegetarian daughter was well accommodated, as was our daughter who does not enjoy seafood.

The boat provided a few easy activities, like early morning Vovinam exercise and nightly squid fishing.

Afternoon tea is served daily, accompanied by fresh fruit and light snacks. The staff even hosted a hands-on cooking demonstration to roll your own spring rolls.

The TV in our suite was equipped with a memory stick that featured a dozen or so movies, but who would want to watch movies when you could take in the geological wonders surrounding Ha Long Bay? Fun fact: Kong Skull Island featuring The Rock was filmed in the area.

A cool tip: While the air conditioning works incredibly well in the suites and dining room, the common areas of the boat have weak, if not non-existent air conditioning. We visited in the middle of July, so needless to say we stayed in our suites as much as possible.

Visits to Ha Long Bay typically span one, two or three days. Don’t expect to be endlessly entertained on these boats, because the hero of the journey will be the unmatched views of the Bay. Any trip to Northern Vietnam would be incomplete without experiencing this majestic place with your own eyes.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Vietnam page.