Top 5 Halong Bay cruises you should try

How to Get To Halong Bay?

Due to its huge popularity, Halong Bay is very well connected to any part of Vietnam and other countries. You can go there through different routes:

By water: There's a big international cruise ship that regularly ferries visitors to Halong Bay. The Cai Lan International Port where the ship docks in is just 10 minutes away from Halong Bay cruises.

By air: Hanoi and Hai Phong are the closest airports. Regular flights are available from Nha Trang, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. You can also fly to these two airports from most Southeast Asian airports. South Vietnam tours

By road: This is the most preferred option, as you can get there by car from virtually any neighboring locales.

Sunset in Halong, a thing to die for.

And now, here're the top five Halong Bay cruises you should try:
Emeraude Day Cruise (top day cruise)

The design is absolutely eye-catching. Unlike other cruises, Emeraude exudes its original French design with pride. It’s a short one-day trip to Halong Bay that'll quite easily provide an unforgettable experience as it takes its passengers to Surprise Grotto or Surprise Cave (Sung Sot Cave), which is considered to be the finest and most magnificent cave in the bay by many, followed by a trip to Hang Trong cave. Most people agree the food and the service are awesome. PANDAW CRUISE

Rate: $74

Glory Cruise (value for money)

For a most glorious cruising experience

If a serene trip free from crowds is what you want when visiting Halong, then this cruise is for you. On its 2D1N trip, you will be taken to a nearby fishing village where you can see its villagers' daily activities. You can even try kayaking, have on-board cooking lessons, go fishing or exploring caves.

Rate: $110

Dragon Pearl (awesome itinerary)

Targets in vacation? No way! It’s time to chill.

When the other cruises struggle to clear the traffic, this one makes sure that its on-board tourists do not have to wait in queue. In its 2D1N program, you can cover almost all famous hotspots, yet get some more time to chill.

Rate: $150

Paradise Peak Cruise (best luxury trip)

Paradise Peak Cruise: the epitome of opulence and perfection.

Just only one word is needed to define this cruise, it would be "luxury". From the aesthetic beauty of the cruise to the rooms, amenities, food, staffs and service, the entire cruise is classy in every sense. It makes a trip of 2D1N.

Rate: $200

Pelican Cruise (top newcomer)

Indulging in luxury is not a sin after all

Launched in 2012, Pelican has already built a rock-solid reputation with its top notch facilities, good service, superb amenities and friendly staff. It offers bay trip packages of 2D1N and 3D2N.

Rate: $260 and $370 respectively

Things to do in Ben Tre

Ben Tre, the fertile land of Mekong Delta cruise is an exotic destination for those who would like to explore an abundant of tropical plants and busy villages on waters.

Vietnamese call Ben Tre is the land of coconut, a peaceful and poetic destination with shaded villages’ paths and immense orchards. We would like to share with you some important guide to travel to Ben Tre, Vietnam.

Ben Tre is the land of coconut

How to go?
There are 4 directions to get to Ben Tre, the first one is from Saigon, the second one is from other Southern provinces, the third is from Central provinces and the other is from the Northern provinces. However, the most convenient and popular way is from Saigon. Thus, wherever you are in Vietnam, the best way is traveling to Saigon and taking a drive to Ben Tre. Travel in Vietnam
By Public transfer
In Saigon, you can buy a bus ticket to Ben Tre at Western Bus Station. Price from $5.
However, few people choose this way, they tend to choose a 1 day Mekong Delta tour package to Ben Tre provided by a travel company including transfer, lunch and sightseeings.

Ben Tre doesn’t offer many places for sightseeing; you can explore the whole destination within only 1 day tour. Or if you want to spend more time exploring local life, you can book a homestay experience for 2 or 3 days. Jasmine Cruise

When to go?
You might ask yourself which season should we visit Ben Tre. Actually Ben Tre is beautiful all year around, but if you visit the province during summer time (from June to August) you will have a chance to enjoy colorful picture with delicious tropical fruits.

Things to do in Ben Tre

Ben Tre – Exploring local life

There are two big festivals in Ben Tre is Phu Le Temple Festival and Nghinh Ong Festival in the third and eleventh month in Lunar Calendar.

Where to stay
Not many people stay overnight in Ben Tre. So there are not many options for decent accommodations here. There is no luxury hotel but vast options for hostels and homestay.

What to eat?
Ben Tre is famous for its system of rivers and springs with various seafood species, some only live in coconut forests. Ben Tre people used them to cook many traditional dishes for a long time and create one of the most intricate cuisines in Mekong Delta.

In Ben Tre, travelers enjoy different dishes in different season of the year, which people call seasonal food, such as each month, Ben Tre residents have a special fish that taste the best.

Shopping
Taking about Ben Tre, tourist talk about famous coconut candy flavors and other products made from coconut such as coconut oils, coconut wine, coconut jelly, coconut soaps, and handicraft items. You can buy them at each workshop or handicraft farms during your visit (if you book a Ben Tre tour, visits to traditional villages, workshops are included in the itinerary). Another address is Ben Tre market.

If you domestic travelers or international visitors staying in Vietnam some days more, you can buy some favorite fruits: bananas, durians, oranges, mangos, grapes, etc.

Where to visit?
The highlight of Ben Tre is the rustic paths paved by abundant orchards. You can enter to visit the orchards and harvest fresh fruits from the trees. More funny activity is catching fish and cook your own “achievement” for lunch.

Don’t forget experience local cruise in Mekong Delta, enjoy the calm and charming water of various waterways within the province.

Visit Vam Ho bird garden is a nice activity for those who love to explore the nature. Located 52 kilometers from Ben Tre city, Vam Ho bird garden is home to various species of birds and other rare animals.

Top 10 FREE things to do in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

With an abundance of things to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City, it can be difficult to prioritise and balance the travel budget. With these ten free things to do in Vietnam’s former capital, you’ll wish you could stay longer!

Notre Dame Cathedral
The elaborate Notre Dame Catholic Cathedral which was built by the French during the 1800s and stands next to the Post Office in central HCMC is free to enter. This is an active cathedral though so be sure to respect the attending worshippers. South Vietnam tours

Central Post Office
And just across the road from the Notre Dame Cathedral is the handsome French-colonial Town Hall building which was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Town Hall has a classically elegant interior complete with a vaulted glass-canopy ceiling. Inside hangs a massive portrait of the great leader, Ho Chi Minh himself. Jasmine Cruise

Top 10 FREE things to do in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

Thien Hau Pagoda
The Thien Hau Pagoda in the Chinatown district of Cholon is dedicated to sea goddess, Lady Thien Hau which features two giant turtles to guard the pagoda. There are elaborate sculptures adorning the courtyard walls and each March an elaborate festival takes place at this free to enter building.

Quan Am Pagoda
Within Vietnam’s largest Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City at Cholon is also the Quan Am Pagoda which is free to explore. This is the oldest Chinese pagoda in Saigon and is close to the Thien Hau Pagoda.

• SONG XANH CRUISE

Take a walking tour
Grab a free tourist map from your hotel, wear your most comfortable shoes and head onto the streets for a leisurely walking tour. As you wander you’ll spot the locals going about their daily lives; cooking on the street, shopping for fresh vegetables and even sleeping on their motorbikes. And one essential tip for crossing the street amidst the millions of mopeds and motorbikes; walk at one continuous speed, do not run and try to make eye contact with the driver. It’s daunting at first but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

Ben Thanh Market
Browse the Ben Thanh Market on Ho Chi Minh’s Le Loi Street where the local market stall are piled high with just about everything you could imagine from spices, housewares, souvenirs, textiles and jewellery. Browse without picking anything up and you’ll not get hassled by the traders too much.

Rex Hotel
Visit the iconic Rex Hotel which became famous thanks to the ‘Five O’clock Follies’ – the press conferences that were held each day during the Vietnam War. The name originates from the journalists who nicknamed the spin that existed during the period. Admire the hotel from the street or if your budget allows, enjoy a drink (and an awesome view of Ho Chi Minh City below) at the rooftop bar.

Dam Sen Water Park
The kids will get in for free to the Dam Sen Water Park if they’re under 0.8 meters in height. There are some great water slide experiences including the thrilling Space Bowl.

Tour the Reunification Palace
Once inside the 1960s Reunification Palace there are free tours of the various state rooms.  Entrance is 30,000 dong which is less than 1.50 USD and well worth the modest fee. The Palace is a shrine to all things 60s and is virtually untouched since the fall of Saigon to the north on 30 April 1975. The gates of the palace are famous in their own right as the images were beamed worldwide of the tank 843 clattered through the gate signalling the end of the Vietnam War.