Hanoi and halong bay from halong city

[harbormaster]

Have appreciated reading all of your comments on the Vietnam cruises. Would like some opinions please.

We are on the Silversea Silver Wind December 12 sailing Hong Kong to Singapore.

 

The ship will anchor and tender to Halong City on December 14 at 8 am, overnight there and sail out on December 15 at 1 pm.

 

We want to do a full day tour in Hanoi on the 14th (we know it is almost a 4 hour drive) and return to the ship that night. On the 15th we want to do a cruise in Halong Bay in the morning before we sail.

 

We have been in contact with three different tour guides recommended here on CC. Our issue is that we have really varying price quotes from them for just about the same itineraries. All quotes include admission tickets, the port fee the guides need to pay and are virtually the same amount of time. The Halong Bay cruises all include the caves.

 

(The ship is offering a combination tour that is 1-1/2 days with an overnight in Hanoi after the city tour and a short 3 hour Halong Bay cruise that does not include the caves. The price is exorbitant and is done in a group (although in minivans) so we have ruled that out).

 

So the three quotes we have range from $225 per person for 1-1/2 days to $450 per person for the day and a half. All are in air conditioned cars, all are private and with English speaking guides. No hotel night included as we are not staying overnight. All are recommended here and on Trip Advisor. All are willing to customize to our wishes.

 

What am I missing? Why the disparity? Can anyone give advice on what is essential that might be included in the highest quote?

 

Thanks so much.

[bobhsv]

That is a huge price range difference, esp seeing that there is are so many tour operators at these ports to chooses from. We used Stephen from Vietnam Private tours, formerly Best Cruises, and would happily book with him again. Re this price range....the only thing I can think of is perhaps your group size. We had 6. Secondly, we had our own private junk for the Halong Bay half day, with most other junks being crammed full. Perhaps you could check on this factor. We also booked 2 other ports with this company. Perhaps this bought the cost down?? During the day into Hanoi, the timing aspect was perfect, with most sights visited before the larger groups appeared. For example, we had the Hanoi Hilton virtually to ourselves. The lunches on all our tours were in top places, and we ate without hesitation. Whoever you decide to go with, you will def not regret your decision re Hanoi first day and Halong Bay second half......Hanoi is vastly different to the rest of Vietnam.

[harbormaster]

Hi Bobhsv and thank you for your comments. We are really perplexed as all the tours are private for two people, include lunch, include entrance fees, extra port charges and are on a private junk just for us, not a group. All in air conditioned vehicles with English speaking guides. Thanks also for the reference. I guess we will investigate further.

[maryann ns]

Check on Trip Advisor and do a Google search of the various operators. The cruise ship will take a cut so it will be more expensive.

 

Check what quality junk the other operators are using.

[surrey cruiser]

Hi - I have organised a full day Hanoi tour with Smile tours in November cost is $100 pp for 8 & above $110 below 8

Includes entrances but not lunch or drinks

Details on Celebrity Millenium 9th November roll call post No278

Will take ships 1/2 day HaLong bay cruise the following morning

 

Hope this helps

 

Regards

 

Kevin

 

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