Haiphong - Halong Bay?

[DJjazzy]

Will be on Rhapsody in a few weeks ( 3/27 ) with a stop in

Haiphong 7am -7pm

 

Is is possible to go out to Halong Bay ? How about Cat Ba island?

 

Any info appreciated. How about the ferry from Haiphong to Cat BA?

Is there enough time to get out the Halong Bay and back to the ship by sailing time at 7PM?

 

Thanks!

Jazzy

[greatam]

No need to take a ferry or hydrofoil. Arrange ground transportation to Halong-about 10 miles.

 

Then book one of the day trips in and around Halong. Some go to Cat Ba, some go to other islands.

 

My best suggestion: Find enough people on your cruise (usually about 6-8) to pay for the entire boat. Then arrange to leave much earlier than the "normal" day trips. Renting the entire boat is not terribly expensive, even if you only have 2 people.

 

Sequence of normal day trip: Pick up Hanoi about 8:00AM, arrive Halong about noon. Cruise around Halong, go to the cave, return to Halong about 5-6:00PM. May be cutting it really close trying to book a regular tour.

 

Since you will be there in 3 weeks, please contact IndoChina Travel in San Francisco and see what they can do for you. They have people on the ground in Hanoi who can arrange the boat and transport for you on short notice. They may also be able to board you in Haiphong, go to Cat Ba, THEN sail to Halong and return by car or vise versa. Just ask-they are great at customizing things.

 

http://www.indochinatravel.com/

 

Enjoy!!!