There are some places everyone should see at
least once in their lifetime. Halong Bay, twice listed as UNESCO Heritage
Site, takes the cake as Vietnam's most enchanting natural attraction.
Misty mornings, sun-kissed afternoons, and blazing sunsets all come together to
create unforgettable memories. Only have one day to explore? We hopped
aboard Paradise Elegance, one of
the most talked-about cruises in Vietnam, to find out how to make the most
of 24 hours in Halong Bay.

A Morning Drive

7am 

The
ride to Halong Bay from Hanoi can take up to four hours by car. One good thing
about the drive is that you’ll get an early morning tour through the buzzing streets
of the Old Quarter and enjoy the capital’s charming chaos from inside a
comfortable car. Along the way, you’ll pass the historic Long Bien Bridge, plus
many scenes of local life in Northern Vietnam.

Welcome to Halong Bay

12noon

Ha Long means 'Descending Dragon'. The Vietnamese have
several legends about how the karsts in the bay were formed.

At
last, the moment you’ve been waiting for! Halong Bay, with nearly 2,000
limestone islands and islets, covers an area of 1,500km2. This part of Quanh
Ninh province is home to legends centuries old. The Tuan Chau Marina is where
most boats depart for overnight cruises. Have your cameras ready on arrival,
and you’ll be rewarded with unbelievably stunning views.

The Journey Begins

12:30pm

Paradise Elegance combines contemporary and Vietnamese
design for a unique cruising experience.

Of
course, the most exciting moment is climbing aboard your vessel. A few words
from your captain and crew, a quick exploration of your cabin, and then… it’s
anchors aweigh! 

Elegant dining on the water in the Le Marin restaurant.

Fresh Vietnamese ingredients make for fabulous meals in
Ha Long Bay.

One
of the great highlights of any Halong adventure is simply cruising the bay’s
beautiful emerald water, floating past dramatic karsts, and observing local life
on the fishing boats and floating villages. Treat yourself to a delicious lunch
on board, then head to the top deck to snap a few photos for family and friends
back home.

Adventure-filled Afternoon

2pm

Travellers in Ha Long Bay can take their own kayaks to
explore caves and beaches.

Time
to go exploring. Two enormous, fascinating caverns await you inside Sung Sot,
or Surprise Cave. A series of stairs takes you directly to the mouth of the
cave, where you’ll find a magical subterranean world of stalactites and
stalagmites, gently illuminated in colourful lights. Love the water? Get out on
a kayak and head for Luon Cave, a serene grotto with a small sand beach, hidden
behind a solid rock archway. The exotic natural beauty of the area and the
scenery all around makes this one of the best activities in Halong Bay.

The cabins on the first level come with spacious
balconies for taking in the views.

Of
course, if you’re the type who enjoys a healthy dose of leisure in your leisure
travel, you can always stay aboard the boat, enjoy an afternoon tea, or catch
soak in the sights from the comfort of your cabin.

Relax, Reflect, and Refill

5pm

Ha Long is famous for have some of the most photogenic
sunsets in Vietnam.

Five
o’clock in the afternoon in Halong Bay means only one thing: happy hour.
Whether you prefer wine or watermelon juice, this is a moment that can’t be
missed. The sundeck is the ideal setting to watch as the last light falls
across the bay, making silhouettes of the karsts on the horizon and sending
sparkling ripples across the surface of the water.

When
the show is over, try your hand at a traditional Vietnamese cooking class, or
simply soak up the cool sea breeze. Finally, get gussied up for an elegant
dinner on the water. This is yournight, so make it special.

The Night is Young

8pm

The
fun’s not over. Halong Bay is equally mesmerizing after dark. If you’re not ready
for bed yet, you can join in a spot of squid fishing, listen to some live
music, or retreat to your comfy cabin to update your travel journal. The choice
is all yours.

TIP: Paradise
Elegance Cruise has an on-board spa offering a variety of Asian and Western spa
treatments. A deeply restorative massage is the perfect way to cap off an
exciting day in Halong Bay.

Good Morning, Halong!

6am

Wake up early to watch the morning wake up the bay.

Rise
and shine! Halong Bay is a beauty at sunrise. A morning tai chi session is just
the thing to find your bearings and soak up the beautiful views outside. Many
people are surprised to realize Halong Bay is not just a tourist attraction,
but actually home to many local communities who work, study, and live on the
water. Early morning is great time to acquaint yourself with local life in the
bay, or strike up a conversation with fellow travellers over breakfast.

One Last Stop

8am

Ha Long Bay is sprinkled with hidden beaches with gentle
currents for swimming.

Paradise
Elegance rewards its guests with one last surprise on their Halong
itinerary: A visit to Titop Island. Titop Island was named for a Russian
astronaut who visited this tiny island in the company of President Ho Chi Minh
in 1962. On the island, you’ll have two options: embark on a tiring but
rewarding climb to the top for a 360° view of the bay, or stay behind and
unwind on the beach. Decisions, decisions...

Lifetime Memories 

10:30am

Every
journey must come to an end. Cruising back to the marina and saying goodbye to
your boat can feel a little sad. The good news about visiting Halong Bay is
that there’s always (always) more to see. While 24 hours is a little time to
take in a lot of splendor, remember Halong Bay will always welcome you back
again.

Source: vietnamtourism.vn