GETTING THERE & AWAY:

Nowadays the fastest and most convenient way to go to Halong Bay is by air transports; the Northern Airport Flight Service Company offers a helicopter charter service from Hanoi to Halong Bay on Saturday only. However, this way is rather expensive. The cost for the charter services is US$ per person (paying an extra US$ ets you transfers to Hanoi's Gia Lam Airport and the harbor in Halong, a four- to-five-hour boat ride, and lunch in Halong Bay). The same helicopters can be privately chartered for US$ an hour.

Vast majority of tourists traveling to Halong Bay come on organized tour packages which can be easily found in any travel agent in Hanoi. Mostly traveling by road and staying a night or two in Bai Chay beach with one or two boat trips in the package.

It would not be any cheaper by traveling on your own and the hassle factor in Halong City, especially during peak season, is high enough to make you grumpy. For those who prefer independent travel, there are buses from Hanoi to Halong City and Haiphong, from where you can organize transports to Halong Bay. It is advisable to take a route via Haiphong to less hassle-ridden Cat Ba Island rather than via Halong City. Nevertheless, you can take boat trip from Bai Chay - the most important tourist district in Halong City - to Halong Bay.

GETTING AROUND:

You won't see much unless you take a boat tour of the islands and their grottoes. If you end up traveling independently to Halong City cruises are offered by private boat owners, travel agencies and hotels in Bai Chay. Competition is fierce and overcharging and high-pressure sales tactics are still the norm.

Since, area is large; it is advisable to take a fast boat in order to see more. The rare but romantic junks are very photogenic and can be hired as well. However, junks are so slow on a calm day that they hardly seem to be moving at all. You don't have to rent a whole boat for yourself - there are plenty of travelers, Vietnamese and foreign, to share with. A small boat can hold six to 12 people and costs around US$ per hour. Mid-sized boats (the most popular ones) take around 20 passengers and costs US$ per hour. Larger boats can hold 50 to 100 people and cost US$ per hour. All tourist boats are located at a marina about 2km west of central Bai Chay.