QUANG NINH – Tourists are awakened by the sunlight through the glass window, outside the sun rises on the limestone mountains, a streak of red on the blue water surface.
Before the Covid-19 epidemic, winter was often called the international tourist season in Ha Long Bay. Partly because this is the time when they have a long break of the year, partly because the heritage bay has many advantages this season compared to summer. However, nowadays, many Vietnamese tourists also choose Ha Long cruise for vacations when it’s cold.
Experience diverse weather in winter
In winter, Ha Long Bay has its very own beauty with misty mist in the early morning, warm sunshine at noon, and the water surface continuously changes color from deep blue to turquoise, then bright yellow at sunset. In particular, December and January are the times when the rainfall is the least, visitors can experience a cold day in the early morning, at night, and enjoy the warm sunshine, watching the clear sky at noon.
Winter is more suitable for tourists who do not like the harsh heat of the North. Instead, experience the cold weather, wear warm clothes, sip hot tea on the deck.
Many experiences different from summer
At noon, the limousine takes tourists from Hanoi to Tuan Chau international ship port, to start the journey to visit Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay (Cat Ba, Hai Phong) in 2 days 1 night. Departure about 30 minutes, phone signal, the Internet will no longer be connected, visitors will spend all their time relaxing.
After the lunch break, guests will check-in and rest in a warm room or soak in a hot tub. The rooms on the yacht often have a private balcony or a large glass door like a TV for visitors to capture the view of the deep blue bay, on the surface of the water glittering golden in the midday sun. Visitors often say that the inherent blue color of the bay is even more beautiful in the high, sunny days of winter.
Slowly, the yacht takes you through the majestic limestone formations, with the body-worn by the water current, above the green vegetation. Approaching Tra Bau fishing village on Lan Ha Bay. From here, you can choose to kayak or take a speedboat to freely explore the bay.
Boating, visitors will go through the spectacular rock crevices, watching the limestone mountains with the closest distance or to the white sand beaches, clear blue water. In the quiet space, you will see houses floating on the water, hear the barking dogs, the echoes of the boat deck.
Unable to swim in the winter, you will instead take a dip in the warm water swimming pool near the bow of the ship, enjoy a cocktail served at the door, and enjoy the peaceful scenery. At the end of the day, you can experience squid fishing on the deck, watching fish swim right next to the boat. Another option is to join a cooking class, enjoy the hot dishes you just made in the cold weather.
In particular, the dawn will be easier to catch in winter due to the late sunrise. Around 6:30 a.m., the first rays of the sun begin to creep through the thin curtains, waking up sleeping tourists. Out on the balcony, the winter sea breeze blows cold. On the water at this time, there was still mist in the morning, in the distance the sun was gradually rising behind the limestone mountains, casting a bright red streak on the water. For those who love sports, you can join Vovinam martial arts class on the sundeck at 6 am.
Ha Long Bay is less crowded
Winter is usually the low season for domestic tourists, in contrast to summer when the port is always crowded and noisy with tourists. On the second day, visitors will visit Sang dark cave on a bamboo boat of local people.
The cave is about 70 m long, with a very low ceiling with stalactites, so visitors often have to bow their heads. Boats slowly through the cave bring visitors to a calm lake, this view is not seen in the summer because many passenger boats come.
Sitting on the boat, many people admire when they see in front of their eyes a bright cave door, clear blue water surrounded by many limestone blocks of many shapes. Breathe in the fresh air, look at the green vegetation on the rocky mountains to help you temporarily forget about stress and fatigue.
Service price is cheaper
Because it is the low season, the service price is also more affordable. Currently, resort yachts operate the cruise for 2 days and 1 night, with prices ranging from 3 to 3.5 million VND/person. Each room on the yacht welcomes 2 guests, free of charge for children under 6 years old. The price includes 4 meals served on board and the cost of experiences. The service on the 5-star yacht has the plus point of being friendly staff who always take care of all guests’ needs.
Currently, a few yachts organize longer itineraries with 3-4 days, including activities such as visiting fishing villages, pearl farming facilities, Da Chong island, Gia Luan lagoon… Overall schedule The yacht is arranged in a reasonable manner so that visitors have a feeling of not being bored and can be active and rest at the same time. If there is no need to participate in activities, you can choose to stay on the boat.
Most of the dishes on the yacht are fresh seafood, prepared in many styles. However, when coming to the cruise in winter, visitors will enjoy specialties of sea bass (only available in autumn and early winter). Fish can be fried, served with vermicelli and soy sauce. Before starting the journey, the staff will ask you about your diet, products that may cause allergies. If you can’t enjoy seafood, you can order it separately with pork, beef, or chicken.
Some note
In winter, the bay has cold winds in the early morning and evening, so visitors should bring a lot of warm clothes for outdoor activities. In addition, you should bring swimwear, a hat, sun protection for swimming or boating. When traveling on kayaks, speedboats, visitors make sure to wear life jackets at the request of staff to ensure safety.
Currently, Quang Ninh province only welcomes visitors from the green and yellow zones. When passing through the checkpoint, visitors declare domestic travel and scan the QR code. In addition, you can choose a 2-way limousine service from Hanoi for VND 700,000/person.
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