Upon arrival into Halong, a small boat will be waiting to provide private transport to the larger boat, which will be the vessel for the duration. The team will explain along the way the itinerary and plans for the trip, to give you an idea of what is to follow.

After leaving your ship aboard one of the Halong junks, you will soon be surrounded by the limestone formations that make the region so famous. Furthermore, you will begin to see the life that unfolds on a daily basis in the majestic waters. Locals here live a largely water-based existence similar to those down in the Mekong Delta region. Entire towns exist on the waters, with restaurants, banks, bars and shopping all situated on water. You’ll see plenty of boat houses on the water with tiny floating gardens outside and laundry hanging out to dry.

For those keen on getting a closer look, the crew can drop anchor and send you aboard kayaks to explore local life a bit more. Other sites are well worth a visit as well, such as the historic Hang Dau Go Grotto, which dates back to the times of Kublai Khan in the 13th century.