How to get a perfect cruise trip - Wake up, and Enjoy - with These Tips

The best way to enjoy the first day of your cruise is to be 'in the cruise groove' from the moment you wake up on sail away day. Some unlucky cruisers arrive at the cruise pier tired, harried, and frustrated. Others miss out on making the most of those first few hours of their cruise by making the mistake of thinking that nothing really begins until the ship is out at sea. Sadly, these folks end up short-changing themselves, by losing out on almost a whole day of sheer enjoyment.

I'm in the magical cruise groove before arriving at the pier, and make the most out of every moment of the first day of my cruise. Here's how I do it. As an experienced cruiser, I always advise those planning a Halong luxury cruise to use a good travel agent, one who specializes in cruises. Yes, I know... you're an experienced traveler, used to booking your own travel. So am I. I travel a lot. And you really believe you can save yourself money and get just what you want by calling and booking directly with the cruise line yourself. I thought that at first, too. After a few cruises, I learned better. For more details, see contact@graylinehalong.com. Whether you are driving or flying to your port of departure, do yourself a favor, and arrive at least one day before the start of your cruise.

Think of this: If your ship sails at 4:30, and your plane that was scheduled to arrive at 1:45PM is delayed by just a couple of hours, you could end up missing the ship entirely. Delays DO happen.
Not only that, you'll eliminate the stress of a tight schedule by arriving on Saturday for a Sunday cruising. Just find a hotel with a fly and cruise or park and cruise package. Your parking will be free, and they usually have a free or no cost shuttle to and from the airport and your ship's pier.

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Viet Hai village- Isolated world

Viet Hai village- Cat Ba archipelago is considered as an “isolated world”–located in the midst of the valley surrounded by high mountains and jungle. Thus the local people here still retained primitive traits from ancient times. Vietnamese tourists seldom go to this place, but it has been becoming a popular attraction to the foreign tourists.

Impression probably no one could forget that is the high community awareness in this village.  In village, there are a few sweet bikes, motorbikes and if necessary you may borrow a motorbike to drive around screaming hallway in a few minutes.
You don’t need to lock vehicle because there is no robber here, you can park free everywhere, the food at this place is mostly self-sufficient as the primitive human of thousand years ago.  Every house grows clean vegetables. Even they can give to each other without hesitating. Because of this cultural practice, foreign visitors come to this village increase gradually. In recent years, together with the recognition of Cat Ba Archipelago as the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, thousands tourists have trekked through the mountains, jungles, springs to visit this unique attraction. They are interested in this wild area in the midst of the Biosphere Reserve, the Cat Ba National Park.

We can say, people with Vietnamese Customs is satisfied with their real life, they do not even think about getting rich that surrounds living together, all villagers are not hard to help each other. They live together in harmony between mountains and sea.
Nowadays, Halong bay tour advices to visit Viet Hai village: you can take a cruise junk from Halong Bay to Viet Hai harbor, then go by motorbike, bicycle, trekking to Viet Hai village passing a forest road 6 km to the village. In the village, you can visit old houses, take pictures of forest trees or see people, buffalos working on the green fields.

Currently, Gray Line Halong is offering many hot deals and promotion packages for halong luxury cruise. Please visit Gray Line Halong official website to get further details and contact us at contact@graylinehalong.com to have access to the best cruising services.

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Approval of national tourism promotion program period 2013 - 2020

Prime Minister has just signed Decision No. 2151/QD-TTg, dated 11.11.2013, approving the program of national tourism promotion period from 2013 to 2020.

Accordingly, the objective of the program is to promote marketing activities, promotion of destination countries, local destinations and products with excellent services of Vietnam travel abroad to promote international passenger traffic health, increased length of stay and spending of international visitors.
By 2020, for each key international tourism market ( Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, North America, Western Europe and Eastern Europe), the organization deployed from 3-4 promotion activities to promote the tourism potential for each market (South Asia and Middle East), organizations are deploying at least one activity for the promotion of tourism, ensuring at least 50% of promotional activities, promotion tourism is expanding in scope, scale and diversity of form, content, compared to the previous period.
In addition, the promotion of propaganda, advertising and promotion of tourism in the country is to raise awareness about preserving the environment and protecting tourism, cultural behavior with tourists and promoting domestic tourists by 2020. Every year, participating organizations and from 3-5 travel events (or related) in the local tourism potential and coordinate with 15-20 units reported major media propaganda promoting domestic tourism, construction, leasing and maintenance to maintain from 15-20 large billboard panels, marine electronics to introduce, promote the image of Vietnam's tourism in the big cities.
Specifically, the program is organized to promote Vietnam tourism destinations to abroad such as the Organization of tourism promotion program, the introduction about Vietnam with large scale in the key markets in the region Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, North America, Western Europe and Eastern Europe; organize tourism promotion program, introduce to Vietnam in the country on the occasion of some political events, foreign communication, culture, sports important between Vietnam and your country and organize the participation of international tourism fairs in key markets and the potential to expand the scale, form and content diversity rich; promote Vietnam tourism on a number of international media, including television, magazines and entertainment tourism, large advertising panels, advertising online. In addition, the organization for tour operators and media agencies, foreign journalists in Vietnam to survey location, products and services tourism organizations, participation in conferences and seminars abroad to promote Vietnam tourism; affiliate advertising activities, promotion of tourism between the central agencies and local programs and events to promote Vietnam tourism abroad.

Besides promotional activities and Vietnam tourism promotion in overseas, this program is to promote propaganda activities, promotions, promote tourism in the country. Specifically, the Organization of the major tourist events in the country as "National Tourism Year" cultural events, major sports, communication, tourism promotion on these types of press in the country, organizing conferences and seminars to promote tourism to strengthen the links between the ministries, branches, localities, regions, links between the state and business, organizing seminars on tourism development tourism, tourism promotion of the international organizations and the region to propagate and promote Vietnam tourism. Construction, leasing, maintenance, and maintenance of large sheet billboards to promote the image of tourism in national parks, national attractions, international border, in a station with a flow of visitors great history, major traffic junctions in major cities, jointly organized the fair, international tourism event in the country; welcome caravans, the international press.
Another task of the program is focused on developing e- marketing for the promotion of tourism organizations such as producing publications, articles for tourism promotion. In particular, options, sample items designed to promote tourism, production of publications, articles tourism promotion in various forms, materials and different languages; documentary film production, advertising and other categories of tourism Vietnam as videotapes, discs, removable memory card...

Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Culture - Sports and Tourism is responsible for leading and coordinating mechanism, policy management, administration and implementation of the program guide ... ; annual aggregate, report to the Prime Minister as well as the implementation of the proposed issues arising beyond its authority, the People's Committees of provinces and cities directly under the central government initiative to mobilize more resources and to integrate operations related to achieving the goals of the program..

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Lan Ha bay - Explore Lan Ha bay in Vietnam cruise

Being an island which link  Ha Long Bay to Cat Ba tourism archipelago, Lan Ha Bay (Hai Phong) looks like a lovely range of silk,  embroidered by lush greenery and blue water with various flora and fauna system.

In the area of management of Hai Phong city but Lan Ha Bay is a unique beauty, attracting many tourists visit every year due to belonging to the complex of  Halong Bay. From Beo wharf - a small marina on the island of Cat Ba, tourist can easily rent a small motor boat or big boat, depending on demand, the price is not too expensive. We rented a small boat with high speed to move easilier. Canoes runs  head to the north, the wind blows  immensely  in the salty taste of the sea that brings refresh feeling incredibly.

Water  in Lan Ha Bay is blue and silence pure which reflects the shining white clouds and blue sky pieces. Many  scattered Limestone with various shapes is floating on surface as to evoke the imagination one’s mind. Sometimes, canoes hit a flock of smaller fishes, they jump out of the surface with a look of pleasing crunch.


The fishing boats and nets in military staging lights, small boats carrying heavy goods necessities of traders across the bay. The two rowing boats of fisherman and many modern ships with variety of modern sizes ... carrying tourists up and down the busy creating vivid images that are incredibly poetic. A swedish accompany with our group constantly broth, take continuous shot as  afraiding of missing the beautiful frames which are not easy to have the opportunity to meet again. The cages village raises many kinds of seafood  is garthering to Beo wharf boat  about five minutes or ten minutes. However there are some scattered individual cages around the bay which are not hard to meet. Visitors often have their feet in the floating cages and eating fresh seafood. The specialty seafood are attractive comedy such as a very tasty mollusks having in the water area of Quang Ninh, Cat Ba.

In addition, shrimp , crab , fish ... always waiting ... freely frolic to serve tourists. In recent years,  religious comedy have been successfully raised on the floating platform and become specialties are most people's favorite here. Fresh food, lovely scenery, service and acceptable price should come here.  We are hardly to  refuse a fabulous meal like this. This charming foreign friends in my group is the natural sand scattered on the small island in Lan Ha Bay. The sloping white sand, blue water and rocks naturally invites ... that we decided to stop at a small island waving spoiled the name . We could not deny  hawkers offering overboard, not uncomfortable scrutiny before the insensitivity focus where overcrowding, this place really brought a very comfortable feeling by privacy where there is rare .


In recent years, Gulf of eco-tourism trends was being invested.  From Beo wharf boat run just 5 minutes north of the island is met Pineapple Cat (also known as Monkey Island ), with many tourist services is exploited for decades, attracting a large number of foreign visitors to stay nursing . To find more fresh feeling, we run another ten minutes more to the island canoes Like Turtles. Beginner investors marine eco-tourism, services virtually nothing but a new floor storage for temporary accommodations, offset scene here pretty amazing. If traveling by small boat to come and take about 40 minutes . Just opposite the Turtle Island is a small island with beaches of Van Boi, heart of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, one of four biosphere reserves has been recognized by UNESCO. A great many tourists go there not only for bathing , sun exposure, but also to kayaking, snorkeling coral. Like Turtle Island frontage with two sandy beaches and pandanus shrubs decades old, surrounded by mountains surrounded by a pool of closed form. Water is drawn in the early morning can easily catch the sea cucumber, a marine specialty but you have in this area .

Early morning sunrise can pick up at beach , watching a new day dawn when the sun begins to illuminate the natural coral reefs. It can even walk across the island is facing the sprint. In the afternoon, when the sun sets, from beach front could see the pink clouds reflected trying to sparkling water, as scenes from an existing poem.

At Night, we can just lie on the floor and listen to the sea breeze caress, every crunch softly whispering waves, straight  boats from far and pandanus trees silhouetted flutter down to the small lamp emanating from the solar system on the island.
No Internet , no TV and  not the everyday hustle ... Just  be close to nature to appreciate your life in this very accumulation moments...

By Gray line Halong

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Titop island - Halong bay

Located in the central heritage area - the wonders of the world Halong Bay, about 7 - 8km to the southeast of Bai Chay harbor, Ti Top Island is considered one of the most attractive destinations, the choice of many tourists visit the Gulf.

In the map of Halong by France in the late 19th century, the island was named Cat Nang Islet. On 22/11/1962, this small island welcomed President Ho and the astronaut German Titop to visit and stay here. To mark the anniversary of that trip, President Ho Chi Minh named the island after Titop.

This beautiful small island backrest in Cua Luc bay, front view is Sung Sot gulf with Bo Hon Island, Dam Nam Islet to the right,  about 1km to the north of Bo Nau cave. The island has steep slopes, with the white sandy beach at the foot.

Unlike many other tourist attractions in Ha Long Bay, in addition to the beautiful & charming natural scenery, Ti Top Island also owns a beautiful beach, called Ti Top beach. Here, visitors can climb up the mountain to a panoramic view of this beautiful island. Looking down from above, Ti top beach is shaped like a foot moon embracing the island.

The beach area is not large but quiet, spacious and very clean. Perhaps due to these outstanding advantages, Ti top always attracts tourists to visit, especially international tourists.

To meet the needs of visitors, now the tourist services on the island of Ti Top have been relatively complete, in order to provide service to tourists at the best: bar, souvenir shop, swim buoys, water motor, kayaking ...
The cruise ships usually visit here. Visitors often get on the shore to swim or climb a stairs in the middle and another at the top of the mountain to watch the scene from above.

Ti top has been an indispensable destination in Halong’s exploration of every traveler. Give it a try to feel what nature favors this beautiful island.

(source: Gray line cruise)

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Van Don Island - Quang Ninh

Van Don Island in Quang Ninh province is known as an ancient trade with many archaeological sites & special cultural relics. In recent years, Van Don is also included in the list of beautiful beaches in the northern region.

Dai Beach is located 60 km from Bai Chay with more than 1 hour drive - about 10km from the center of Cai Rong town. Located on the banks of the beautiful Bai Tu Long Bay, Bai Dai beach, based on pristine mountain forests, stretches to the white sand coastline and blue water. Coming here in the summer, visitors can stroll along the beach to hear the sound of whispering waves while watching the charming picture of Bai Tu Long Bay. Nearly 10 years ago, the Dai Beach area was wilderness. At that time, Van Don island was poor with many difficulties in transportation. Yet after 10 years of reform, investors have made this area becoming a tourism attraction. Though these changes have been put into operation so far, Dai Beach does not seem to lose its inherent tranquility. On sunny summer days, sitting under a casuarinas grove looking at the horizon is really a great feeling. Each morning watching sunrise, enjoying cool weather, fresh air, and strolling along the beach to enjoy the natural grandeur is the hobby of many tourists. Far out of sight, Bai Tu Long Bay is like a charming picture.

“Unspoiled& peaceful” does not mean that there’s a lack of services in the resort. Currently it is divided into two resorts in two different styles:

- The first one combines ancient and modern architecture. The hotel service area divides into different zones. The hotel is built on a majestic high hill, a magnificent palace with plentiful rooms & standard facilities. Here you can view the whole scene in front of the sea. If you prefer more privacy, under way are separate garden villas with a warm atmosphere for the whole family.

- The second one is the ecotourism based under the foot of green casuarinas groves. Here is a small port for tourists to enjoy fresh seafood. This space is suitable for large groups of tourists to bath, dinner and campfire & enjoys outdoor living... You can also try adventure exploring the natural caves around this area.

You can go down the coast to the Blessed Holy Temple, the branch of Truc Lam Yen Tu. The temple is situated in a beautiful location on a hill overlooking the sea. Visitors go there to immerse in the spiritual world.

There are many inter- provincial and inter- district buses operating continuously to bring tourists to the Bai Dai tourist area. From Bai Chay Bus Station, you can catch the 01 bus routes of Coach Corporation, with the first line is Bai Chay Station ( Halong City), and the ending is Dai Beach , Van Don , with fares for a turn to 25,000 dong.

If you need a place to rest , Dai Beach - Van Don probably should have in your choice.

(Source: halong cruise tour)

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Fishing villages in Halong bay

Nature offers Halong bay a moderate climate, which is really convenient for fishermen living among the ocean. Thousands of limestone islets jutting out from the sea make a nature border preventing winter strong wind and summer storms. The emerald seawater has the salinity of 32 which is ideal for aquiculture. The sea face is even more tranquil than Sword lake in Hanoi. Nestling beside Halong rocky islets, many fishing houses gather into the 4 villages living and working among this UNESCO wonder.

Among the 4 villages, Cua Van or Van Gia is the largest one, and also the oldest village of Halong bay. Now it’s the home to 176 households and 733 people, most of them live on fishing career. The boat is also their home, the school, the committee hall for all villagers. Cua Van is the farest living zone from the inland with the distance of 30km from Bai Chay tourist wharf. Although the deprivation, villagers are always happy with wind, sea and sunshine and smiles. Mostly quiet, calm sea, fishing boat anchors, nets, let the sentence, catching fish. Mostly quiet, calm sea, fishing boat anchors, nets, let the sentence, catching fish are their inspiration.

The establishment of the famous cultural center Cua Van has a great significance both economically and spiritually for residents. It is a model cultural center for the first floating fishing communities of Vietnam, not only to conserve, preserve cultural values through the fishing village activities as well as traditional works between local communities and tourists but also a place to create jobs for locals. The cultural center of Cua Van floating area of 330 m2 introduces hundreds of archaeological objects, including tools, fishing facilities of the ancient Vietnamese, many images , television documentaries, publications on folklore, lives of the residents living on the fishing village of Halong bay in the past and presence. Local guides are the children of Cua Van fishing village. It was the first group of youth fishing village after the completion of the training of professional tourism, began to participate and introduce tourists guidance on life, history and culture of their community. If you book 2 nights on Gray Line Halong, a private small boat and our tour guide will sail you to this village and the cultural center of Cua Van.

Nearly 1 hour boating from Cua Van is Vong Vieng (or Vung Vieng) fishing village. In the recent 3 years, sightseeing in Vong Vieng fishing village has attracted many tourists to participate. Compared to the fishing villages on Ha Long Bay, Vong Vieng is the second largest after Cua Van fishing village. This is a small fishing village, the beautiful and peaceful located on Bai Tu Long. Vong Vieng is around 16km far from inland with about 60 households living on fishing and aquaculture. This area seems to remain authentic wild beauty. What makes visitors to enjoy Vong Vieng is that they can integrate with the daily lives of aboriginal people. Here, visitors can visit a fisherman family or attend a child's classroom at sea or join fishing activities,. etc. By a rattan boat, you have chance to observe the things that people use in the fishing lives such as: The fishing gear used for fishing, shopping the souvenirs which is made from sea shells. With a unique beauty, Vong Vieng fishing village attracts hundreds of foreign tourists to come here daily. Tourism has brought jobs and income for many fishermen in the village.

Unlike Cua Van and Vong Vieng, the enchanting Cong Dam village is a geological museum whose the focus area is a lot of the parts farming, coral reefs, the underground lake in the heart of limestone mountains and caves underwater. This is also a beach area with many small white sandy beaches and smooth blue water. You will be satisfied when you talk with people fishing village of Cong Dam, hearing them tell about the memories or sitting on a rattan boat to explore the mountains and the beautiful little houses. As far from inland areas and completely separated from the usual tourist routes, the landscape here still retain many primitive features and a very clean environment. Foreign tourists come here to participate in fun activities such as kayak, fishing with fishermen may also join us mangroves to protect the environment.

Fishermen in the fishing villages of Halong Bay are poor and hard-working but always optimistic, love the World Heritage site and always welcome friends over the world to Ha Long.

(Source: Halong luxury cruise)

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