I have been to Ha Long Bay a number of times and I have never seen the bay in the same mood twice; whether it is cloaked in mist or glistening on a bright summer's day, it is gorgeous. If one is visiting northern Vietnam and has one, two or three days to spare, Ha Long Bay is an excellent choice to spend them.

There are five different ways to see Ha Long Bay:

Ha Long Bay Cruises in One-Day (Tourist Class)

One of the best ways to see Ha Long Bay is to take a day cruise from Bai Chay, the gateway to Ha Long Bay on the mainland. The road connections from Hanoi are excellent and it is possible to depart early in the morning, drive to Ha Long Bay, cruise the bay for five-hours and then return to Hanoi. It's a tad on the long side of a day but entirely doable if time is of the essence. Personal and private. It makes for a busy day but if you are short on time it works. Contact: http://halong.org.vn

Ha Long Bay in Two-Days (Tourist Class) Recommended

Another way to see Ha Long Bay is to depart Hanoi in the early to mid-afternoon, drive to Bai Chay, check in a hotel, rise bright and early and cruise the bay the following day, and then return to Hanoi in the late afternoon. This allows for seven-to-eight hours on the bay. Personal and private. Contact: http://halong.org.vn

The Huong Hai Junk Overnight (Superior Class) Recommended

The Huong Hai Junk is a delightful Vietnamese junk offering two-day/one-night cruises on Ha Long Bay EX Hanoi. The accommodations aboard the junk include simple yet comfortable two-bed cabins; evening dinner, breakfast the following morning, a stop at one of the numerous grottoes and caves on Ha Long Bay followed by lunch, a return to Bai Chay and return via to Hanoi and via Huong Hai Coach. Economic luxury. Contact: http://www.halongtravels.com

The Emeraude Overnight (Deluxe Class) Recommended

The Emeraude, a luxurious cruise liner inspired by Vietnam's colonial past which provides a two-day/one-night cruises through Ha Long Bay. Whereas the other ways to cruise the bay are on smaller but entirely ocean-worthy boats, the Emeraude is a small scale cruise ship with the appointments one would expect from such a vessel: proper dining facilities, a bar, deck chairs, luxurious 2-bed wooden cabins, and morning tai chi classes. A wonderful trip. Contact: http://www.emeraude-cruises.com

Hai Phong Overnight, Hydrofoil to Cat Ba Island (Tourist Class) Recommended

Another way to see Ha Long Bay is to proceed from Hanoi to Hai Phong, check in a hotel, see what there is to see in Hai Phong (and there are some things to see in Hai Phong: the Du Hang Pagoda, the Hang Kenh Communal House and the Dai Hai flower village). The following morning take the Hydrofoil from Hai Phong to Ca Ba Island and transfer to a junk and cruise the entire breadth of the bay. Contact: http://halong.org.vn

Hydrofoil from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island, Overnight on Cat Ba (Tourist Class)

Useful links

Halong bay, Vietnam