My advice for avoiding hotspot regret in Vietnam?
Halong Bay is SUCH a famous spot in Vietnam. It’s just so damn photogenic! I remember visiting for the first time in the very early 2000s clutching a dog-eared Lonely Planet, braving the public bus we hoped was going the right way.
It was popular and busy, certainly – but nothing like now.
These days, Ha Long absorbs around 10,000 visitors per day in high season, with all the boats doing the same milk run through the main bay and surrounds!
So to avoid the inevitable disappointment of getting on a boat but still being in a crowd, my advice to my clients will always be the same – stay in the bay overnight (ideally 2 nights) on a traditional junk boat, so you can get away from the insta-hotspots.
Just a few hours from the main port and you’ll find yourself in Lan Ha or Bai Tu – just as beautiful, much more peaceful, and inaccessible to those who only give the bay a single day in their itinerary.
Ha Long, just without the hotspot regret.
The boats I charter for my clients range from comfy and rustic to incredibly opulent, but all the ones we use are tried and tested to offer great service, great food and most importantly – an off the beaten path route.
Here you can kayak in peace and take your beautiful photos, far from the madding crowds.
Written by Carly Watling
Top Travel Tip
“Both Sri Lanka and the Maldives are amazing standalone – but a combination of the two is an addictive pairing. 10 days exploring the highlights of Sri Lanka hits culture, wildlife, breathtaking scenery and incredible food at a good pace, and then you can wind down with a few nights of luxury on the most perfect beaches in the world” – Carly, Asia Specialist
