Planning your cruise trip in Vietnam

THE BEST WAY

From LAX,

Asiana, Cathay Pacific, China, JAL, Singapore and Thai offer connecting service (change of planes) to Hanoi. Restricted round-trip fares start at $964.

HA LONG BAY CRUISES

Handspan Adventure Travel, 011-84-4-926-28-28, www.handspan.com. We booked our trip with this company, one of Vietnam’s large tour operators. Handspan operates three luxury wooden junks on Ha Long Bay, available for one-, two- and three- night tours from about $160 per person, double occupancy, which includes transportation to and from the company’s Hanoi office, a group guide (the company can provide a private guide for other excursions with less than a day’s notice) and all meals and activities. You pay for all beverages onboard.

Many Hanoi tour agents offer guided excursions to Ha Long Bay, with prices running from $35 to $400 per person, depending on the group size, facilities on the boat and whether you sleep on board or camp on a beach.

Footprint Vietnam Travel, 011-84-4-933-2844, www.footprintsvietnam.com. This is another reputable company that runs Ha Long Bay trips. Three-day, two-night cruises start at $250 per person, double occupancy, which includes a private car to and from Hanoi, cruise, onboard meals and kayak rentals.

TO LEARN MORE

Embassy of Vietnam, (202) 861-0737, www.vietnamembassy-usa.org.