Arcadia carrying 2,000 passengers docked at Halong Bay on February 28, 90% of them are British and the rest Australian.

Another cruise ship, Seabourn Sojourne, arrived at Cai Lan Port on March 1, carrying 400 tourists. Later the same day, Costa Classica with 1,400 European passengers on board also came on a tour of Halong Bay and will head for Hanoi one day later.

The Princess Daphne is scheduled to bring 350 Australian tourists to the bay on March 3.
(Source: VOV)

The campaign to collect votes for Halong Bay to be recognised as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in November this year is entering the final stages, said an official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST).

At a meeting to discuss the country’s efforts to reach this goal held on February 23, Director of International Cooperation Department under the MCST Nguyen Van Tinh said that Halong Bay is among the 28 finalists. The official declaration of the New 7 Wonders of the World will be made on November 11, 2011, he added.

The Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Nguyen Van Tuan, emphasized the need to mobilize people to vote for Halong Bay and win the support of international friends.

The VNAT will also launch its own campaign to vote for the bay, he revealed.

Meanwhile, the department has come up with a plan to promote the image of Halong Bay to international tourists and friends. The plan includes a photographic contest and a painting competition on Halong Bay for children as well as an art performance.

The department will also organise activities to collect votes at major schools, tourist sites and through the Internet.

To vote for Halong Bay, twice recognised by the UNESCO for its landscape and geological values, in northern Quang Ninh Province, please visit the website

http://www.new7wonders.com/community/en/new7wonders/new7wonders_of_nature/voting

(Source: VNA)

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Gia Luan – Cat Ba (-/L/D)

- Pick you up between 7:30am and 8:00am at your hotel and transfer to Halong Bay (170km). Stop over at ceramic and hand embroidery workshops in Hai Duong (15 minutes) for refreshing and taking photos.

- Arrive in Halong, take a boat at Gia Luan wharf to Cat Ba Island. Cycling to visit Gia Luan village, fruit garden and visit Cat Ba National Park. Overnight in Cat Ba Island.

Day 2: Cat Ba – Lan Ha – Halong Bay (B/L/D)

- After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Beo wharf; take a boat to Lan Ha Bay. Visit Luon Cave, Tung Gau Cave, 3rd Cat Dua and 5th Cat Dua by kayaking. Then fishing, swimming and snorkeling at Van Boi beach.Overnight on board.

Day 3: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L/-)

- Early in the morning, enjoy a sunrise cruise in the breathtaking scenery of Halong Bay. Visit Sung Sot Cave, the most beautiful cave in Halong bay and Titop beach, visit fish-farm and stop for swim.

- After having lunch at restaurant in Halong City, return to Hanoi. On the way back, stop for visit Dong Trieu ceramic villages and drop off at your hotel.

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay (-/L/D)

- Pick you up between 7:30am and 8:00am at your hotel and transfer to Halong Bay (170km). Stop over at ceramic and hand embroidery workshops in Hai Duong (15 minutes) for refreshing and taking photos.

- Arrival in Halong Bay, embark on a tender and transfer to luxurious wooden boat for a cruise in Halong Bay. After lunch, visit Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful cave of Halong Bay, Cho Da Island, ga Choi Island and go swimming at Titop beach. Visiting then the fish farm and admire Halong Bay, swimming and taking photos. Dinner of fresh seafood is served and a show of traditional music on board. Overnight on board.

Day 2: Halong Bay (B/L/D)

A whole day of relaxing on boat in Halong bay with some activities such as: swimming, kayaking, snorkeling and taking the photo. Overnight on board.

Day 3: Halong Bay – Cat Ba Island – Lan Ha (B/L/D)

- Early in the morning, enjoy a sunrise in the breathtaking scenery. Cruise to Gia Luan wharf.

- Take a bus through island, then visit Cat Ba National Park, Quan Y Cave, and fruit garden and explore the daily life of inhabitants in the island. Then check in hotel.

- After lunch, take a bus to Beo wharf, cruise to visit Monkey Island, Bai Vo Chai – Kayaking to explore Tung Gau Cave, third Cat and swimming at Van Boi beach, snorkeling at Lan Ha Bay. Have dinner, free time for relaxing or visiting Cat Ba Island. Overnight in Cat Ba Island.

Day 4: Cat Ba Island – Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L/-)

- After breakfast, take a bus to Gia Luan wharf and take a boat back to Halong Bay. On the way, stop over for swimming, snorkeling, taking photos and enjoy the beauty of Halong Bay.

- After having lunch at restaurant in Halong City, return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong (-/L/D)

- Pick you up between 7:30am and 8:00am at your hotel and transfer to Halong Bay (170km). Stop over at ceramic and hand embroidery workshops in Hai Duong (15 minutes) for refreshment and taking photos.

- Arrival in Halong Bay, embark on a tender and transfer to luxurious wooden boat for a cruise in Halong Bay. After lunch, visit Sung Sot Cave and go swimming at Titop Beach (or climb up to the top of the mountain to have an overview of the bay).  Admire landscape and take photos… Dinner of fresh seafood is served and a show of traditional music on board.
Overnight on board.

Day 2: Halong – Cat Ba Island – Lan Ha Bay (B/L/D)

- After breakfast, cruise through Lan Ha Bay to Moody’s Island Beach. From 8:45 am to 9:15 am, we will introduce Instruction to Rock Climbing and Gear Outfitting. After that, you will start to climb the Rock on Moody’s Beach.

- Come back to the boat for lunch and transfer to Hai Pai Island Beach, continue to climb on Hai Pai Beach (other activities: Kayaking, Swimming and Relaxing). Cruise through Lan Ha Bay to Cat Ba Island. Dinner and overnight hotel in Cat Ba

Day 3: Cat Ba Island – Halong – Hanoi (B/L/-)

- After breakfast, take a bus back to “Beo” Wharf. Get on the small boat. Cruise along Lan Ha Bay and transfer to the sleeping boat. Stop over for swimming and snorkeling… On the way back Ha Long, you will have a chance for sightseeing at Dinh Huong Island (Insence burner), Cho Da Island (stone dog) and Ga Choi Island(fighting cocks).

- After having lunch at restaurant in Halong City, return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.

Itinerary 1:

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong (-/L/D)

- Pick you up between 7:30am and 8:00am at your hotel and transfer to Halong Bay (170km). Stop over at ceramic and hand embroidery workshops in Hai Duong (15 minutes) for refreshment and taking photos.

- Embark on a tender and transfer to luxurious wooden boat for a cruise in Halong Bay. Lunch on board.

- Visit Sung Sot Cave and go swimming at Titop beach (or climb up to the top of the mountain to see the overview of bay). Admire landscape and take photos for the rest of the day. Dinner of fresh seafood is served and a show of traditional music on board. Overnight on the Sun Cruise Boat.

Day 2: Halong Bay – Cat Ba Island – Lan Ha Bay (B/L/D)

- Morning cruise to Lan Ha Bay. On the way, you can admire the beautiful morning scenery of the World Heritage site. Stop over in Kiem Lam Wharf, transfer to small boat to Viet Hai.

- Trek 5km to Viet Hai village (the old fishing village located in the Cat Ba national park). Relax and take photos of the green fields and the daily lives of the local. Trek further along the path to the forest to visit an old house of Vietnam and the hidden local cave and the view of the forest.

- Local lunch in a family at the village. Back to the harbor. Kayaking to explore “Tai Keo” lagoon and some sandy beaches then swimming and relaxing at Van Boi Beach. Boat trip to “Beo” Wharf, disembarking and check in your hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cat Ba.

Day 3: Cat Ba Island – Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L/-)

- Take a bus back to “Beo” Wharf. Get on the small boat and cruise along Lan Ha Bay then transfer to our sleeping boat. Stop over for swimming. On the way back to Halong, you will have a chance for sightseeing at Dinh Huong Island “Incense burner”, Cho Da Island “stone dog”, Ga Choi Island “fighting cocks”, etc.

After having lunch at restaurant in Halong City, return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.

Itinerary 2:

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong (-/L/D)

- Pick you up between 7:30am and 8:00am at your hotel and transfer to Halong Bay (170km). Stop over at ceramic and hand embroidery workshops in Hai Duong (15 minutes) for refreshment and taking photos.

- Embark on a tender and transfer to luxurious wooden boat (the Sun Cruise Boat) for a cruise in Halong Bay. After lunch, visit Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful cave of Ha Long Bay and go swimming at Titop Beach (or climb up to the top of the mountain to have an overview of the bay).

- Admire landscape and take photos… Dinner of fresh seafood is served and a show of traditional music on board. Overnight on board.

Day 2: Halong – Lan Ha bay (B/L/D)

- Transfer to the small boat to Lan Ha Bay, admire the beautiful morning scenery of the World Heritage site. Stop over in Kiem Lam Wharf, then kayaking through many hidden caves and placid lagoons, frog islet, fishing farm…. Swimming and relaxing. Fresh seafood is servered on boat.

- After lunch, take a boat trip futher around the bay for relaxing and photos of the beauty. Stop over at “Dong Tien”. Continue kayaking for exploration. Paddle from Luon Cave toward islets in shape of Man’s head island. Back to the sleeping boat, swimming and relaxing. Overnight on board after dinner.

Day 3: Halong – Hanoi (B/L/-)

- Having breakfast while cruising around Halong Bay. Stop over for swimming, snorkeling…

- On the way back to Halong, you will have a chance for sightseeing at Dinh Huong Island (Incense burner), Cho Da Island (stone dog), Ga Choi Island (fighting cocks), etc.

After having lunch at restaurant in Halong City, return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.

Itinerary 3:

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay (-/L/D)

- Pick you up between 7:30am and 8:00am at your hotel and transfer to Halong Bay (170km). Stop over at ceramic and hand embroidery workshops in Hai Duong (15 minutes) for refreshing and taking photos.

- Embark on a tender and transfer to luxurious wooden boat for a cruise in Halong Bay. Lunch on boardd, then visit Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful cave of Halong Bay, Cho Da Island, ga Choi Island and go swimming at Titop beach. Visiting then the fish farm and admire Halong Bay, swimming and taking photos.

- Dinner of fresh seafood is served and a show of traditional music on board. Overnight on board.

Day 2: Halong Bay – Cat Ba – Lan Ha (B/L/D)

- After breakfast, cruise to Gia Luan Wharf the take a bus to discovery Cat Ba Island. On the way, discover the daily life of countryside go by. Visit also Cat Ba National Park, trekking to Ngu Lam peak, discovering Quan Y cave, visiting fruit garden and exploring the daily of inhabitant on the island.

- After lunch, take the bus to Beo wharf. Arrive at Ben Beo Wharf, take a boat to visit Lan Ha Bay, Monkey Island and Tung Gau Cave.  Return to camp, free time for swimming and relaxing. Overnight in tent on the island.

Day 3: Lan Ha  – Cat Ba – Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L/-)

- After breakfast, get on boat come back Beo wharf, the bus continue transfer to Gia Luan wharf and get on boat come back Ha Long bay. On the way back, you will take swimming, snorkeling and sightseeing.

- After having lunch at restaurant in Halong City, return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.

Itinerary 4:

Day 1: Hanoi – Bai Tu Long bay – Quan Lan Island (-/L/D)

-Pick you up between 7:30am and 8:00am at your hotel and transfer to Halong Bay (170km). Stop over at ceramic and hand embroidery workshops in Hai Duong (15 minutes) for refreshment and taking photos.

- Arrival in Halong Bay, take a boat to Bai Tu Long Bay. Visit Monsters face and Finger Island. Stop for a swim and kayak ride. Then cruise to Quan Lan Island. Free at your leisure for relaxing or swimming.

Overnight in Quan Lan Island.

Day 2: Quan lan Island – Bai Tu Long Bay – Halong (B/L/D)

- After breakfast at your hotel, cycling to visit Quan Lan Island, Minh Chau beach, Cham forest, Van Don port, Pagoda and exploring the daily life of local people.

- Then take a boat to visit Su Vet and the fish – farm. Then cruise back to Halong Bay. Overnight on board.

Day 3: Cat Ba Island – Halong – Hanoi (B/L/-)

- In the morning, visit Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful cave of Ha Long Bay, fishing village and kayak ride. On the way back to the harbor, visit Cho Da islet (stone dog) and Ga Choi Island (fighting cocks).

After having lunch at restaurant in Halong City, return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong (-/L/D)

- Pick you up between 7:30am and 8:00am at your hotel and transfer to Halong Bay (170km). Stop over at ceramic and hand embroidery workshops in Hai Duong (15 minutes) for refreshment and taking photos.

- Arrival in Halong Bay, embark on a tender and transfer to luxurious wooden boat for a cruise in Halong Bay.

- Have lunch, then visit Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful cave of Halong Bay. Visit also a fishing village, fish – farm, take photos and then kayak to visit Luon Cave, plus swimming, relaxing and enjoy sunbathing…. Dinner with fresh seafood and a traditional music show on board. Overnight on the Sun Cruise Boat.

Day 2: Halong – Hanoi (B/L/-)

- Rising up for breakfast and cruising to admire the beautiful morning scenery of the World Heritage site. Stop over for swimming, snorkeling, etc.

- On the way back to Halong, sightseeing at Dinh Huong Island (incense burner), Cho Da Island (stone dog), and Ga Choi Island (fighting cocks). After having lunch at a restaurant in Halong City, return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.

Itinerary 2:

Day 1: Hanoi – Hai Phong – Cat Ba (-/L/D)

- Pick you up between 7:30am and 8:00am at your hotel and transfer to Hai Phong (120km).

- Arrival in Hai Phong, visit Hang Kenh Temple and Du Hang Pagoda. Then transfer to Phu Long harbor, cycling through typical coastal village to Cat Ba Island.

In the afternoon, at leisure personal pursuit: swimming on the beach or relaxing. Overnight in Cat Ba Island.

Day 2: Cat Ba – Halong – Hanoi (B/L/-)

- Enjoy a sunrise in the breathtaking scenery. Cruise to Lan Ha Bay. Discover Luon Cave, Tung Gau Cave, third Cat and fith Cat by kayaking and swimming at Van Boi Beach.

- Cruise to Halong Bay, visit Sung Sot Grotto, Cho Da Island and Ga Choi Island before disembarking.

After having lunch at restaurant in Halong City, return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.

- Pick you up between 7:30am and 8:00am at your hotel and transfer to Halong Bay (170km). Stop over at ceramic and hand embroidery workshops in Hai Duong (15 minutes).

- Arrival in Halong Bay, embark a wooden boat for a cruise on Halong Bay. Fresh seafood lunch is served on board while cruising among hundreds of islets to discover unspoilt pockets of Halong Bay.

Option 1: 4-hour cruise (L)

- Enjoy sunbathing and the magnificent scenery of Halong Bay. Cruise to visit Thien Cung and Dau Go caves, and a fishing-farm located on the bay.

- At the end of the day, cruise back to the harbor and take a bus back to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.

Option 2: 6-hour cruise (L)

- Stop for a visit to Sung Sot Cave, kayaking and swimming, taking photos and admiring the beautiful scenery on Halong Bay.

- Cruise back to the harbor and take a bus to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.