Halong Bay Luxury Cruises

Sun deck is the best place for smoking

All cruises in Halong Bay apply the same rules for smoking onboard to protect guests’ health and safety due to wooden materials and easy-fire-catching objects on the vessels. Here are some notes for you before get on any boat:

- You are not allowed to smoke inside cabin, restaurant and anywhere inside the ship.

- Private balcony, restaurant balcony and sun deck are places smoking is good to go. Bear in mind to close the door nearby if you smoke in your cabin or restaurant balcony to avoid affecting other people around.

Ha Long Bay

World Heritage 1st recognition: Aesthetic value

On 21st of December 1991, the Government of Vietnam approved the development of a dossier on the Ha Long Bay landscape to submit to the World Heritage Council for consideration of the World Natural Heritage. In 1993, the scientific record of Ha Long Bay was completed and moved to UNESCO for review. During the process of completing the dossier, UNESCO has sent delegations of specialists to Quang Ninh to investigate, survey, guide, study and evaluate the dossiers on the spot. The Halong Bay dossier is accepted for consideration at the of the World Heritage Council’s 18th meeting.

On December 17th 1994, during the 18th session in Phuket - Thailand, the World Heritage Committee recognized Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage site with a world-class value for aesthetics, in accordance with the International Convention for the Protection of the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the World.

World Heritage 2nd recognition: Geomorphological & geological values

In early 1998, the Ha Long Bay Management Board proposed that Dr. Tran Duc Thanh at the Institute of Oceanography in Hai Phong (nowadays is the Institute of Marine Environment and Resources of the Vietnam Academy of Science & Technology) conducted research and evaluation of geological values and the ability to submit UNESCO recognizes Halong Bay as a World Heritage Site according to geological criteria. The results of the study show the high feasibility of submitting to UNESCO for recognition of Ha Long Bay Geological Heritage and need to study the details of karst geomorphology.
After a long process of inspection and assessment, on December 2nd 2000, based on the International Convention on the Protection of Natural and Cultural Heritages and the results of examination of Halong Bay geological records, at the 24th Conference of the World Heritage Council based in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, the World Heritage Council has recognized Ha Long Bay as the second World Heritage Site of geological value with two globally significant values of geology and geomorphology.
To enjoy Halong Bay’s aesthetic value and geomorphological & geological values, let’s come and experience overnight cruise for a full contemplation of the UNESCO World Heritage.

>> Read full story about Ha Long Bay

Cruise in Vietnam is quite different from other countries. Cruise boats are small, from only 1 to around 30 cabins.

There are two kinds of boat, traditional wooden junk boat and modern steel boat.

Most of cruises are located in Halong Bay - The World Heritage Site. Some are in the South of Vietnam and one in Red River.

The leading cruises in Vietnam:
1. Paradise Cruise: Leading luxury cruise in Halong Bay. Their main markets are US and EU.
2. Indochina Junk: luxurious and mid-range cruise in Halong Bay. Their main markets are  Asia countries.
3. Bhaya Cruise: luxurious and mid-range cruise in Halong Bay. Their main markets are the same with Paradise Cruise.

In Halong Bay, there are 3 common intineraries: day cruise, 2 day 1 night cruise (the most common) and 3 day 2 night cruise.

If you want to save your money, cruise in Halong Bay in the summer, it is the lowest season. The highest season is winter.

Have a look at cruise boats and itineraries of the leading luxury cruise. I like traditional wooden junk boats, they are so cool. What is about you?

Paradise Elegance

Paradise Luxury

Paradise Peak

La Vela Premium

La Vela Classic

On 23rd August 2017, Paradise Elegance will welcome two star Michelin chef Thierry Drapeau, and renowned Argentinian winemaker Maximiliano Ortiz on board. During a two-day-one-night cruise, guests will indulge with a delectable five course feast. The special set menu is paired with Argentinian wine from Trivento winery, introduced by Maximiliano Ortiz – the wine expert behind the reputation of Trivento, and promises a once in a lifetime dining experience in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay.

Please visit Paradise Cruise for more detail.

Paradise Cruise has confirmed the leading position as one of the best luxury cruise lines in Halong Bay with the new launch of Paradise Elegance in March 2017. Paradise Elegance is a meticulously-designed steel boat composed by 31 deluxe cabins and a wide range of classical interiors.

The grand event on this July 4, 2017 is a remarkable milestone for Paradise Group in general and Paradise Cruise in particular as they are becoming the largest cruise operator in Vietnam’s hospitality industry with 9 overnight boats and a total of 183 cabins.

For more details, please visit Paradise Elegance home page and download factsheet.

La Vela is one of the best choices in the mid-range cruises in Halong Bay. It’s a comfortable and worth-a-try cruising experience for anyone who is in love with the fresh and creative journeys as in Halong Bay.

La Vela Classic is a combination of contemporary interiors and northern Vietnamese décor in a modern western style steel boat with 24 cabins. La Vela Premium is an upgrade giving more options for a better view of the UNSECO site with 21 cabins.

The Paradise Luxury Cruise is the first of its kind in Ha Long Bay. Inspired by the traditional junk boat with a rustic touch of classical designs and wooden details, the cruise sets itself apart from all the boats in the bay; creating a charming space whilst guests watch the spectacular views of the karst limestone formations and the emerald waters.

A new day starts with vending boats in Halong Bay Source: Halong Bay Gallery

Vending boats has long been a charm in Halong culture. Amongst the emerald water of Halong Bay, there are vendors’ rustic boats filled with goods, vegetables or fruits sailing. Under the blue crystal-clear sky, they line up one after another near the floating villages, waiting quietly for daylight. If balancing on water surface is considered art, Halong vendors must be one of the most talented artists in the world. Flexibly and agilely, they stay and move around in an extreme hovering state all day as if they were capable of controlling the naughty waves.

Living distantly from main land, locals here leave behind the urbanized silhouettes of crowded traffic noises and certain conveniences. However, with the regular trading – supplying activities on mobile floating stalls, they seem able to maintain a pleasant life. For shoppers, to find either a pack of cigarettes or toothpaste, a dozen eggs or bunch of carrots will take less time and efforts although it is in midst Bay.

Paradise Elegance and Paradise Luxury are two outstanding members of Paradise Cruise Family. These 2 boats are cruising in the sea of a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Halong Bay. Although they both belong to the Paradise Group, each of them brings guest distinctive experiences and memorable feelings in different ways. Let’s explore the differences between these two marvelous cruises.

Paradise Luxury Cruise

Paradise Luxury Classic vessel

Paradise Luxury Classic vessel proposes 17 boutique cabins with a classic wooden interior, a cozy and sophisticated dining room, and an expansive sundeck exhibiting the best views of Halong Bay twinned with relaxing places in which to unwind. Cruising on Paradise Luxury provides the best of what the Bay has to offer in a dignified atmosphere.

Paradise Elegance Cruise

Restaurant on Paradise Elegance Cruise

The newest, largest, most intricately designed, and highly spacious steel boat in Halong Bay. Beside, Paradise Elegance is transcending the boundary between modern style and classic sophistication, also the latest cruise ship to grace Paradise fleet and offers a welcome contemporary addition to more traditional junk designs. Each one of the 31 stylishly designed cabins has intimate, cozy lighting, a private balcony, and a floor to ceiling glass door offering the most spectacular Halong Bay views even from within.

It can be seen that each of the 2 cruises, even though cruising in the same sea; however, brings guest distinctive experiences as of their different features.