Spring! It had been wet in Hanoi and for the last few days it had been very foggy. No doubt that the vegetation was so green and the flowers were everywhere! The singing birds were more active in looking for food and partners. The whole world seemed to be charged with new energy.

Halong Bay is among the most popular tourist attractions in Vietnam. Almost all travellers to Vietnam make their trip to the bay. The best way to visit Halong Bay is to embark on an overnight luxury junk cruise which browses the towering limestone islands on the emerald water of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When darkness falls and when it is still too early for dinner, we are all on the sun deck to watch demonstrations on cooking and decorating food. The dish today is fried springrolls. The demonstrations include explanation on the materials and how to prepare them before used...

On Day 2 on Halong Bay, you get up early and enjoy the absolute peace on the bay. There are only the sounds of sea waves and sea breezes...

Food on junk cruises on Halong Bay ranges from almost nothing to bad, good and sensational depending on the boat company, the cruise package you choose, the price that you pay for... There are cases that the food you get on a cruise is much less than what you have paid for due a number of reasons, mostly dishonesty of the boat owner. It is recommended you book your cruise package via a professional travel agency or tour operator based in Vietnam who has good experience of monitoring the services on board...

In late afternoon of Day 1, the junk anchors near the Ti Tov Island for visits to the surrounding sites by Tender. These photos are to show you the stunning sites in Halong Bay that you'll visit on junk cruises.

Dau Go Cave (the Cave of Wooden Stakes) is 7km or 30 minutes boat trip from the shore. Dau Go Cave is believed to have been the place where General Tran Hung Dao hid weapons in the war against the invaders in the 13th century A.D. Dau Go Cave is one of the biggest caves of Halong Bay. The cave offers stunning stalactites and stalagmites.

 Halong Bay of Vietnam offers 3000 green limestone islands rising from the crystalline emerald water in the Gulf of Tonkin. Ha Long Bay also has tens of stunning limestone caves above and under water, and the diverse Eco-system which makes the bay listed as the World Heritage Site by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

Halong Bay Pictures are featured photos taken by Paradissa Team on our myriad trips to this natural wonder of Vietnam. The photo gallery includes images of Halong Bay, of the rocks on the bay, of the luxurious junks, of life on the floating villages amid the wild of the bay...

Travel Guide to Luxury Cruises on Halong Bay Vietnam

Day1: Hanoi - Tuan Chau Island - Halong Bay Luxury Junk Cruise/Overnight on board amid the Wilderness of Halong Bay

As the junk cruised further, we found ourselves surrounded by heavenly landscape. It was so calm and fresh outside and inside the food was sensational! What a great combination for a perfect experience!

Travel Guide to Luxury Cruises on Halong Bay Vietnam

Day1: Hanoi - Tuan Chau Island - Halong Bay Luxury Junk Cruise/Overnight on board amid the Wilderness of Halong Bay

Once everyone was back on board, the junk made a short cruise to the anchoring site for the night. We had a relaxing time enjoying the tranquility of Halong Bay without any noise: no engine sound, no car horn...

Day2: Halong Bay Junk Cruise - Hanoi

Awoken to a wet and foggy day on Halong Bay, I made a hot tea and proceeded to the balcony. It was about time for a Taichi lesson on the sundeck, but I preferred quiet time here.

Sung Sot Cave (The Cave of Amazement) is one of the biggest caves of Halong Bay, 3 hours' boat cruise from the shore. The cave is over 500m in length and divided into different sections.

Thien Cung Cave or the Cave of Heavenly Palace is on the same island with Dau Go Cave. While Dau Go Cave boasts the mossy beauty and glorious history, Thien Cung Cave makes the visitors the impression of being in a heavenly world.

Tuan Chau Island is on Halong Bay of Vietnam, 8km from Halong City. From the late 1990s, Tuan Chau Island has been built into an entertainment area of Halong City. There are luxurious resorts, theme parks, entertainment corners and casinos on the island. There is a quarter to the south-west of the island that's home to a small community of local residents, while the rest of the island is reserved for commercial purposes.