When imagining the ideal Halong Bay scene, the boat the compliments it perfectly is, invariably, a Halong Bay junk cruise, with sails flying high and a sturdy, wooden hull making tracks between towering mountains. So powerful is that flawless image of Halong Bay that some cruise companies present vessels in a markedly and beautifully rustic way, giving you the chance to live your dream and imagine sailing through Halong Bay during its misty era of discovery.
Listed below are Incredible Asia Journeys’ selection of resplendent junk cruises in Halong Bay, featuring unique design and practical advancements to evoke the feeling of a romantic and ancient passage through its waterways.
Even today in the age of modern cruise ships, Halong Bay contains an ancient charm, an atmosphere that has been present since the day of its discovery. Traditional junk boats in Halong Bay match this aura perfectly, giving you a chance to enjoy an evocative passage on a beautiful boat that pays respect, with its humble appearance, to the magnificence of the bay. These sorts of ships are usually smaller than the average Halong Bay cruise, containing a burnished wooden exterior and large, vivid sails that flap above the top deck – the perfect vessel for a traditional cruise in Halong Bay.
With the smaller sizes of these boats typically come fewer cabins, an attractive feature for any passengers searching for a quiet Halong Bay cruise. The feeling of peace afforded by sailing on an ancient-style vessel is profound, and you will be able to feel it much more powerfully on a junk cruise with fewer fellow passengers. On these sorts of traditional junk cruises, Halong Bay seemingly whisks by just for you.
Despite the steamy, old-world aesthetic of these characteristic ships, they are decked out with the most modern amenities, meaning passages through the bay are both beautiful and comfortable. To this end, the traditional junk boats of the Halong Bay cruise companies listed below feature excellent bedding, air-conditioning, hot water, a shower, ample bathroom amenities, a security box, a mini-fridge and sometimes, a gorgeous balcony overlooking the romance of the scene outside.
New governmental regulations in the bay have ensured that all cruises have to meet a strict standard of safety that is uniform across the board. Ships constructed of wood are now not permitted to sail and must be made of steel instead, with wood used for decorative rather than architectural purposes. This is the case in the following range of Halong Bay junk cruises, which have all passed inspection without concern. On board, you will find the same safety equipment employed by ultramodern cruises, including a fire hose, fire extinguishers, a crew trained in first aid and life jackets for everyone on board.
As part of a culture-rich itinerary aimed at bringing the strong traditions of Vietnam to its guests, the following cultural cruises in Halong Bay contain onboard activities that give you a taste of the country in which you are sailing. Some of the tours below host traditional performances, usually during or after dinner, which include singing, dancing and playing musical instruments. Usually, at least one member of the crew is musically gifted and they get to showcase it on a nightly basis through Vietnamese bolero music, karaoke or the eerily beautiful music of the single-string dan bau or dan nhi.
To get closer to Vietnamese customs while on a Halong Bay junk cruise, you are invited to get involved in some of the ancient traditions that occur on a daily basis throughout the country, but are likely still a very foreign concept to you. The tours below regularly feature morning sessions in tai chi, an antique martial art that has cleared the minds of the Vietnamese for centuries, guaranteeing and excellent start to the day with an emboldened attitude. Some of the following cultural tours around Halong Bay also include traditional tea ceremonies in their itineraries, where passengers are encouraged to sit in Vietnamese style and sip their tea with two hands, honouring the strong Vietnamese flavour to Halong Bay and its ancient existence.
The timeless appearance of the following cruises are aimed at a certain type of passenger, someone with a taste for the finer things and with a long-held ambition to see Halong Bay from the burnished wooden deck of a traditional ship.
For romantics – Being transported back in time with your loved one is an enchanting experience. These romantic junk cruises in Halong Bay provide every amenity necessary for you to enjoy your honeymoon, anniversary or just a couple cruising experience, all from the private balcony of a wooden junk.
For passengers looking for a quiet time – Fewer cabins, fewer passengers and the promoted sense of isolation on such quiet cruises in Halong Bay give you a unique experience as well as one uncluttered by the stresses of modern life. Through activities like tai chi and tea ceremonies, these cruises endorse a reclusive passage with strong mental benefits.
For refined passengers – As we get older, we grow an appreciation for simplicity and elegance, both of which the following cruise companies deliver in abundance. Middle-aged and elderly passengers especially admire the beauty of such a cruise, finding many nooks and crannies around the ships that provide moments of nostalgic beauty and wonder.
