Halong Bay's grotto and its charm

An Australian friend of mine once asked me, what’s your favorite attraction in Vietnam? I responded, “Halong Bay.” Shrugging his shoulder he muttered, a “tourist trap.”

OK. Obviously for foreigners who noticed nothing but the hundreds of boats lining up in the port, Halong Bay is just but a “cheesy” tourism attraction that cruise companies are making money at.

Honestly, watching all those junks coupled with a number of cargo ships and passenger boats passing the bay, I know how other people get the “tourist trap” impression.

Located at Quang Ninh Province, in northern Vietnam, Halong Bay which literally means Descending Dragon bay is a pride of Vietnamese people. It has been declared by UNESCO as World Heritage site, listed as one of the world’s seven wonders. With that title, it is expected that every month, a junk will be launched or businessmen are just too eager to build new boats.

But look beyond those hundreds of junks, there exist the thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various shapes and sizes, offering a magical beauty to explore even for a regular visitor like me.

At 8AM on December 24, Bhaya Cruises shuttle service picked me up for a three-hour ride to Halong City. It was my fifth time to explore the bay within 15 months of staying in Vietnam. I was working in Ho Chi Minh City for 11 months but I flew twice to visit Halong Bay. I cruised with at least two different cruise companies but most of the five cruises were with Bhaya.

I could have had enough of it but different activities and luxurious accommodations enticed me. Bhaya Cruises organized a party at Thay Cave to welcome Christmas and I can’t just let it passed by.

Have you ever had gorgeous young Vietnamese ladies throwing petals on the aisle as you enter the cave blazed with Christmas lights and lighted candles in a glass, while a band is serenading Christmas songs as you rave on a sumptuous buffet dinner? I bet, like me you can’t stop talking about it when you get home. Spending Christmas away from home wouldn’t be a sad story for someone exploring another experience.

A gala dinner inside a grotto combined with kayaking activity and culture interaction with the local people at the fishing villages while cruising the bays of Halong and Bai Tu Long would never be a “tourist trap”.

Bhaya Cruises operates one of the most luxurious boats in Halong Bay. I was with them on September 26 - New Hanoian Meet up and I had all the luxury chilling out at the bar lounge and star gazing at the upper deck as the bay’s breeze caresses my skin.

On Christmas cruise special, I had the luxury to seek comfort from cold weather in my clean warm bed sheets of Bhaya 3’s cabin 103, no sounds of engine and rats disturbing me from a deep sleep, nor sight of cockroaches or spider sharing my room with me. The cabin, aside from its spacious room with separate shower and bathroom, has a little balcony where I can enjoy my afternoon tea while waiting for the sunset.

Now, can you blame me if I can’t go with the description of Halong Bay being a “tourist trap”?