F.A.Q

Please click to the question to see the answer. Please contact us for any query!

1- Should I book directly with you or via others ?

Booking directly with us is really recomended :
+ Direct online customer care (You can contact us from 8:00 to 21:00 everyday).
+ No admendment fee for changing before 3 days
+ Easy credit card accepted payment without additional fee.
+ We are the owner and the operator, no middle cost.
+ Best price guarantee.
+ Discount for early or last minute bookings.

2- I have found many website like www ... Are they of your company? Why is the price higher/ cheaper ?

No, they are not of our company. They are just our sale agents or other companies. We have no responsibility of these. The price may be higher or cheaper because they are not updated or they are trying to draw your attention.

3- Is the tranportation included in the package for Halong bay overnight trip ?

If you book directly with us, the round trip transport from Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi is included by big coach (35 seaters). If you don't, please email and check with us. Extra cost for small and better bus is available.

4- Do we get pick up from hotels ?

We arrange shuttle bus (29 or 35 seaters) to pick up visitor from hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter area (in Hanoi) or 1st district (in HCM city) . Pick up time is vary for each tour, every morning. The operator will inform you exact time. You are recommended to have breakfast check out and be ready at hotel’s lobby. Pick up request at Hanoi Airport is not available, it can be handled by private car only, and shuttle bus could not pick up or drop off you there. Pick up request at Hanoi train station (Sapa arrival) is not available, as you arrive early at 5:00 am from Sapa while our shuttle bus- pick up time at 7:45am. You can choose to get back at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter or go to No. 9 Hang Huong (our office), you can leave luggage there and wait until 7:45am If you are not in Hanoi Old Quarter Area, pick up point at Hanoi Opera House at 8:30am

5- What about the refund in case of bad weather ?

For Halong bay overnight trip : In case of bad weather and the boat is not allowed to go offshore + If you know and stay in Hanoi, cancel the trip : Full refund will be provided. + If we can not forcast about the weather we went to Halong bay and the boat is not allowed to overnight: The refund will be full payment minus US$ 20/person for lunch and transportation. If the boat can go around the bay for the day trip boat (about 3-4 hours) in Halong bay, it will be full payment minus US$ 48/person for lunch and transportation, boat trip, entrance tickets, tour guide. Kindly check Weather and Cruise Cancellation Policy + If you decide to stay in Halong Bay and overnight at the hotel you will get no refund. In that case we will arrange all the accomodation and meals for you (in case service available)

6- Cruise cancellation in Halong Bay?

Halong Bay cruise operation is managed and regulated by Halong Bay Management Board. They decide the cruise operation allowance every day for both overnight and day cruise. + In the event of bad weather conditions, HALONG BAY MANAGEMENT BOARD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE FINAL DECISION OF CRUISE CANCELLATION. + THE FINAL DECISION OF CRUISE CANCELLATION IS MADE TILL 3:00 PM on the day of bad weather. Local authority also reserves the right to cancel trip at any time for highest safety level of passengers + Reasons for cruise cancellation are usually known as: tropical storms (in summer), foggy weather, tropical monsoon, cyclone, strong wind… (in winter). + Cruise cancellation is more often in Halong Bay those days and BEING MORE UNPREDICTABLE in accordance with weather conditions during the year. + In the event of cruise cancellation, we will inform guest/ travel agents as soon as possible for detail of cancellation risk, possible situation and alternative options to help you plan your trip. Kindly check Weather and Cruise Cancellation Policy

7- I did a booking with agoda and booking.com..., do I need to confirm with you ?

Yes, please email your details information, and hotel address in Hanoi to confirm at least one day in advance.

8- How much does the transport from Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi cost?

​1.Private car - One way: USD 80 - Return: USD 150 2.Big shuttle bus - One way: USD 10 per person - Return: USD 15 per person 3. Shared minibus - One way: USD 15 per person - Return: USD 25 per person Note: Private car's price could be increased in Holidays (Lunar New Year, Eve New Year, Liberty Day (Apr 30), Labor Day (May 1), the Independence Day (Sep 2). Please contact in advance to check if you travel on high peak.

9- We have international/domestic flight after Halong Bay trip, Can you advise us when the bus will arrive in Hanoi? or Can you drop off us at Noi Bai airport?

Bus will not pass by Noi bai airport so that can not drop you off there. Bus will arrive in Hanoi Center around 4:45pm - 5:00pm - 5:30pm or later due to traffic jam... - If your flight takes off in Noi Bai Airport around: 5:00pm-6:30pm, you should book private taxi from Tuan Chau port right after the trip. you will get airport in time (around 3:00pm-3:30pm). It cost US$80/way - If your flight takes off in Noi Bai Airport around 6:30-8:00pm, you can use our bus then get off at the Junction of Halong - Hanoi (named:Nga Ba Bac Ninh) around 4:00pm, then take taxi from there to Noi Bai (takes 45-60minites) and cost from US$25/way - If your flight take off in Noi Bai after 7:00pm (domestic flight) or 8:00pm (international flight), you can have enough time to take taxi from Hanoi Center to Noi Bai Airport (take 60minites and cost from US$18/way)

10- What should I bring during the Halong bay trip ? How many luggage should I bring on board?

What to bring: Sun block, Camera + Film, Insect repellent (not neccessary), Original Passport, A wide brimmed hat, Swimming costume, Sun glasses You should bring with you the necessary ones as there is not much space on shuttle bus. Because we will drop you at the same hotel after Halong Bay trip so you can leave your big suitcase at the hotel. If you need to go directly to Airport or train station you can bring your entire luggage.

11- How far is that from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay?

At least 2.5-3h for transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay or vise versa on the first and the last day. The traffic and how the people conduct their vehicles in narrow but crowded road may make you uncomfortable. But you should not worry as our experience and proffestional driver. Also you should consider to upgrade to the mini bus services for more comfortable. So when you book a package for 2 days or 3 days, please be informed that this included 5-6 hours for the round trip bus transfer, not the whole 2 or 3 days in Halong Bay.

12- Is the drink included ? What about the price on the boat ? Can I bring my beverages to the boat ?

Free a bottle water on each way bus. Complimentary 2 bottle water each cabin. Drinks/Bevarages on boat is higher in the mainland, normarlly from US$ 1.5/ soft drink. But 2 times of Happy hours, buy 3 get 1, will make you happier. Customer's beverages or food should not bring to the boat. Service charged will be applied

13- What kind of food you serve ? Do you have vegeterian food and allergic.. ?

We serve Vietnamese/European and sea food meals. Vegeterian or allergic food should be informed as soon as possible, the latest in the morning of start day. we will arrange alternated foods for you

14- Does the tour guide speak English/ Chinese ? How many tour guides in the trip ?

We use the local tour guide, he/she speaks well English. Chinese speaking tour guide or other languages is available at your request, extra cost may be added.

15- After the trip, I have good reviews about you, what should I do ?

Your positive reviews is highly appreciated. We need you to support us by putting it in the any online website/forums

16- During or after the trip, I have complains what should I do ?

If you are on the tour, please meet our manager in the boat or talk with our tour guide directly. We will change and correct the unused services. Also, please mail to us, we will do the reply within hour. If it is our fault, you will get partially refund. We always listen to you and strive to improve the service for customer satisfaction. or email to [email protected] if you have any comments for our service

17- When is the best time to visit Ha Long Bay?

Halong bay has a humid tropical climate. There are however four seasons in the North. Winter lasts from December to March; temperatures can drop down to 12°C-17°C. Summer is from May until September, mostly sunny but rain showers are frequent as the humidity is higher. Spring and Autumn are nicely warm, October to early December being the best time to visit the area. Travellers to Vietnam and Halong Bay should be aware that the weather is rather unpredictable and can vary greatly even within one single day. However, there is charm and enchantment whether rain or shine: overcast weather and fog make the scenery more mystical and dramatic, bright sun accentuates the various shades of grey of the seascape, etc

18- Why do we need to wait 30 mins in between the destinations? (Hanoi - Halong and Halong - Hanoi)

We need to stop over for 30 minutes in between Hanoi & Halong Bay (vice-versa) for bathroom breaks and for our drivers to have some time to rest as they work the whole day, everyday.

19- Notice for 2 nights cruise.

Tour guide : We use the local guides in the boat/the bungalow in Catba/or day cruise if you staying 2 nights on board, so you may find there are some guides in the trip, not only one. You will not have to check out on day 2 but transfer to day cruise (smaller boat) to visit another part of Halong Bay on Day 2 (morning to afternoon) and come back the main cruise in the afternoon

20- What is currency exchange rate ?

We use the exchange rate of the biggest bank in Vietnam, Vietcombank. The exchange rate from USD to VND is based on the selling rate. This is updated hourly. For your reference : https://portal.vietcombank.com.vn/en-Us/Personal/TG/Pages/exchange-rate.aspx?devicechannel=default

21- Taxi used for pickup and drop off

Normally the taxi for pickup to meeting point and ending of the trip are not included. Be carefull when taking any taxi in Vietnam, you may get scammed. Please use the online app like GRAB, XANH Taxi ( 1900 2088) or reputed taxi company : MaiLInh (HAN - 02438333333 )... To avoid scam, you should take a taxi photo with its plate number and driver face in case of bad exprience.

22- Cancellation policy

Please check at : https://vietnamopentour.com.vn/pages/booking-guide/#cancel