Vietnam: Ha Long Bay

Wednesday, May 24, 2023, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

We got into Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at 8:30 am. The rock formations jutting out of the bay were inspiring. It was already hot. Before we left the ship, Vietnamese immigration officers stamped our landing cards; we were required to carry them with us for all our Vietnamese ports. No one ever asked to see them, though.

Ha Long Bay

The ship offered tours on what they called junks (no sails), and we signed up for one. Our ship was tied up  at a huge dock and our junk was moored at the same dock. However, the dock was so big it took 15 hot minutes to walk to our junk.

Once on board the junk, we were served tea in a paneled indoor area that had tables and benches.

Inside the junk

There was also a large open deck up top. It was still hot, so after drinking our tea, a lot of us went up top to enjoy an unimpeded view of the breathtaking monolithic limestone islands—1,969 in all!

On the top deck.

John, Margo & Charlie relaxing up top.

We motored past many of the islands and eventually stopped at a large one, climbing up stairs cut into the rock cliffs to the entrance of Dong Thien Cung cave. A man from a previous boat was laid out on the ground when we got there, having a medical emergency but awake and talking. It was probably the heat, and was a good reminder to take it easy and hydrate often.

Our junk (with others) docked at the large island

Someone attending to a medical emergency at the cave entrance

Outside the cave vendors were selling food, clothing, and other items.  It was much cooler inside the cave, which turned out to be many connected caves. They were magnificent, well lit, one with an underground pond, all with various colors and some natural features that looked sculpted. We got separated from our tour group as usual, but at least we weren’t the last ones back on board! We exited the cave quite a distance from where we entered, and made our way back to the junk. 

Me sweltering at the entrance to the Dong Thien Cung cave

Us inside the cave - cooler & happier

For scale, note the line of people towards the bottom 

A pool in the cave

Once back on board our junk, we took a different route back, passing some famous rocks called the “kissing chickens.” One of our group was holding up Vietnamese money, trying to decide which of the rocks were printed on the bill.

The kissing chickens

A Vietnamese bill with Ha Long Bay depiction

On the way back, a local woman onboard was selling jewelry and cloth items (bags, scarfs, t-shirts, etc). She did pretty well with us tourists. I resisted for quite awhile, finally buying a lovely black pearl bracelet and earrings, and some small silk bags for souvenirs. Once we were back in the harbor, we again walked the long dock to re-board our ship. 

Walking back to our ship—that’s me (and our ship) on the right.

Back on our ship, we cleaned up for a special evening event including dinner, drinks and entertainment for us 400+ ‘round-the-worlders. We boarded buses to the Vung Duc cave near Cam Fha City. There are a lot of interesting caves in this part of the world and this one wasn’t too far away. There were dragon dancers and drummers in the parking lot when we arrived. At the cave entrance were a line of lovely Vietnamese women in pink traditional garb and more drummers greeting us at the entrance.

Dragon dancers in the parking lot

Our greeters at the cave entrance

Inside the first “room” of the gigantic cave were musicians, mixed drinks, and snacks. These caves were very impressive. In a way, the tables and adornments detracted from their natural beauty. The whole scene was quite grandiose. We managed to snag some virgin fruity drinks (the concept of a drink without alcohol was unexpected to our hosts, but they managed). 

Drinks & snacks first—a pretty fancy cave

We then wandered further back in the cave, eventually coming to a second—even larger—“room” with tables set for all, and many buffet tables laden with food. 

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Entrance to the dinner/entertainment part of the cave

Buffet dinner

There was also a gigantic stage for the musicians and dancers who entertained us with traditional Vietnamese music while we ate. 

Vietnamese dancers in front of the Oceania Cruise ship backdrop on the stage

After dinner, a lady DJ played some great music, and we headed for the dance floor. After some time, Charlie did a backward roll onto the stage and put on a one-man show! Very uncharacteristic, but it got the crowd moving. It was late when we re-boarded our buses back to the ship. What a fun evening!

One of Charlie’s dance moves!