Halong Bay Day Tour (Japanese) | 6-Hour Cruise, Ti Top Island, Kayak Experience

This is a highly recommended tour! It was an all-Japanese participant tour, and the guide's arrangements were fantastic, making things go very smoothly. We finished right on schedule, which was a huge help, and the itinerary was very fulfilling. The great weather made the experience even more satisfying. I am truly glad I joined this tour. The on-board lunch was also better than expected. Things that I thought could be improved are: it should be stated in the tour description that drink payments on the boat are cash only, and letting participants know in advance that bringing bottled water is not allowed—either in the remarks section of the tour details or when contacting the participants beforehand, rather than the day before the tour—would be greatly appreciated. I found out about these two things through reviews and such. Overall, this tour is highly recommended. If you want to visit Ha Long Bay, you should definitely check it out!

My wife, daughter, and I participated in the 6-hour Halong Bay Cruise tour (in Japanese). In the morning, we were picked up promptly at the hotel lobby at the agreed-upon time. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and explained everything fluently in Japanese, even incorporating some puns. Although the bus seats didn't recline, it was a comfortable ride, cool and a welcome escape from the heat outside, with decent seating. As soon as we boarded the cruise ship, a seafood lunch was served. The air-conditioned cabin offered a good variety of dishes, not overly luxurious, but certainly filling. For the cave tunnel experience, I highly recommend kayaking over the bamboo boat. Sung Sot Cave involved quite a bit of uphill and downhill walking, which made our knees a bit wobbly, but the cave itself was incredibly vast and impressive. Afterward, the view of Halong Bay from the observation deck on Ti Top Island was absolutely stunning. On the way back, we stopped at a rest area for dinner and were treated to pho (which we'd been eating daily on this trip, with varying taste and quality). It was a long day, from 8:10 AM until 8:30 PM, but thanks to our tour guide, it was a very enjoyable tour.

I was initially looking for tours on another site to join a Halong Bay cruise. However, English tours were predominant there, and Japanese tours were almost double the price. I also thought, "Since I'm abroad, wouldn't being surrounded by only Japanese people diminish the exotic atmosphere?" and initially wondered if an English tour would be better. But while I understand a little English, my wife doesn't understand any at all. I was debating whether Japanese would be better for both of us to truly enjoy ourselves, and that's when I found this tour and decided to join. It turned out to be absolutely the right choice to pick this tour! On the day of the tour, a bus picked us up at the hotel, and the seats were very spacious and luxurious, making the journey comfortable from the start. My concern about "losing the feeling of being abroad" was completely unfounded. From departure to arrival, our Japanese guide explained the real local situation in Vietnam and the history of the tourist spots carefully and with plenty of humor, allowing us to experience the local culture more deeply. The meals served on board were delicious, and the activities in Halong Bay were plentiful, so we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly without getting bored all day. It was a huge plus to be able to focus purely on the breathtaking scenery and experiences in front of us without feeling any language barrier or stress. My wife was also very satisfied, and we both truly feel glad we chose this tour.

I was satisfied with the reliable transportation and Japanese-speaking guide! I participated with a friend. I was debating whether to go with a cheaper English-speaking tour to get more of a 'travel abroad' feel, but in the end, it was definitely the right decision to go with Japanese to learn about Vietnamese culture and history. It's also reassuring knowing there's no worry about mishearing the meeting place or time. The transportation picked us up from each of our hotels. Since large buses can't pass through the old town, we walked with the guide to a nearby main street. The bus was luxurious and comfortable. The guide, Kyo, spoke fluent Japanese and made the bus ride fun, teaching us various things about Vietnam. Both the bus and boat were chartered just for our tour group, so we could relax comfortably. The first floor of the boat had glass windows, so we could enjoy the scenery while eating. On the second floor, there was a deck with chairs where we could relax and feel the breeze. The food was delicious and there was so much we couldn't finish it all. After the meal, we took a rowboat to see the unique rock formations of Ha Long Bay from the sea and passed through a cave, but this was a relatively short course. Afterwards, we climbed a lot of stairs to see the stalactite cave and Titop Island. I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Especially on Titop Island, the stairs to the summit are narrow and crowded, so we climbed slowly in a single line, but it was quite tough. Elderly foreigners were panting as they climbed. The view from the summit was great, with a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay and lots of boats. However, the summit is small and only has a drink stand. There are also no restrooms, so be aware. People kept coming up and it didn't feel like we could stay long. We went down in a single line as well. People coming up would ask us as we passed, 'Is it still a long way?' and when we replied with gestures, 'Still a long way,' they would make pained faces and say, 'OH~...' which was funny. There's also a beach near the pier. It was warm that day, even though it was the end of January, and some people were swimming. After all that effort, we returned to the boat, drank wine and beer, ate fruit, and talked with the other tour members. It was amazing. People from all walks of life participated, including solo travelers, university student groups, couples, and retired couples, and it was a lot of fun. 'Team Strongest'! It was the best. Thank you, Kyo!

I had the privilege of joining Team Nagatomo. I was able to spend a very fulfilling day. Thank you truly from the bottom of my heart. Nagatomo-san's attentive guidance and hospitality were a continuous series of touching moments. The explanations during the long van ride using an iPad (along with comedic storytelling 🤭) were wonderful, and we arrived in what felt like no time at all. There were also detailed explanations about getting off the boat at three different spots, allowing us to fully enjoy the experience. The lunch on the boat was exceptionally delicious, and we were even able to buy genuine pearl accessories on board at a great bargain. Throughout the drive to Hanoi, without ever letting us get bored, you shared various fascinating stories that completely captivated us. I am certain that Nagatomo-san's diverse stories are the absolute highlight and most recommended part of this tour. On my next trip to Vietnam, I will definitely contact Nagatomo-san and look forward to enjoying a new tour. I won't have time for the French restaurant, but I plan to head back today after getting the massage you recommended. Thank you so much for taking such good care of us. Please stay healthy and keep up your daily early rising, studying, and supporting your customers. Thank you so much 😊 Value for Money: I think the value for money is extremely high. Safety: Climbing the stairs to the summit of Titov Island left me quite out of breath. Because it is very steep, I think it would be difficult for anyone who is not confident in their legs and lower back. However, we were thoroughly briefed on this beforehand, so we were able to prepare ourselves mentally and take on the challenge. I believe the tour is conducted with an emphasis on personal responsibility for safety. Service: Regarding the service and care, it was wonderfully beyond all imagination. I think Nagatomo-san is a tour guide of an exceptionally high caliber, providing various guidance and engaging stories that keep travelers from ever getting bored. Furthermore, I believe the hospitality of everyone involved locally—from the boat crew and the staff at the rest stop to all others who supported the tour as a whole—was marvelous. Tour Schedule: Gathering around 8:30 in the morning and returning after dealing with traffic around 8:30 to 9:00 PM—considering the sheer volume of activities and the traffic factored in, the schedule felt a bit rushed in places, but I would say it easily passes with flying colors. Sightseeing Spots Along the Route: On the way to Ha Long Bay, we stopped by shops for star rubies, star sapphires, and embroidery, where we were able to acquire wonderful crafts. At Ha Long Bay, we were able to enjoy sea kayaking, exploring the caves, landing on Titov Island, and climbing the mountain.

For those who are undecided, I highly recommend this tour! It offers great value for money! You can fully enjoy Ha Long Bay (6-hour tour: kayaking or exploring by a boatman's rowboat, Sung Sot Cave, and three disembarkations for sightseeing at Ti Top Island). **Service:** They provide hotel pick-up and drop-off (on the way back, they dropped us off at Aeon Mall upon request). You also get a complimentary bottle of water for the bus ride. You can't bring plastic bottles into Ha Long Bay, so bringing a reusable water bottle is a good idea, but if you don't have one, you can buy water on the boat for around 200 JPY per bottle. (They have a wide variety including water, sparkling water, sodas like Coke, beer, etc.) Wine bottles are also available. (All payments are in Vietnamese Dong only). **Food:** The food is delicious, and they serve more than you can eat. They offer seafood like shrimp and mantis shrimp (they ask about allergies), chicken dishes, fish dishes, stir-fried greens, fried fish cakes, soup, rice dishes, and fruit. There's also a snack service with fruit, cookies, and drinks. **Travel:** It's a long bus ride of about 3 hours from the hotel (using the highway), but both the outbound and return trips include rest stops, so you can relax. (On the way there, you can sample and buy civet coffee and lotus tea at a souvenir shop. On the way back, dinner with pho chicken or beef is included at a service area, and you can browse a small supermarket and stalls). The boat itself is clean and cool. Going up the stairs leads to an outdoor deck, which is very pleasant. The restrooms are clean, with one for men and one for women. **Sightseeing:** It's bustling with people from all over the world, which is also part of the fun. If you climb Ti Top Island (it's a steep 10-minute climb up stairs), you get a 360-degree panoramic view of Ha Long Bay. However, if you're not confident in your physical stamina, you have the option to stay on the boat or relax on the beach, so there's no need to worry. **What to Bring:** For clothing, I recommend comfortable shoes, a hat, body wipes or a towel (two handkerchiefs weren't enough for me), sunscreen, and if you plan to kayak, a change of clothes, a swimsuit, and a waterproof mini-bag would be good. **Staff:** Our guide (Mr. Nagatomo) was excellent. In addition to explaining the sights, he took photos, provided entertainment during travel, encouraged us with music when the stairs were tough, and gave careful warnings about valuables. He kept us organized and smiling throughout the entire trip. The driver was also cheerful, and the boat staff were kind. Since only Japanese participants were on the tour, we could enjoy it without stress. By the time we returned to the hotel, it had been such a wonderful trip that we actually missed the people we toured with.

My husband and I participated in this tour together. To our surprise, we were picked up and dropped off in a very luxurious limousine bus. It was probably the most extravagant bus among all the tour companies. The bus even had USB cables, so we were able to charge our phones. I hadn't expected it, so I only brought my phone, but luckily my husband had brought a charging cord, which was a huge help. After we departed, our guide, Dan, spoke in fluent Japanese, telling us about Vietnam's history, tourist attractions, and the highlights of the tour. He also recommended many delicious restaurants and sightseeing spots in Hanoi, which made the tour even more enjoyable. Although the weather in Ha Long Bay was unfortunately cloudy, perhaps because we were the only Japanese tourists, the boat was comfortable, and we were able to enjoy a relaxing cruise. It was fun to see many monkeys when we took a sampan boat partway through. You can't bring drinks into the caves or Phu Quoc Island, so drinks are sold everywhere as you walk around. You'll be walking a lot and it gets hot, so you'll definitely want to buy something. They're about 25 dong each. I recommend bringing a small amount of local currency. Also, drinks on the boat incur an additional charge. I had checked reviews for this tour beforehand, so I had no problem sharing a table during meals. Since we were staying at the same hotel as the people we shared a table with, it was fun to chat with other travelers. I thought lunch might be small, but the portion was very satisfying, and the food was delicious. My husband had visited Ha Long Bay before, but he highly praised this tour, saying it was extremely satisfying. There are many Ha Long Bay tours available, but I highly recommend this one for Japanese travelers, especially those traveling alone, those who are not confident in English, and those who value the quality of the boat and bus, as well as the company of fellow tour members.

The price is very reasonable with a Japanese guide, lunch and dinner included! I also had a good memory of being able to enjoy the sights and experiences with the other tour participants. We were blessed with good weather and were able to enjoy the wonderful scenery. There were two scenes where we had to climb about 400 steps, so I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. You can also buy drinks on the boat, but only cash is accepted. The Vietnamese guide was fluent in Japanese and loved Enka. It was amazing how he kept talking lol. I also laughed at the fact that the background music was Enka lol. So the 2.5 hour journey from Hanoi city to Halong Bay was not boring. We were picked up smoothly at the hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter at 8:15 in the morning, and returned to the hotel around 20:40. The limousine bus had spacious seats in one row and two rows, so I don't think you'll get tired.

I participated in the Halong Bay 6-hour tour exclusively for Japanese people. The guide was Mr. Nagatomo (nickname), who can speak Japanese. He picked me up at the hotel in the Old Quarter, and I boarded a large bus. The bus was very clean, and the seats were comfortable and spacious. On the bus, Mr. Nagatomo immediately registered us for LINE for communication and distributed Team Nagatomo name tags so we wouldn't get lost. He explained various points to check in an easy-to-understand manner. It was about a 3.5-hour journey with a break, but Mr. Nagatomo told us interesting stories, so we arrived without getting bored. The boat was also exclusively for Japanese people, and the inside of the room was clean. The lunch was very delicious, and I regret leaving some of it. On the boat, we joined a Japanese tour led by another guide. It's the same company. That guide and all the boat staff were very good. I think this tour company is wonderful. Here are two things that concerned me: Lunch is at shared tables. Fortunately, everyone at our table was nice, and we had a pleasant conversation, but it depends on the members at that time. A buffet would be easier for Japanese people to handle, and smaller tables would be preferred if possible. The restroom is clean, but I accidentally flushed the toilet paper and clogged it, causing a bit of a toilet jam. It would be better to post a warning sign in the restroom in addition to the verbal explanation. The guide was always attentive, lively, and didn't skimp on his work. I would like to request Mr. Nagatomo again. The stalactite cave and rowing boat were also fun. I also ate pho during the toilet break on the way back. I was very satisfied with the trip with Team Nagatomo. The stalactite cave is uneven underfoot and requires a lot of walking. Sneakers are recommended. It may not be suitable for the elderly or small children.

Our tour guide, Quyen, spoke fluent Japanese and didn't just guide us, but also shared insights into the local people and culture, making the tour start very interesting. I participated alone, but I got along very well with the people I shared a table with at lunch, and we deepened our friendship during the sea kayaking. Also, the unique formations of limestone on a continental scale, which you won't find in Japan, made me feel the grandeur of nature, providing an experience that you can only have by going there. I was also blessed with important encounters and was able to create memories that I will never forget. If you are considering it, I highly recommend you participate.