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

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.

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.

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'm glad I chose the Japanese-language guided tour since I'm not good at English. The weather was great all day, perfect for sightseeing. In the morning, the guide picked me up from my hotel in the Old Quarter. The meal on the boat wasn't a buffet, but shared among everyone at a table for six. I was asked about foods I didn't like on the bus, and I didn't eat mantis shrimp or shrimp. Drinks are charged separately. There are two unisex restrooms on the boat. Of course, you can't flush the toilet paper. You are free to go out on the deck to see Ha Long Bay and take pictures. First, we went to Sung Sot Cave. There were some ups and downs on the stairs, and some narrow parts in the one-way passage, but the inside was a fairly large limestone cave. Next was an activity at Luon Cave, either kayaking or on a boat rowed by a boatman. If you don't mind getting splashed and wet, kayaking might be more fun. And then we landed on Titop Island. Plastic bottled drinks are prohibited on Titop Island for environmental protection. Here, you can either relax on the beach or climb about 400 steps to the top and see the stunning view. You can also climb partway and return. There were a lot of tourists on the tour, so it was crowded, but I was able to climb the stairs slowly and it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The view of Ha Long Bay from above is amazing, so I recommend it. The sunset cruise was also wonderful. On the way back, I ate pho at a service area. We returned to the Old Quarter after 8:00 PM. The guide was very good at Japanese, gave detailed explanations, and was considerate, making it a fulfilling Ha Long Bay tour.

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.

In addition to their excellent Japanese language skills, our tour guide provided a very high level of service with their thoughtful attention to detail. The trip to Ha Long Bay included a 30-minute break each way, with coffee and other samples at a souvenir shop on the outbound journey and a pho dinner provided on the return. The seafood served on the boat on the way there was plentiful and delicious. With nearly 50 passengers and only two unisex restrooms, the wait times were long, but that's to be expected on a boat. The first cave has many ups and downs and can be slippery, so sneakers or other appropriate footwear are a must. At Ti Top Island, the second stop, you need shoes as you'll be climbing over 400 steps. Skirts are not recommended for women. This tour is quite strenuous and not suitable for young children or elderly individuals with mobility issues. The final boat or kayak ride takes you through a calm, bay-like area, which is very pleasant. While this tour is more expensive than similar tours offered by other companies, the quality is high and the overall satisfaction is well worth it.

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.

I went with my parents in their 60s and my brother! Our tour guide, Tien-san (Nagatomo-san), was so energetic that we had a blast all day long, forgetting about any fatigue!!! His Japanese is also very good, and he played music and encouraged us during the mountain climb ^_^ I would absolutely request him again when I go to Vietnam next time, he was the best!!!! Even seniors can choose to tour the islands more safely by a larger boat if they don't want to kayak! At Titop Island, you can choose between the sea and the mountain. The mountain is a bit challenging, but it's about a 10-minute climb up the stairs. Since the sea is right down the stairs, we were able to enjoy swimming within the time limit! You can do either one, or you can wait on the boat! Attractions on the route: Good Safety: Good Cost-effectiveness: Good Service: Amazingly good Tour schedule: Just right

The food on board was delicious and the seafood was more than enough for an adult male. You can also drink alcohol for an additional fee. I was worried because I get seasick easily, but the boat didn't rock much, so it was no problem at all! Our guide, Nagatomo (Vietnamese), was friendly from start to finish and spoke Japanese well. When I told him that I wanted to go to the spa the next day, he even made a reservation for me, which I was really impressed with! Thank you so much. If you ask about sightseeing in Hanoi, he will tell you many recommended spots. I took this tour in the first week of March, but it was cloudy for one day, so I recommend going a little later in the season. If it's sunny, you'll be able to see some amazing views!

Our schedule was to go to Trang An the day before and Halong Bay the next day, and even though we only met briefly the day before after dinner, Mr. Nagatomo was surprised when he said to us when we were picked up in the morning, "We've met somewhere before♪" lol. The tour of Halong Bay was a lot of fun with lots of laughter from start to finish. The incredible caves and the elegance of Halong Bay, and of course Mr. Nagatomo's excellent microphone performance and explanations. We couldn't get bored until the very end 😃 Our legs were hurting from Trang An the day before, so we didn't go up on this day, but we did have fun relaxing with a beer ⛱️ on the beach. I recommend bringing a water bottle when you go to Halong Bay (as you can't bring plastic bottles). Team Nagatomo was the best~👍