Since my hotel didn't offer pickup, I decided to go to the Hanoi Opera House. It wasn't far from the hotel, so that was fine. The pickup vehicle arrived about 10 minutes later than the scheduled time. The bus wasn't a luxury one, but it was acceptable. Before reaching Ha Long Bay, we first stopped at a shop selling goods. There was no pressure to buy anything. I just bought a drink. The boat we boarded wasn't large, but it was quite impressive. The boat departed around 10:30 AM. A buffet lunch was served on board starting at 11:00 AM. The meal wasn't bad. Ha Long Bay is a beautiful marine park, and you can enjoy the stunning scenery from the boat. Many tour boats dotted the sea, which was also a spectacular sight. There's a basic option to visit a short sea cave by rowing boat, and also time to enjoy kayaking. Taking a speedboat is an optional extra for an additional fee. On the way back, there was a cooking class on board, but only locals participated. Overall, if you're not focused on enjoying the scenery, it could be a bit boring. However, it was a wonderful opportunity to fully appreciate the beautiful scenery of Ha Long Bay. The sea was calm, so there was no seasickness. On the bus ride back to Hanoi, we stopped at another shop selling goods. Again, there was no pressure to buy. The shops were selling items that could also be bought in Hanoi, but at higher prices. These shops need to change. They should offer products that can entice tourists to open their wallets, at prices that are appropriate. That way, sales would likely increase. I bought another drink this time too. Our guide never pressured us. The guide was friendly and dedicated to their job. The price of a Ha Long Bay tour seems to vary depending on the luxury level of the transportation and the boat. The tour I experienced today felt like a mid-range option. However, I was satisfied with the tour because of the guide's kindness. I'd like to thank Allen, our guide, who was with us all day!^^