Reasons for choosing Lan Ha Bay: 1. We wanted to avoid the grotto tours included in Ha Long Bay day trips, as we had already seen many similar landscapes in southwestern China. 2. We wanted to allocate a higher budget for meals. 3. We were interested in the pristine village environment of Cat Ba Island.
After the actual experience, all these expectations were met, and the overall experience even exceeded them. The variety of seafood meals on board depended on what ingredients were available in the market that day. Unfortunately, in November, we could only find squid and shrimp, which are available year-round, and the selection was far less abundant than during peak season. Nevertheless, the meals were still very delicious and diverse.
Our guide for this trip, Billy, was extremely knowledgeable and professional. He gave us a very comprehensive introduction to Vietnam's modern history and recent developments. His English was clear, accurate, and adhered to international etiquette, which left a deep impression on me. If I have the opportunity in the future, I would consider staying overnight on Cat Ba Island.