I went to Halong Bay and stayed on a junk boat for 1 night. The company I think was called South Pacific travel, we booked it through the Indochina hotel in Hanoi. It cost about $100 each and it was worth every penny. the trip included all transfers and meals. We went to visit a cave and we went kayaking. The cabin on the junk was fantastic, lovely and spacious, amazing bathroom with great shower but make sure you wait 20 mins before you use the shower after eachother or you will be rather cold! The trip is amazing and just to see the rocks and the caves in the mist is just spine tingling.

Vietnam is not quite what I was expecting; yes the people are lovely, the food divine BUT pollution in Hanoi is extreme, poverty is everywhere, rubbish is every where, and the noise from the traffic drives you mad.

Hue was not my favourite place – the Citadel is a bit of a non event, and even My Son is not that fabulous (limited, small and not well maintained.) The day trip to the Vinh Moc tunnels was great though.

Highlight of our trip to Vietnam was definitely the trip to Halong Bay in the Bhaya Junk – WOW. Absolutely beautiful, serene, gorgeous and a once in a life time experience.

April 2009 - we are travelling as a family two teenagers and a 7 year old. Booked a junk tour with 4 beds so the kids had one each!

We were shifted ("upgraded") to a different junk with only two beds and for second and third day no English speaking guide.

After much pressure a mattress was made available for the floor so the kids were either on the floor or sharing a bed. Fine at <US30 a night but not at >US$200pn.

Initially a second junk was tied along side and we were offerred the use of an empty room on that. We were not comfortable to split the family up and the second junk sailed away at 8am without warning so we were very pleased we kept together.

So our upgrade gave us less beds and no guide.

Fortunatley we had only paid a deposit. But even after the usual haggle the people did not want to agree to a fair price.

We didn't let this bit of negotiation destroy an amazing peice of paradise but we would not recommend White Dolphin at more than US$150pn.

After haggling prices with the many tour operators, knocked them down to US$41 for the standard 3D 2N tour to Ha Long from Hanoi. It can go as high as $60 for the same package - so avoid being cheated.

We found out that fellow travellers following the same tour paid exorbitant prices, were promised better food, but got the same deal as us.

Tour was provided by A Z Queen tour, but there are others. Tour guides are tough nuts - almost gangster like and rude - they order people around, did not hear any please or thank you.

Picked up at 8am, travelled to Ha Long port city arrived about noon. Waited for for 30min, boarded the cruise boat and sailed just off shore for lunch - veg, fried fish and rice. After lunch headed to a small island to check out the caves. After that, into the cluster of islands and landed on the North cost of Cat Ba island, took a bus to Cat Ba town.

Spent the night there staying in a crummy 0.5 star hotel, aluminium doors, damp bathroom. Had dinner there "Am Tanh Hotel" vegetables, squid, fish cake and rice. Woke up early and tranported to the park. Spent the next 3 hrs climbing up a low summit 800m high with a guide that did not describe any tree nor creature. Just climbed up and climbed down. Luckily the view was good at the top or else it would be a waste of time.

Went down, had lunch then returned to the North pier to board another cruise boat - waited an hour. Left late in the afternoon for an overnight stay to the East of Cat Ba island, pleasant cove filled with about 40 other cruise boats. Stayed the night onboard with a loud generator next to our bedroom.

Woke up early next day to kayak around the islands, back for lunch then return to Ha Long Port.

Lovely area, islands, great company, sea spoilt but lousy crew, rude tour guides and cheapskate food.