Paradise Luxury Cruises

Halong Bay:

In 2000, Ha Long Bay had the honour of being recognised for the second time for its geomorphic and physiographic features. However, many travelers are unaware that Ha Long Bay has immense value to the world because of its rare concentration of biodiversity, culture and history. And it’s this unique value that makes Ha Long Bay a magical destination where travelers can get up close and personal with the beating heart of Vietnam..

Tuan Chau:

Tuan Chau Island is located in the North West of Halong Bay, 8 km southwest of Halong city. Although the island is only 5km2, it is known as the tourist hub of Halong Bay. Guests of Paradise Cruises embark and disembark from their boats in the Tuan Chau Marina on Tuan Chau Island, and can even stay in the gorgeous Paradise Suites hotel before and after their cruise. As well as boasting white sandy beaches, a sheltered harbor, and a spectacular view to Halong Bay, Tuan Chau Island also has an interesting history. The name “Tuan Chau” is a combination of Tuan (patrol) and Tri chau (district chief). The island has a rich archaeological history and traces of the Halong culture-whose people occupied the area from 3,000 to 5,000 years ago-have been found there. In 1958, President Ho Chi Minh spent his holidays on Tuan Chau Island, and the house in which he stayed is now a memorial site..

Sung Sot Cave:

Often called the Surprise Cave, Sung Sot Cave-located on Bo Hon Island-is one of the largest and most spectacular caves in Halong Bay and is always popular with tourists. At approximately 25m above sea level, the cave system occupies around 10,000 m2 and comprises two caverns, each as beautiful and interesting as the other. After a steep climb of around 50 steps to the mouth of the cave, which is sheltered by natural vegetation, visitors step into another world-one that combines the cool mystery of Sung Sot Cave with soft, diffused light from the outside world. The first chamber of Sung Sot Cave is known as the waiting room and is around 30 metres high. It is reached by walking down a flight of 10 steps from the mouth of the cave. It is when they enter the second chamber, that tourists to Sung Sot understand why it is called the Surprise Cave. A meandering path around the chamber allows tourists a view of the cave from different angles, and the light from outside, when coupled with the cave’s coloured lighting, creates a magical world, perfect for photographs..

Luon Cave:

Luon Cave is located in the south of Halong Bay, about 14 km south east of Tuan Chau Marina. Situated on Bo Hon Island and only 1 km away from Surprise Cave, Luon Grotto is an open air cave, exposed to the elements, which can only be accessed by boat. Unlike the many other cave systems of Halong Bay, Luon Grotto is a group of islands that have formed a brackish lake approximately 1km in circumference. Passing under the arch, eroded by Mother Nature over millions of years, tourists to Luon Cave are met with sheer limestone cliffs plunging into the cool, jade lake. Luon Grotto is home to a rich and diverse ecology and the lake supports myriad species of fish, shellfish and mollusks: shrimp, squid, crab and cuttlefish.

Titop Island:

A climb up the few hundred steps to the summit of Titop Island (or Titov in Vietnamese) reveals the most breathtaking view Halong Bay has to offer. Titop is visited by thousands of tourists everyday and with good reason, as for many this is the highlight of their entire Halong Bay experience. If you’ve only ever seen one picture of Halong Bay, chances are that it was taken from the top of Titop. The 360-degree views are nothing short of spectacular and a good long while can be spent working your way round viewing Halong Bay from all different angles. And after the sweaty climb up and down you can indulge in a cooling dip in the Halong Bay waters. The beach below is the most organized in all of Halong Bay, with deck chairs, cool drinks, souvenirs and fresh water showers on offer. Titov, who became the first person to orbit the earth several times (a total of 17), returned to Halong Bay in 1997 when he wrote “My deepest thanks to destiny, which has allowed me to come back to this tiny island”.