Fishermen at Halong mount fan-shaped Chinese junk sails on their boats, the same sort of sails once deployed by pirates in these waters. Junks have been used for centuries by the Chinese, Japanese, and Javanese for fishing and transportation, and often as living quarters; a junk commonly includes a deck, high masts, and several cotton sails.
    Halong is one of the last places where junk sails are still handmade by families of sailmakers. Coarse cotton panels are sewn together with silk thread—every seam sewn by hand. To discourage rot and mildew, the completed sail is dipped in a liquid that comes from a beetroot-like member of the yam family. The sail is dipped and dried three or four times, a process that gives it its dark red-tan color.
    The sails are braced flat by bamboo strips or battens. The bamboo must be treated for a quite different problem—bamboo parasites can literally shred the wood while at sea. Bamboo may be treated with Japanese lilac leaves, pounded into a paste with lime and seawater. Lacquering can also render bamboo less susceptible to borers.

Cat Ba Island Camping and Lan Ha Kayaking Tour

This tour offers you true meaning of adventure. Starting with hydrofoil trip to Cat Ba Island, we have some time to enjoy the quiet town with beautiful beaches, fine sea food and beer. The next day is a big challenge since we trek through jungle and have a chance to see the panorama of Halong Bay from one of the mountain summits we would conquer during the trek. After the trek we camp on a quiet beach to round up an adventure day. The next day is great paddling time, as you will paddle our unique route to explore Lan Ha Bay and continue to Halong Bay where we will spend the last night on a deluxe overnight junk. This tour offers flexibility in activity levels while still combining the best of sea kayaking. It is a good tour for both novice and experienced kayaker alike with a little more time to spare.

Kayaking Ha Long Bay is the perfect way to explore the calm emerald waters.  Green Trail Tours has tours that are perfect for beginners or experienced paddlers. This exciting getaway combines the perfect amount of physical activity and relaxation.  Exploring caves, hidden lagoons, pearl farms and fishing villages, you’ll meet locals and discover a side of mystical Ha Long Bay that you can’t see from a tourist boat. Staying overnight at a little kayak base camp on a deserted beach in Lan Ha Bay.

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Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Hai Phong – Cat Ba Island [../ L / D ]
5:30 – Depart from your hotel in Hanoi for Hai Phong City then take express boat to Cat Ba Island; arrive in Cat Ba Island at about 10:00am. Transfer across the island to the dock and board a small boat to Cruise to our private base camp. You’ll enjoy a lunch of savory fresh local sea food. After lunch your guide will give you full instruction on the gear and safety, show you the basic paddle strokes and tell you about your paddling route. Then he’ll gear you up for an afternoon of exploration! Return back to the base camp for a fresh water shower and a great dinner before retiring to your cozy hut for the night.

Day2: Whole day kayaking [B / L/ D ]

Whole day paddling and exploring the Bay at your own pace, while having a closer look at the amazing karsts. You’ll explore some of the many caves that lead to stunning lagoons, paddle to some floating villages to see this unique way of life, and stop to chill out at one of the many beaches here. You’ll be met by a support boat which you’ll board to enjoy lunch before you continue paddling in the afternoon. Cruise back to the base camp for dinner. Enjoy another relaxing night at the base camp.

Day 3: Bay Kayaking – Cat Ba Island – Hai Phong – Hanoi [B / L/ .. ]
Our base camp is staffed by friendly locals who’ll cook you up a hardy breakfast before you head out for the morning to explore more of the amazing karst limestone formations and grottos. Return to the base camp for lunch where you can relax on the beach, throw around the Frisbee and take a swim. Cruise back to Cat Ba Island, ferry to Hai Phong then drive to Hanoi; arrive about 7:30pm. Trip ends in Hanoi.

Note:
the camping can be on the deserted beach with double tent or at ready-set-up basecamp (also on beach) with bamboo hut depending on the weather condition and availability.
we use private support boat when paddling to explore hidden and untouristy corners of Halong Bay. That makes our itinerary different from those organized by other tour operators who just use the kayaking packages offered by the overnight junks.  Our trips are designed for true and different kayaking experience in Halong Bay.