TRAVEL FACTS

GETTING THERE

Vietnam Airlines flies direct from Sydney to Hanoi on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Flights operate daily from Sydney and Melbourne to Hanoi via Ho Chi Minh City. There are multiple daily flights between Hanoi and Danang. vietnamairlines.com

GETTING AROUND

Paradise Cruises offer transfers between Hanoi and Halong Bay.

CRUISING

Paradise Cruises offer two-day, one-night and three-day, two-night cruises of Halong Bay. They operate three styles of ship: the intimate eight-suite Paradise Peak, the 15-cabin Paradise Luxury and the 31-cabin Paradise Elegance. paradisecruise.com

WHEN TO GO

While you can cruise year-round, it is generally felt that March to May and September to November offer the best cruising weather, although storms can disrupt travel at any time. Dry season for Lăng Cô is March to September, but the heat is less intense in March and April.

WHERE TO STAY

Laguna Lăng Cô includes two resorts, Angsana and Banyan Tree, offering a range of rooms, suites and villas. Laguna Lăng Cô offers discovery tours to both Hôi An and Huê´ which can be booked from the resort. lagunalangco.com

VISAS

Arrange visas beforehand either by post or in person at the Vietnam Embassy in Canberra or the Vietnamese Consulate in Sydney. vietnamembassy.org.au FURTHER INFORMATION

Visit Vietnam: vietnamtourism.com