Bus from Hanoi to Halong City

I recommend choosing to take the bus from Hanoi to Halong City. I went to the bus station called Luong Yen (15,000 Dongs taxi from the "Old Quarter") to purchase the ticket directly at the station, and in this way saving some money. The price was ok (60,000 Dongs or less than 2.5 €), but it was a minibus, the one in which I travelled we were a little cramped, and the minibus stopped in many places, so that instead of the 4 hours we were told the journey would take, it took a total of about 5 ½ hours to get there. Note: Prices are May 2009