After another excellent breakfast at Maison D’Hanoi, we left our main luggage safely at the hotel and prepared for our trip to Ha Long Bay. With time to spare before our transport arrived, we enjoyed a coffee at a charming café in the Old Quarter, watching the busy street life. Soon our small tour bus arrived, and we began the three-hour journey east through villages, vegetable fields and endless rice paddies towards the coast.

We arrived at the cruise terminal at Ha Long Bay, where boats were preparing to take visitors out among the spectacular limestone islands. After a short wait at the jetty, it was time to board our home for the next two days and one night — the Hong Phong 18, part of the La Vela Cruises fleet. Our floating hotel adventure was about to begin!

Once aboard, we were shown to our cabin, which was comfortable and nicely furnished, with a good shower room. Before long, an announcement invited everyone to the restaurant for lunch and a chance to meet our fellow passengers. The weather was glorious, with blue skies and fluffy white clouds as the Hong Phong 18 prepared to leave the jetty and begin our cruise among the limestone islands.

As the Hong Phong 18 cruised among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, the scenery was quite spectacular. Our first stop was a small island where we would visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the bay’s remarkable natural attractions. The cave system had been carved out over millions of years, creating an impressive world of rock formations waiting to be explored.

Sung Sot Cave was an impressive place, with enormous chambers, fascinating rock formations and colourful lighting bringing the limestone to life. After exploring the caves, we returned to the Hong Phong 18 and continued our cruise through the islands towards our overnight anchorage.

After visiting the caves, the Hong Phong 18 cruised towards our overnight anchorage near Ti Top Island. Several other cruise boats were gathering in the bay for the night. We spent the last of the daylight on deck, watching the sun sink behind the clouds and enjoying the peaceful scenery. Drinks were served on the sun deck before it was time to head to the restaurant for dinner.

Dinner aboard the Hong Phong 18 was a real treat, with a tasty selection of dishes to round off an enjoyable day. After a couple of beers, we retired to our comfortable cabin, ready for a good night’s sleep. With the boat gently resting at anchor among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, it was a wonderful end to our first day on the cruise. Tomorrow would bring more adventures on these beautiful waters!