Hanoi to Halong Bay – Day 20 – Train Street Hanoi + Lan Ha Bay Cruise with Kayaking
After arriving in Hanoi on the Sapa train, we enjoy a Mango Hotel breakfast and visit Train Street before the family transfer to Halong Bay for our two night Lan Ha Bay cruise with kayaking and caves. Day 20 begins before sunrise as we roll into Hanoi on the overnight Sapa train and step straight into the city’s early‑morning rhythm. With only a few hours before our transfer to Ha Long Bay, we check into Mango Hotel beside the station for a quick shower, breakfast and a reset after the long ride. The location gives us just enough time to walk down to Train Street Hanoi, where the narrow tracks, cafés and tight alleys create one of the city’s most iconic scenes. Seeing it in daylight adds a different energy to the stories of the night‑time trains that rush through the neighbourhood. From there, the Hanoi to Ha Long Bay transfer begins. The drive feels quicker than expected, and it’s interesting how the route has changed since my last visit. Travellers often compare the Hanoi to Ha Long Bay bus, limousine transfers, private cars and even the day‑trip options, and today’s journey gives us a sense of why the drive time and distance vary so much. As with many Vietnam transfers, there’s a stop at a pearl farm. It’s part toilet break, part cultural demo and part sales pitch, but it also marks the moment where the city falls away and the coastal landscape takes over. It’s a familiar rhythm for anyone planning a Ha Long Bay cruise from Hanoi, whether they’re heading out for a day trip or a longer itinerary. Our Lan Ha Bay cruise starts with a small transfer boat out to Calypso Cruises, where we check in to our cabin and head straight out for the activity I missed on my last visit in 2009 — Ha Long Bay kayaking through the caves of Lan Ha Bay. The limestone tunnels, the calm water and the chance to paddle with the kids make it one of the standout moments of the entire Vietnam family travel journey. When comparing Lan Ha Bay vs Ha Long Bay, it feel completely different to the classic cave routes I remembered from years ago. Some people come out here on day trips from Hanoi or join the shorter 2‑day, 1‑night cruises, but doing it as part of a longer Lan Ha Bay cruise gives you the space to slow down and actually enjoy it. Whether you arrive by bus, limousine or private transfer, the payoff is the same once you’re on the water — it’s quiet, calm and exactly the kayaking tours are the kind of experience that stays with you long after the paddles are put away. Back on board, the afternoon turns into swimming off the back deck, jacuzzi time and a how to make spring rolls class where everyone gets hands‑on before the crew deep‑fries the results. As the sun drops behind the karsts, the kids try squid fishing off the stern while dinner is prepared — a three‑course meal in the cruise restaurant that lands perfectly after a long travel day. These onboard activities are a big part of why families look for cruises that go beyond the standard Ha Long Bay 2 days 1 night packages, and today delivers exactly the kind of variety that keeps the kids engaged. The only challenge comes at bedtime when we discover our cabin sits above several generators. It’s loud, constant and unavoidable, but noise‑cancelling headphones save the night. It’s a reminder that Vietnam cruising can be unpredictable, and that mindset plays a huge role in how the day lands. After the frustrations of Day 18 and the reset of Day 19, today feels like a turning point — a day where rolling with the surprises makes everything easier. The final reflection comes from comparing this trip to my 2009 visit. Returning to places you loved can create expectations that work against you, especially when travelling with kids. Lan Ha Bay feels fresh because it’s a different route, a different cruise and a different experience. It’s also a reminder of how much the region has changed. Contents 0:00 New Dawn 01:20 Sapa to Hanoi Train 01:48 Train Street Hanoi 02:45 Hanoi to Ha Long Bay Transfer 03:24 Pearl Farm 03:44 Ha Long Bay Port 5:20 Calypso Cruises Lan Ha Bay 06:54 Lan Ha Bay Kayaking 9:00 Swimming 9:15 Spring Rolls Class 10:07 Squid Fishing 11:34 Travel Tips 13:04 Vietnam with Kids Day 20 delivers everything we hoped for: Train Street Hanoi, a smooth Hanoi to Ha Long Bay transfer, a family‑friendly Lan Ha Bay cruise, kayaking through caves, swimming, spring rolls, squid fishing and a reset in momentum for the rest of our Southeast Asia with kids journey. This episode is part of our Vietnam journey within The Motivated Travel Show,a family‑travel, wellness‑anchored and backpacking‑with‑kids series created by award‑winning journalist Chris Stead. #vietnamtravel #halongbay #travelvlog #familytravel #motivatedtravel