A Bougie Boat & Story of Resilience on Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam

Xin chào from Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam!

Let’s just say there’s a slight difference between bobbing through karsts in a rickety rowboat and soaking in a heated pool on the upper deck of a floating five-star fantasy. Yes, we still had those jaw-dropping limestone formations all around us—but this time, we were swaddled in luxury so plush it made most hotels look like campgrounds.

This yacht? Oh, it wasn’t just five stars. It was galactic. Think rose petals drifting through the air as we boarded (no joke, it was like stepping into a slow-mo rom-com), and our very own butler who even served James heaping plates of food poolside in between meals. Dinner was an five-course culinary parade.

Now, this wasn’t your typical 2 night cruise Ha Long Bay scene—the one where boats are packed tighter than beach towels in July, and someone’s murdering a Backstreet Boys classic on karaoke ‘til 2am. No shame if that’s your thing—but we sailed a different course.

Yes, we cruised UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, but our hearts were stolen by her serene little sister: Lan Ha Bay. Smaller, quieter, and arguably greener, Lan Ha translates to “descending orchid,” named for the wild orchids that bloom here like nature’s confetti. It felt like we had the whole bay to ourselves—a surreal, cinematic dreamscape of emerald karsts rising from glassy water.

We even hopped on a speedboat (because of course we did) and zipped over to Cat Ba Island, a rugged karst beauty with just one tiny village nestled into its folds. There, our boat’s brilliant events manager gave us a tour that turned into a deeply personal story time.

A Story of Resilience

We were shown a traditional bamboo-and-mud hut—no electricity, no plumbing, just the barest bones of shelter. “This,” our events manager said, “was my home until I was 14.” Her kitchen? Outside. Her stove? A few rocks and firewood. And by the time she was five (yes, five), she was cooking meals for her entire family while they toiled in the fields, unable to afford even a single water buffalo. The bathroom? Let’s just say nature handled it.

And here’s the wildest part—brace yourself: every single year, the rainy season would roll in like a wrecking ball and completely destroy their house. And every single year, as a kid no less, she was out there helping rebuild it.

And no, this wasn’t some distant, sepia-toned tale from the past. She was born in the late 1990s.

It was one of those grounding moments you get sometimes in travel—where you suddenly gain perspective.

We’re sad to say we’ve traded palm-fringed horizons for airport gates and boarding calls—but Vietnam? Oh, she’s coming home with us, tucked into every corner of our hearts. We’ll forever treasure the memories: the misty mornings over karsts, the tranquility of the temples, and most of all, the people—warm, welcoming, and some of the hardest-working humans we’ve ever met.

xoxo

Shal & James

P.S. Fancy replicating our adventure? Check out our post about 2 Night Cruise Ha Long Bay and nab our full 3 Week Vietnam Itinerary (includes destination guide and travel tips).