Stray Nomad Adventure on wheels to Hanoi and Halong Bay, Vietnam

Arrival in Hanoi: The City of Eternal Motion

After a comfortable flight with Vietnam Airlines from Sydney, I touched down at Noi Bai International Airport ready to begin my long-awaited Vietnam adventure. Immigration and baggage claim were smooth, and my guide welcomed me with a warm smile, helping me into the car for a 40-minute ride to the MK Hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The drive offered a taste of Hanoi’s heartbeat—scooters zooming in choreographed chaos, the hum of street vendors, and flashes of French colonial buildings. Because the Old Quarter becomes pedestrian-only on weekends, my guide accompanied me from the drop-off point, wheeling through the energy of street stalls and late-night food vendors. It was around 10:30 p.m., an hour that turned into an unplanned walking (or rolling) tour that captured the city’s nocturnal essence.

Hanoi Old Quarter Street

After checking in at the MK Hotel, curiosity led me back outside for a well-deserved bowl of pho from a bustling sidewalk kitchen. Beneath the neon light and the smell of fresh herbs and broth, I realised that Hanoi’s pulse wasn’t chaotic—it was symphonic.

Day One: Street Life and Culinary Wonders

Sunday morning began gently with the soft echo of horns and chatter below my window. After breakfast, I ventured into the Old Quarter as shops gradually raised their shutters. My morning stop: a café serving the iconic Vietnamese egg coffee—thick, aromatic, and velvety, a fusion of espresso, condensed milk, and whipped egg yolk. At 45,000 Dong (AUD $2.50), it was both a local ritual and a symbol of Hanoi’s creativity.

Maneuvering in a wheelchair through a city so kinetic might seem daunting, yet traffic flowed around me with surprising grace. Hanoi’s drivers navigate with intuition more than rules; pedestrians, scooters, and bicycles all move in harmony. Soon, I felt entirely at ease.

For lunch, I visited A1 Bakery for a Bánh Mì unlike any I had before—crispy baguette, pâté, cured meats, cilantro, and chilli sauce blending into perfection.

In the evening, I dined on Bún Ốc, a local snail noodle soup, deep and fragrant with lemongrass, ginger, and fermented shrimp paste. I ended the night atop Chillaxing Rooftop Bar with two martinis and the city glittering below—a perfect closing note to my first full day.

Journey to Halong Bay: Where the City Meets the Sea

Early Tuesday morning, I checked out for a two-hour drive to Halong Bay via the modern expressway completed in 2018. Once a four-hour trip, the new route cuts the journey in half, winding past rice fields, peaceful towns, and glimpses of the Red River Delta.

At the terminal, rain began to pour just as embarkation started. Within minutes, I was drenched—but laughing. Thanks to the excellent Ambassador Cruise crew, I was efficiently lifted on board with care and professionalism. From that moment, I knew this cruise would be more than scenic—it would be soulful.

The Halong Bay Cruise Experience

Halong Bay unfolded like a cinematic painting. Limestone mogotes rose dramatically from emerald waters, shifting colours as the sun appeared and disappeared through mist. The Ambassador Cruise, one of the bay’s most luxurious vessels, felt both grand and intimate with piano lounges, panoramic decks, and impeccable dining.

The menu balanced local and international cuisine—succulent prawns, fresh herbs, and Vietnamese fusion dishes served with finesse. Even without shore excursions, there was magic in simply being on deck, camera in hand, as the ship glided past icons like the Fighting Cock Rocks and the Incense Burner formation.

Accessibility and Crew Assistance

While the ship wasn’t fully accessible, the crew’s attitude transformed challenges into moments of connection. Every small staircase was met with teamwork. When my in-room phone stopped working, I was given a walkie-talkie so I could reach staff anywhere onboard—an ingenious gesture that reflected genuine care.

Luon Cave: Calm and Captivating

The Luon Cave excursion was designed perfectly for all mobility levels. Guests board a traditional bamboo rowboat that glides through a low limestone arch into a hidden lagoon encased by green cliffs. No climbing, no walking—just pure wonder as birdsong echoes above and reflections create living art on still water. It was one of the most serene experiences of my life.

Return to Hanoi: Comfort and Character at La Mejor Indochine Hotel

After disembarking in the rain, I returned to Hanoi and checked into the elegant La Mejor Indochine Hotel. Despite a set of entrance stairs, the staff handled access seamlessly, lifting my wheelchair with professionalism and good humour. Within a day, they had started building a side ramp, proof that awareness sparks progress.

The interiors were a blend of Vietnamese soul and French sophistication. My Superior Room overlooked a lively street that grew wonderfully quiet each night, while facilities included a spa, restaurant, and a rooftop jacuzzi (unfortunately, accessible by stairs only). Still, comfort radiated in every detail.

Immersed in History and Culture

That evening, I explored the Old Quarter Night Market with my guide, an energetic maze where every street seemed to specialise in something unique: silversmithing, fabrics, or street food. The night ended with a street-side barbecue dinner accompanied by cold Hanoi beer under fairy lights.

The next day’s tour began with Train Street, where cafés line narrow tracks so close that locals pull in their chairs moments before the train passes. It’s equal parts thrilling and surreal.

From there, we visited the historic Hoa Lo Prison (nicknamed “The Hanoi Hilton”)—a sobering reminder of Vietnam’s turbulent past but accessible enough with some creativity from my guide.

We continued to the Vietnam Museum of Literature, a remarkable complex charting centuries of poetry and scholarly tradition, and later, the Vietnam Disabled Art Centre, where artisans with disabilities create intricate silk paintings. Their talent, resilience, and joy were deeply inspiring; I bought art pieces directly to support their craft.

The day concluded at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex—a collection of important landmarks including Ba Dinh Square, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential Palace, and Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house. Each site embodies Vietnam’s pride and humility in equal measure.

Evenings of Reflection and Relaxation

Evenings in Hanoi are intoxicating—music spilling from Ta Hien Beer Street, laughter blending with the hiss of sizzling woks. After long days of sightseeing, I often found peace in a local aroma spa or watching the city come alive from a street café. Each interaction with locals reaffirmed one thing: Vietnamese hospitality is as generous as its cuisine is rich.

Thursday evening, I attended the famed Water Puppet Theatre, a thousand-year-old art form blending folklore, music, and water choreography. Each performance celebrates Vietnamese rural life, humour, and myth—simple storytelling elevated into art.

Farewell with Gratitude

Friday brought unhurried hours of people-watching and savouring a final egg coffee while reflecting on the journey. Before checkout, I noticed the hotel’s new accessibility ramp was completed, a small but symbolic milestone. Knowing that future travellers in wheelchairs could enter freely made my heart full. That quiet moment encapsulated everything this trip meant to me: progress, persistence, and joy.

Conclusion: A Journey Beyond Barriers

This voyage to Hanoi and Halong Bay was not merely a vacation—it was a personal triumph and a story of transformation. Each obstacle became an opportunity for kindness, and each challenge reminded me that the world opens when we dare to explore it, no matter our limitations.

As I close this chapter, one truth stands clear: accessibility and adventure can coexist. I encourage travellers of all abilities to add Vietnam to their bucket lists, not only for its breathtaking landscapes but for the warmth of its people and the affirmation that travel belongs to everyone. I’m grateful I checked this one off my list and hopeful that my story inspires others to roll, walk, or sail toward their own dreams.