If you're limited for time on your Vietnam trip, but would love to see Halong Bay, then you might want to consider a day cruise.

While I wouldn't recommend choosing this over an overnight cruise, it is obviously a better option than missing out on Halong Bay. However if you're doing this with kids, expect a very long day!

What to expect:

If you book a Halong Bay one-day cruise, expect a long but manageable day: most cruises give you about 6 to 8 hours on the water plus 2.5 to 4 hours round-trip transfer if you start from Hanoi, so plan for early pickup and a late return.

Onboard you’ll typically get lunch, a cave visit, and options to kayak or take a small boat through floating villages, so check the itinerary and boat size before you book.

However, I have included a link to one that I would recommend.