This post brought me back to my Vietnam vacation in May 2015. I too enjoyed the Halong Bay cruise (and there were several cruises to choose from), exploring a cave, kayaking, and swimming. The food was amazing as well.
Although, I don't know how I feel about the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh in the mausoleum.
Didn't get to go to Laos but I went to Cambodia after Vietnam.