filmwill

Booked our tickets today...and now am certain there is a God: WE'RE GOING BACK! Thanks to all for your help so far!

So...I'm a bit stuck on one aspect of our trip right now. We're in Vietnam for quite a bit and, after speaking to my partner's folks, they definitely don't want to stay in Hanoi as long as we had planned (originally 7 nights, with an overnight on Halong--which we'll still do)...and I agree...For us (and for the kind of vacation we like) it's a bit too long in one place.

So my natural instinct was then to choose the only other place that's within distance for a side-trip: Sapa. I know it's cold and foggy in Nov. and I can't say I'm honestly all that thrilled about the prospects of visiting, but it seems like the only other option for an additional stopover before we head to Hong Kong (and, no, they don't want to extend the time in HK--I've already tried that one.)

As you'll see from our current itinerary below, if we do go to Sapa--it's a bit rushed. A lot of train travel for just shy of 48 hrs there. They say they are fine with this--but I can't escape the feeling that it just ain't worth all the trouble.

HELP! Hoping to get the advice of all of you who have been there and know better than us.

Nov. 15 Fly to Hanoi (arrive early AM)
Nov. 16 Hanoi
Nov. 17 Hanoi
Nov. 18 Overnight on Halong Bay
Nov. 19 Halong Bay/Return to Hanoi/Overnight train to Sapa
Nov. 20 Sapa
Nov. 21 Sapa/Overnight train to Hanoi
Nov. 22 Fly to Hong Kong

Is there any other Vietnam side trip that we can fit (instead of Sapa) in this amount of time and still see Hanoi and Halong?

Kathie

Well, you could do a daytrip to the Perfume Pagoda. It's really a full day - you drive through rural areas, so it's scenic before you get to the place where you get into rowboats and the women row you to the drop-off point to climb the mountain to the Perfume Pagoda. It's a hike - but just take it slow and the in-laws ahould be fine.

There is a lot to do in Hanoi. As you probably remember, we spent a week there and loved it - just a day trip to the Perfume Pagoda. Ther eis excellent food, interesting shopping, fascinating museums, charming pagodas... plenty of things to do/see for everyone.

rhkkmk

how about sending them off to sapa and you stay in hanoi and then meet up back in hanoi?? it would give both of you a breather...????

filmwill

Bob, now <i><b>there's</b></i> a suggestion--sticking the in-laws on a train for the hills.

Kathie

Now, why didn't I think of that??

filmwill

Kathie, I've thought about Perfume as an option--I guess I was hoping to maybe stay somewhere other than the Sofitel for awhile.

We're supposed to be staying at the Victoria Sapa. I've heard such mixed things about it--which I guess is what's making me feel so lukewarm to the idea of Sapa as a short trip.

filmwill

Actually had a new thought on this: any places to visit from Hong Kong?

Perhaps a 2-day excursion somewhere outside of HK would be perfect for us...

Any suggestions?

eurotraveller

I was just in Sapa this past November and thought it was a beautiful place! Although I had only planned on spending 2 full days there I enjoyed it so much I stayed an extra night and cut that night off Hanoi.

If you are only walking around Sapa 2 full days would be perfect. I was riding a motorbike all over the region so I wanted to explore an extra day by motorbike.

The weather was nice while I was there although it got a bit chilly at night and when it was overcast.

If you would like to see my photos of Sapa you can view them here:

www.windjammer.smugmug.com

Just go to the Vietnam album.

Cheers!

A few days in Hanoi was plenty for me.

rhkkmk

macau is well worth just about 2 days....take the hydrofoil....the hyatt there is quite nice...

rkkwan

rhkkmk - The Hyatt Regency at Macau had been horrible in the last many years, and is no longer a Hyatt property. I believe there's plan for a new Grand Hyatt somewhere in Macau.

Are you thinking of some other hotel?

Femi

Looks like we will just miss each other Will.

I don't arrive in Hanoi until the 23rd

It would have been fun to have a mini GTG.

I enjoyed meeting you guys, albeit in the less exotic Pasadena

filmwill

Femi, what a shame! We were so looking forward to it! Oh well, it'll just have to be next time, then.

If you find yourself in Hanoi any sooner, you know where to find us

SaraJane

Ok...I live in Hanoi and there are lots to do...the museums are different..Ho Chi Manh, museum of ethnology, do this before Sapa, as you'll see the different tribes. We went to the perfume progoda and it was awful, but it was a holiday! thousands of people, but you are going in Nov. you'll be fine. The Hanoi guide that is put out by the Hanoi International Womens is a really good book. You can do a half day boat tour on the red river, very cool. Sapa is very interesting, try and get a guide to take you to the top of the mountain so that you can walk down and then they can pick you up a couple of hours later, you'll need the lift. Have a great trip.