bubblywine

I have 13 nights/12 days (not enough, I know) in Vietnam, flying into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh. Looking at two itineraries right now based on which days the Halong Bay tour I want departs.

Feedback would be great, thanks:

Option 1:
Hanoi 5 nights (arrive late on night 1)
Halong Bay 2 nights
Hoi An 3 nights
Ho Chi Minh 3 nights

Option 2:
Hanoi 3 nights (arrive late on night 1)
Halong Bay 2 nights
Hue 2 nights
Hoi An 3 nights
Ho Chi Minh 3 nights

rhkkmk

I like #2 if you drop halong and add a day to Hanoi and one to HCMC

yestravel

I love Halong Bay so would not drop it. Although I think one night is fine if you are trying to save a day. While option 2 doesn't give you much time in Hanoi, I do think staying in Hue is good. If you just do the one night on HB you could add the night to Hanoi and you'd have four nights there,

crellston

You don't mention the time of year you are planning to visit and that could/should influence any itinerary.

I am not a fan of Halong Bay but it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Vietnam for a reason. It does however take a long time to get there and back and it is not a very interesting journey. I like Ninh Binh which is a sort of Halong Bay on land as an alternative. You could also consider the much quieter Bai Tu Long Bay as an alternative to Halong and maybe stay on one of the islands.

We are in Hoi An at the moment and, although it is the "low season" it is absolutely heaving with visitors, far more than anywhere I have visited during the last 7 months in Asia. It is a pretty town but in the context of the time you have available, and the crowds, I would lose a day from there.

I agree with yestravel that you have very little time in Hanoi and would probably add a day there as there is a huge amount to see.

CaliNurse

HI Bubbly. Like Crellston, I wondered about time of year.
Note that I've not yet been, so can't answer any questions based on experience there. However, I'm planning a trip now. Original itinerary for October included a chunk of time in Hoi An--Hue--Danang...until learning about the not uncommon big rains, flooded streets and typhoons in October.

LancasterLad

We're in Vietnam from 2-29 September, and are doing...

- 2 nights HCMC
- Fly to Dalat (Vietjet)
- 5 nights Dalat
- Fly to Danang (Vietnam Air)
- 4 nights Danang
- Train to Hue
- 5 nights Hue
- Bus or train/bus to Hoi An
- 7 Nights Hoi An
- Fly to HCMC (Vietjet)
- 4 Nights HCMC including [possibly] 2 nights Mekong Delta

We don't like rushing around when visiting new places, and will leave the North until next year.

Not worrying about the weather.

bubblywine

Thanks for feedback, everyone! I'll be there the last two weeks of November.

I'm leaning heavily towards the 2nd option. I just checked the itinerary of my Indochina Junk Cruise (Dragon Legend has cabins for singles), and it actually goes to Bai Tu Long Bay - so good call, Crellston.

I'm worried it's a lot of moving around, but I'll fly between Hanoi and Hue, drive to Hoi An, then fly to HCMC. But I'm young and nimble

You are all the best, and please expect lots more random questions from me. I've been enjoying reading restaurant suggestions on other threads.

yestravel

We went on the Indochine Junk to Bai Tu Long Bay. fun cruise.
Bubbly wine-were you at a GTG in DC a few years back?

dgunbug

I also like the second itinerary best, although after having spent two nigts on Halong bay, I can definitely say that you won't miss much by dropping a night. The drive was exhausting and in retrospect, I may have been happier doing nihn bihn instead. If you chose to do the two day trip to Halong bay, then I would drop a day from Saigon and add it to Hanoi, which IMO was more interesting.

Julia2244

I think both of two options is nice.
With option 1, you should spend 2 nights in Sapa.
With option 2, you should to discover Mekong Delta area.
In my opinion, I like option 2.

crellston

"With option 1 you should add in 2 nights in Sapa" that hardly leave enough spit me to scratch the surface of Hanoi.

"With option 2, you should to discover Mekong Delta area" the OP has scheduled just 3 nights for Saigon so adding in a worthwhile trip,to the delta is not really viable. A day trip would be a complete waste of time and there is more than enough to see in Saigon to fill 3 days.

You must really love the inside of buses and trains Julia2244!

bubblywine

YesTravel - I was! Gosh, that seems like ages ago. I'm living in Seattle these days.

Here's the planned itinerary:

Hanoi 3 nights (arrive late on night 1)*
Bai Tu Long Bay 2 nights on Indochina Junk Cruise, Dragon Legend
(Fly)
Hue 2 nights
(private car from Hue to Hoi An)
Hoi An 3 nights
(Fly)
Ho Chi Minh 3 nights

*I'm stuck with either 2 nights or 5 nights in Hanoi because of the Dragon Legend dates.

Kathie

That looks pretty good to me, bubbly. It is a lot of moving around, but hopefully, you'll feel like you have a good balance between time on the ground doing/seeing/experiencing and time in transit.

crellston, I believe Julia is affiliated with a travel agency. What she proposes, only a travel agent could love.

Best wishes for a fine trip from a fellow Seattleite.

yestravel

That does like forever ago. I do remember you being from SEattle and working in DC for a bit. And I liked your name on Fodors! We're planning for another DC GTG -- fly East!

I like your itin. I never mind moving around so that wouldn't phase me. have a great trip!

CaliNurse

Say Bubbly--I'm going on Dragon Legend (just of one night) in early October, assuming there's still space left . Originally on Dragon Pearl, but it it is sold out for dates I needed.
All Halong Bay cruises were cancelled for a night last week, due to weather. Let's keep our fingers crossed Mother Nature behaves while we're on our trips!