Hi all, <BR>My fiancee and I have 6 days to spend in northern vietnam and was wondering how to split it up. I was thinking 2-3 days in Hanoi; 2-3 day tour to Ha Long Bay/Cat Ba. Does this sound like a good approach? Also, is it best just to arrange the tour once we're in Hanoi? <BR> <BR>Finally, if we were to have to choose between a trip to Mekong Delta or Hoi An, which would people suggest? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your help in advance! <BR>Jennifer

You can usually find info on tours in the local cafes in the old town of Hanoi or maybe at your hotel. I'd also try to stay in the old quarter it has a lot of character - dilapatated a kind of surreal, but alive with activity. I think Sinh Cafe ran many good tours throughout nam when I was there several years ago. Halong Bay is awesome, I'm not sure about Cat Ba -never went, but you should also try to see Hua Lu? Similar to Halong bay but has huge rocks jetting out from rice patties. Awesome scenery. Perfume Pagoda is another good trip, if you have time. Between Hoi An, and the Mekong - That's a tough one to decide. Hoi An is very pretty and colorful. Lots of kodak moments. You could try to combine this with a trip to Hue to the forbidden city and other sites. (I think it's somewhat close to Ho An) Life on the mekong is facinating. If you've seen a floating market before, then you have a general idea of what it's like. I didn't see the one in Bangkok so I'm not sure how that compares. If you want to avoid the hectic pace of Saigon you could skip the south or extend your trip. There are so many good tours in Vietnam. Beautiful scenery, facinating people and history, and awesome food. I'm ready to go back.

I have heard both good and bad about Sinh cafe tours. What is the final verdict? Can you recommend other tour agencies? I want a FLEXIBLE 2 day trip to Ha Long Bay with perhaps an overnight on a boat. Comments?

Bonjour Jennifer<BR>I think that 3 days in Hanoi is ok. It is a very beautiful city with a lot of sites to visit. The atmosphere around the lake is unreal. And yes try to stay in or near the old quarter. As for Halong Bay, we did a 2 day tour with one night on Cat Ba .We should have stayed one full day (2 nights) on the island. Beautiful scenery, but we were there last Christmas day, and it was on the cool side (12C.)As for the tour company, they are quite all the same and Sinh cafe is no better or worse than the others except that I think there a bit more reliable. Personnally I would not recommend staying overnight on the boats. The confort is minimal, the smell of fuel is constant and the carry also small four legs passengers that made a night of misery for an english girl we met on that trip.<BR>Bon voyage<BR>Daniel

We went to Ha Long in February and had a wonderful time - we slept on the boat (5 of us and 5 crew!!) and will never forget the experience of waking up among those islands - very magical. Judy - I'd be happy to give you the info on our tour company if you e-mail me. Jennifer - don't miss Hoi An - it was a highlight for us!!<BR>Linda

Linda, I tried emailing you, but I think maybe you didn't receive it. I would love to hear more about your experiences before making our decision: which tour company you used, how the accomodations were on the boat, where else you stayed or visited in the Ha Long Bay region, etc. Thanks! <BR>

Judy - try emailing me again, or post your email on this website. <BR><BR>Linda