Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
 

If we only have 3 nights to spend in Hanoi. Would it be a good idea
to go to Ha Long Bay for 2 days and 1 night on a boat, or spend the 2 days and 3 nights
In Hanoi sightseeing? What is your vote on this matter?
Thanks John

Hi John,
If you have 3 days in Hanoi, i would like to advise this program:
- day 1: city tour in Hanoi
- day 2: Halong bay and overnight on a nice cruise.
I think this's perfect for you.

Regards,

I disagree with the above advise. 3 days often mean 2 nights so you don't really have any time at all to explore Hanoi if you take the above advice, most likely from a travel agent who sell tours to Ha Long Bay.

I'd also recommend you spend your very short time in the Hanoi area exploring the city. Hanoi is a fascinating city and your very limited time there isn't really enough. Note that three nights is just two full days. You can spend most of that time driving if you go to Halong Bay, or you can use it to experience a bit of Hanoi.

Agree with Hanuman and Kathie. Two days is not really long enough for Hanoi, and if you try to go to Halong Bay you will have NO time for the city.

Spend all your time in Hanoi.

Another vote for not leaving Hanoi...

Yeah... Ha Long Bay is a wonderful place, but that is a loooooooong drive out there, and an equally long ride back. Either add more days, or stay put in Hanoi.

We loved Halong Bay but would not sacrifice needed time in Hanoi to go all the way put there.
Hanoi is wonderful, so much to experience.

I absolutely agree, Hanoi is a fun and vibrant place to be for as long as you can manage. Halong Bay was a disappointment for me.

Hanoi! (I too was somewhat disappointed by Halong Bay, a lot having to do with the cold temperatures we experienced while there, but regardless, Hanoi needs more time than you have!)

Thanks to each person who gave their opinion about
going to Ha Long Bay. I will take your advice and now spend the time in Hanoi. I now have our trip in it's final plan stages.
By the way the airport at Hue reopens in September.

John

Another vote for Hanoi. While beautiful, the ride to and from hauling bay is endless and boring and eats into your time.

I think you have spend 2-3 days for travel around Hanoi to discover much more exciting things and 1 days and a perfect night for Halong Bay is a good idea!

Hi!

You should spend one day in Hanoi and 2 days in Halong bay. You will have more chance to visit Hanoi where most tourist like to explore charmming city. Do that way you will have good feeling. 3 days will be good for Halong bay but you do not have enought time to visit Hanoi.

A one night cruise around Halong Bay is restful IF you have extra time but Ha Noi has so much to offer that you'll spend all your time getting to and from Halong Bay and miss some of the best bits. We had five days in Ha Noi and had the time to spare. When we went to Hue, we flew in to Danang (because as OP mentioned, Hue airport had not reopened). The drive from Danang to Hue is very pictoresque via the coastal road.

We did the day trip to the bay. The day cruise was long enough for us. Lovely boat, excellent lunch, fab scenery, even bought pearls on the boat for too much money because we were so happy. Long day but worth it. I suggest two days Hanoi and last day...go to the bay.