We have 4 nights for Hanoi and Halong Bay. Recommendations on how to divide it up? We will be arriving from HCMC and can go to either one first, and then depart out of Hanoi. Also, any recommendations for nicer/upscale places in each?

i would only do a day trip to halong, if at all....tons to do in hanoi

I was thinking of doing the same thing as we have 4 full days during our visit to Hanoi. Thinking about changing our plans to 2 nights in Hanoi and 1 night around Halong.

Bob, I've only visited Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang so what would be your suggestion as to what to do around Hanoi?

We got a couple of rooms at the Metropole for a very good rate so what can we do around there?

Thanks in advance.

It takes long enough for the drive out to Halong Bay I wouldn't want to make it a day trip, plus it's a great place for a night on a boat - and I usually get bored on a boat. But I do agree there is enough to do in Hanoi to justify 4 nights - actually more than 4 nights!

If you like scenery, go for Halong Bay. If that's not so important for you, skip it on this trip. I went on the Dragon Pearl, which I recommend, and as been written up several times here.

hanuman, where did you get a good rate for metropole and what was the rate? thanks.

Alison,

$150 a night ++ for a deluxe room in the classic wing. It's a corporate rate that they offered for a bank that I use and my banker kindly arranged it for me.

plenty to do in town.....take a look at the harbor hotel in hyphong for an overnite....owned by minor group from bkk...small but decent..

we visited the pottery town outside hanoi and also visited a home of an artist which was very interesting...

bob

I was in Hanoi and Halong Bay a week ago. I recommend what we did: three nights in Hanoi and just on night on a junk on Halong Bay.

Halong Bay is about a three hour drive from Hanoi. Too far for a day trip and you don't really see it well from the shore.

Our junk left at about noon, as I recall. We spent one night on the boat and were back at the dock at 11:30 the next day. That was enough time. We stopped by Haiphong on the way back.

As others have said here, Halong Bay is mainly for scenery and relaxing. You could skip it (I'm glad I went there). Hanuman: some things to do in Hanoi: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Quan Thanh Temple, Water Puppet show, Hoan Kiem Lake, walk around Old Quarter (near Metropole).

As to nice places to stay, we were very happy with Park Hyatt in HCMC. We stayed at the Sofitel Metropole in Hanoi; certainly five star, but perhaps a bit toooo much service for my personal taste. Very central location. Hanuman: your quote of $150/night sounds like a bargain. I think the rack rate is $300.

Let me put in a plug for a restaurant near the Sofitel Metropole. We ate twice at Club 51 -two of the best meals of our trip (get a table on the second floor). "Wild Rice" is better known, and quite good, but Club 51 was really special.

Thank you nhulberg! Yes I got a very good corporate rate for a couple of good rooms and now with the information that you've provided I think it will be a lot of fun.

nhulberg,
what boat were you on in HaLong bay and were you happy with it? With whom did you book it and how much? thanks for the details.

A nice hotel is De Syloia (100). I saw a room because my brother is staying there is January. The restaurant Cau Cay is terrific, ($5.00) nice presentation. It is south of Hoam Kiem-very quiet area, not far from Hilton -a boutique hotel. It will take about 3 days to do Hanoi. Do the overnight for Halong Bay,it is not to be missed a UNESCO site, just gorgeous. You will not be bored. We did kaying and thoroughly enjoyed. Bring water, soda and beer with you, prices on boat are expensive. Good Luck. Alana

I agree that day trip to Halong bay is exhausting, but it might be worth it depending on what time you arrive and depart Hanoi. You need at least two full days to explore Hanoi and three is probably better.

If you do decide to overnight in Halong Bay there are now numerous upscale boats--Dragons Pearl, Lagoon Explorer, Huong Hai, Emeraude (not a junk)...

The Metropole Sofitel is the nicest accommodation in Hanoi, but you'll want to request the old wing (colonial style) and a room that does NOT face the Press Club, which has live music event on its terrace until late at night.

For suggested eating, try Savour Asia: http://www.savourasia.com for both details on street food options as well as Vietnamese and French restaurants. The site focuses on food, but also has some helpful sample itineraries to give you an idea of what you could do with 2 or 3 days in Hanoi.

We spent 6 days/nights in Hanoi, and didn't go to Halong Bay as we had so much to do in town. We did do a day trip to the Perfume Pagoda. We didn't go see Uncle Ho, who was in Moscow being refurbished at the time, but we did visit the Temple of Literature, the nearby Museum of FIne Arts, plus CraftLink and Koto across the street from the Temple of Literature. We spent a whole morning at the Ethnographic Museum. There are lots of fascinating small museums in Hanoi: we visited the Women's museum, the History Museum, and the Museum of the History of the Revolution. We walked a lot in the lake area, then went to the lake farther north (but still in the city) and visited pagodas there. We saw no other westerners in that area, and we spent half a day there. There is lots of excellent food in Hanoi - and - you can buy French wines in restaurants for reasonable prices (unlike Thailand).

We stayed at the DeSyloia which we liked. We had a huge suite. The staff there were very helpful. The restaurant, CauCau, as mentioned ahove was excellent.

We staye at the hIlton Hanoi Opera and it was beautiful and well located. I would definately spend a night in Halong Bay. The caves are not to be missed and the food on the baots is wonderful.

Here's my photo blog of our trip to HaLong Bay. I just finished it. We were there December 29, '07.

http://halongbayxmas07.blogspot.com

I was just in Hanoi and HLB last week. We did a day trip to HLB and it was a very long day-about 13 hours--I would not recommend a day trip as others have said. Hanoi has a lot to offer and you could easily spend all 4 days in town. HLB is very nice but I would not go again and would have preferred more time in town. If you are willing to take taxis in Hanoi, I can highly recommend the new Intercontinental. It is very nice (a real 5-star hotel) and the service is excellent. It is about 15 minutes from downtown in the West Lake area of the City. My sister lives in Hanoi and visited me at the hotel and has seen all the hotels in Hanoi and agrees that the Intercontinental is the nicest hotel in Hanoi right now. I cannot recommend it enough. (By the way, taxis are easy to get right out front and cost about $3US into the center of town.)

I absolutely loved Halong Bay (we were there exactly 1 year ago)..I liked Hanoi, but it wasn't the best city i have ever been to...but i certainly enjoyed it....AS everyone else has said, don't do a day trip to Halong Bay, as it is too far and it is loads of fun on the boat, the scenery is breastaking...and food is fantastic.

Thanks for the warning Tracy-- I'll stay away from the breast taking scenery!! Got none to spare...

;-) sorry, couldn't resist!!

Oh too funny...i guess i shoulda proof read!!!