Hanoi to HK ... in 19 Days.
 

I will be flying into Hanoi on 15th May and out of Hong Kong on 04th June which gives me 19 full days to explore the bits inbetween (public transport / budget hotels). What I am looking for from those who know the area, is advice on how to structure this journey; i.e. how many days where, and in which order? I appreciate this is just not enough time to explore all the region's attractions thoroughly, and getting from A to B will take time. I've narrowed things down and, if possible, I would like to visit the following areas. The list is in order of importance to me, though I am certainly open to suggestions to drop one place and visit somewhere else as an alternative. That list:

1. Ninh Binh area (Tam Coc / Van Long / Cuc Phuong / Kenh Ga)

2. Sapa (and Can Cau market, Saturday and Bac Ha Market on a Sunday)

3. Hanoi City (at least one weekday)

4. Hong Kong (2 full days)

5. Macau (One daytrip from HK?)

6. Yangshuo area. (Also possibly the Longsheng / Rice Terraces area?)

7. Guangzhou

I visited Hanoi back in 1996 so I do not need to linger there - I need one weekday in order to meet up with a friend. I also visited Halong Bay back then; i'd like to return (to Cat Ba in particular) but I think it's probably too much!

All advice and direction very much appreciated.

There is direct train between Hanoi and Guilin, so you don't have to fly to Hong Kong.

http://seat61.com/Vietnam.htm

Any particular reason you want to go to Guangzhou? It's a huge industrial city with little to recommend it other than the Han Dyanasty tomb in the middle of the city.

Hi Kathie.

My only interest in Guangzhou is for the contrast with the other places on the itinerary. The Ninh Binh, Sapa and Yangshuo / Longsheng stops are all about the countryside / scenery / tribal peoples. As you've said, Guangzhou is the polar opposite of this; industrial 'New' China. I spent a week in Shanghai about 10 years ago and was astonished at the pace of change and development then. This is my first trip back to China since; i'd like to see for myself a little more of this brave new world before continuing onto more familiar Hong Kong.

rkkwan; I've had a look at seat61 (thanks for the tip) and can see that the twice a week Hanoi - Beijing trains stop in Guilin. Do you know about connections on other days of the week between Nanning and Guilin?

There are many many trains a day between Nanning and Guilin, or buses. If you can get to Nanning, you can get to Guilin extremely easily.

Well, if you are looking for contrast you'll find it!

Do report back to us on your journey.