I will be traveling in southeast Asia in August. I plan to spend 11 nights in Vietnam. At present, I am planning to spend roughly 4 nights in Hanoi and 1 night in Halong Bay.

I am considering two options for spending my remaining 6 nights:

(1) spend 3 nights in HCMC, then spend 3 nights in Hoi An / Cua Dai Beach; OR
(2) spend 6 nights in Hoi An / Cua Dai Beach.

It is important for me to spend some time at the beach. What I am really asking is whether HCMC is worth 3 nights after already having spent 4 nights in Hanoi, or will I enjoy Hoi An more.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

I loved Hoi An, but I wasn't there for the beach. I spent 3 nights there. We did go by motorcycle to the beach just to look around. My trip was 3 nights in HCMC (day trip to Mekong Delta was the hightlight) 3 nights in Hoi An, 1 night in Hue and 4 nights in Hanoi. Hanoi was OK, the trip to Halong Bay was just for the day and it was a long bus ride there. I think an overnight would be better. I loved the water puppets in Hanoi and we did a city sightseeing tour.We stayed in old part of the city. Vietnam was very interesting and cheap!

I didn't go to Hoi An for the beach either, so have no idea whether the beach is worth 6 nights (I'm not a beach person). Hoi An itself is definitely not worth 6 nights (I'm not a shopper either). I would plan to go on to HCMC and do day trips. If you're only going to Hoi An for the beach, I might look into other options for that, too. I did spend time at Mui Ne, and enjoyed that.

I would do 3/3. Hoi An for 6 days is too much. The beach is nice though and will be dry in August (Mui Ne will most likely have rain). Plenty to do in/around HCMC. Pick up a guide book and do some research.

Totally agree with bisbee, 6 days in Hoi Ann is way too much and the beaches are not that great. Saigon is a great city and there is so much to see/do and it is so different from Hanoi, Hanoi is great too but IMHO halong is way too commercialised.

Another vote for 3/3 Hoi AN/HCMC. You can't compare the 2 places and both are worth experiencing.

Hoi An is a small town and HCMC is a "buzzing" city. Enjoy them both.

Les