This is the first round of itinerary that I prepared and am open to suggestions/ recommendations on how best to fine tune it. I am open to changing things around based on the feedback I receive.

November 24: Arrive in Hanoi in the afternoon. Get to the hotel and relax for rest of the day.

November 25: Have breakfast in Hanoi and leave for Cao Bang in the afternoon. Stay at a hotel and leave luggage at the hotel.

November 26: Rent motor bike. Explore Cao Bang area - Ban Gioc waterfalls and Phong Nậm valley – is there any where to stay overnight at phong nam valley? Or should visit Phong Nậm valley first and end with Ban Gioc waterfalls as there are homestays there?

November 27: Explore Cao Bang area – Nam Tra Valley and Angels eye mountain.

November 28: Travel from Cao Bang to Ninh Bình.

November 29: Explore Ninh Bình.

November 30: Explore Ninh Bing.

December 1: Travel to Hao Long to take 1 night/2-day cruise.

December 2: Travel to Hanoi. Explore Hanoi for rest of the day.

December 3-4 : Explore Hanoi.

December 5: Depart Hanoi in the evening.

I have an option to depart on December 6 and add one more day to my itinerary. If I am leaving on December 6, should I add additional day to Cao Bang area or Ninh Bình?

Alternative 1: One of the options I am considering is to eliminate Haolong Bay cruise and add that time to Cao Bang and Ninh Bing. I love the pictures of Halong Bay and realize that it is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam. However, I feel that after visiting Cao Bang and Ninh Binh, we might be exhausted of seeing a lot of limestone cliffs. Also considering the time of the year we are visiting; we can’t get into the water anyway and might have visibility issues in the bay.

Alternative 2: Another option I am considering is to eliminate Ninh Binh and add that time to Cao Bang and do a longer Haolong Bay cruise.

Would you recommend Alternative 1 or Alternative 2 or or stick with my original plan? Any other suggestions for my itinerary?

Thank you.

Your plan is excellent. If you have one more day, spend it in beautiful Ninh Binh (Tam Coc) hotel Chez Loan

One night at Bang Gioc Waterfalls is not indispensable, it can easily be done in one day. There are homestays + a deluxe hotel facing the waterfalls.

Eliminate Halong would be a BIG mistake, it is stunning !

If you do like luxury experiences, being on a cruise of Ha Long Bay is great. Keep in mind that it is very touristy there too. Your itinerary seems to be in the nature of the Northern Vietnam a lot so try Mu Cang Chai, which is quite famous for its stunning rice field

If you opt for Ha Long Bay, a 2-day cruise is great for fully enjoying the beauty of the bay and its surroundings.

Lan Ha bay or Bai Tu Long bay is also an option, less touristy.