Hi everyone! I would appreciate some feedback on my itinerary for 10 days in February. We are two 50 year old woman in good shape. One big question I have: should I spend two nights in Ninh Binh and skip Hue, or do the day trip from Hanoi to Hue.
Day 1–3: Hanoi (3 nights)
Day 4: Hanoi → Halong Bay (1 night)Day 5: Halong Bay →Hoi An (start 3 nights)
Day 6–7: Hoi An (2 full days, 3 nights total)
Day 8: Hoi An → Hue (2 nights)Day 10: Hue → Da Nang Airport → Fly Home
I am not entirely sure I follow your itinerary - e.g. "Day 6-7: Hoi An (2 full days, 3 nights total)" - which is it ? 2 or 3 nights?
Anyway, 4 locations in 10 days will involve a huge proportion of your time in transit looking out of the windows of taxis/planes/buses , checking in and out of hotels etc.
I am not a fan of Ha Long Bay and would skip it in favor of Ninh Ninh, but one night is a waste of time given the transfers involved. If you really want to do it, take a look at Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long bays and consider a minimum of two nights.
I much prefer Hue to Hoi An, but again that is just my subjective view. I would want 3 nights and 2 full days in Hue. Hoi An is small and one evening and a morning/afternoon may be enough. Depending upon timings , you could probably manage wit one night there. It is also possible as a day trip from Da Nang so you could possible spend your last two nights there and do Hoi An as a day trip.
Anyway, 4 locations in 10 days will involve a huge proportion of your time in transit looking out of the windows of taxis/planes/buses , checking in and out of hotels etc.
I am not a fan of Ha Long Bay and would skip it in favor of Ninh Ninh, but one night is a waste of time given the transfers involved. If you really want to do it, take a look at Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long bays and consider a minimum of two nights.
I much prefer Hue to Hoi An, but again that is just my subjective view. I would want 3 nights and 2 full days in Hue. Hoi An is small and one evening and a morning/afternoon may be enough. Depending upon timings , you could probably manage wit one night there. It is also possible as a day trip from Da Nang so you could possible spend your last two nights there and do Hoi An as a day trip.
Thank you for the feedback! I am still getting the lay of the land. Also, I think I will have to fly in and out of Hanoi. Any thoughts on this revised itinerary?Hanoi – 3 nights (2 full days)
Halong Bay – 1 night
Ninh Binh – 3 nights
Hue – 3 nights
Day 11 - Fly home Hue – Hanoi - NYC
Halong Bay – 1 night
Ninh Binh – 3 nights
Hue – 3 nights
Day 11 - Fly home Hue – Hanoi - NYC
Sorry, revised again:
Hanoi – 3 nights (2 full days)
Halong Bay – 1 night
Ninh Binh – 3 nights
Hoi An - 1 night
Hue – 3 nights
Day 11 - Fly home Hue – Hanoi - NYC
Also, does it make sense for us to do 2 nights in Hue and one in Da Nang since we have to fly back to Hanoi on our last day?
Hanoi – 3 nights (2 full days)
Halong Bay – 1 night
Ninh Binh – 3 nights
Hoi An - 1 night
Hue – 3 nights
Day 11 - Fly home Hue – Hanoi - NYC
Also, does it make sense for us to do 2 nights in Hue and one in Da Nang since we have to fly back to Hanoi on our last day?
I would spend 3 nights in Hue. There is a lot to see and I think you would struggle to fit in the main sights in just the one full day - the forbidden city, the citadel , the perfume river +pagodas and of course the many imperial tombs.. It's easy and enjoyable to DIY but if short on time a private tour may be a better option.
Depending on your flight times, I would stay in Hue as it is only 2 hours from Hue. That said, as I think I mentioned previously, you could spend a couple of nights in one of the luxury mega hotels in Da Nang and do a day trip to Hoi An (bear in mind that the big tour groups from China mostly stay there)
Depending on your flight times, I would stay in Hue as it is only 2 hours from Hue. That said, as I think I mentioned previously, you could spend a couple of nights in one of the luxury mega hotels in Da Nang and do a day trip to Hoi An (bear in mind that the big tour groups from China mostly stay there)
You are very welcome.
Sorry but I can't be much help with tours or guides as we rarely use them. Most accomodation providers in both cities will organise or recommend a guide or tour for you usually at low cost (unless staying somewhere like the Metropole!) https://hanoikids.org in Hanoi run 'free" (as in donations readily accepted) and get good reports.
The one guide we have used a couple of times in Hue is the "Mr Lac" the deaf mute owner of Lac Thien restaurant near the citadel in Hue. Despite what one may think are communication difficulties, they are, IMO, the best tours ever. Great fun and worth seeking out - and the Banh Xeo is the best in Vietnam. Close to the citadel so worth seeking out for lunch even if you don't do a tour with him.
Sorry but I can't be much help with tours or guides as we rarely use them. Most accomodation providers in both cities will organise or recommend a guide or tour for you usually at low cost (unless staying somewhere like the Metropole!) https://hanoikids.org in Hanoi run 'free" (as in donations readily accepted) and get good reports.
The one guide we have used a couple of times in Hue is the "Mr Lac" the deaf mute owner of Lac Thien restaurant near the citadel in Hue. Despite what one may think are communication difficulties, they are, IMO, the best tours ever. Great fun and worth seeking out - and the Banh Xeo is the best in Vietnam. Close to the citadel so worth seeking out for lunch even if you don't do a tour with him.
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Hi There - that looks a very good Itinerary! I have been to Vietnam 4x as my daughter lives in Hanoi and has been there for 7 years. I have done much the same trip. My advice would be to do a DAY TRIP from Hanoi to Nihn Bihn. there are many options for Hanoi and I think a few hrs there is suffcient. Hoi An is lovely! My daughter occassionally does private ENGLISH tours in Hanoi if you are interestedOriginally Posted by drgough
Hi everyone! I would appreciate some feedback on my itinerary for 10 days in February. We are two 50 year old woman in good shape. One big question I have: should I spend two nights in Ninh Binh and skip Hue, or do the day trip from Hanoi to Hue.Day 1–3: Hanoi (3 nights)
Day 4: Hanoi → Halong Bay (1 night)Day 5: Halong Bay →Hoi An (start 3 nights)
Day 6–7: Hoi An (2 full days, 3 nights total)
Day 8: Hoi An → Hue (2 nights)Day 10: Hue → Da Nang Airport → Fly Home
I think your itinerary is a bit too much and can easily feel overwhelming.
Hanoi (3 nights) – skip Ha Long – fly to Hue and stay for 2 nights, then go to Da Nang for 2 nights. On the morning of the third day, you can ride a motorbike down to Hoi An, stay one night, then ride back to Da Nang
Since Hoi An is very close to Da Nang, it’s totally doable by motorbike.
Hanoi (3 nights) – skip Ha Long – fly to Hue and stay for 2 nights, then go to Da Nang for 2 nights. On the morning of the third day, you can ride a motorbike down to Hoi An, stay one night, then ride back to Da Nang
Since Hoi An is very close to Da Nang, it’s totally doable by motorbike.
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Hanoi (3 nights) – skip Ha Long – fly to Hue and stay for 2 nights, then go to Da Nang for 2 nights. On the morning of the third day, you can ride a motorbike down to Hoi An, stay one night, then ride back to Da Nang
Since Hoi An is very close to Da Nang, it’s totally doable by motorbike.
to ride a motorcycle in Vietnam you need a motorcycle license in your home country and an IDP. Even then you probably won’t be insured in the event of an accident. I have travelled for many years in Vietnam and every time I see numerous RTAs , injuries and occasionally deaths. Vietnam is not the place to ride a motorcycle unless you are very experienced and have the correct protective gearOriginally Posted by thierryhenrylegrand
I think your itinerary is a bit too much and can easily feel overwhelming.Hanoi (3 nights) – skip Ha Long – fly to Hue and stay for 2 nights, then go to Da Nang for 2 nights. On the morning of the third day, you can ride a motorbike down to Hoi An, stay one night, then ride back to Da Nang
Since Hoi An is very close to Da Nang, it’s totally doable by motorbike.
It really depends on your comfort level. I also rented a motorbike for my last trip, and some local people told me that Vietnamese traffic police tend to be more lenient with tourists as long as you don’t ride recklessly or weave in traffic.
The route from Da Nang to Hoi An is basically a straight, wide, flat road with light traffic — I found it extremely easy to ride (and I’m not even someone who regularly rides motorcycles). So it’s definitely doable for that specific route, but again it depends on your experience and how well prepared you are.
That said, this only applies to the Da Nang → Hoi An route. I wouldn’t recommend riding in other areas, since many roads can be dangerous exactly as you described.
The route from Da Nang to Hoi An is basically a straight, wide, flat road with light traffic — I found it extremely easy to ride (and I’m not even someone who regularly rides motorcycles). So it’s definitely doable for that specific route, but again it depends on your experience and how well prepared you are.
That said, this only applies to the Da Nang → Hoi An route. I wouldn’t recommend riding in other areas, since many roads can be dangerous exactly as you described.
Sorry but I entirely disagree with everything you say. Riding a motorcycle in Vietnam is a very, very bad idea.
A "straight , wide flat road" make no difference, it just allows the trucks to go even faster. If anything the streets of Hanoi or Saigon are safer as average speeds are so much slower "Police are more lenient with tourists" - nonsense at best tourists will be asked for a bribe, if not a heavy fine. Worstcase is if a Vietnamese national or property is damaged when time in jail is a distinct probability.
As far as protective gear is concerned, it is non- existent. Crash helmet lent out with hired bikes are next to useless. Coming off a motorcylcle and hitting a rod even at relatively slow speeds on is akin to sliding down a giant cheesegrater naked. Just take a look in any ER room of a hospital in any city. Insurance wont cover you for damage tp yourself or anyone else.
A "straight , wide flat road" make no difference, it just allows the trucks to go even faster. If anything the streets of Hanoi or Saigon are safer as average speeds are so much slower "Police are more lenient with tourists" - nonsense at best tourists will be asked for a bribe, if not a heavy fine. Worstcase is if a Vietnamese national or property is damaged when time in jail is a distinct probability.
As far as protective gear is concerned, it is non- existent. Crash helmet lent out with hired bikes are next to useless. Coming off a motorcylcle and hitting a rod even at relatively slow speeds on is akin to sliding down a giant cheesegrater naked. Just take a look in any ER room of a hospital in any city. Insurance wont cover you for damage tp yourself or anyone else.
First of all, about the "Day trip from Hanoi to Hue": I think you probably meant a day trip to Ninh Binh, because Hue is way down in Central Vietnam (about 700km away), so unless you have a teleportation device, it’s impossible to do a day trip there!
Now, about the big question: Should you spend 2 nights in Ninh Binh and skip Hue? 100% YES.
Since you’re both in good shape and around 50, this is an easy choice. Here’s why swapping Hue for Ninh Binh is a great idea:
Trying to fit Hanoi, Halong, Hue, and Hoi An into just 10 days is gonna wear you out. You’ll spend most of your time checking into hotels and waiting at airports. Skipping Hue gives you more time to actually relax and enjoy the places you visit.
Since you’re active, Ninh Binh will be perfect for you. Imagine cycling through rice paddies in Tam Coc or climbing 500 steps to Mua Cave for an amazing view. It’s called "Halong Bay on Land" for a reason, and it’s a lot quieter than the city.
As for the weather: February in Hue is usually misty, grey, and rainy (we call it the "Hue gloom"). Hoi An’s weather is usually much nicer, so it’s better to save your energy for the sunshine there.
Here’s how I’d suggest tweaking your plan for a smoother trip:
Day 1–2: Hanoi (Eat everything, explore the Old Quarter).
Day 3: Hanoi → Ninh Binh (Stay overnight. Take a boat ride, hop on bikes).
Day 4: Ninh Binh → Halong Bay
Day 5: Halong Bay
Day 6: Halong Bay → Airport → Fly to Da Nang → Hoi An.
Day 7–9: Hoi An
Day 10: Fly home.
Trust me, this plan will be much more relaxing and give you a chance to really see Vietnam!
Now, about the big question: Should you spend 2 nights in Ninh Binh and skip Hue? 100% YES.
Since you’re both in good shape and around 50, this is an easy choice. Here’s why swapping Hue for Ninh Binh is a great idea:
Trying to fit Hanoi, Halong, Hue, and Hoi An into just 10 days is gonna wear you out. You’ll spend most of your time checking into hotels and waiting at airports. Skipping Hue gives you more time to actually relax and enjoy the places you visit.
Since you’re active, Ninh Binh will be perfect for you. Imagine cycling through rice paddies in Tam Coc or climbing 500 steps to Mua Cave for an amazing view. It’s called "Halong Bay on Land" for a reason, and it’s a lot quieter than the city.
As for the weather: February in Hue is usually misty, grey, and rainy (we call it the "Hue gloom"). Hoi An’s weather is usually much nicer, so it’s better to save your energy for the sunshine there.
Here’s how I’d suggest tweaking your plan for a smoother trip:
Day 1–2: Hanoi (Eat everything, explore the Old Quarter).
Day 3: Hanoi → Ninh Binh (Stay overnight. Take a boat ride, hop on bikes).
Day 4: Ninh Binh → Halong Bay
Day 5: Halong Bay
Day 6: Halong Bay → Airport → Fly to Da Nang → Hoi An.
Day 7–9: Hoi An
Day 10: Fly home.
Trust me, this plan will be much more relaxing and give you a chance to really see Vietnam!
re post #16
"February in Hue is usually misty, grey, and rainy" Feb is the dry season , sunshine and blue skies are much more likely.
"First of all, about the "Day trip from Hanoi to Hue"" Where did anyone suggest this as an option?
"Trust me, this plan will be much more relaxing and give you a chance to really see Vietnam!" I very much doubt that. Halong Bay and Hoi An are awash with tourists. Five locations in 10 days is hardly going to be relaxing ( even by the usual standards of Vietnamese tour operators!) . Much of that itinerary will be spent in transit from one place to another.
"February in Hue is usually misty, grey, and rainy" Feb is the dry season , sunshine and blue skies are much more likely.
"First of all, about the "Day trip from Hanoi to Hue"" Where did anyone suggest this as an option?
"Trust me, this plan will be much more relaxing and give you a chance to really see Vietnam!" I very much doubt that. Halong Bay and Hoi An are awash with tourists. Five locations in 10 days is hardly going to be relaxing ( even by the usual standards of Vietnamese tour operators!) . Much of that itinerary will be spent in transit from one place to another.
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Depending on your flight times, I would stay in Hue as it is only 2 hours from Hue. That said, as I think I mentioned previously, you could spend a couple of nights in one of the luxury mega hotels in Da Nang and do a day trip to Hoi An (bear in mind that the big tour groups from China mostly stay there)
You mention the perfume river and pagodas as being near Hue. On Google Maps the famous Perfume Pagoda (Huong Pagoda) is 9 hours away by car. Or maybe you are referring to something else?Originally Posted by catch23
I would spend 3 nights in Hue. There is a lot to see and I think you would struggle to fit in the main sights in just the one full day - the forbidden city, the citadel , the perfume river +pagodas and of course the many imperial tombs.. It's easy and enjoyable to DIY but if short on time a private tour may be a better option.Depending on your flight times, I would stay in Hue as it is only 2 hours from Hue. That said, as I think I mentioned previously, you could spend a couple of nights in one of the luxury mega hotels in Da Nang and do a day trip to Hoi An (bear in mind that the big tour groups from China mostly stay there)
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I didn’t mention a "Perfume Pagoda", I mentioned the Perfume River which is the stretch of the Huong River which passes right through the centre of Hue city. There are several pagodas along the river, the most famous and most visited, being the Thien Mu Pagoda. The "Perfume Pagoda, to which you seem to be referring , is just south of Hanoi, nowhere near Hue. Originally Posted by shelemm
You mention the perfume river and pagodas as being near Hue. On Google Maps the famous Perfume Pagoda (Huong Pagoda) is 9 hours away by car. Or maybe you are referring to something else?
Your February Vietnam plan sounds really doable and honestly lovely. Hanoi first is great the streets, the food, the chaos, the energy there’s nothing like it. Halong Bay is dreamy, even for just one night; the karsts rising out of the water really do look like the WanderVlogs clips you’ve probably seen, where people sail through mist and it feels unreal. Hoi A for three nights is perfect — lanterns, riverside cafés, walking around the old town, the beach nearby if you want a slow morning.
Now, Ninh Binh vs Hue that’s the tricky bit. Ninh Binh is stunning, very green, peaceful, boat rides through caves, rice paddies, countryside views. The vibe is totally different from Hue, which is more imperial, historical, with the citadel, pagodas, and old tombs. Skipping Hue would give you a slower pace and more scenery-focused experience; doing a day trip from Hanoi to Hue would be really rushed it’s a long haul and you’d barely scratch the surface. For your energy level, two nights in Ninh Binh might feel more relaxed and actually let you enjoy the landscapes without running. Hue is amazing, but if you’ve only got 10 days, sometimes less is more.
The flow you have Hoi An after Halong Bay, then Hue makes sense geographically. Just think about what kind of vibe you want: peaceful countryside and green scenery (Ninh Binh) or imperial history and architecture (Hue). Both are incredible, it’s just different experiences.
Now, Ninh Binh vs Hue that’s the tricky bit. Ninh Binh is stunning, very green, peaceful, boat rides through caves, rice paddies, countryside views. The vibe is totally different from Hue, which is more imperial, historical, with the citadel, pagodas, and old tombs. Skipping Hue would give you a slower pace and more scenery-focused experience; doing a day trip from Hanoi to Hue would be really rushed it’s a long haul and you’d barely scratch the surface. For your energy level, two nights in Ninh Binh might feel more relaxed and actually let you enjoy the landscapes without running. Hue is amazing, but if you’ve only got 10 days, sometimes less is more.
The flow you have Hoi An after Halong Bay, then Hue makes sense geographically. Just think about what kind of vibe you want: peaceful countryside and green scenery (Ninh Binh) or imperial history and architecture (Hue). Both are incredible, it’s just different experiences.
