Still tweaking our Spring trip. Any thoughts on how much time in Hanoi if we are not doing side trips. Ditto for Hoi An.
Thanks. All this imput helps us to make good traveling decisions.

3-4 full days is about right to see the Museums, walk around the lake, shop in the old quarter, sample some great food, see the water puppets. Hoi An- 3 full days is long enough, 4 days if you want to see My Son.

Don't miss Hue. Just one full day is enough to see the Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Nguyen emperors tombs. We loved Hue. The Saigon Morin in Hue is a nice hotel. Check out www.directrooms.com for rates or www.vietnamstay.com
Have a great trip!

generally we did not find too much to see in hanoi...we did enjoy our day walk around the old city however...

We spent a week in Hanoi. We did take a day trip to the Perfume Pagoda, but the rest of the time was in the city. There are lots of museums that are worthwhile. The Ethnographic Museum is worth several hours, as is the History Museum, We enjoyed the Fine Arts Museum, the Women's Museum, and even found the Museum of the Revolution worth a look. Don't miss the Temple of Literature. We also visited several temples away from the old town area (where we were the only non-Vietnamese). Depending on your interests, I'd say 3 - 5 days in Hanoi.

By the way, if you are interested in local crafts, I highly recommend Craftlink (near the Temple of Literature), a fair trade craft store. Wonderful goods at great prices.
(I can't believe Bob and i disagree on this one!)

Yes, it does seem like you either like Hanoi or don't. I've posted the query in two different spots--and many of you have been kind enough to respond. Thanks, everybody. (By the way, Frommers sides with "Bob" on the Hanoi take. Reading between the lines, they give it two days at best. We're probably going to do 4-5 and take time to snake around the city.

A huge thank you for the help with organising our recent trip to Vietnam. We had a wonderful time, thoroughly enjoyed every minute and have been singing the praises of the country and Indochina-holidays since we returned. It was the best holiday we have had in years. Everything went so smoothly, Claire was a joy, quietly organised and Tifo and Viet both great sources of knowledge and good fun. Nothing was too much trouble for any of them. They were all great ambassadors for Relax Indochina."
Carolyn and Tony Herrick., Australian
Submitted 31 October 2005
Http://relaxindochina.com

A huge thank you for the help with organising our recent trip to Vietnam. We had a wonderful time, thoroughly enjoyed every minute and have been singing the praises of the country and Indochina-holidays since we returned. It was the best holiday we have had in years. Everything went so smoothly, Claire was a joy, quietly organised and Tifo and Viet both great sources of knowledge and good fun. Nothing was too much trouble for any of them. They were all great ambassadors for Relax Indochina."
Carolyn and Tony Herrick., Australian
Submitted 31 October 2005
Http://www.relaxindochina.com

3 or 4 days in Hani. Same for Hoi An, longer if you just want to relax a bit.

My Son is in a fairly ruined state but still very worthwhile in my opinion.

http://www.travelsinasia.com/Vietnam/Vietnam.htm