My friend and I are FINALLY pushing through with our Vietnam trip next month! Unfortunately, we have less time than we originally planned, so we've had to cut the trip from 11 days to just 8 (less travel days, 6 full days!).

I've managed to squeeze plans for Hue (citadel, Perfume River and tombs, food, shopping) and Hoi An (old town, My Son, and food and shopping again) into 1.5 days each. But for Hanoi, where I have only 3 full days, I now have to make decisions on what to do and where to visit -- HELP PLEASE!!

Original plan: Day 1, Old Quarter, the city in general, and a water puppetry show; Day 2, Halong Bay; Day 3 for Perfume Pagoda. Now here are the questions:

1) Halong Bay: I'm going against everything I've read here and choosing to take a day trip. My thinking is that I just want to see the place (not really into swimming or kayaking). Besides, the overnight trips I'm seeing online are still quite expensive! Any recommendations -- either for cheap (but decent) overnight excursions, or good day trips? Or will it be safe to just book these when I get to Hanoi?

2) Perfume Pagoda: in guidebooks and tour reports, what's written is mostly about how difficult it is to get there (long overland route, long river route, lots of touts, long hard climb) -- but not really whether the trip is worth it. Is it? Or should I just spend more time in city itself, exploring the Old Quarter, the colonial areas, lakes, and/or going to Bah Trang and the other crafts villages? Or spend an additional day on Halong Bay?

Hope to get responses soon! Any advice on my two questions, as well as on my itinerary in general, is welcome!

paulophonic
manila, philippines

Yipes! with a mere 6 days total, only three in Hanoi I'd cut out any day trips outside of Hanoi - no Halong Bay, no Perfume Pagoda. There is plenty to keep you interested and occupied in Hanoi.

I enjoyed the Perfume Pagoda trip, but it is a full day, and there are a number of issues to contend with. Halong Bay for a day I think is not worth it. Stay in Hanoi and enjoy your time there. There was a recent thread asking about things to do in Hanoi - do a search on Hanoi (use the search box at the top of the Fodor's page) and you'll find lots of ideas.

At least you won't have jet lag to deal with since you are coming from the Phillipines.

It's great if you have one night at Halong Bay, and you can book when you reach Hanoi, so you can compare everything; itenerary, cost...
Perfume Pagoda is worth if you have longer time, it's a religious site.
But for 3 days, I suggest you have day trip to Halong and 2 days in Hanoi.
Need further assistance? Contact me YM: cuongnaci

I agree with Kathie - there is plenty to see in Hanoi. The Perfume Pagoda is lovely & the most popular time is to go there for the time around Tet, this is what most Vietnamese people love to do. When we went it was pouring with rain, the best bit was on the boat with people on other boats calling & singing as they went. The atmosphere of their excitement at going to the Perfume Pagoda was tangible. However, there are many beautiful temples and I couldn't say what you would see there is more beautiful than other places. So whilst you have such a short period of time in Hanoi I think you should see the city & all it has to offer. I think Halong Bay is fine for a day - if the weather is good it makes a big difference - but it may not be, so why not just do the day there.

kathie, naci, jane -- thanks for the replies!