Viet Nam & Stop Over Country
 

Hello All: In June, I will be traveling from LAX to Hanoi. The purpose of the trip is a volunteer medical mission for children.
My plan is to take some extra time at the end of the trip for sightseeing. Since there is not a direct flight from LAX to Hanoi, I will have the opportunity to stop over in another country. That gives me another sightseeing opportunity in that country.
Of course, the lowest fare will ultimately dictate my stop over location. My hope is to begin with some research on desirable stop over cities and then check on fares.
So, I’d like to ask for suggestions on sites and the length of stay for sightseeing in Hanoi and surrounding areas. And lastly, is there a suggestion for a stopover city? Chances are, I will be traveling alone. Generally speaking I will shop for good prices on good hotels rather than “rough it.”
Any wisdom and advice would be appreciated.
Regards, Andrea

Often, the best airfares into SE Asia are to Bangkok. And it's hard to think of another city with so much to see and do at such a reasonable price. You could easily spend a week there an not get bored (overwhelmed perhaps, but not bored). I spend at least a week in Bangkok almost every year.

I really enjoyed Hanoi and spent a week there with a day trip to the Perfume Pagoda. You might want an overnight trip to Halong Bay while you are in Hanoi, and you should consider whether you want to go to Sapa. I don't know whether you'll have time for exploring Hanoi during your work there, but if not, make sure to allow some time for the city itself. I'd consider 4 full days in Hanoi about right.

I visited Hanoi in January and it is a wonderful city---you will enjoy it immensely. I think a week in Hanoi is sufficient as that will let you enjoy the city and take a side trip to Halong Bay. We did a day trip to Halong Bay and it was too much driving for just a day so I would recommend an evening on a junk. The remaining days is more than sufficient for you to see the sites in Hanoi and get to know the city which is chaotic, crazy and beautiful all at the same time. In terms of a stop over, the best connections freom LAX are through Bangkok--I would recommend the non-stop Thai flight. We took the this flight and then connected right away to the Hanoi flight and stopped in Bangkok on the way back. If the non-stop flight is operating, you have about 1 1/2 hour layover in Bangkok before heading up to Hanoi. If they are using the Airbus A340-600, then you do not arrive in Bangkok until 9:30 due to a refueling stop in Osaka and then the Hanoi flight does not leave until 5:00 p.m. so try to fly on a day when the non-stop is operating. If they are running a special, their premioum economy is worth the upgrade in my opinion. We only had a day and a half in Bangkok on the way back so I am not really in a position to judge the city and there are many fans of Bangkok on this board. It seems to me, however, to travel that far and be so close oto Angkor Wat in Cambodia and not see it would be a mistake. The Angkor ruins are truly spectacular and well worth the visit. There is a non-stop flight from Hanoi to Siem Reap on Vietnam Airlines and then you can hop a cheap flight on Bangkok Airways back to Bangkok. That would be my recommendation rather than spend the time in Bangkok. There are a number of other connections to Hanoi from the West Coast and you might consider a stop over in Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific as they fly into Hanoi as well. Hope this helps.

Four days in Hanoi and an overnight trip to Halong Bay. A day or two or three to go to Sapa, if you have the time.

Stopover in Hong Kong for four days.

Stopover in Japan for two weeks.

Stopover in Singapore for a few days. There are good fares there from LAX and seem to be better than Bangkok.