I am planning a trip to these three countries end Oct to mid Nov. A travel agent I have contacted as well, Diethelm, proposes a one day return visit from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, and another day to go and visit Ninh Binh. Does that sound reasonably doable to Fodorites. I am a bit surprised about the Ha Long one day return. Opinions welcome. Thks

I would suggest that you sleep in Ha Long Bay overnight as we did, on a boat. It was quite lovely. It's a long haul by car to get up there. I can't recall how long but it was long. Have them arrange an overnight stay, and you can return the next day.

LDTC2

How much time do you have? If time is no option, definitely stay over.

In the programme they worked out, I would have to chose between a second day for Halong or a third day in Angkor Vat, later on in the itinerary. What would you do, glorialf?

i did halong bay in a one day trip which for me was plenty...i sort of found it boring after the initial look around....we stayed a couple of nites in hyphong around the visit to halong...i think it would be too far for one day from hanoi...