Comments on Vietnam itinerary

[countmookle]

Hello. I'm looking for some advice. My wife and I were in Hanoi two years ago and had a blast. We were there for about five days, with a one-night cruise on Ha Long Bay. We're heading back in August to see more of Vietnam.

This is the tentative itinerary:

Day 1: Hong Kong to HCMC, arriving in late morning
Day 2: HCMC
Day 3: HCMC
Day 4: HCMC to Da Nang, arriving in Hoi An in early afternoon
Day 5: Hoi An
Day 6: Hoi An
Day 7: Hoi An to Hue
Day 8: Hue
Day 9: Hue to Bangkok via HCMC

I am worried that we are spending too much time in Hoi An and not enough time in Hue or perhaps HCMC. Hoi An sounds very charming, but also as though there may not be an enormous amount to do.

Also, we're not too worried about getting to the beach in Hoi An since we're spending a week in Koh Samui after we leave Vietnam.

Thoughts?

[Daawgon]

I'm shocked that you're not returning to Hanoi? Personally (I've made 2 trips myself) I am not at all big on Saigon or Hue. I've been to Hanoi twice, Hoi An twice, and am a little tired of Hoi An (it's great the first time and anytime for a day or two, but there are too many tourists there to draw me for a third time). I next plan on first stopping in Saigon on my way to Dalat, Cat Ba Island, Hanoi and Sapa. I went to Thailand this year, but after Vietnam, I find Thailand much too developed for me. I will only return to Thailand for the wonderful food.

My advice is to add Hanoi to your plans, drop time in HCMC and Hue, and transit Bangkok as fast as you can. If you've never been to Sapa, it's a wonderful place too.

[countmookle]

I guess I figured we should see HCMC. Is it going to be unenjoyable relative to Hanoi? I hoped it might just be a bigger version.

[SaigonCyclo]

No, it won't be unenjoyable at all. They are very different cities. Saigon is more hustle/bustle than Hanoi. I also find the people friendlier in Saigon. Something you might consider is a 2-3 day Mekong Delta trip (drop 1 day in HCMC and 1 day in Hoi An).

I visited Hanoi once (4 days). I enjoyed it, but once was enough for my wife and I. I didn't think the traffic could be worse or more hectic than Saigon, but it was.

[Tod E Tosser]

I'd say too much time in Hoi An. You can walk the town leisurely in half a day. You've got the beach, tailor shops, and a famous cooking class if you so desire. And there are some sidetrips you can do.

From Saigon you can make a quick trip to Da Lat to escape the heat and see VN's version of Niagara Falls (the kitsch part). Or hit Mui Ne (less than 3 hours by train/bus/taxi) for a nice, slow beach town. Then there's a short flight to Nha Trang for a beach town with nightlife. SaigonCyclo mentioned a Mekong trip. And of course Saigon itself is a large, vibrant city. English skills are far better than in the north. I agree southern people seem friendlier, but that may be because they can communicate better with westerners.

I like Hanoi as well, but there's plenty to see in southern & central VN.

[dtsm]

Another recent thread that might be helpful:
November Honeymoon - Thailand & Vietnam...