I'm going to have 3 days between my Siem Rep and Koh Samui stays, and I'm very tempted to make a quick hop to Hanoi and tour Halong Bay. I've read a few reports on TA, so I know it's going to be somewhat cold, but I checked the temps for the second part of January, and they seem to be 54-70. Sounds not too terrible to me. Has anyone done that? Does it even make sense to go there in low season?

Could be cold, rainy. May have a major fog issue. If already going to be in Vietnam, might be worth chancing. As a 3-day side trip from Thailand/Cambodia requiring major logistics and visa efforts, I wouldn't take the gamble in January.

Thanks, JJ. I kinda thought along those lines, too...

Why not visit Bangkok? More or less in between Siem Reap and Koh Samui.

I was there late December. A little chilly, but I swam in Halong Bay. Plenty of direct flights from REP, and it only takes about 5 minutes to get a visa on arrival online.

Personally I wouldn't do it though. I'd either go direct to Samui or maybe do Bangkok, Pnom Penh, or Chengmai.

Also, in January I'd be tempted to do Phuket or Krabi rather than Samui.

BTW - As Jiejie will attest, you only need 1 day for Siem Reap.

I would certainly disagree with this. 3 days is the minimum of the minimum.

Halong Bay is an awful place, dirty and packed with too many tourists. The boat trips even 2 nights are just a total rip off. The weather at that time of year is often bad and the drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay is fraught with danger, even with a experienced suicidal driver at the wheel.

Woah, sorry you had a bad time there, I couldn't have had a more dissimilar experience. I actually went in the winter time, perhaps that is why there were no crowds then. Saw few boats. I went with something mid range, didn't do luxury because it was a last minute whim. Turned out to be the best decision, free upgrade and the cost was super low for 3 days 2 nights (~220$ for two people).

Roads were also paved by the time I visited, which was 2 years ago (December). I will say that it is definitely worth hiring a driver with a comfortable car to get there and back.

As for weather ---- it was cold but the bay was strikingly beautiful all the same. Air was crisp, and I still ended up jumping into the water on a sunny afternoon. I didn't expect to enjoy it, was hesitant about going because of the cold but it did end up being the highlight of my trip along with Angkor Wat.

3 days though, no matter what is too short as people have mentioned. Maybe keep it in mind and go back another time, definitely worth seeing.

We did Halong Bay at the end of December last year. Weather was a nice sunny 60 degrees. Never cold, even while out on kayaks in the ocean. Low season, but lots of tourist Junks circling the bay. We found that the overnight trip from Hanoi was just the right amount of time. More time would have become boring.

Halong Bay has a huge amount of incidents over the last few years, all of which seem to get swept under the carpet. Its run on the basis that if nothing happens then we are OK, but when things go wrong its never anyones fault. The corruption in this part of Vietnam is very high. The Taiwan tourists who all died were deemed to be at fault because if they had learnt to swim they might have survived. You might want to read this story as well. http://www.toddswanderings.com/2011/...y-vietnam.html

I had the exact same experience. December. About $110. Not too busy. Cool at night, warm in the day. 2 nights/3 days.

If you do go, make sure you bring a sweater and pants.

But for 3 days only, I would probably pass. Next time ^

You can go to Sapa. That time will be rainy so Halong Bay is not a good choice.

My very well travelled sister in law suggested I skip Halong Bay. I took their advice.

I'm having the same debate right now.
I'm going in early January...debating whether doing 2 days/1 night or 3 days/2 nights. I've heard the former doesn't actually provide much time on the boat. The latter, however, is pushing our budget for this portion of our trip. I'm also worried that if the weather is bad 2 nights might be a lot.

Any suggestions? Thoughts? Also quite open to suggestions on cruise companies.

is there another place like Halong Bay to go to ?

Or come in from another direction away from the tourist traps ?