Hello there.
I'm at work so haven't much time for a long reply, but that's too much to try and do in 10 days. Hanoi is worth 2-3 days and Halong Bay is normally 2 days and 1 night at least. I'd probably limit your trip to Hanoi (a great city so don't miss it), Halong Bay, possibly Sapa if you have time, then Hoi An, and fly from Danang to HCMC.
You would need about 3 weeks for all of those stops, especially since you want to do ground transport. I've been to VN 4 times - just came back in mid-Dec. I too like Hanoi the most - just a very interesting and intimate city. I would advise you to concentrate on the North + Hoi An. You can either fly or take the train between Hanoi and Danang. The SE1 train service between Hanoi and Danang leaves Hanoi at 17:00 and gets in the next am at about 11 (good scenery on that trip between Hue and Danang). Since you have so little time here, I suggest contacting a ahead of time to get some transport issues done ahead. I use the Livitrans train service for both the Lao Cai/ Sapa run as well as to Danang - much cleaner than the standard service.
@Daawgon:
wow, 4 times? u make me excited to go to VN! but too bad i only have 10 days. i thought it will be enough, but i thought wrong.
my only worry right now is about time constraint, like:
Sapa - is it possible to go there for 2D1N?
Halong Bay -> 2D1N? (i think this would be sufficient,no?)
and i can't decide which one to go, Hue or Hoi An because i don't want to miss any of those two.
and how about Nha Trang?
@bex76:
i know, right? to cramp everything in 10 days is kinda impossible. but i just came to know about Sapa last 2 days and i just don't want to miss it.
For Sa Pa: you'll need 2 days & 3 nights (2 nights on the train)
So for 10 days with Sa Pa you can do a quick trip as follow:
D1: Hanoi (overnight Hanoi)
D2: Hanoi - Night train to Sa Pa (overnight on train)
D3: Sa Pa (overnight Sapa)
D4: Sa Pa - Night train to Hanoi (overnigt on train)
D5: Arrive Hanoi - Connect Ha Long Bay tour (overnight on boat)
D5: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Night Train to Hue (or Straight to Da Nang for Hoi An if you don't want to stop in Hue) (overnight on train)
D6: Hue (o/n Hue)
D7: Hue Hoi An (o/n Hoi AN)
D8: Hoi An (O/n hoi an)
D9: Hoi An (o/n Hoi An)
D10: Flight to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city to connect your flight home
day 8: hoi an then go to ho chi minh city,you should spend 1 or 2 days in Ho chi minh as well,.
But i think it's too rush, maybe you should visit Halong, hanoi, sapa and Hue
@1hit7kiled:
u've been a great help. thanks!
@phuong87:
I'll try to go to all those mentioned places. otherwise, i'll have to come to VN again
does anyone knows what is the exact date for Hoi An Lantern Festival in April 2011?
[ 22-Jan-2011, at 19:09 by ladyvamps ]
Hoi An is a great deal nicer than Hue, IMHO. Hue being a small city whereas Hoi An is a small resort town with a beautiful beach. Since transport is slow in Vietnam, you will want to keep your stops to a minimum for a short trip. You need to consult a lunar calendar to find out when the Lantern Festival is in April. One of the nice things about Hoi An is that much of the Old Town is closed off to cars, and colorful lanterns reflect off of the canal every night - it is really one of the most beautiful places in this country after dark.
When it comes to Nha Trang, I think there are much nicer beach areas in Vietnam. Nha Trang is a place for serious partying, but the worst possible place for Vietnamese culture. I don't like the large city "feel" to NT, and it is certainly not the place for a gourmet! I do like the town of Dalat in the Central Highlands (3 hours drive from NT).
[ 25-Jan-2011, at 23:10 by Daawgon ]
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