Vietnam 2020

PompeyPete

koalakoala wrote: »

Like Doshwaster I too could spend all day in Hoi An, and did for 2 weeks

I could too, providing all the dozens of Tour Groups that descend on the place got whisked away elsewhere. As the traffic in and around Hoi An is relatively light, it's just nice to jump on a pushbike, and get out into the Paddy Fields or enjoy life by the River outside of town. Then once the Tour Groups have moved on mid-afternoon, return to the Old Town and settle down to an evening of enjoying all Hoi An after dark has to offer.

Shimrod

Dottydingo wrote: »

Thank you for your replies ��

Currently thinking

HCMC - 4nights
Hoi an - 1 night (lantern festival)
Hue/Da nang - 3 nights
Halong bay - 1 night criuse
Hanoi - 5 nights

Check on times for the Halong bay cruise unless you are confident of making it to Halong Bay on time. As others have mentioned, the trip from Hanoi to Halong Bay is 3-4 hours. Hotel pickup in Hanoi arond 8am for a 12pm sailing. I would try and do a two oday cruise if you can. Also consider a day trip from Hanoi to Trang An (or watch Kong: Skull Island) to see the scenery and take a boat trip on the river.

Doshwaster

PompeyPete wrote: »

I could too, providing all the dozens of Tour Groups that descend on the place got whisked away elsewhere. As the traffic in and around Hoi An is relatively light, it's just nice to jump on a pushbike, and get out into the Paddy Fields or enjoy life by the River outside of town. Then once the Tour Groups have moved on mid-afternoon, return to the Old Town and settle down to an evening of enjoying all Hoi An after dark has to offer.

Actually, I can't remember big tour groups being much of a problem when I was in Hoi An but they can be an annoyance when you do encounter them. There are some parts of Thailand now where you can't move for them.

I'm still working out my travel plans for 2019 but hopefully I will be able to fit in a trip to SE Asia by the end of the year.

northwest1965

Shimrod wrote: »

. I would try and do a two oday cruise if you can. .

Someone said earlier in the post, a 1 day is enough. We originally had a 2 day one in mind. What do you do on Day 2?

Doshwaster

northwest1965 wrote: »

Someone said earlier in the post, a 1 day is enough. We originally had a 2 day one in mind. What do you do on Day 2?

There are dozens of different cruise operators and their itineraries will be all different. They vary from the backpacker booze cruises for 20-somethings wanting to party to 5 star luxury for rich oldies with everything in between. I would go for something mid-market. Your hotel will be able to advise based on your preferences but you can look at some of the operators online to get an idea of their schedules

Here are some picked at random
https://www.halongbaytours.com/
https://www.viator.com/en-GB/Hanoi-tourism/Halong-Bay-Cruises-from-Hanoi/

There are one day cruises but with 3-4 hours each way from Hanoi you are looking at a very long day. It would be like going from London to the Lake District for a day trip. You would spend more time on the bus than on water.

Next you have the 2 day 1 night cruises which involve a night aboard one the boats. Cruise typically finishes after lunch on day 2 so you are back in Hanoi early enough to do something in the evening.

There are also the 3 day 2 night cruises where you get to do and see more but they are more expensive. The one advantage is that you do have time to get away from some of the most crowded areas of Halong Bay.

Personally, I think the 2 day/1 night is the right balance between cost and activities.

PompeyPete

northwest1965 wrote: »

Someone said earlier in the post, a 1 day is enough. We originally had a 2 day one in mind. What do you do on Day 2?

You need to look at the itineraries that are on offer by each cruise companies.

Shimrod

northwest1965 wrote: »

Someone said earlier in the post, a 1 day is enough. We originally had a 2 day one in mind. What do you do on Day 2?

I have an aversion to doing one night anywhere as it generally means too much travelling and not enough visiting. For Halong Bay, the two night cruise gives a full day in the bay and gets you a bit further away from the crowds( although don't think there won't beanies half dozen boats nearby).

We chose the au co cruise on safety grounds as much as itinerary. It's not the cheapest, but not the most expensive either.