10-12 day break (Vietnam and Phuket)

[bing]

So thinking of taking a solo trip to Vietnam and then a few days in Phuket on my return leg to UK.

So any tips and pointers would be helpful.

At the moment I'm looking something like this:-

Hanoi 3 days
Ha-long bay stay 1 night on the boat (is this worth it?) back to
Back to Hanoi and fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City - 4 days

Fly to Phuket 4 days

I know Phiuket well but need tips for Vietnam

[SP_]

Would you entertain doing the Ha Giang loop?
One of the best things I've done in my life, but it is generally attended by sub 30 year olds with the tour groups

[havoc]

Close to 20 years since we were in 'nam, but from my perspective.

Ha Long Bay probably IS worth it, but it's weather dependent. We did an overnight cruise, except it was cloudy and rainy when we left port, stayed so until bedtime, and we then woke up to fog and then more rain.

...which rather reduced the impact it should have.


Hanoi is very cool as an ex-colonial city - got that sort of cultured-but-different vibe going on. But the locals also seemed very 'cool' (aloof, slightly racist) to us - something we've never found in Thailand and didn't experience in Saigon (typical SE Asia big city, but with some nice touches) or Hoi An (lovely place, good if windy beaches just down the road).

[Griffith4ever]

Hanoi:
- Water puppet show
- Old quarter
- Day trip to Nim Bihn / Trang An

[Froomee]

If I was heading to Vietnam I’d also try to go to Sapa and Da Nang/Hoi An… also if you haven’t been Siem Reap/Angkor Wat is a short stop away.

[Griffith4ever]

Froomee said:

If I was heading to Vietnam I d also try to go to Sapa and Da Nang/Hoi An also if you haven t been Siem Reap/Angkor Wat is a short stop away.

Sapa was amazing, though not sure the OP has the time. It's sleeping bus there and back. Agree on Angkor. I'd sacrifice Saigon for that but, saigon does have the cu ci tunnels, and they are unmissable tbh!

So much to do and see! I'm back in 'Nam next month - off road riding tour from Hanoi to Sapa and back. plus 3 nights in Hanoi. Doing a day trip to Nim Bihn as with 5 mates who won't have been.

[SoliD]

I would favour Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang area over Ho Chi Minh. Lots to see and do and much prettier part of the country and a lot more chilled. and as above, if you can squeeze in siem reap do so! incredible part of the world.

[Old Merc]

Ha Long bay is fascinating, wonderful to see, if the weather is nice? on our trip it was cold, overcast and misty, very disappointing for my photography.
So check the weather forecast. If you do go make sure there is a stop at either Sung Sot or Dau Go caves, the tour is amazing.
Like all tourist sites it can get crammed at times.


We had a holiday in Phuket staying at The Cape Panwa Hotel. One of the best hotels we have stayed in, fantastic place.
..
Went on boat trips to Phang Nga Bay and Coconut Island, well worth it.

Edited by Old Merc on Tuesday 27th January 12:51

[jfis89]

So Bai Tu Long Bay instead of Halong, same scenery but far fewer boats. It’s in the same area so you would leave from the same place