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Thai Nguyen
My 23-year-old daughter and I had a fantastic time in Japan and Korea last May, prompting us to choose Vietnam for our next trip in February/March. We have 13 days of travel time, flying in and out of Hanoi. Since we land at 10:30 PM, we plan to head straight to our hotel in Hanoi. We would be grateful for any advice regarding our planned itinerary and hotel choices. Thank you.
- 2/26 – Late arrival in Hanoi
- 2/26–March 1 – Solaria Hotel Hanoi
- 3/1 afternoon – Transfer to Tam Coc (by either bus or private car)
- 3/1–3/4 – Tam Coc Wonderland Lodge
- 3/4 – Private transfer to Phong Nha (Hotel estimated 5 hours, $200 USD)
- 3/4–3/6 – Phong Nha Homestay
- 3/6 afternoon – Private transfer to Hue (4 hours in car)
- 3/6–3/9 – Melia Vinpearl or Scarlett Boutique in Hue
- 3/9–3/11 – Hoi An (Gem Riverside, Vina Beach and Pool Villas, or Palm Garden Resort)
- 3/11 – Late flight from Danang to Hanoi
- 3/12 – Early morning departure for home.
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3/4-private driver (hotel told us 5 hour ride at $200 USD) to Phong Nha
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That’s a long boring ride. If I were you, I would go to Hanoi and take a flight to Dong Hoi for an hour flight via Vietnam Airlines is available for your date $44 each, morning flight. Then take a Grab or metered taxi to Phong Nha homestay is about 30ish minutes away from Dong Hoi airport.
If you are going to use a private driver to get to Tam Coc. Have your accommodations arrange it.
Cat Ba Express Bus Hanoi to Ninh Bình (Tam Coc)
https://catbaexpress.com/bus-ha-noi-to-ninh-binh.html
The train from Hanoi to Ninh Bình is another option.
So it currently looks like this –
Hanoi – 3 nights
Ninh Binh – 3 nights
Phong Nha – 2 nights
Hue – 3 nights
Hoi An – 2 nights
Hanoi – 1 night
“Wondering if we add in Mai Chau with Tam Coc for a few nights and eliminate Phong Nha.”
Well, it would cut down (a little) the amount of travelling, but still leaves you at five destinations.
I’d add the two Phong Nha nights to what you have.
One extra to Hanoi, seeing as you only have two full days, and one to Hoi An to make it worthwhile, seeing as you only have one and a bit days.
“Is there an airport nearby where we could then fly into Hue?”
It’ll need to be Hanoi.
Anyway, just my opinion.
Scott
That’s a fair amount of moving around, and a fair amount of time doing it.
Half the country by road, which is what Hanoi to Hoi An is, would be right up there in my worst nightmares.
Personally, I’d be dropping one destination.
Also, is that a domestic flight linking up with an international flight at the end?
Or are you actually sleeping in Hanoi that night?
Scott