Ha Giang
Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City
Ha Long
Sapa
Mekong Delta
Da Nang
Hue
Hoi An
Ninh Binh
Da Lat
Nha Trang
Phan Thiet
Phu Quoc
Quang Binh
Quy Nhon
Vung Tau
Thai Nguyen
Greetings!
We have finally chosen to skip Da Nang and Hoi An for our November vacation 🙁 I feel truly disappointed about this, but I was quite stressed about the possibility of having to modify our arrangements at the final hour. Given the flights involved and our desire to pre-arrange private transportation to specific areas, we weren’t entirely comfortable with the concept. I know a few friends who still had a wonderful time visiting in November, but we feel it’s better not to take the chance.
So, here is my revised itinerary—I’m just seeking some feedback. Are we allocating excessive time in each location? My rationale was that since we spend a significant amount of time commuting between places, it would be pleasant to take our time and distribute activities across several days instead of having extremely hurried schedules:
HCMC – Nov 6 – 11 (we arrive at 12 AM on the 6th, giving us one full day. We might also consider an overnight stay in the Mekong Delta – TBD).
Ninh Binh – Nov 11 to 15 (the 11th is the travel day from Hanoi. We might instead fly in the evening prior and then take the bus the following morning rather than completing the journey on the same day. The 15th is a travel day to Cat Ba).
Cat Ba – Nov 15 to Nov 18 (both the 15th and 18th are travel days).
Hanoi – Nov 18 to 24 (our departure flight is at midnight on the 25th, so we technically have until the evening of the 24th before heading to the airport).
Should we consider an extra day on Cat Ba? I’m planning a day cruise to Lan Ha Bay, and the other day will be spent exploring Viet Hai Village. I’m curious if Hai Phong is worth exploring for a day if we choose to extend our stay? Alternatively, we could do a Ha Long Bay day trip departing from Cat Ba.
If we do extend Cat Ba, should we take a day from Hanoi or HCMC?
We enjoy exploring cities and small, traditional communities (which is why I really wanted to visit Hoi An). While we appreciate nature, I believe our visits to Ninh Binh, Cat Ba, and potentially the Mekong Delta will be sufficient—this is why we ultimately decided against adding the suggested Mai Chau.
Thanks for your advice in advance! 🙂
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– No, Hai Phong has nothing to discover except the love for local food (if you did some researches)
“Or maybe we could do a Halong Bay day trip from Cat Ba.”
– Yes it’s possible, Cat Ba has a ferry way and connects directly to Ha Long. You can spend an overnight cruise there in Ha Long, enjoy the seafood, or even go on a daytime Ha Long Bay cruise route. Honestly, Cat Ba left nothing in me except the beach! It’s boring for me
Replying to Janis Bucking
Thanks Janis. I think we will keep it at 2 days – we will be able to do Lan Ha Bay for one day and then the village. I am also a little worried we will be bored for too long.
We are going in November so I don’t think it will be warm enough for the beach (It’s so hard to find solid information about Vietnam weather!). If I knew for sure it would be warm enough, I would extend for more beach time.
Replying to Janis Bucking
Sorry, no you cannot. The original poster mentioned doing a “Day Cruise” of Halong Bay from Cat Ba Island. From Cat Ba you can do a Day Cruise of Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay.
If they take a taxi across Cat Ba Island to catch the ferry to Halong; they may be in time for a Halong Bay Day Cruise.
However, what will they do with their luggage?
If they are going to do an overnight cruise; no need to go all the way to Halong. They can do an overnight cruise of Halong Bay + Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island.
I would not add day for Hai Phong. What are you considering doing there?
“maybe we could do a Halong Bay day trip from Cat Ba”
Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay area Day Cruises from Cat Ba Island. They are both less crowded with boats and people; versus Halong Bay.
You would have to do an overnight cruise to visit Halong Bay from Cat Ba Island. If you are going to do an overnight cruise; might as well do a combined Lan Ha Bay + Halong Bay cruise.
Just cruise around Lan Ha / Halong / Bai Tu Long Bays while in / on Cat Ba Island.
Look up a company like Cat Ba Ventures.
As far as the rest goes, any chance you can just list the number of nights you’re planning on spending in each place?
Dates aren’t important.
Scott
Replying to scottj765
Hi Scott, here is a more details itinerary:
HCMC – Nov 6 to 11 – 5 nights (6 including the night we arrive on the 6th past midnight and we have 5 full days)
Ninh Binh – Nov 11 to 15 – 4 nights (3 full days)
Cat Ba – Nov 15 to Nov 18 – 3 nights (2 full days)
Hanoi – Nov 18 to 24 – 6 nights (5 full days, the 24th we depart in the evening)
Replying to Cynthia8889
Ok, thanks Cynthia.
Rather than do a potentially rushed one night trip to the Mekong, you probably have enough time to spend a night or two down there, if you so desire.
If so, try and make it near / in Can Tho, which actually has an airport, that you can then fly to Hanoi from.
As far as accommodation recommendations go, check out a place like Green Village Mekong, to see if something like that appeals.
It’s out in the countryside, but not too far away, and we’ve stayed there several times.
And will again.
Scott