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
Hi! Doing a trip in March to Thailand and Vietnam. I will most liked see Bangkok and maybe Samui before heading to Vietnam. I want to skip HCMC as I am already doing Bangkok and I’m from New York so used to a lot of city life. I definitely want to go to Hanoi and will probably fly back to the US from there and I’d like to see Halong Bay. So then it’s what to do with the rest of my time…. Should I
-Do an overnight cruise in Halong bay? Or just a day trip?
-Should I spend some days in Ninh Binh?
-Any other day trips from Hanoi worth seeing?
-should I fly to the center of the country? I am hearing such mixed things about Hoi An and if it’s a huge tourist trap or if it’s enough to go there and also see Da Ang and and Hue.
-I’ve seen Ha Giang loop and Sapa discussed as well but unsure how doable that will be with timing.
I’m still booking everything but I’d assume I’ll have at least 8 days in Vietnam maybe a tough more… I don’t care too much about nightlife/partying, I really want to focus on cool cultural and nature experiences and keep my destinations somewhat diversified from my time in Thailand…thank you in advance!
Gail
Tiếng Việt
한국어
中文 (中国)
日本語
ไทย
Deutsch
Español
Destinations
Instagram
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Threads
Tiktok
I am six days into my trip. I have to say Hoi A was a highlight. I think two nights there is good. Stay in the area by the old city. It is not as hustle and bustle like Hanoi. Lots of beautiful little streets. Good food. You do not feel like you are suffocating from pollution and traffic like in Hanoi. I am now in Danang. This place is also very nice. If you bring cash remember that the notes need to be clean no rips etc. they don’t take Amex here. Visa is the best. Do not forget to get your visa before you leave. Take picture of yourself with a white background. Book all tours once here. It is far cheaper and so easy to do. You are able to get a tour for the next day they’re banging on your door to take you places so do not book everything before you leave your destination to come to Vietnam. And bring an extra suitcase because there is so much to buy here. You really don’t need to bring any clothes. You could just buy them here.
Edited: 1:23 am, January 03, 2026
less more??? 🤔
Agree stay North.
We did Lan Ha bay few weeks ago, less more boats than Ha long bay.
Of course there will be mixed reviews on Halong Bay. There will never be a consensus when human experiences are involved. Different people have different preferences, priorities + expectations.
How much of your time are you wanting to spend on a boat out in a Bay?
How much of a priority is it for you?
No problem.
“I see such mixed things with plenty of people saying do just a day in Ninh Binh“
Ninh Binh deserves far more than just a day trip.
I normally work on a minimum of three nights in places, which still only gives you two full days.
But in your case, it’s going to come down to how much time in total you have.
Re Halong Bay, your choices will be a day trip, or a one or two night cruise.
After all that, just make sure you don’t sell Hanoi short.
Scott
Edited: 12:00 am, January 02, 2026
@Stingray thank you! Any favorite sites in the north other than the well known ones?
@scottj thank you! How long do you think for Ninh Binh and Halong Bay? I see such mixed things with plenty of people saying do just a day in Ninh Binh
Only 8 days l would stay in the north. Hanoi is another large city, different from Bangkok though.
“……I’ll have at least 8 days in Vietnam…..”
Then just spend it in the North.
Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Ninh Binh, will easily fill your time.
Scott
Hi! Doing a trip in March to Thailand and Vietnam. I will most liked see Bangkok and maybe Samui before heading to Vietnam. I want to skip HCMC as I am already doing Bangkok and I’m from New York so used to a lot of city life. I definitely want to go to Hanoi and will probably fly back to the US from there and I’d like to see Halong Bay. So then it’s what to do with the rest of my time…. Should I
-Do an overnight cruise in Halong bay? Or just a day trip?
-Should I spend some days in Ninh Binh?
-Any other day trips from Hanoi worth seeing?
-should I fly to the center of the country? I am hearing such mixed things about Hoi An and if it’s a huge tourist trap or if it’s enough to go there and also see Da Ang and and Hue.
-I’ve seen Ha Giang loop and Sapa discussed as well but unsure how doable that will be with timing.
I’m still booking everything but I’d assume I’ll have at least 8 days in Vietnam maybe a tough more… I don’t care too much about nightlife/partying, I really want to focus on cool cultural and nature experiences and keep my destinations somewhat diversified from my time in Thailand…thank you in advance!
Gail