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Thai Nguyen
I’m planning a 2-week trip to Vietnam from 31 March to 14 April. I arrive in Hanoi and will stay for two nights, then travel to Ninh Binh for two nights. From there I transfer to Lan Ha Bay for a 2-night cruise. After the cruise, I return via Hanoi and fly to Hoi An, where I’ll stay in the Old Town for two nights (arriving in the evening on the first day). I then move to An Bang Beach for five nights as a slower beach base, with flexibility for optional outings. On 13 April I fly back to Hanoi for a final night before departing on 14 April. Transport is a mix of airport transfers/Grab, train or private car to Ninh Binh, cruise transfers, and domestic flights between Hanoi and Da Nang.
I’d really appreciate feedback on the pacing, particularly the longer transfer day from Lan Ha Bay to Hoi An, whether the allocation of nights feels balanced, and if there’s anything significant I may be missing in this route — and why you’d recommend adding or adjusting it.
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Yep. I went through immigration twice and had 48 hours in Siem Reap / Angkor Wat.
It was the highlight of my trip.
Others may prefer the beach but we all have our travel preferences.
#7, Yes 3 days would be minimum, for me, even that is rushed. Plus you need a visa for Cambodia and some will need a visa again for Vietnam.
“I’d cut two days from the beach and would fly to Seam Reap for Angkor Wat and then fly back to Hanoi the day before your return flight“
So through customs twice and two flights for maybe 24 hours on the ground?? 🤨
not sure you could pay me to do that.
The traffic in Hanoi is awful.
Last week I did a return journey on The Cat Ba Express from the old town to Cat Ba town.
The outward journey took five hours and the return was four and a quarter. (I was first drop off)
It also takes 40-60 minutes to get from the old town to the airport.
I’d recommend going from Hanoi to Lan Ha, then to Nimh Binh and then take the train from there to Da Nang for Hoi An.
I’d cut two days from the beach and would fly to Seam Reap for Angkor Wat and then fly back to Hanoi the day before your return flight.
If you want to experience on train ride, you can consider doing train Ninh Binh to Danang/ Hoian.
2 nights can = only 1 full day. Not enough time in some of those places.
I can only see 2 flights from Haiphong to DaNang, both about 11.20am. Not sure if that would work.
How far is the airport from Lan Ha bay?
Hello
Contrary to the aboves I don’t think your itinerary looks that rushed. Sure it’s not slow paced travel but at least you have 2 nights in each place and 2 nights on the bay.
Instead of going all the way back to Hanoi for your flight to Danang why not go to Haiphong and fly from there? Shorter travel time and a much smaller airport to navigate.
Hoi An old town and beach are very different areas even though they are only 5ks apart but you could leave booking An Bang accommodation until you are in Hoi An then you can decide if you want to spend 5 nights at the beach or if you want to extend your town trip.
If you could find an extra day add it to Ninh Binh / Tam Coc. You’ll be able to explore more with an extra day.
Hanoi to DaNang by flight then about 40 minutes by road to Hoi An, easy.
It does sound a bit rushed and then 5 days at the beach. Would not be my choice.
If arriving in the evening, l would spend more than 2 nights in Hoi An. The beach is only a few miles away, easy to cycle there.
Thats a lot of accommodation changes and travel days. you basically loose a half day / full one every time you transfer. Giving you only one “full day” in each place accept for An Bang.
While I have not spent time in the bay area, you shouldn’t have a problem. In terms of logistics, it might be easier to reverse these and do Lan Ha Bay first, then transfer to Ninh Binh. You would give yourself more flexibility on the day you fly out.
I would look to stay in Hoi An or An Bang, not both. 3-4 days is plenty of time for the area and at a relaxed pace. I would “borrow”a few days from there and redistribute them to Ninh Binh / Hanoi.
Hope that helps!