What are the best cities/areas to visit in Vietnam?

Question

I will be spending about 8-11 days in Vietnam, flying into Hanoi and leaving from Saigon. I'm looking for suggestions on where I should concentrate my time? Was thinking Hanoi/Halong Bay, then go by train to Hoi An. I've already spend 3 days in the Saigon area but don't mind spending 1 or 2 days there again. I'll either fly out of Saigon, or take a river cruise/bus into Cambodia for 4 days, then fly out of Siem Riep.

Answer 1

Why not get the train from Hanoi to Hue. Lots of historical/cultural stuff to see here.

From Hue, simply get the bus to Hoi An. Then you can fly to HCMC and continue onto Cambodia.

Other great places include:

Nha Trang - great beach town, very devoloped though.

Phu Quoc - Lovely beach, not as devoloped. Catch a flight from HCMC.

Dalat - Easy bus trip from HCMC (or Nha Trang). Quiet, but beautiful town and nice for a few days to check out and relax.

Hope it helps, have a great trip!

Answer 2

3days in Hanoi, Ha Long and Phong Nha Cave.  days in Hue, DaNang, Hoi An,and 3days in HCM city, Vung tau ( or Nha Trang, Da Lat )

and 2 day for moving.

Answer 3

Your itinerary sounds pretty good,but as you have already spent time in Saigon,why dont you visit Nha Trang after Hoi An,its a good place to visit especially if you want a few days on the beach and  good nightlife.

I am sory to preach on about this,but we are i hope on this forum to help each other.DONT USE THE BUS,unless you have to,17 people dead this week allready from bus crashes.

Answer 4

Saigon all the way!!

Answer 5

good itinerary as it stands, try to do an over night train to da nang [ hoi an does not have a station] motor bike or cab to hoi an [ $3-$7] 2 nights in hoi an, take a late afternoon boat ride on the river [ you can meet woman down at the cam nam bridge by the market who will take you out on the river].  take the plane [ or over night train]to nha trang [ book flight as soon as possible]  4-5 nights in nha trang, 2 in sai gon, and that would give you time in ha noi to either go up to sa pa or mai chau or take other day trips out of ha noi. phu quoc island in the south and phong nha caves in the north are very nice but defiantly out of the way and would cost you time you don t have on an 11 day trip. 2-4 days around ha noi , 2 nights in hoi an, 4 nights in nha trang [ there is plenty to do in and around nha trang] 2 nights in sai gon and 2 nights traveling between places.that's already a tight squeeze..be flexible in your plans AND ALWAYS HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN ! and if you go anywhere by bus [ especially cambodia] take Imodium and dramamine with you.

Answer 6

If you have time - just visit Sapa, a mountainous district of  Lao Cai Province. A former French hill station, located in the middle of the breaktaking landscapes in the north of Vietnam, Sapa is one of the most wonderful places in Asia and is a magical combination of landscapes, ethnic cultures and bracing mountain air. ..

http://www.vietnamtourism.com/

Answer 7

Vietnam is a very nice and full of hidden things waiting for your exploration. Each city/region of Vietnam has it's own beauty, so if you have time, you should visit all.

As you time is limitted up to 11 days, I would like to suggest the following Itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi - city tour

Day 2: Hanoi-Halong - overnight on Junk on Halong Bay

Day 3: Halong Bay - Hanoi-Sapa by night train

Day 4: Sapa - visit hill tribal and markets

Day 5: Hill tribal and overnight train back to Hanoi

Day 6: Hanoi- flight to Hue - visit Hue citadel

Day 7: Hue - Perfume river by boat - Hoian ancient town

Day 8: Hoian an ancient town

Day 9: Hoian-Saigon - city toru

Day 10: Saigon - Mekong delta

Day 11: Saigon - cu chi tunnels - bus to Phnompenh Cambodia at 1h00.

Day 12: Phnompenh - city tour - killing field

Day 13: Phnopenh - Siemreap by express boat - Visit Angkor Complex

Day 14: Full day Angkor Wat, Angkor Complex

Day 15: Angkor Complex - Bach Home

Enjoy your trip