Basic Itinerary Check

More detailed itinerary ¡V I know I can¡¦t fit in everything on my list, but would be interested in advice on what to keep and what to save for another time. This trip I¡¦m traveling on my own, and have limited time. I plan to return with my husband next year, so I¡¦m not to worried if I miss bits and pieces, or am a bit rushed.

Day 1 & 2 ¡V Hanoi
„X Dong Xuan markets
„X Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and house and One Pillar Pagoda
„X Tran Quoc Pagoda in the west lake
„X Lunch Koto (for work purposes)
„X Perfume Pergoda
„X Lake of restored sword
„X Womens Museum
„X Water Puppet Theatre

Day 3 & 4 ¡V Halong Bay
„X 2 day/1 night cruise - Dragon Pearl boat with Handspan
„X Overnight train to Lao Cai when back in Hanoi

Day 5 ¡V Sapa
Day 6 ¡V Ta Van Homestay
Day 7 ¡V Sapa - Overnight train to Hue

Day 8 & 9 ¡V Hue
„X Perfume river cruise
„X Royal Tombs of the Nguyen
„X Imperial Citadel
„X De Militarized Zone area including the Vinh Moc tunnel

Day 10 & 11 ¡V Hoi An
„X Marble Mountain
„X Troglodyte Sanctuary,
„X Hai Van pass
„X Sightseeing walk of the Old Town
„X My Son Cham Towers
„X Cooking Class

Day 12 & 13 ¡V Nha Trang
„X Chill
„X Overnight train to HCMC

Day 14 & 15 ¡V HCMC

Day 7: Did you mean you will take overnight train from Lao Cai to Hanoi then connect another train to Hue? When you are back in Hanoi in early morning of Day 8, you may have to wait till evening for the train to Hue or take a slow train. Thus day 8 is for travelling, not in Hue.

Also from Hoi An to Nha Trang it would take a day to travel by bus.

The train from Hanoi to Danang takes something like 24 hours, and the trip to Hue is only a little closer. Though there is also a slightly faster one, as far as I can remember.
Have you considered flying to Danang and taking a train or bus to Hue from there? Or go from Danang to Hoi An (it's really close, you can take a taxi) and save Hue for the next time.

no 3, the trains takes 15 hours from hanoi to danang. just done this trip by train. would not recommend bus. you get nice sleepers for not much money plus some very interesting interactions with locals. enjoyed these 15 hours.

After getting back to Hanoi from Sapa in the morning consider a flight to Danang that day. Then: 1) Go to Hue for the nite. 2) Go to Hoian and do a side trip to Hue. 3) Put Hue off till next time and just go to Hoian. Don't miss the cooking class! Or Marble Mountain - bring your climbing shoes. Say "Chao" to Captain Dan at Capt. Dan's Tour Boat on the Hoian river front.

Compare the My Son Cham ruins with Cham Ruins near Nha Trang. My Son is a 1/2 day , or you can hire a cyclo driver in Nha Trang and include those ruins in a 1/2 day tour of all Nha Trang City. (It's cheaper, too)

Consider an overnite train from Danang/Hoian to Nha Trang. You'll met locals on the train. There's a train that arrives about 0200 in the morning - make sure you're not on that one - the city is asleep. You might have to sit in the train station until morning. It's not comfortable.

The rest of you itinerary looks good. Enjoy your trip.

Good Luck!

Dwight Z.
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That's great all thanks! I'm glad I posted, I would have missed that mistake with the train times!

Think I'll spend an extra day in Hanoi, then do the overnight train, skip Hue and head straight for Hoi An...

Shall post a revised itinerary in a couple of days for a double check. I'm off to book my flights now!