Reasonable Itinerary?

Both Hanoi and HCMC deserve more than a full day each. Plenty to see in both cities and in the surrounds.
Why not do just the north or south this time. And, if you like the experience of Vn, do the rest some other time?

Both Hanoi and HCMC deserve more than a full day each. Plenty to see in both cities and in the surrounds.
Why not do just the north or south this time. And, if you like the experience of Vn, do the rest some other time?

#2
I disagree!

Well I can see both sides really - I agree with #1 and #2 ;)

Don't expect a really comfortable sleep on the Sapa train. I only slept a few hours each way, so you feel pretty tired afterwards (unless 3 hours sleep is the norm for you)
I would just take a day trip to halong, you get boat around the bay and walk in a cave. On the 3 day you won't see much more except a trek into the the forest on Cat ba island, better to spend the extra time in Sapa. that is only IF you like trekking.

Consider skipping nha trang altogether to have more time for saigon/hue/hoi an/hanoi

Travelb, I've got a strong pro-north prejudice - silly, really, because I've never been to the south - but I think you should take your trip from day 1 - 11, and expand that to fill your 17 days. You've only got one full day in Hanoi! One in Hue! Two in Hoi An! All those places are great, but they take a bit of time to unfold. If you REALLY want the the North-South experience, I'd ditch Sapa and either Hue OR Hoi An. Or, as B'bang suggests, ditch Nha Trang. As it is, WAY too many airports ...

Agree with #6 JB, skip Nha Trang and fly from Da Nang to Sai Gon. In Hoi An you can see Cua Dai beach or Cu Lao Cham, in Da Nang, My Khe is another good beach.

It looks reasonable to me. I might be inclined to squeeze in an extra day in sapa so you can overnight in a village.

WeiLong in Vietnam

ditch something and you'll have a better time - you'll be running on empty after just a couple of days - if you simplify it a bit, i vote out with nha trang.