Itinerary Advice?

Hi everyone,

Seeking some input on where we should go in North Vietnam, apart from Hanoi. My friend and I are 18 and we'll be backpacking Cambodia & Vietnam from Nov 29-Dec 23. Rough itinerary is:

Nov. 27-Dec 9: Cambodia (Dec 8 Kampot -> HCMC)
Dec. 9: HCMC
Dec. 10: HCMC/Da Nang flight
Dec. 11: Hoi An
Dec. 12: Hoi An
Dec. 13: Hoi An
Dec. 14: Hoi An/Hue
Dec. 15: Hue
Dec. 16: Hue/Hanoi
Dec. 17: Hanoi
Dec. 18-21: N Vietnam?
Dec. 22: Hanoi (will be meeting local friend here)
Dec. 23: Hanoi

From Dec 18-21, we were interested in Sapa or Ha Giang, but will it be hard to get there in late December? Will visibility issues make the experience not worth it? We also thought about Ha Long Bay, but we don't want something "too touristy" and most cruises are pretty expensive. Any other places you'd all recommend -- Ninh Binh, Da Lat, etc.? We're interested in good scenery, historic monuments, interacting with locals and great food.

Thanks!

If you want something not too touristy, I'd suggest going down to Nihn Bihn. Reports are that Sapa itself is becoming overdeveloped due to popularity with tourists. Though I'm sure the trekking is still good. But Nihn Bihn is way less built up.

But really Halong Bay is one of those places that is touristy for a good reason. The views out on the water on the way to Cat Ba island are fantastic, with the limestone karsts and the bright green seawater. Really I think you should reconsider about Halong bay.

I mean, if you wanted to avoid tourists, you wouldn't be planning so much time in Hoi An, which must be the single most place in Vietnam over run by tourists.

Apart from Hanoi, there are Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay, Sapa (3 or 4 nights including 2 night trains), Ninh Binh (1 or 2 nights) and Mai Chau (2 or 3 nights)Dalat city is just a place for relaxation (Nothing more to do in VN). Give one day more to HCMC!

Most of the young travellers I met in Vietnam raved about Phong na. Cat ba island is a good option for cheap day tours of Halong bay. The scenery is fantastic, and a day tour is good enough if you are on a budget.

Hey everyone, thanks for the suggestions. Some other questions:

1. Should we cut one day off of Hoi An? I've read that ppl recommend at least 2-3 days there.
2. If we have ~4 days extra, should we spend them in Da Lat / Nga Trang, Nga Trang or north of Hanoi (eg. Sapa)? Given also that we'll be there in December.
3. How many days for Cat Ba Island / Ha Long Bay ferry? Is 2 days, 1 night enough?

Thanks!

For Halong Bay and Cat Ba island, probably 3 days and 2 nights is best. But you can do Halong bay quicker if you don't go out to Cat Ba.

And yes, I think you should cut at least one day from Hoi An. And don't go to Nga Trang if you are trying to avoid places overly touristy.

Thanks. Do you think it's wise to visit Sapa in the winter, or should we stick to Hanoi + Ha Long Bay in the north?

Do the following : Hoi An (2 days are enough, you will not swim in December), then Hue, then NIGHT TRAIN Hue-NINH BINH ; 2-3 days in Tam Coc (not Ninh Binh, ugly !), then day train NB-Hanoi or deluxe limo direct Tam Coc-Hanoi

December is cold in the North (18-20°, less in the mountains). On another side, the region of Sapa-Bac Ha is magnificent and worth the trip (3 days min. - Not so touristy in December). The best is to check the weather in Sapa once in Hanoi (type "meteo Sapa" on Googles). If too cold or foggy, then go to Mai Chau.

Cat Ba is one 'gate" for Halong BUT only for collective junks one day only or private junks, the best but expensive. for collective junks 2 days (it's enough !), the gate is Halong city, not Cat Ba.

Thanks.

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