Hong Kong or Hanoi (going to Vietnam)

[itcouldhavebeenme]

So, we have a stopover in HK and I've always wanted to experience it and thought we'd stay there for 2 nights (enough?) for a layover before heading to Hanoi.

From Hanoi we are doing Halong Bay and then Hoi An before a flight home.

Question is - should we allow 2 nights each in HK and Hanoi or would it be better to either to go for (a) 1 night HK and 3 nights in Hanoi, or (b) 3 nights in HK and 1 night in Hanoi?

Looking to chill in Hoi An for 5-6 days.

Help!

The cruise we did only had overnight or 2 night stay passengers, no day ones. It was very restful, great food and a very comfortable cabin to sleep in. It was an early start in the morning as we went on a small row boat to see monkeys, but we could’ve opted out, just chose not to.
We did 4 nights in Hoi An and found it was enough and I loved it there and is somewhere I’d like to return to. We didn’t do any beach days it I would’ve liked to. Good luck choosing what to cut out 😊

Thanks, yes our boat is luxury too and no day-trippers onboard, I guess I was thinking it will be less busy evening/morning on the water.

We have a beach hotel in Hoi An and we like to relax on holidays so looking forward to our 5 nights there, whilst exploring Hoi An and the surrounding area.

I've heard great things about Ninh Binh. Have you been?

No, we didn’t get to Ninh Binh but I’d happily go back to Vietnam and go there.

We did 1 night in Ha Long Bay and I’m very glad I did. Didn’t have time for Ninh Binh though. I’d stick with it. I only had one night in Hoi An and that was not long enough.

Halong Bay is a must visit place in North (Lan Ha Bay is less touristy).
I would do this sequence: Hanoi- Halong Bay- Ninh Binh- Hanoi- Danang/ Hoian (You can also take a train from Ninh Binh to Danang/ Hoian).

@itcouldhavebeenme Make absolutely certain you have a 2-3 hour gap in flights at Doha. DD missed hers to Vietnam. There’s loads of flights from London so don’t have just 1 hour to change planes - 1 hour delay at Heathrow and it’s a disaster.

I found the jetlag immense, so you may need to factor that in.

sorry I might have missed it but do you have kids? If so how old? We found the jet lag bad (with a 4 year old). Ninh binh was a nice relaxing start to our trip given the jet lag!

They are 16 and 18.

We have decided to go for 2 nights in Hanoi (with only one booked excursion later the first day after landing) and then 2 in Ninh Binh.

Saying that, I don't think we suffered too much with jetlag when we flew to Thailand (although admittedly that flight was direct).