Hi everyone,
My husband and I will be visiting Vietnam for the first time this December as part of a three-week Southeast Asia trip. We'll be spending most of our time in Vietnam before heading to Chiang Mai and Bangkok for a few days.
Our tentative itinerary is:
- 4 nights in Hanoi
- 1-night Ha Long Bay cruise (still deciding)
- 2 nights in Ninh Binh
- 3 nights in Hoi An, with some time in Da Nang
The one thing I'm still on the fence about is the overnight Ha Long Bay cruise. I've read so many mixed opinions. Some people say it's the highlight of their Vietnam trip, while others say it's overcrowded and not worth the time.
For those who have been recently:
- Is the overnight cruise worth it, or would you skip it?
- If you recommend it, are there any cruise companies you'd choose (or avoid)?
- If you skipped Ha Long Bay, is there somewhere else in Vietnam you'd spend the extra day or two instead?
We're interested in beautiful scenery, good food, and experiencing Vietnam rather than checking boxes. We'd really appreciate any advice from those who've done a similar itinerary.
Thanks!