Vietnam forum

I'm surprised you are skipping Hoi An over Nha Trang and Hue , but I guess it depends on what you are looking for. But then you talk about getting a train to Danang which is near Hoi An, so maybe you're not??

My suggestions:
- Skip Nha Trang and add the time to Hanoi . Nha Trang isn't all that special and given your very limited time, it's probably the least interesting of the places that you mention, and doesn't provide much in the way of insight to Vietnamese culture, etc. It's a beach town, and whilst the beach is OK, it's not amazing.
- Take bus/train from Hue to Hoi An and spend 2 days there (minimum). There are nice beaches near Hoi An if you need a beach-fix.
- Go easy on yourself and Fly from Hoi An (Danang to HCMC,

Check out Jetstar for some cheap flights. Really, the cost is not that much compared to the time savings. Yes, you will miss out on some of the scenery from the bus window but you will have a better quality time in the places that you are visiting.

I spent a month doing the journey from Hanoi to Chau Doc. It was a mix of one flight (Hanoi - Hue), buses (including one sleeper), mini-buses and motorbike. I didn't take a train in the end .. for no particular reason in that it didn't fit in with plans at the time.

I also just booked it one leg at a time to ensure maximum flexibility - and had no issues in doing this. I think just about every leg that I did was organised the day before, including the flight, so there was no need to pre-arrange anything or buy a jump on/jump off type of ticket. To me, that limits your potential options. For example, a highlight on my trip was a 9-day motorbike trip that we organised once in Dalat. If I had a jump on/off bus pass, I may not have been inclined to do that trip. Doing things one leg at a time is very easy in Vietnam - and the best way to go in my opinion.

Fair call about Jetstar. They are known to be unreliable although the few times that I've flown them, it's been trouble-free.

Also agree with Hoi An rather than Hue . I started out suggesting that they skip both Nha Trang AND Hue but didn't want to completely sabotage their plans! Hue is interesting for a day or two if you're keen to see old temples, citadels, etc. It's an OK town - nice, but not amazing. Hoi An on the other hand is very vibrant, lively and interesting. And there's stuff you can do out of Hoi An itself (cycling into countryside, visit the beach, do trip up to Marble Mountain and Danang, fresh seafood lunch at China Beach, etc).

many thank for advices.

the plan would be like as follows :

27th April arrive in Hanoi

day 1,2,3,4(27,28,29,30) - Hanoi
day 5,6(1-2 may) - Ha Long Bay

i'm kinda confused here..is better to do all Hanoi days before Ha Long Bay?...the return from Ha Long is on morning or evening?..

overnight in Hanoi and flight next morning to Hue/Da Nang..which is best option if my next destination is Hoi An?

day 7,8,9(4-6 may) - Hoi An

next morning flight to Saigon

day 10,11,12(7-9 may) Saigon

from there, most likely, bus to Siem Reap, via Phnom Penh..anyone knows a better option?