LittleWingJimi

Hi,

I am trying to make the most of my time in Vietnam but also don't want to be a zombie, currently I have booked flying into Hanoi 2 nights, then luxury bus early to Sa Pa for 3 nights, then luxury bus early morning back to Hanoi for 1 night then pick up at hotel 9:00 am to Ha Long Bay for 2 night cruise, my question is would it make more sense to do:

A.) 3 nights in Hanoi to begin with when first arriving, then luxury bus (5.5hrs) to Sapa 2nights (3days) take the overnight train to Hanoi (8.5 hrs/ leaves 10pm, arrives 6am) for the morning pick up 9:00 am to Ha Long Bay, or keep:
B.) 2 nights Hanoi, then luxury bus (5.5hrs) to Sapa 3 nights then luxury bus back to Hanoi (leaves early morning 7 am about 5.5 hours, arrives Hanoi around 2pm), 1 night in Hanoi again, and then 9:00 am Ha Long bay cruise pick up.

Only reason I am hesitant about the train option is because I have heard poor night sleep is an issue and the train rocking has made people sick.

Thank you so much for any input!

crellston

I have taken lots of overnight train trips in Vietnam and have never seen anyone get sick. I think that would be way more likely on a bus.

The trains are not luxurious by any stretch but are reasonably ok as long as you opt for a soft sleeper berth ( go for the lower berths).

Do whatever you feel works best for you timing wise. FWIW, in the context of your overall trip, I think you are massively shortchanging Hanoi.

LittleWingJimi

Decided to go for the overnight train as I can usually sleep anywhere and to have more time in places, hopefully it will not be my last trip and can return to spend more days in places like Hanoi, any suggestions on things you really liked

Thank you so much for your input!

mjs

We did the bus to and from Sapa which worked out OK. Thought one night at Ha long bay was fine. Would add another night to Hanoi.

crellston

You are welcome.

As for what to do and see in Vietnam , as you have such a short time there I think you need to sort out what interests YOU. Have a look in a guide book/online to see what appeals. Here is a link to a blog post I wrote about Hanoi https://accidentalnomads.com/2014/12...ray-for-hanoi/ it is an amalgam of many visits and may provide some ideas. I also wrote a guide to surviving the traffic in Hanoi in another post which may be worth a quick read before you go. Crossing the road is a much needed skill there!One thing I always do is to take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake in the early morning to soak up the atmosphere. Just wandering the streets and alleys of the old quarter is very rewarding especially for a first time visitor.

Larsay

The problem of sleeping well or not is not the major one, which is that you arrive in Lao Cai at about 5:30 + 1 hour bus LC-Sapa. You are in Sapa not in the best shape to start a trekking ! The express bus arrives around 12:30, you register at your hotel (I recommend the excellent Phuong Nam on Fan Si Pan St) and you visit then the amazing Cat Cat Waterfalls

LittleWingJimi

Thanks so much for this info, appreciate everyone’s input and things to do! We also added Hoi An for 3 days at the end

Larsay

Two excellent addresses in Hoi An, the 2'stars NGO VILA, an the 3'star+ EMERALD,, both on the other side of the wooden bridge. Nearby for very good food, Madam Kieu. and, on the river after the concrete bridge, the Dao Tien. You have also the best Indian restaurant in Vietnam, the Ganesh 24 Hai Ba Trung St, the Co Mai of famous French Chef Didier Corlou (Vietnamese and Franch food) and a great Italian restaurant (teh Chef is from Bologna), the Good Morning Vietnam

Larsay

Not everybody can sleep well anywhere ! Personnaly, I always had problems in the Sapa night bus, dangerous and 9 hours drive Hanoi-Lao Cai + 1 hour bus LC-Sapa. I prefer by far the very comfortable bus Express, which is DIRECT Hanoi-Sapa (no stop in lao Cai)

LittleWingJimi

Thank you we went with the Chapa Express private car and were not disappointed definitely a splurge for my birthday, but slept well with good earplugs and was a really cute experience.

geargrublog7766

By night train, you will only arrive in Lao Cai city, not yet in Sa Pa. Then you have to travel another 35km by other means to reach Sa Pa town, or you can choose to go to Sa Pa station. Lao Cai rents a motorbike here to continue on your own, otherwise you should take a taxi. I support you taking the train because it is safer.

LittleWingJimi

thank you!! Completed the trip in April, wound up doing both, took Amazing Uncles bus there for 37$ from Ha Noi took just over 4 hrs super safe and comfortable, newly paved road to Sa Pa and has the option for an extra 10$ to take you directly to your hotel if outside of Sapa.

The overnight train used Chapa express, fun experience (but more expensive) took about 6.5-7 hrs but arrive in destination early.

both were great depends on what time which to take work out for your schedule for anyone future who sees this post

LittleWingJimi

Completed the trip in April, for anyone future who may see this thread, wound up doing both, took Amazing Uncles bus there for 37$ from Ha Noi took just over 4 hrs super safe and comfortable, newly paved road to Sa Pa and has the option for an extra 10$ to take you directly to your hotel if outside of Sapa trip was 8am - 12:30 pm

The overnight train used Chapa express, fun experience (but more expensive) took about 6.5-7 hrs but arrive in destination early 6 am which gave us the whole day.

both were great depends on what time which to take that works out for your schedule

Larsay

I select A.,
Why "luxurious" bus ? The regular buses are perfect direct Hanoi-Sapa and back
Take a guide for the trekking, for it is a maze of unmarked trails or crowded ones. The guided trekking ends around 13:00 so, take the express bus to go back to Hanoi, it leaves Sapa around 15:00

LittleWingJimi

They are just called luxury buses, still inexpensive, Amazing uncles bus company was fantastic and reliable took us right to the lodge we were staying. I like to hike on my own without tour guides, met some beautiful Hmong women and chatted with them bought little gifts for home from them you can easily get a guide while there if it’s your thing, to not be harassed kindly say no. The routes were easy via All Trails app highly recommend trekking Hmong Valley loop was absolutely stunning and not crowded if you’re more adventurous