Should we overnight in Hanoi?

[kbert92069]

We are on the Celebrity Millennium in February that spends a half day then overnight then a second full day in Halong Bay.

 

Hanoi is 3.5 hours minimum bus ride each way so typically one overnights at a hotel in Hanoi. Is a trip to Hanoi worth it? As an alternative we would just tour Halong Bay by local junk type ship.

 

If you didn't go to Hanoi do you fell you missed out?

 

Thanks

[loerie]

Ha long Bay is beyond words-rate it as one of the top 10 places in the world -in my opinion Hanoi is just a big crowded city.

 

 

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[maryann ns]

We enjoyed Hanoi but I think your time would be better spent on a junk in Halong Bay. Reserve ahead, and consider Indochina Junks which go into a secluded bay off Halong Bay.

[kbert92069]

Wow, I appreciate the responses. Both in agreement and so that's the way we are leaning. More thoughts welcome.

[NantahalaCruiser]

We enjoyed Hanoi but I think your time would be better spent on a junk in Halong Bay. Reserve ahead, and consider Indochina Junks which go into a secluded bay off Halong Bay.

 

Fully agree - last November we were part of a CC group of 16 that chartered one of Indochina Junk's three Dragon Pearl junks for an overnight. It was the highlight of our 14-N cruise: beautiful scenery, wonderful food (lunch & dinner 1st day and breakfast & lunch 2nd day), visit to a cave, kayaking, swimming, rowboat trip into a floating fishing village, visit to a cultured pearl farm. Ship was beautiful, cabins were small but had private bathroom with shower. Our charter included van transportation from the cruise tender dock across a bridge to the other side of the harbor to the dock used by the various Junk companies. Although the junk could hold 20 passengers, we limited our group to 16 and paid about 200 USD per person for the charter - well worth the cost. No buyer's regrets or second thoughts about missing Hanoi!

[sugarbird]

Halong Bay is a terrific experience---however, so is Hanoi despite the long ride---The French Quarter, The house where Ho Chi Minh lived, the old city, Hanoi Hilton(where John Mccain was held), etc

If it is still there --try the Cafe Mocha for lunch--very atmospheric--like an old Humphry Bogart movie.

If you go to Hanoi -- stay overnight

Halong Bay is also great--floating villages, great scenery.

You can do both if you do Hanoi in 1 day--we have done that 2 times--

 

 

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[Iluvcruising2]

We spent 3 Nights in Hanoi late last year on a 'do nothing' type of trip. Frankly, I didn't find much to do there and I would recommend skipping it, especially if you can spend the time at Ha Long bay. It is just another city, with bad traffic jams.

 

Some videos.

 

Walked around the Old Quarter a bit. Didn't like it

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Walk from the Opera House to the Hoan Kiem Lake. This was a car-free weekend at the Lake area, which was a relief!

[YOUTUBE]QJ-kUS6tDOc[/YOUTUBE]

 

Snippets from our taxi, as we took a taxi from the JW Marriott to the Opera House. Plenty of motorcycles and traffic!

[YOUTUBE]GywX9eooKPU[/YOUTUBE]

 

Yes, plenty of motorbikes.

[YOUTUBE]WNpMXTKjXhQ[/YOUTUBE]