Vietnam - 2 week itinerary

LG1234

I am going to Vietnam in mid September for 2 weeks, here is my itinerary to date. Does this look ok or can anyone offer advice?

7/09/13 - Arrive in HCMC on Saturday night. Stay in HCMC until Wednesday morning in Saigon Europe Hotel.

11/09/13 - Head to the Mekong. Stay in a homestay down there or return to HCMC that night?

12/09/13 - Fly to Da Nang. Arrive in Hoi An. Chill out in a beach resort and see Hoi An Friday and Saturday. Say on a nice luxury hotel in An Bang or Cua Dai. Take a boat trip out to the Cham islands for some snorkeling if the weather is ok.

15/09/13 - On Sunday do a trip out to the Hai Van Pass or head up to Hue for the day/night. Maybe do it in an old US jeep: http://lookingglassjeeptours.com/vietnam/about-us

16/09/13 - Fly to Hanoi with VietJetAir

16/09/13 -Hanoi - We arrive in Hanoi around 7pm on Monday. Hanoi Backpackers is the place to stay while there. “Old Town” apparently has the most interesting night life. The hostel is a party hostel and seems like it would be good fun after the quiet few days in Hoi An.

19/09/13 - Head out on a tour of Ha Long Bay and stay out there for the night. Indochina Junk appear to be the best option?

20/09/13 - I can either take a flight back down to HCMC on Friday night or fly down with Jetstar Saturday morning before the flight home.

Any opinions would be welcome.

solerina

I can recommend Indochina Junk alright, although I would suggest you do a two day cruise with them (we did)..otherwise you arrive at the harbour and get onto the junk about 13.00 and are off it by 12.00 the next day...its very short, a 2 day cruise is more worthwhile. Also I dont think you need as much as 3 full days in HCMC (its not as interesting as Hanoi-imo- its actually somewhat european)...Hoi An, Hanoi and Halong were the highlights for me.The Hai Van pass is nice (and there is a place at the top that serves great coffee). I would add a day to your cruise and Hanoi is possible and take away from HCMC. Stay in the old town or Cua Dai Road..an Bang is nice but very quite...beach was fairly empty when we were there...I wouldnt sat too far from the old town if you do stay on Cua dai road...its a long road and youd be better off on the old town end than the beach end (most hotels lend you bikes to get about anyway)

Tipperary animal lover

Hcmc city can be done ina day and night, that's to long staying there, in hcmc do a xo motor food tour well worth it but book ASAP as always full, have a look at Saigon river express for your tour of the Mekong, all the rest looks ok, I'd add in the central highlands do a motor bike tour from nha-trang, have a look at owee58.com he dose brilliant east rider tours and has a lovely home stay... But book ASAP as he's really busy. Enjoy vietnam it's brilliant.

Gatica

Indochina Junk for 2 nights is a great way to see Halong/Bai Tu Long bay. The itinerary is really good, you get to do kayaking and the water is warm and really clear for dipping at any time of day really.
Watch your drinks bill though! it can rack up pretty quickly.