Please help refine my Asia itinerary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha long bay is magical. You can fly direct from singapore to hanoi. Several boat tours will pick up from hanoi. I did a private one day trip when I went. They picked us up from our hotel, drove to the port, we went on the boat for a few hours, had lunch on the boat, they stop for snorkling or swimming or whatever, then back to the port, and we were driven back to the hotel. I think most people do at least a night on the boat, but we had such little time and still wanted to see it.

I was also going to suggest taiwan, which was one of my favourite places in asia. Amazing food scene.

I thought about that! So, from what little research I did online, and please note I have no direct experience, it seems the bay is suffering from over-tourism and getting too dirty to enjoy. There IS an alternative called Bai Tu Long bay that is apparently the "new" Ha Long. It will be, however, too cold to get into the water for swimming or snorkeling in December But I agree it sounds and looks magical and is definitely on the list.

What did you think of Hanoi?

I’m not the PP, but our family went to Vietnam over December/January 2 years ago. We did a 2-night Bai Tu Long Bay cruise that was amazing. We went with Indochina Junk - highly recommend. The weather can be iffy in winter (chilly, foggy) but we lucked out with gorgeous sunny weather in the 60s-70s. Some people even swam when we had lunch on a small island, but I grew up swimming in the bathwater-temp Gulf of Mexico and found the water a little cool for that.

Hanoi was my favorite city out of all we visited in Vietnam (also went to Hue - my 2nd favorite, Hoi An, Da Lat, and Saigon). It has a deep history and strong sense of culture. Like all of Vietnam, the traffic is nuts, though, the air pollution can be awful, and Vietnamese will tell you that northerners are not as friendly as southerners (I didn’t really notice that). Winter weather can be cool in Hanoi.

We stayed in the Old Quarter, which is lively, charming, and close to lots of sights, but chaotic. I think if we go again, I’d want to stay in Tay Ho or maybe in the French Quarter a little south of Hoan Kiem Lake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha long bay is magical. You can fly direct from singapore to hanoi. Several boat tours will pick up from hanoi. I did a private one day trip when I went. They picked us up from our hotel, drove to the port, we went on the boat for a few hours, had lunch on the boat, they stop for snorkling or swimming or whatever, then back to the port, and we were driven back to the hotel. I think most people do at least a night on the boat, but we had such little time and still wanted to see it.

I was also going to suggest taiwan, which was one of my favourite places in asia. Amazing food scene.

I thought about that! So, from what little research I did online, and please note I have no direct experience, it seems the bay is suffering from over-tourism and getting too dirty to enjoy. There IS an alternative called Bai Tu Long bay that is apparently the "new" Ha Long. It will be, however, too cold to get into the water for swimming or snorkeling in December But I agree it sounds and looks magical and is definitely on the list.

What did you think of Hanoi?

I’m not the PP, but our family went to Vietnam over December/January 2 years ago. We did a 2-night Bai Tu Long Bay cruise that was amazing. We went with Indochina Junk - highly recommend. The weather can be iffy in winter (chilly, foggy) but we lucked out with gorgeous sunny weather in the 60s-70s. Some people even swam when we had lunch on a small island, but I grew up swimming in the bathwater-temp Gulf of Mexico and found the water a little cool for that.

Hanoi was my favorite city out of all we visited in Vietnam (also went to Hue - my 2nd favorite, Hoi An, Da Lat, and Saigon). It has a deep history and strong sense of culture. Like all of Vietnam, the traffic is nuts, though, the air pollution can be awful, and Vietnamese will tell you that northerners are not as friendly as southerners (I didn’t really notice that). Winter weather can be cool in Hanoi.

We stayed in the Old Quarter, which is lively, charming, and close to lots of sights, but chaotic. I think if we go again, I’d want to stay in Tay Ho or maybe in the French Quarter a little south of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Thank you! Hanoi is looking better and better

[Anonymous]

Hi! Lived in Hong Kong for several years. You have so many amazing options. It totally depends on what you want--culture? Beaches?

I would do 2 nights (3 tops) in Singapore. It's very hot and kind of sterile. Acclimate a bit, check out the night zoo, Marina Bay Sands, food (Hawker stands) and get a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel. From there, consider Hanoi (2 nights) with beach time in Da Nang (2 nights). Make sure you do a street food tour in Hanoi and check out the art gallery.

Or fly to Phuket and Khao Lak (our favorite beach destination when we lived there--easy and beautiful--lots of great resorts). Koh Samui is also beautiful but more expensive.

In HK, spend 3 nights. Walk the loop around the Peak for the views, take the Star Ferry, hike Dragon's Back, eat dim sum, get high tea at the Peninsula, visit the Big Buddha on Lantau and watch the light show/fire works on NYE.

Have fun OP!!

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much, PP!

I hear you on Singapore. I’m a little reluctant to cut that time bc I want the kids to acclimate in a somewhat more comfortable place , and I honestly have no idea how long it would take for them so am erring on the side of caution. Four nights is basically 3 full days, one of which would probably be half ruined. Is this too much?

[Anonymous]

Also, wouldn’t Da Nang be too cold for the beach in January?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do Singapore for 3 nights, Bangkok for 4-5 nights and then add a beach in Thailand to make up the rest of the time.

Bali?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would be grateful for your advice.

I am going to Asia over winter break 2026/2027 with DS16 and DD11. Our dates are somewhat fixed and so is our entry point - we arrive to Singapore on December 20th and have to leave for the US on January 2nd at the latest. The flight to Singapore is ticketed, the flight back is open so far.

Currently the plan is to spend 4 nights in Singapore and 5 nights in Hong Kong. This leaves four nights in the middle for another destination, and I need help picking it out. We love cities but I think it would be good to have a break and do something else in between two big cities, perhaps a beach or something nature or culture-focused. We love food, walking around, being in cities, some culture and museums, nature and hiking, and water sports. No interest in Disney or theme parks or shopping. No Japan or Korea on this trip. Prefer places with a direct flight between destinations.

Currently I'm thinking about either a) Angkor Wat, b) Koh Samui, or c) do Thailand and Vietnam after Singapore instead of going to Hong Kong. I was enchanted with with the idea of Ha Long bay, but getting there doesn't seem straightforward, while Siem Reap and Koh Samui both have direct flights into Singapore and Hong Kong.

I have only traveled in Asia for work and frankly did not see much apart from the airport lounge and my hotel room as it was very intense.

What destination do you think would make sense for 4 days or so between Singapore and Hong Kong? Grateful for your advice.

Bali

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would be grateful for your advice.

I am going to Asia over winter break 2026/2027 with DS16 and DD11. Our dates are somewhat fixed and so is our entry point - we arrive to Singapore on December 20th and have to leave for the US on January 2nd at the latest. The flight to Singapore is ticketed, the flight back is open so far.

Currently the plan is to spend 4 nights in Singapore and 5 nights in Hong Kong. This leaves four nights in the middle for another destination, and I need help picking it out. We love cities but I think it would be good to have a break and do something else in between two big cities, perhaps a beach or something nature or culture-focused. We love food, walking around, being in cities, some culture and museums, nature and hiking, and water sports. No interest in Disney or theme parks or shopping. No Japan or Korea on this trip. Prefer places with a direct flight between destinations.

Currently I'm thinking about either a) Angkor Wat, b) Koh Samui, or c) do Thailand and Vietnam after Singapore instead of going to Hong Kong. I was enchanted with with the idea of Ha Long bay, but getting there doesn't seem straightforward, while Siem Reap and Koh Samui both have direct flights into Singapore and Hong Kong.

I have only traveled in Asia for work and frankly did not see much apart from the airport lounge and my hotel room as it was very intense.

What destination do you think would make sense for 4 days or so between Singapore and Hong Kong? Grateful for your advice.

Bangkok Thailand. Check weather. Add 2-4 days for jet lag/flight issues/weather on both ends of trip especially if kids are going back to school immediately after New Year's day (for example schools in some parts of Midwest USA do not go back until January 10 or something).

[Anonymous]

Manila

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would be grateful for your advice.

I am going to Asia over winter break 2026/2027 with DS16 and DD11. Our dates are somewhat fixed and so is our entry point - we arrive to Singapore on December 20th and have to leave for the US on January 2nd at the latest. The flight to Singapore is ticketed, the flight back is open so far.

Currently the plan is to spend 4 nights in Singapore and 5 nights in Hong Kong. This leaves four nights in the middle for another destination, and I need help picking it out. We love cities but I think it would be good to have a break and do something else in between two big cities, perhaps a beach or something nature or culture-focused. We love food, walking around, being in cities, some culture and museums, nature and hiking, and water sports. No interest in Disney or theme parks or shopping. No Japan or Korea on this trip. Prefer places with a direct flight between destinations.

Currently I'm thinking about either a) Angkor Wat, b) Koh Samui, or c) do Thailand and Vietnam after Singapore instead of going to Hong Kong. I was enchanted with with the idea of Ha Long bay, but getting there doesn't seem straightforward, while Siem Reap and Koh Samui both have direct flights into Singapore and Hong Kong.

I have only traveled in Asia for work and frankly did not see much apart from the airport lounge and my hotel room as it was very intense.

What destination do you think would make sense for 4 days or so between Singapore and Hong Kong? Grateful for your advice.

Bali

Flight is about 3 hours from Singapore (Singapore airlines) and Singapore and Bali in same time zone.

[Anonymous]

Malaysia

[Anonymous]

I lived in several Asian countries for over 10 years.

Don’t go to norther VN in winter. It’s gray and cold. I’ve done a Ha Long Bay cruise in summer and in winter, and it was a night and day difference (summer way better). I also went up to Sapa in January and it was freezing cold and our hotel lost power, and we did not have good views because of the cold and fog.

For winter in Thailand, go to Phuket over Koh Samui. The Andaman side is less prone to rain that time of year and late December is the perfect time, though most expensive.

Agree that HK is basically just a big city. It has good food, but I wouldn’t spend 4 days there after also spending several days in Singapore.

Angkor is amazing, do that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Manila

What? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine spending so much time in singapore and hongkong. 5 nights in hongkong? even 4 nights in singapore is alot.

+1

I live in Singapore. You can see everything you want to see in 2-3 days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I lived in several Asian countries for over 10 years.

Don’t go to norther VN in winter. It’s gray and cold. I’ve done a Ha Long Bay cruise in summer and in winter, and it was a night and day difference (summer way better). I also went up to Sapa in January and it was freezing cold and our hotel lost power, and we did not have good views because of the cold and fog.

For winter in Thailand, go to Phuket over Koh Samui. The Andaman side is less prone to rain that time of year and late December is the perfect time, though most expensive.

Agree that HK is basically just a big city. It has good food, but I wouldn’t spend 4 days there after also spending several days in Singapore.

Angkor is amazing, do that!

PP, thank you very much for these recommendations, especially for the tip to opt for Phuket over Koh Samui. I think I am sold on this, especially because I just checked and there are nonstop flights to Siem Reap from Phuket airport (but not from Koh Samui). Yes!

So, it is looking like Singapore-Phuket-Angkor Wat-Hong Kong. Great! No backtracking and experiencing a bit of everything.