Vietnam Trip Planning - March 2026 - Itinerary Advice needed (HCMC/Hanoi/Da Nang)

[goldenhorn]

G'day everyone,

Planning our second trip to Vietnam for March 2026 and would love some advice from those who know the country well.

The Basics:

• Dates: Last 2 weeks of March - Arriving HCMC, departing Da Nang (13 nights)
• Flying J on Singapore Airlines using Aeroplan points (BNE-SIN-SGN, DAD-SIN-BNE) for 45,000 pts per pax
• Accor Platinum status - prefer hotels with executive lounges where possible

Previous Trip: Last year we did 4 nights HCMC → 1 night Ba Na Hills side trip → ~7 nights Da Nang → 2 nights Hanoi. Really enjoyed it but felt rushed in Hanoi. Pollution was pretty bad when we were there, though.

Current Itinerary Dilemma:

Option A: Beach + City Mix

• 3 nights HCMC
• 4 nights Phu Quoc
• 6 nights Da Nang

Option B: Two Cities + Beach

• 3 nights HCMC
• 3 nights Hanoi
• 7 nights Da Nang

Originally leaning toward Phu Quoc since we didn't go there last time, but now wondering if it's just going to feel like "another beach resort" when we're already doing a week in Da Nang? Would we be better off with more time in Hanoi (which we really enjoyed but only scratched the surface)?

Hotel Questions:

HCMC: Thinking of switching from Sofitel Saigon Plaza we stayed at earlier this year (which we loved) to Hotel des Arts Saigon MGallery this time. Anyone stayed there? Is the Sky Lounge as good as people say? Worth the switch or stick with Sofitel?

Hanoi (if we go): Stayed at Grand Mercure last time and got an amazing suite upgrade. Considering splurging on Sofitel Legend Metropole this time but the rates are eye-watering (4-5 times more than GM Hanoi). Is Metropole worth 2-3x the price of Grand Mercure? Or just go back to what we know?

Da Nang: Planning to split between Novotel Danang Premier Han River (2 nights - city/river) and Pullman Danang Beach Resort (4-5 nights - loved it last time). Want to try Premier Village Danang but isn't available for our dates - anyone know if it's closed or just fully booked? Seems to be blocked off in the Accor app for months.

Specific Questions:

1. Phu Quoc vs Hanoi - which would you choose, given we're already doing a week of beach in Da Nang?
2. For those who've done Phu Quoc - is it different enough from Da Nang to justify going to both?
3. Late March/Early April weather - I know it's good for Da Nang, but how's Hanoi that time of year? Still dealing with pollution/haze?
4. Hotel des Arts HCMC - genuinely better than Sofitel Saigon Plaza, or just different?
5. Is Metropole Hanoi worth the massive premium over Grand Mercure?

Really appreciate any insights! We like a mix of relaxation and exploring, good food, and aren't big on nightlife. Happy to take taxis/Grab everywhere.

Cheers!

 

[jase05]

I’m in Phu Quoc currently at the Premier Village resort and absolutely love it so much so that we are going to come back again next year. The resort is a 10-15 minute Grab ride away from civilisation so once at the resort it’s just bliss. Yesterday we did take a Grab over to Sunset Town and then the cable car to Hon Thom but for me it was just too fake and not really enjoyable. Cable car was the highlight. We are off to the Premier Village in DaNang next. We have stayed at the Novotel several times previously and enjoyed it but this trip is all about relaxation and not much sight seeing.
As to Hanoi, 3-4 days is enough for us and the Metropole is absolutely worth it IMO if your budget allows. We are finishing in HCMC and staying at Hotel Arts this time.
I don’t know what is happening with the Premier Village in DaNang but according to management here at Premier Village Phu Quoc the owners are currently in talks to convert to Sofitel

 

[goldenhorn]

I’m in Phu Quoc currently at the Premier Village resort and absolutely love it so much so that we are going to come back again next year. The resort is a 10-15 minute Grab ride away from civilisation so once at the resort it’s just bliss. Yesterday we did take a Grab over to Sunset Town and then the cable car to Hon Thom but for me it was just too fake and not really enjoyable. Cable car was the highlight. We are off to the Premier Village in DaNang next. We have stayed at the Novotel several times previously and enjoyed it but this trip is all about relaxation and not much sight seeing.
As to Hanoi, 3-4 days is enough for us and the Metropole is absolutely worth it IMO if your budget allows. We are finishing in HCMC and staying at Hotel Arts this time.
I don’t know what is happening with the Premier Village in DaNang but according to management here at Premier Village Phu Quoc the owners are currently in talks to convert to Sofitel

Thanks so much for the feedback. That’s a glowing recommendation for Pho Quoc, so you’re definitely leaning me back in that direction again!

I assume there’s no executive lounge there or am I wrong?

 

[jase05]

Thanks so much for the feedback. That’s a glowing recommendation for Pho Quoc, so you’re definitely leaning me back in that direction again!

I assume there’s no executive lounge there or am I wrong?

No EL lounge here.
It’s a big resort with about 200 villas all with private pool. I believe the resort is about 70% capacity currently and you see a heap of people at breakfast which is a very good spread but during the day it’s like everyone vanishes. The main pools are huge but not busy and the main beach area never gets packed. Our Villa has its own beachfront and no one comes down here so we have it all to ourselves

 

[aspro2]

Having a bad day at work, your great pics have now made me very annoyeder because I just want to fly there right now

 

[jase05]

Having a bad day at work, your great pics have now made me very annoyeder because I just want to fly there right now

And stupid us have been to Vietnam several times and yet have never been here!
Especially when I only just learned that Phu Quoc is visa free if arriving direct Internationally.
Scoot and Air Asia (yes I know) fly from SIN and KUL and only about 80 minutes flight time and we can enter visa free.
Going to seriously look at a few short breaks in the future ADL-SIN/KUL-PQC

 

[JustSlash]

Following the thread as we’ll be heading to Vietnam early next year, staying at Hotel Des Arts Saigon in HCMC and Movenpick Hanoi Centre. Hoping to pick up a few tips too… need all the help I can get to plan this one

 

[goldenhorn]

No EL lounge here.
It’s a big resort with about 200 villas all with private pool. I believe the resort is about 70% capacity currently and you see a heap of people at breakfast which is a very good spread but during the day it’s like everyone vanishes. The main pools are huge but not busy and the main beach area never gets packed. Our Villa has its own beachfront and no one comes down here so we have it all to ourselves
View attachment 475713View attachment 475714View attachment 475715View attachment 475716View attachment 475717View attachment 475718View attachment 475719View attachment 475720View attachment 475721View attachment 475722View attachment 475723View attachment 475724View attachment 475725View attachment 475726View attachment 475727View attachment 475728View attachment 475729View attachment 475730View attachment 475731View attachment 475732
View attachment 475733View attachment 475734View attachment 475735View attachment 475736View attachment 475737View attachment 475738View attachment 475739View attachment 475740

Wow!!! I’m totally sold!! Thanks for sharing the pics. Looks like paradise. Exactly what we want.

I checked the app and it’s about $500 per night for lowest category. Not bad.

Did you book the lowest category and get upgraded (assuming you are Platinum) or did you book the room you wanted?

 

[jase05]

Wow!!! I’m totally sold!! Thanks for sharing the pics. Looks like paradise. Exactly what we want.

I checked the app and it’s about $500 per night for lowest category. Not bad.

Did you book the lowest category and get upgraded (assuming you are Platinum) or did you book the room you wanted?

We splashed out as I wanted guaranteed absolute beachfront. We were offered several different upgrades but whilst they looked great they were set up on the side of the hill and require a walk or buggy to get to the main beach. I wanted to just step out our front door and on to the sand. The beach was crystal clear and warm and just a perfect beach.
A lot of the Korean and Japanese guests prefer the villas on the sunset side as it gives stunning sunsets but we walked over there and the beach whilst nice had rough water and more prone to rough weather. Ours was on sunrise side and calm everyday apart from when the storm hit last night. The villa we are in and most others are 3 bedroom with all rooms having private balcony overlooking the beach and private ensuites so they are popular with groups and affordable as it’s about $900-1000 per night for a couple or $1100 for 6 people