Halong Bay is beautiful. We spent a night on board a junk cruising the bay which is dotted with over a 1000 rock formations …some as big as tiny islands, some as small as jetties…it is a piece of beauty in such a populated country where there is so much poverty and pollution. The junk was recently made but a reminder of ancient Vietnamese water travel. We spent time on the deck just relaxing after a whirlwind couple of days in Hanoi. Hoi An had a more villagey feel, there were less scooters and people, and hundreds of tailors. I got some clothes made which are brilliant and so cheap. The food is great and the locals are so friendly but of course love to haggle. I really liked Hoi An compared to Hanoi and would go back there again.