Boston to Guangzhou (but flying into Hong Kong)

Hi -- I am traveling for work from Boston to Guangzhou. The flight options are terrible. It would be better if I flew Boston to Hong Kong, and took a ferry to Guangzhou. On the return, I would take a ferry from Guangzhou back to Hong Kong for a flight back to Boston. So technically, my flight would be a round trip from Boston to Hong Kong, but I need to be in Guangzhou for work and need a China Visa. I am staying there for approximetely 2 weeks. While over there, we need to take a 2-day trip from Guangzhou to Vietnam and back to Guangzhou. Can you please help guidance on what my best option is?