Vietnam - 14 Nights - Family of Four

happyhat on 12/12/2017 - 15:44
Last edited 12/12/2017 - 16:56

Hi Guys,

I just booked return flights to Ho Chi Min City for july next year 14 nights and now need to plan stay,activities and perhaps domestic flights. Looking for suggestions on things to do and places to stay in Vietnam, we're a family of four (2A + 2C below 12), primary purpose is to relax and unwind, good sightseeing would be a bonus. like to stay where kids can keep busy. Any suggestions are appreciated. thanks.

Thanks for suggestions, i was looking at Vung Tau, is it a good place.? i heard accor group has a resort there and then after that perhaps head to Nha Trang. Any suggestions on cruise from Vung Tau to Nha Trang.? trying to keep domestic travel to minimum.

Travel

Comments

  • Almost Banned on 12/12/2017 - 15:49
    +1

    With that amount of time I'd definitely get out of HCMC for some of it.
    Try at least one other city - maybe Da Nang/Hoi An?

    • joshm998 on 19/12/2017 - 17:27

      Hoi An is definitely worth it and easy to get to as its right near Da Nang

  • singlemalt72 on 12/12/2017 - 15:58

    5 nights is all you need to see the sights of HCMC … look at catching the train up the coast and spend some time in Nah Trang, Da Nang and Hue.

    • Marcsie on 12/12/2017 - 20:42

      Nha Trang, not Nah Trang :)

  • Hiroko on 12/12/2017 - 15:58

    way too much time just for HCM indeed.
    if you havnt been to VN and you dont have any friends
    or family to take you around i’d strongly suggest booking a tour.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/12/2017 - 16:12

    Da nang, phu quoc, nha trang etc.

    Hoi An may be nice; one of those tourist "cultural experience" towns, not for from Da Nang.

    I doubt it will be very relaxing going to any major city with kids.

    • happyhat on 12/12/2017 - 16:19

      thanks @eggmaster

      i was looking at Vung Tau, is it a good place.? i heard accor has a resort there and then after that perhaps head to Nha Trang. Any suggestions on cruise from Vung Tau to Nha Trang.?

      • [Deactivated] on 12/12/2017 - 16:25

        Never been to Vung Tau.

        Just catch a flight. Vietjetair flights will set you back maximum $30aud/pp, probably less.

        Cabs are cheap too.

        Nha Trang is awesome. My fav. It is like bali but replace rowdy aussies with quieter russians who mind their own business. Beaches are clean, less people trying to sell you shit. And you can swim in the nice water. There is an amusement park in nha trang for the kids, though I have never been there.

  • Fergy1987 on 12/12/2017 - 16:19

    Definitely get out of HCMC - You wont have a relaxing trip there because its too hectic. Hoi An is another good place to check out. Hue is pretty good for just a quite relaxing time.
    As for things to do - Most of it ends up being Tombs and Pagodas etc - so I would suggest going and doing Cooking Classes etc - some cater for kids. Just do activities rather than the usual touristy stuff.

  • NancyCat on 12/12/2017 - 16:20
    +2

    My family and I had the best time in Hoi An. (2A + 3C below 14) Can't wait to go back, could easily stay there for a week.

    • Hiroko on 12/12/2017 - 22:13
      +1

      amazing food im Hoi An!

  • [Deactivated] on 12/12/2017 - 16:39

    dont forget to try the Bun Cha in Hanoi

    • Fergy1987 on 12/12/2017 - 16:58
      +1

      OMFG!!!!……..yes!!! - this was one of the best meals I had in Vietnam…..I remember just sitting there eating the deliciousness and sweating like a pig….was so good!

    • KaTst3R on 12/12/2017 - 18:04

      Egg coffee is another Hanoi specialty. Really amazing but not recommended for pregnant ladies due to raw ingredients being used.

  • Archi on 12/12/2017 - 16:53
    +1

    phu quoc and hoi an is the place to go

  • [Deactivated] on 12/12/2017 - 17:09
    -4

    Never been to Vietnam but the one thing I would do is yell out "good morning Vietnam" at the start of everyday.

    As you are a father of two you are qualified to tell dad jokes and pi5s off your family.

  • Peck on 12/12/2017 - 20:16

    HCMC 4 nights, and then take the ferry to Vung Tau for 2 nights, then back to HCMC for 2 night, and then move on. In HCMC Stay in Pham Ngu Lao. Although a night life and backpacker area, it is actually extremely civilised and very safe for youngsters. And sensible food/drink prices. Lots of tour operators in the area too. Lots of half day or full day tours available at very cheap prices. Good Hotels for 2 people less than $A40. Staying in other parts of HCMC would be like staying in any big city - boring!
    In HCMC only use Vinasun or MaiLinh taxis. Very safe and never get ripped off. Visa on Arrival will save you heaps.

    • Marcsie on 12/12/2017 - 20:38

      Very good advice :)

  • Marcsie on 12/12/2017 - 20:23

    Vung Tau is boring, take a tour to Mekong Delta is more interesting.
    With 14 days I rather travel from Ha Noi to Saigon by train with stopover all the interesting places :)

  • dasher86 on 13/12/2017 - 11:45
    +1

    Hoi An
    Relaxed shopping, food & beach.
    If you get bored you can go for day trips - Danang Hue etc.

  • keepa on 14/12/2017 - 08:14

    Hanoi is amazing. Also doing a cruise on Ha Long Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay is worthwhile.

  • Peck on 15/12/2017 - 10:05
    +1

    I have heard from lots of sources that Hoi An is worth a visit.
    I love Vietnam, but it is bad for pickpockets and credit card scams.
    Take photocopies of all CC's and important documents.
    Carry a photo copy of your passport id page (Hotels usually hold PP for security).
    Only carry on your person what you need for the day plus a little more.
    If you lose a CC report it IMMEDIATELY (You will have the ph. no. from your photocopy)

  • myusername on 15/12/2017 - 13:55
    +1

    spent a week in saigon, probably 5 days too many.

    just a big dirty noisy city really.

    go down to Hoi An, really a beautiful place, like really is a beautiful place. i'm thinking about retiring there honeslty.

    also if you happen to be in Da Nang on a friday or saturday night you MUST see the dragon bridge lit up n all its glory.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmHIMMPnXnM

    i only carried a photo copy of my passport and exit visa stamp on my phone and was told this is enough

  • nissa on 15/12/2017 - 16:07
    +1

    Another vote for Hoi An We loved it there and this hotel is just a short walk to the old town.http://www.vinhhungresort.com/
    We used Mrs Ha for our local bookings and were very happy with the service and prices we received. The only hotel we weren't happy with was one we had booked ourself.
    When our flights were changed we received updates and our transfers were all changed. At the airport we met some unhappy flightcentre customers who weren`t given our up to date information http://www.vietland-discovery.com/

  • happyhat on 16/12/2017 - 09:44
    +1

    Thanks to you all for great suggestions, you guys make this community amazing, for our trip we are almost settled on 8 Nights in Da Nang/Hoi An + 4 nights in Vung Tau + 2 Nights in HCMC. let the deal hunting begin. :)

    • Peck on 19/12/2017 - 18:50

      Short time in HCMC, and likely to be worn out by then.
      As I said before I would stay Pham Ngu Lao - you will get just a little street noise, but walking distance to everything. Safe. Lots of atmosphere, lots of foreigners with their families sitting outdoors watching the passing parade, cheap stir frys. Cheapest beer in the world. Cheap Massages (Just massage).
      I emphasise only use Vinasun or Mai Linh taxis. There are millions of taxis there.
      In the time that you have, and being lazy, I would restrict myself to max of a half day tour that includes the former presidents palace. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Palace Especially if you recall the TV footage of the end of the Vietnam War.
      I would absolutely skip the War Remnants Museum it is Commo Propaganda - yes bad things happened, but to BOTH sides.
      Siagon Skydeck is great http://www.bitexcofinancialtower.com/?page_id=1420
      And you can walk from Pham Ngu Lao to Ben Than Market. (You should be used to the 'crossing the roads' technique after Da Nang)
      Vietnam is a great experience.

    • branners on 20/12/2017 - 12:31

      If you are still to book a bunk in Hoi An, take a look at the Historic Hotel. It used to be the police academy, but a brilliant place.

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