if you've been to Thailand and Vietnam...

Anonymous
Which would you choose for a c. 12-14 day trip over xmas with teens? Interested in a bit of everything, culture, cities, historical sites/temples,l hiking/jungle/beach. Moderate/mid range accommodations and budget. I'm leaning toward Thailand, and DH toward Vietnam. Thank you!
Anonymous
You can't do both with that many days?
Anonymous
I've never been to Vietnam, so I can't compare, but Thailand was amazing with teens and will absolutely meet everything you'd like to do.
Anonymous
You can't do both with that many days?


OP here, we could, but I feel like each country will have enough to see, plus I'm including travel days in the 14 days so really 12 days on the ground. I assume it will take us ab it of time to adjust as well.
Anonymous
Thailand 10000%
Anonymous
Have either of you been to one already?
Anonymous
The beach over Xmas would be better in Thailand, no? I think you should be able to integrate at least a couple of days in Hanoi and a boat trip to the Bay in Vietnam. The rest can be for Thailand. Have fun!!!
Anonymous
what would be a 12 day itinerary for Vietnam? I can definitely see one for Thailand. or just do both.
Anonymous
I have been to both. Thailand developed over time a little bit more organically- VN is completely insane. Maybe you want that but even if I loooove VN Thailand feels more authentic.
Anonymous
If it were me and my teen, I would do:
3 days at a Thailand beach to relax after travel, 5 days in Bangkok (so much to see there you can stay at one place for a while), and 4 days in Hanoi (to include leaving bags at hotel and doing an overnight on a junk ship at Ha Long Bay, which is a UNESCO world heritage site).
Anonymous
I’ve been to both and liked both. I’d say Thailand. My kids love Thailand.
Anonymous
Neither.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:If it were me and my teen, I would do:
3 days at a Thailand beach to relax after travel, 5 days in Bangkok (so much to see there you can stay at one place for a while), and 4 days in Hanoi (to include leaving bags at hotel and doing an overnight on a junk ship at Ha Long Bay, which is a UNESCO world heritage site).

I did a trip to both in November, and this itinierary sounds pretty darn good. Ha Long Bay is not to be missed.
I don't know about 5 days in Bangkok, though. Maybe 3 there, then to Ho Chi Minh City for a couple days before Hanoi/Ha Long.
Anonymous
I’ve only been to VN, so I can’t really compare, but from what I’ve heard I think that if beaches are important - then go with Thailand. While VN has some beautiful beaches, pollution and over-development are big problems, esp. on Phu Quoc.

I wouldn’t try to do both in the time you have. We spent 3 weeks in VN and didn’t feel like we had enough time. Our itinerary was Hanoi - Ha Long Bay/Bai Tu Long Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Da Lat - Saigon.
I wanted to fit in Con Dau and/or Pu Luong as well but we just didn’t have the time.

Hanoi, Hue, and Hoi An were great for history/culture/museums (there is also a cute beach at Hoi An). Da Lat is a chill mountain town with great coffee culture and hiking. Saigon is a fun, hectic city. And the boat trip on Bai Tu Long Bay was amazing.
Anonymous
Definitely Thailand. It’s just way more tourist friendly.

Northern Vietnam is cold and gray in the winter! Not a good time to go.
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