Vietnam - 10/11 days with young teens

[Passwordsarestressful]

We are going to Vietnam on 1 April 2023, DD14 and DS12 (birthday while we're there, on 5th). Flying back 14 April.
Currently trying to figure out itinerary so we can actually book flights. DH is hyperfixating and irritating me, so I have to do my homework! 😁
We are thinking fly in to HCMC arriving 10am on 2 April. Flying out of Hanoi, 14 April. What is in between is up for grabs and I feel a bit lost.
DH is definitely more outdoor activity focussed than me, I enjoy scenery, art/culture and we all love Vietnamese food
We are thinking
Day1 - mooch about warding off jetlag, light sightseeing/street food.
Day 2 - trip to Mekong Delta (maybe also the tunnels? Is that too much?)
Day 3- fly to Phu Quoc (I wasn't that bothered, but it's a hard line for DH)

Then it's how many days there? DS is emotional about his birthday, so we would be there for that, hopefully that will be special.

Maybe fly out late day 5/early day 6, back to HCMC?

After this is where we get lost. I think night train up the coast, DH things straight through to Hanoi, I wonder about breaking up journey, going to Hoi An for a day or 2?

DH also wants to go to Halong Bay.

I'm grateful for any tips, advice, itinerary suggestions (other people's itineraries). Are we forgetting something important? What day trips are/are not worth doing.

Anything really! We've done muti city train holidays with kids before, but only in Europe. I hate the heat, so I'm putting on my big girl pants. Haven't been to SE Asia in 17 years!

you could do a morning at the tunnels and then afternoon at the war museum, it’s worth visiting to really understand the war. Leave the Mekong delta to another day as you need time to drive there (ideally give it 2 days and stay overnight there)

definitely recommend going to hoi an. It is a lot more relaxed compared to Hanoi and ho Cho Minh and has a great vibe. would give it 2 nights.

definitely do halong bay and do an overnight boat trip. Most people just do 1 night but I did two and the middle day was amazing with kayaking so if you have time look in to that.

Seconding the suggestion to include Hoi An and Ha long Bay. Hcmc is hectic but worth two days - including an afternoon at the war museum. Do an overnight to Mekong Delta - hotels will arrange transport but due to traffic, it can take 3 or 4 hours. Fly to Da Nang for Hoi A then to Hanoi where you can do Ha Long Bay for the overnight cruise. My tip would be not to use Vietjet (cheap budget airline). Every single flight was hours late of cancelled.

I did three weeks in Vietnam this summer with my 8 year old. Loved Nha Trang and Hoi An and Hanoi but HCMC was too hectic for me and less fun than other destinations though we enjoyed shopping spree at the end of our holiday. Phu Quoc was on my list but the weather wasn't great so we went to Bali instead - quite a pivot but the weather was much more pleasant. I didnt enjoy the train experience very much and it's quicker and often cheaper to fly. Second whoever said avoid viet jet. There's a decent lounge at HCMC airport to avoid tte chaos! Hope you gage a great trip!!!

Do both Cu Chi tunnels and Mekong Delta in one day is really too much so you should do them separately.
You can fly Phu Quoc to Danang/ Hoian or Hanoi.

Yes, I thought that, I was curious as there are so many tours combining the 2. Flying from phu quoc to Danang is a great solution I think.

This is all really helpful. Thank you.

@Passwordsarestressful if I can work out how to do it, I’ll PM you with hotel/cruise recommendations tomorrow when I’ve got more time.

Can i come? I absolutely loved Vietnam. I can't wait to go back. I thoroughly endorse Hoi An and Halong Bay. I could stay in one of those little boats puttering around those islands forever.
We also did a street food tour in Hoi An which was splendid.

highly recommend a Vespa tour in Hcmc.
https://vespaadventures.com/
I would omit Mekong delta and do the tunnels and the war museum.
Hoi An is fabulous and I really enjoyed Hue too.