Thailand or Vietnam?

[Sbd11]

Planning to book a hol to either Thailand or Vietnam at the end of march for 12 days with a 3.5 year old and a 7 month old. I know Thailand is going to be hot ...is it unbearable? Anyone been? Would Vietnam be a better option? And if so, any potential itineraries that don't involve a crazy amount of travel within the country?
Many thanks

Thailand will be easier and IMO is more geared up for family friendly breaks. Better beaches, more tourist infrastructure.

Vietnam is an incredible place and although cheap, is harder work to get around.

If it is Vietnam, spend 3/4 days in each major city (Saigon, Danang/ Hoian and Hanoi) or pick two major cities.

Thailand will be very hot, April is the hottest month of the year so it will be heating up at end of March. I love the heat but we went early May and found it a bit uncomfortable, think sweat running down your back while you're just sitting outside a bar at night.

I would choose Vietnam. I recently watched a YouTube family travel there with young kids and looked incredible and not too stressful.

We have been to Thailand a few times with DS who is now 7. Last March we did Bangkok and Hua Hin which was good as no internal flights and had a couple of water parks and other bits that DS loved but we’ve done a lot of the big cultural activities in Thailand so were happy to skip them.

avoid the northern part of Thailand in late March- burning season! I would check if similar happens in Vietnam as Laos was similarly effected.

@Twilightstarbright sorry to jump on this, looking for ideas for over Christmas and can get flights reasonably cheap to Bangkok, how did you get to Hua Hin and would you recommend for a 3 year old and 18months, would like some cultural aspects but mainly beach / pool and reliable weather. We’ve done Vietnam & Siem Reap in December pre children and would like to go back but when the North is better weather if I remember correctly.

@Fran92 we got a private transfer so it was very easy.

Hua Hin has quite a bit for kids and some family friendly hotels, and decent medical facilities which is always important for me with young children. You could also fly from Hua Hin to Chiang Mai to do a mix?

We took DS to Khao Lak when he was 18m and it was fab.

My lads girlfriends brother live in Vietnam she went to visit him they also went to Thailand she much preferred Vietnam it was much nicer

Thank you @Twilightstarbright Hua Hin is coming out really reasonable so it’s a potential for sure. Would love to do Chiangmai but it adds complexity with internal flights and honestly don’t think I could do that with two young children with the airport waiting around. Want to do as simple as possible but value for money. The problem (?) we have, I really need two bedroom hotels etc so bumps up the cost, there’s no way we can all share yet the LO isn’t sleeping through so trying to minimise any disruption, hopefully by Xmas they will but will work on the scenario they’re not! Plus I like some where for me and DH to chill at night, there’s lots of options for that in Hua Hin so positive!

What did you do about travel vaccinations?

Thailand. Vietnam is wonderful and they love children but Thailand is better geared directly for children and has better medical care. Make sure you have excellent medical insurance. Anything serious you need to medivac to BKK.

Wouldn't do Chaing Mai at the moment the air quality is very poor due to burning.
Hua Hin was lovely. Just back from 6 weeks in Thailand. We also went to Ao Nang. Much busier but a lot more for kids to do.

I am in Chiang Mai right now. Air quality is fine. It’s cooler than Bangkok in the morning at least, much less humid so not so unbearable. In Bangkok you can stay in air conditioning a lot - the skytrain is air conditioned and the trains are frequent. The internal flight from Bangkok was very easy and quick, I would have thought doable with children. We went to the Elephant Nature Park this morning, my DDs would have loved it when they were small (we are with DD who is now mid20’s and living here). Our guide there did mention air quality problems so we may just be lucky. We are flying to Hua Hin from here then getting a car back to Bangkok.

@Fran92 I don’t think we needed any, we had had everything we needed.

I'd agree - Vietnam is a waste with children your age, wait until they get older.

I'd also say that moving around holidays are better when the kids are a little older, how about something like Morocco where you can base yourself somewhere and do day trips, or the Caribbean.

Following on from above, air quality did get worse for the next few days. We saw nothing from the temple at the top of the mountain due to the haze. I can’t say I noticed it otherwise but I don’t have any breathing issues. The biggest issue for me is the heat. I find it quite limiting. I’m not sure I could have coped with being too hot and looking after children at the same time! I’m in Hua Hin now, at the Anatara, which seems lovely (just arrived).

Thanks everyone! After all that we've just booked our holiday to Bali!

@Sbd11 ohhh exciting! This is also on our list, can I ask are you bothering with vaccines or am I just OTT 😂

DD spent a couple of months on Bali. She did get some vaccinations (probably over the top because we were living in the US and they saw $$$$ for jabs). She was working in an animal sanctuary so a bit off the tourist track as well. Japanese encephalitis rings a bell. She also took some stuff for stomach problems, I think including antibiotics (again for $$$).

Not getting vaccines as the kids are up to date with all the ones here. The guidance is to get a polio shot if staying longer than 30 days. Going to avoid the monkey forest too to minimise risks!