Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in April

[justneedtogetstarted]

We are planning an Easter holiday to Vietnam and want to do two stops. Which city/beach stay combo would you most recommend? We have tween age children and quite like walking/sports. Would also be keen on some kind of family cooking experience. Thanks for your tips!

Nothing to add but waiting for the responses!

I went to Hanoi, HCM and Hoi An in late April this year. I think you’re asking for advice on the first two but just to say Hoi A was definitely my favourite of them all. I did a cooking class there and found it a very walkable city ! They’re also really big on cycling in Hoi An.

I think I remember hearing there’s some nice beaches there in Hoi A but I didn’t visit any in Vietnam or really look into it so not sure about that.

If you have time to visit the Central part, Danang/ Hoian, you can do beach time there (An Bang beach in Hoian).
Also, Phu Quoc island or Con Dao island in South is a good beach destination in Vietnam.

Not been myself bur live in SE Asia - friends recommend Hoi An and Phu Quoc

Thank you for the tips. I am thinking that we fly into Hanoi , get the train to Hoi Anh, where we do a beach/city holiday and then fly back and homeward. Are the beaches near Hoi Anh doable for like a 10 day holiday?

Da Nang is a good city hopper connecting flight to Hội An. Hội An is only a 40 minute drive from Da Nang. The hotels are happy to pick you up from Da Nang airport.

I have heard good things about Phú Quốc. Also a short city hopper flight away from Hanoi and HCM.

My worry is that pho quoc is in a malarial zone- I need to look into it. I know the coastline is clear.

We are also heading to Vietnam at Easter, flying into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh.

We’re planning to visit Hanoi, Halong Bay (or more likely the quieter Bai Tu Long or Lan Ha), the highlands near Bac Ha or Mai Chau, Hoi An and a beach near there. Avoiding the south as it will be very hot and mine wilt easily. Also Ho Chi Minh is not nearly as nice to visit as Hanoi and Hoi An.

With active tweens I think a 2/3 day boat trip in Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long bay would work well, the trips tend to include kayaking, swimming and cave visits. It’s not too far from Hanoi and I think you can fly from there to Hoi An without going back to Hanoi. Or you can go back to Hanoi and take an overnight train to save time (also as it’s fun!)

An Bang is a nice sounding beach area close to Hoi An so could combine easily - if time is limited it’s possible to stay in An Bang and see Hoi An on day trips.

Thanks @minipie great suggestions. I need to look up these boat trips from near Hanoi. They sound great. I'm just trying to balance seeing some of the country with meeting the needs of my other half who is looking for a real break from work and not too much decamping and travelling around!

Ok so in your shoes I would do 2/3 days Hanoi, 2/3 days Bai Tu Long bay, one day to travel down to Hoi An (possibly stop off at Hue if it’s easy) and the rest of the time on a beach near Hoi An - then you can do day trips into Hoi An and still stay on the beach. Lots of activities available there, generally relaxing ones like seeing basket boats made, making paper lanterns, cooking classes.

Thank you @minipie that plan sounds like an excellent one. I will report back once booked. Hope you have a great trip too.