Thailand or Vietnam for a Christmas with climbing for 19 yr old?

[Notagainagaindd]

We are looking for an exciting holiday at Xmas with son 19. He loves bouldering and rock climbing. We are thinking of Thailand or Vietnam. Has anyone any tips/ advice? DH and I have been through a lot of heavy stuff we have lost an astonishing amount of confidence. Even thinking of booking the flight is making me nervous!
Can all you travel bunnies who love planning holidays help? Maybe the fear is of getting it wrong, but how wrong can a hotel and some climbing for son, swimming for me be?
budget isn’t finalised yet. This is also a massive break from us having FIL with dementia staying with us. SIL is supposed to come and take over (she lives abroad) that’s stressing me too as when she does come over she always changes flights at the last minute/ wants her dad to pay. My therapist is convinced she will bail, and says we should book respite, DH wants her to be accountable.
sorry, rambling! May be the start of a different thread.

Vietnam works better as a holiday where you move around a lot, only staying in the same place for a few nights. Only the south of Vietnam is really swimmable at Christmas time.
I think Thailand sounds more like what you’re after: an easy holiday where you can really relax in one or maybe two places. Railay Beach and Tonsai Beach in the Krabi area would be a good place to start looking, as they’ve got a good reputation for climbing but are also warm and safe places for swimming.

Hello forgotten this is helpful thank you! I had seen Krabi climbing. It looks lovely . And I also have a friend that loves Vietnam - they went in April though. You are probably right, a lot of planning and moving may be too much right now.

thank you for bothering to answer! Any tips re hotels etc. I’m not needy AT ALL!

I can't comment on Vietnam for rock climbing. I don't do this activity myself but been to Thailand 8+ times in various areas and to Krabi twice. DH's friend lived there. Friend was in Krabi on one of our visits and was a regular rock climber near Railay Beach. It seemed like a friendly community of ex-pats and locals enjoying a shared passion.

I'm sorry to hear about your FIL and potential issue with SIL. Is there a reason your son can't travel on his own at 19?

Chiang Mai rock climbing was excellent for my keen then 12yo & 15yo. Ex Thai Olympic team guide. Took us out in a red open sided bus to crazy horse rock and people could climb independently or with guides. Ended with an insane belay inside a ginormous cave. Chiang Mai climbing

hersuithrt WOW this looks amazing thank you! I’m off to the gym!
thank you 52 a nice laid back vibe sounds wonderful.
Ds can of course go off on his own, we enjoy his company, I hope he enjoys ours. We lost a child/ his sibling 2 years ago so I guess it changes the old family dynamic somewhat. Still trying to navigate!

How many days for the trip? Probably do both in one trip.

Vietnam every time ! Incredible

Thank you! We are going for three whole weeks! All tips and suggestions really really welcome.
vietnam looks stunning and will be misty and cool and quite empty in the climbing area, Thailand will be sunny and apparently pretty crowded in the climbing area, both look amazing! DH isn’t keen on flying once we are there ( or at all) son is 18 could do with cool climbers to hang with.
SO exciting!

Thailand. Around Krabi is great and the sea is the same temp as a warm bath.

Thank you fuzzyduck sounds gorgeous