New Year in Vietnam--itinerary ideas?
Ms. ClipperJCM and I are off to Vietnam for an adventure spanning the new year. We arrive in Da Nang on Dec. 28 and fly home from SGN on January 6 (thus nine nights, total, to spend on the ground). We've been to Vietnam once before and spent a great trip hitting the highlights in HCMC, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay--so we'd like to focus much more time in (presumably warmer?) Central and Southern Vietnam.
Right now, the plan is:
Nights 1-4: Hoi An
Nights 5-7: Hue
Nights 8-9: HCMC (we loved the city but didn't spend much time the last trip, so would love to stay and maybe visit the Cu Chi Tunnels).
I'm wondering whether that plan commits us to too much time in and around the Hoi An/Da Nang/Hue environs. We'd love to do some day trips--and spending some time at the beach or pool would be very welcome during such a long trip--but don't want to commit to spend too much time in places that won't occupy us for several days. Any suggestions for how to maximize the itinerary? Had been thinking about Nha Trang and Phu Quoc Island, respectively, but keep coming upon information that suggests the time (and effort to get there) would be best spent elsewhere. Is it worth looking into some kind of side trip to Laos?
Right now, we're only really locked into the arrival and departure coordinates--so open to good ideas. Thanks so much for the guidance!