The main spots to hit up in Vietnam are the following:
- Hanoi (Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex)
- Halong Bay
- Nha Thang (Party Spot)
- Hoi An (Nice little town)
- Mekong Delta
Hanoi
The top attraction in Hanoi is Old Quarter
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex is closed on Monday and Friday and is open from 8 – 11.
We would spend 1 day in Hanoi.
Halong Bay
It would make most sense to book 2 Day / 1 night through Hanoi.
Best time to visit is from March to June.
June through September is low season. It is important to check the forecast.
Example Tour:
http://www.halongbay-vietnam.com/halong_bay_private_cruise_2.htm (Leaves 8 am; Arrive at 4:30 pm – $200 for 3 to 4 people)
https://www.halongbaytours.com/tour/spectacular-nature-of-halong-bay.html
http://www.halongbaytraveltours.com/halong-bay-tour-2-days.html
http://www.cruiseshalong.com/ (aggregation site)
Na Thang
Na Thang is considered a party town in Vietnam. I saw mixed reviews on how good it is.
Lonely Planet calls is it the “beach capital of Vietnam
We may travel here depending on the goals of the group.
Hoi An
We will not be traveling to this town, but it is a cute Asian town that is well regarded.
Mekong Delta
All the rice in Central and Southern Vietnam is grown in this region. It is very lush.
If you want to get on a boat and row in the rice fields, then you can take one day tour from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) around My Tho and Ben Tre.
You can do a 1 day tour.
http://www.mekongdeltatravel.com/index.php?tour&id=292
https://www.thesinhtourist.vn/tour/mk/tg-sgmt-01/my-tho-and-ben-tre
We will likely pass unless time permits
Itinerary
Day 1) Hanoi
Day 2) Leave Hanoi; Halong Bay
Day 3) Halong Bay; Arrive in Hanoi and Fly to Nha Thang and/or HCMC
Day 4) Nha Thang or Mekong Delta
Day 5) Leave