How realistic is it to have a hard schedule in Vietnam?

Question

Our time is limited so we've planned our schedule quite specifically and don't really have any extra days to play with. We're spending 1,5 weeks in Vietnam, and the rest of our month in Cambodia and Thailand. Did a month in South America last year also on a tight schedule, which worked out just fine. Getting a tad nervous though, as I just read somewhere that you shouldn't plan hard for Vietnam. Should I be taking this seriously? After a Halong Bay tour, we're taking the train from Hanoi to Danang, spending a couple of days in Hoi An, and then continuing by train to Saigon, with 2 full days of sightseeing there before crossing into Cambodia. Is there any reason for me to expect things not to go as planned? Thanks!

Answer 1

if you really want to do all of those things then just stick to the schedule and only the schedule and youll be just fine. but you really should have an extra day, you know, just in case.

Answer 2

one month is good enough if u don't have family member in vietnam, so no need to visit them...

Answer 3

No, it will be fine. but a little exhausting and I think this is where the warning is coming from. Ensure you have really good anti-diarrhea medicine. Don't give money to street kids in the Cities - it just encourages  further exploitation of them by adults. Bargain hard on your purchases. Keep close control of your valuables. Enjoy!

Answer 4

You wont have a problem,unless you plan to travel in Febuary,[Tet],then unless you have tickets pre-booked you wont be going anywhere.

Answer 5

As long as you get your tickets a few days in advance (make sure you aren't trying to get tickets just before a big holiday, school break or something like that) and you allow enough time - the trains are slower here that you might be expecting.

Three recommendations - Sapa, Sapa, Sapa. Read up on it and decide if it is worth 2 nights (night trains) and 2 days. If I had to choose between Sapa and Hoi An / Ha Long Bay, it would be a tough call!