Hi there,
we are off to Vietnam in the middle of march for approx 23 days landing in hanoi and leaving from HCM, we are both 40+ with a hardy 4year old son.
Looking for chill out places, nature, authenticity etc as opposed to cities/ ravey scenes. Want to end up in phu quoc flying back to HCM for flight home, but open to suggestions from your fine selves. Would like to go to Halong bay, but not sure how that works do you stay on boats? or boat out to islands to stay? any tips on organising this, prefer independent v. organised tour but open to feedback.
Thanks in anticipation of tapping into the knowledge here, trees

I've never been to Vietnam, but I found some interesting blogs:

This one looks beautiful:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...86140/tpod.html

Here's another about a flooded mangrove:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...55840/tpod.html

Here's a link to some more Vietnam blogs, if you haven't perused them yet: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-count...etnam/tweb.html

I am headed hopefully to Halong Bay next week and I understand there are tonnes of tour options, most from about 1-3 days. For the 3 day option you get at least one night on the boat and another one an island (can't remember the name) in a hotel (all part of the tour) so I understand. It seems like unless you pay big bucks, the tours are hit and miss in terms of quality. I have heard if you take the day trip option, you can get off at Cat Ba Island (that's the name) and spend as much time as you like there and then get a boat back to Halong Bay when you want. Cat Ba Island is supposed to be pretty nice once you get away from the main tourist area. This is the option I am hoping to go with provided my visa works out quickly.

I will report back once I return or maybe someone else can provide more accurate details.

For Halong bay, you had better to stay on the boat, that's great experience. One night is enought. Cat ba Island sounds a good place, but not for the child, so 2 days in Halong Bay. You can book this tour the day before at many booking office in the Old Quarter. Recommend Vega Travel, the price is a bit higher the back packer standard but the service is good

Recommend Sapa, 3 days. You can manage to come back from Halong to Hanoi in the afternoon then jump on the night train to Sapa ( only night train is nice). That's fantastic place of ethnic people. A walk to villages with a guide is a must. Try to arrage to be there in Sunday then you can book a tour to Bac Ha weekly market. Fantastic for the child ( and of course for you) to see the local acitivities at market with horses, pigs, chicken, ducks, etc. If you don't bring a spare couple of battery, you will be very sorry

2 or 3 days in Hanoi is good enough, don't miss water puppet for your child( and of course for you) , Army museum for you, KoTo restaurant for the family

Fly to Hue, maybe 2 days is good for you there. You can see Citadel, Mausoleum

Hoian 3 days id good, relaxing and tailoring with the price one third of your expectation

Nha Trang should be good, 2 days, swimming and snorkel tour is available everyday with just $ 12 per person for evrything, ask TM brothers, Hanh Cafe Sinh cafe or whoever in the Biet Thu Str

Dalat would be recommended. Above 1500m from sea level, it's cool and full of vagetable and flowers. Take your child to the flower plantations, villages to let him know how hard a person should work

If you have time, take an adventure to Daklak to the kingdom of Elephant in Southest Asia. Come to tack with the descendents of elephant hunters and have an elephant ride. Recommend to stay at homestay with Mnong people, a minority people there

Fly to saigon 3 days? Don't miss Cuchi tunnel. Fo Mekong Dewlta tour, recommend to get 2 days Mekong tour with home stay. Price is better and what the child receive is better too. You can book at Fimex tourist at Dong Khoi Street at best price, otherwise you can come to join with the backpackers in the De Tham street, all agents there have same service quality

If you have more time, Stay in Saigon and walking around to outskirt and see the poor life there. Vung Tau is not recommmended because this is only for Austrailan veteran who want ro remind their memmory here as they camp here to fight against Vietcong

Here's all the weather info you will need:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293921-...When.To.Go.html