Advice for a family holiday in SE asia - maybe Vietnam or Thailand?

[rock86]

I”ve done the all inclusive package at the Andaman in Langkawi twice. It was a true “all inclusive” in that the only thing that had a surcharge was the live seafood option at their beach restaurant. Otherwise it was carte blanche (including the minibar). Airport transfers were also included. It’s a one hour flight from Singapore with Air Asia or Silk Air.

We're looking at adding a 3 nigher on to the end of a planned trip for an anniversary in January 2019, and was thinking Langkawi. It looks awesome.

 

[JohnK]

If we went to Thailand and wanted a beach sun sand nice experience then where to? Only a week to do it in so needs to be easy to get to.

Khao Lak would be a good place if you wanted quiet and no contact with outside world.

Hua Hin is another. Krabi would also be one to consider and parts of coughet are secluded.

Also plenty of mountain retreats in Chiang Mai if that's your thing.

Me I need a noisy place. I'm happy to go anywhere in Thailand but stay away from the bogans.

 

[craven morehead]

Khao Lak would be a good place if you wanted quiet and no contact with outside world.

Hua Hin is another. Krabi would also be one to consider and parts of coughet are secluded

Agree with JohnK : Ao nang Beach Krabi is a very relaxing spot . Have also stayed at the Hilton Hua Hin which is right on the beach another top spot.

 

[Cynicor]

You know we expect to hear the outcome, @juddles . That way we can bask in victory, of the most helpful post. ;P

 

[juddles]

Just been bush working and havent had time to catch AFF - will now read and plan

 

[juddles]

Thank you everyone, it appears Thailand is a favorite, but I am getting swayed to Vietnam for personal reasons. To cut a long story short, many years ago I worked with a Vietnamese ex-chef (he left due to the war) and he instilled in me a true love of Vietnamese cooking. So in that sense the opportunity to actually visit Vietnam is a big plus for me.

I have looked now at options from Thailand to Vanuatu to Rarotonga, but am starting to settle on the following possible itinerary:

 

[juddles]

1.- changing holiday from July to April to avoid bad weather

2.- Fly out on Qantas, BNE-SYD, a couple of hour Flounge stop , then on the new QF1 SYD-SIN.

3.- spend one or two days in Singapore (have no idea what to do there yet)

4.- Fly Vietnam Airlines SIN-SGN-PQC (Phu Quoc island)

5.- Spend 5 days at the Peppercorn Beach mini-resort on the northeast tip of the island.

6.- Return to SIN on Vietnam Airlines then catch QF2 back to SYD then on to BNE again.

This plan includes:

- doing longhaul on QF which family is comfortable with
- Peppercorn appears from reviews to be just the right thing - Viet cuisine and relaxed quiet beach setting
- a day or two in Singapore to maybe take the ladies shopping (My wife and my two daughters - have no sons to support manly activities such as fishing) This would give a great contrast to the isolated resort part.

Any comments or warnings/advice on my updated plan? Especially what to do with a day or two in Singapore?

And re connections at SIN - is 2:05 hrs enough to connect from an inbound Vietnam flight to an outbound QF flight? (travelling both in business if that changes anything) ?

 

[RooFlyer]

Singapore.

Having transited Singapore endless times, I went, like you, returning from a main holiday elsewhere in Asia (with friends with kids) and we had 3 full days there, jam packed. Do two days rather than one if you can.

* Zoo I think is a must with a family. It really is good.
* Clarke Quay area for eating out (best at night) - open air and inside places, touristy, but fun. if you like chilli crab, this is for you.
* Walk from Clarke Quay along the river to the Merlion, than onto Marina bay Sands hotel - go to the top level for the views
* Little India for food, smells and sights
* Sentosa Island. haven't been there, but its a waterpark/theme park/Universal Studios type of place - big

Shopping - not what it used to be price wise, but still fun to do

 

[Pushka]

I love the French influence in Vietnamese cooking.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

1

And re connections at SIN - is 2:05 hrs enough to connect from an inbound Vietnam flight to an outbound QF flight? (travelling both in business if that changes anything) ?

If it's on the one ticket, yes. If it's separate tickets, I wouldn't risk it.

 

[LadyC]

Further to RooFlyer's comment, Singapore is not a great shopping destination any more. Certainly there is a wide variety (more European designers etc) but pricing is more expensive than Australia in my experience.

 

[Irishbazz]

Heading to Khao Lak staying at the JW Marriott for a seven night break first week in April, good to see some solid recommendations for the location.