Use an agent or do it myself???

Arriving in Saigon in April for 3 weeks with Hubby, 2 kids 15 %26amp; 12 and parents (better not tell their ages). We plan to do the usual tourist stuff Hanoi/Sapa/Halong/Hue/Hoi An/Nahtrang/HCMC and are on a reasonably tight budget - no thanks to the fall of AUD. I suppose my question is, is it cheaper to organise tours thru sihn cafe/kangaroo cafe etc and do the leg work myself with emailing hotels etc or do I use a domestic travel agent? Any advice appreciated.

Use an agent or do it myself???

Hi ails711

It is extremely to DIY at the places you mentioned.

We normaly DIY at Vietnam and book/choose hotel online via trip advisor review on Hotel.

The local travel work quite late daily (9pm) for us to book the local tour upon arrival,just one evening notice is sufficient.

Cheers

Use an agent or do it myself???

April will be especially easy, and cheaper than high season. Sounds like you will need 2 rooms everywhere you go - it should also be quite fun with all that gang/never a dull moment! You%26#39;ll get the best bargains in the smaller towns like Sapa and Hoi An. Just do your homework before you go, and use good quality hotels and restaurants - need not be expensive places.

Thanks for your response, we are already on a count down and very excited. Hubby %26amp; I were in HMCM %26amp; Mui Ne last April and enjoyed it so much this time we decided to bring the family. So haven%26#39;t been to the North before. Should I be booking airfares eg HCMC/Hanoi and Hanoi/Hue now or when I arrive? Thought about doing the HMCM/Hanoi one now through Jetstar (looks about cheaper).

We have been there twice in April. With the kids and all you may want to consider hotels with a pool? April still has many tourists and I think better to have everything preboked. There are the school spring breaks and family%26#39;s vacations. Yes you can find 1 and 2 star hotel without pools easy.

Hi Ails711

We have just gone through the process of domestic travel agent vs DIY and the cost savings were significant plus we were able to tailor the trip more for the staisfaction of our daughters (10 %26amp; 12) by less travel jumps and less temples, less nightlife tourism ie only hanoi/halong, hoian beach resort(with country day trips) and HCM/mekong delta.

Cheers

hanoi hue flights in april appear to be getting tight on some days, esspecial the mid morning flight - best to pre-book unless u have flexibility in your schedule?