Skip Lanta. Too quiet. If it rains nothing to do. Boat tours stop. If you stay in Phuket/Phi Phi/Krabi there are plenty of bars, restaurants, massage shops to fill your time if it rains. It only rains every 2nd day on average and usually for 1 to 3 hours. Prices are lowest then.
Hi,
Im planning a trip to Southern Vietnam and Taipei in late October/early November, and am trying to settle on the pace. I would really like a trip somewhat relaxed and is flexible on time. My question is if 9 days in Southern Vietnam can be relaxed. Im interested in exploring the Mekong Delta, see Ha Tien, Ho Chi Minh, and Dalat. I think I can do all of those in 9 days, but Im not sure if its possible to do it at a leisurely pace.
Thanks

I would just use Phuket as a getting to and from point. Head to Phi Phi then Krabi. If you still have time left then spend it in Phuket rather than at the beginning. Even with 9 days and destinations close to each other, does everything have to be set in stone? Its not like you would have to travel a long distance to get back to where you catch your flight home.
Only YOU know if your itinerary is rushed or not. The only way someone can decide for you was if they were actually in your shoes.
Hi SFNovelist - I agree that US$20 is mostly doable, but plan for $30 and also have extra reserve available. No sense in depriving yourself should any opportunities or interests present themselves. Your biggest extras will be taking any organized excursions, and tourist shuttles always cost more than public transportation.
You don't mention where in Guatemala, but in general is even cheaper than Nicaragua. Here's a Trip Report from couple of years ago - spending time around the lake in San Pedro la Laguna. If you prefer not to do a homestay, the hotel I mention has no online presence, but was recommended by someone else that lives there. No kitchen to speak of, but incredible cheap eats nearby.
Post #12 in this thread also has a summary with prices from my visit to the weekend market in ChiChi. Regardless of where you plan to visit, maybe find a place off booking.com to get you started for a night and then have a look around town. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and how you have an incredible time!
URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BgvL8wyh0XJ/?taken-by=javilorbada
Destination: Koh Phi Phi, Thailand.
Context: While overnight at Maya Bay, we had this tour towards the bay in the afternoon, around sunset we had a stop for snorkel or kayak, I knew this location very well and instead I flew around to know how the island looks from above. It certainly me shocked me to see the scale and the beauty of these islands in Thailand.
Ah. Right. Assuming you have your own transport:
Well Hanoi - Ha Giang - Yen Minh - Quan Ba - Dong Van - Meo Vac etc - (maybe Cao Bang/Ban Gioc if you have the time) - Ha Giang - Hoang Su Phi - Xin Man - (Either Xin Man - Bac Ha - Lao Cai OR Xin Man - DT178 down through Na Chi - Lao Cai) + Sapa and around then Lao Cai and on to China. Or head for Cao Bang and on to Ha Giang region that way.
Vietnam Coracle cover the North (and every where else) pretty well...