Some final thoughts

We were pleased beyond words to see Georgia happy and forging her way in the world.
She is a bright, strong,gorgeous girl that has grasped life with both hands and giving it her all. 
We are immensely proud of her.

The Vietnam we saw has changed, a lot. And not for the better, in my opinion. 
Greed seems to have overtaken charm in too many instances. It's demeaning and tiresome.
Their northern neighbours are decimating their country in ways the French and the Americans and Australians could not, even with occupation and raging war.

Hanoi this time of year is grey and glum, which is why Georgia is in Ho Chi Minh City, so I would suggest picking a different time of year to visit, if you're thinking of it.

If you shop in Hanoi and think you're getting a bargain keep in mind one thing - "You get what you pay for."
The world is a small place and it makes no sense to think you can buy something, especially branded goods, there for 20% or 40% or 60% or whatever less than you can here. And you can't. 

Hoi An, according to a couple of the locals we spoke to is best visited mid-year. From May to July the crowds thin, as it's considered the low season, and it’s perfect beach weather around Hoi An, with temperatures averaging around the mid-30's Celsius.

There were some genuine stand-outs on the "genuinely friendly and helpful meter" such as the people at Banh Mi 25 in Hanoi and the reception staff at La Residencia in Hoi An but by and large you need to be very weary of anyone that is trying to sell you anything or provide a service. 

Before you get overly critical of how some Asian drive please consider the driving environment many have grown up with and may have learnt to drive/ride in.

Look at this popular t-shirt design

To most of us westerners it's really funny.

To a Vietnamese road user it's more a statement of fact.

And this clip, which is not mine, shows what is normal for them

To me it looks like everyone looking out for everyone 

and knowing that everyone is looking out for you.

It's a place where the sound of a horn is warning signal 

and not an invitation for a punch up.

From what I have seen personally and know about other Asian countries it is the same everywhere.

Japan is not part of the Asia I speak of above. 

Don't assume that your children or potential travel partner or companion will like the place just because you are interested. 

It can be an acquired taste and a lot of fun but it can also be hell on earth if you are adverse to so many things, like noise, like pollution, like crazy road use, like scammers, like standards of hygiene that are different to ours, and so much more.

I suggest you make them very very aware of what the place is like by giving them lots of info, which is easily found and abundant on the interwebz, and making sure they look at it.

Finally if you think you might want to experience Vietnam, go there soon, before the Chinese and Russians take over everything.