help on my plan from HCMC until Hue city

Hi, i would like to get some advice from all the expert here.I plan to visit to:

Day 1: Reach HCM airport, visit HCM City

Day 2: Transfer to Mui Ne, afternoon join tour to sand dundes

Day 3: Transfer to Na Thrang in the noon. Estimate to reach Na thrang late evening

Day 4: Full day party boat trip

Day 5: Visit around Na Thrang + mud bath, Night bus to Hoi An

Day 6: Reach Hoi an early morning, Visit around hoi an on a walking tour.

Day 7: Hang around hoi an, Should i go to marble mountain (how to go there??)

Day 8: Transfer to Hue, Visit hue city

Day 9: Join tour to DMZ

Day 10: Fly to HCM from hue, walk around HCM

Day 11: Join morning tour to cu chi tunnel, transfer to airport in the evening.

What you think of my itinerary?? My question here is:

1) Should i take day tour to visit HCMC and also Hue city? I understand that in HCM to visit those attraction places like reunification palace, war remnants it is doable by walking, but how about those pagodas? I think is far, is it advisable to take day tour from agent? or i just hire a trishaw ride? which one is better for your opinion?

2) Do i need to book hotel in advance or should i find a hotel when i reach there? For example in Na thrang, i guess if i search a hotel when i reach there i could get a cheap and nice hotel? you agree with this statement?

please advice, and i am going to vietnam in april.

help on my plan from HCMC until Hue city

Hi

We visited Vietnam in December for two weeks, we spent three days in HCMC, two days on the Mekong, five days in Hoi An and two days in Hue. I would say that that was too much moving about! Your itinerary, in my opinion is way too busy and you will end up spending most of your time travelling from one place to the next.

Personally I did not like HCMC it is a big smelly city, yes it has interesting things to look at for day but I would limit it at that. I would definitely make a trip to the Mekong, it is beautiful there and lots of do and see. Hoi An is wonderful and easy to navigate around on your own. Hue is not that special, again this is my opinion. The city itself if nothing special and a massive anti-climax after Hoi An which is pretty and very friendly.

If I could re-do the holiday I would not bother going to Hue. Hotels are easy enough to book when you get there, however you might find the good ones are booked up. I would also arrange your first couple of days before you go. I have travelled quite a bit and was pretty confident that we could sort everything out when we got there but I found that it is often pretty hard to communicate as English is often not widely spoken. Plus you might get some better deals online. We were seriously ripped off on many occasions in Saigon, which is pretty off putting.

Have fun.