Hello travellers, this is my first post. I'm taking my son on a holiday and he loved Bali but I want to take him someone else, preferably somewhere he can go off and do his adrenaline junky things while I shop/spa etc. a few people have mentioned Vietnam. We are Aussies. Any tips and suggestions of things he could do would be appreciated.
Taking my 18yo son on holidays. Is Vietnam a good choice?
What about the philippines? Boracay is stunning. Your son can try diving, parasailing, fishing, snorkling, ATV off roaders, ziplining etc
Vietnam is always worth a visit just for the normal tourist stuff. You can do a little research for the things he wants to do. Any links shown is not an endorsement for a particular company, just sample information for what is available.
For example:
https://www.viator.com/Vietnam-tours/Adrenaline-and-Extreme/d21-g9-c87
Start with a Google search for whatever your son want to do and see if it is available in Vietnam. Bicycle tours, whitewater trips, rock climbing, etc.
I do know that there are some "adventure" type things in Thailand. Ziplining, skydiving, diving, rock climbing, underwater walks, etc.
https://www.viator.com/Thailand-tours/Adrenaline-and-Extreme/d20-g9-c87?pref=02
Have your kid just Google up what he wants to do and see if available.
https://www.treetopasia.com/?gclid=CIiBsbK9jdQCFZuNswodEsIMCA
One caveat - safety for risky pursuits, my opinion, is not like what you find in Australia! Tourists do die sometimes. They fall off boats and get their heads or other body parts cut up by propellers, they work themselves loose from safety harnesses, etc.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39814476
http://www.samuitimes.com/indian-tourist-dies-sea-walk-tour-thailand/
Thailand, Bangkok and major cites, has some good shopping in modern air conditioned malls and of course street vendor type shopping. Bangkok has good restaurants, spa type services, good city rail service, etc.
Do some basic research on your own even if it is first buying or borrowing a printed travel guide. How long you stay and how much money you have available will be a factor too.
Young tourists do visit Vang Vieng, Laos, and young tourists do visit Koh Phangan, Thailand but not with their mothers!
Research visa requirements for whatever country you visit. Research weather available for the time you want to visit.
Good luck.
I agree with aussirose try Philippines if you're having second thoughts. You wouldn't be disappointed for sure 
I agree Jo. Vietnam is great for stunning scenery but I think for an 18yro the Philippines holds more exciting 18yro activities.
Thanks so much for all the suggestions guys, I thought of the Phillipines but kept hearing from friends who have had amazing holidays in Vietnam. Emailed son with some great links etc so up to him now to choose.
BTW Aussierose, Boracay looks absolutely incredible, had never heard of it. I'm going on a big family holiday next year with my sisters and their families, I think Boracay will be perfect.
Thanks again.
I have just spent 10 days in Vietnam and had a really good time, plenty of activities to keep the young fella amused.
Also i found the people there incredibly friendly, the "touts" are so much less pushy the Cambodia or Thailand, the food is wonderful and cheap, the beer is decent and the weather was great.
Big thumbs up for Vietnam from me.
That said i was also on Boracay a few years ago and had a great time,pristine white sand beach, glorious weather and amazing seafood.
Its a tough choice but id say Vietnam just edges it.
Andy
We had fun crossing the road in Vietnam. Hubby wss so nervious but I had heard that you just stick your hand out and cross and keep walking. Worked a breeze. We were surrounded by bikes from every direction but kept walking. The bikes just went around us. Quite an amazing experience
Quoting aussirose
We had fun crossing the road in Vietnam. Hubby wss so nervious but I had heard that you just stick your hand out and cross and keep walking. Worked a breeze. We were surrounded by bikes from every direction but kept walking. The bikes just went around us. Quite an amazing experience
Haha! To amuse ourselves in Hanoi, we'd find an upstairs bar with a balcony overlooking a busy junction and sit with a beer watching the millions of motorbikes for an hour or more - Fascinating! ???
Crossing the road, walk slowly always looking at the traffic. NEVER Stop! The bikes just know how to avoid you.
Funny enough Steve I did exactly the same, watching all sorts of contraptions and various ways of loading motorbikes with freight and humans really was fascinating.