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while hank75 is right that Hanoi or/and Da Nang are preferable to Saigon, damage is already done.  And because of that I'd follow your own advice and  make last minute decision while in Bangkok, if only because your Vietnamese friend . I you were travelling alone I'd advise you to skip Vietnam part altogether if only  to sleep better.  I have feeling all will work well.  As for Bangkok part, 7 days is enough to visit all bars , not just GoodBoys and Freshboys. Don't overdo planning and swim with the flow when comes to debaucheries.   By the way 2026 Tet was on Feb 17 so you don't need to worry about that inconvenience

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I believe the panic over jet fuel in Vietnam has subsided and there is government commitment to keeping state airlines running. Travel insurance is a must.  That said I’m in agreement to cut your losses and do an extended Thailand trip. You’ve cancelled the two more enjoyable cities (Hanoi and Danang). HCM isn’t that enjoyable by comparison and five nights is a very long time for that city. You are also going right before Tet. Traffic is usually terrible and there may be some closures as people try to go back to their hometowns early due to fuel shortages. Look up Vietnam travel forums for more accurate news but I found this post (in reference to Tet 2026 but before the war started) Visiting HCMC right before Tet is definitely an interesting time, and your concern about shops closing down is valid. Many local, family-run businesses, especially smaller shops and street food vendors, will indeed start closing a few days before Tet to prepare for the holiday and travel back to their hometowns. This means that the vibrant street life you might expect for casual eating and shopping could be noticeably quieter in many areas. Major shopping malls and larger supermarkets will likely remain open longer, possibly with reduced hours as Tet approaches, but the atmosphere will be very focused on holiday preparations rather than regular commerce. Dining can also become a bit trickier, as many local eateries will be closed. However, there are still options, especially in tourist-focused areas or larger hotels, but you might need to be more intentional about where you go. If you're looking to still experience the food scene or find specific shopping experiences, sometimes looking into pre-arranged activities can be helpful during this period. You might find services that specifically cater to visitors during the Tet period, like food tours or private shopping experiences with local guides who know what's open. Platforms like Viator are often used to find and book various tours and activities, and they list operators with reviews, which can give you confidence in what you're booking, especially when many local businesses are winding down. It's really about managing expectations and being prepared for a different kind of HCMC experience. God bless.  Unless you’re thoroughly bored of Thailand there are so many great cities to explore and if you don’t want to fly, Pattaya and Koh Samet are a great combination.   

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I agree, it appears that several Asian countries are either curtailing fuel exports or banning them entirely.  Thailand's jet fuel forecast doesn't look as dire as that of Vietnam, beginning next week.   This article linked below says Vietnam imports more than 60% of their jet fuel from Thailand and China (until now).  They also buy jet fuel from Singapore, but those shipments have been reduced.  I don't see any country in that area that is willing to supply the amount of jet fuel Vietnam will be trying to purchase for Vietnam airlines to continue flights uninterrupted in April. I wish you luck If you decide to travel to Vietnam next month.   https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/vietnam-braces-flight-cuts-april-after-china-thailand-ban-jet-fuel-exports-2026-03-16/