Vietnam family holidays

Stretching for more than 1,600km from north to south, with vibrant cities, remote villages, tropical beaches and dramatic scenery, a family holiday in Vietnam is always going to be memorable. But because there’s so much to do and see across the country, not to mention several different weather systems and the question of how to get around, it can seem overwhelming as you plan what to do in Vietnam with kids.

So this one-stop guide is designed to answer all the key questions about a Vietnam family adventure, from travelling around Vietnam with kids to where to go and what to pack. Get ready to say ‘Xin Chào’ – hello – to this fascinating country.

The trick with planning the perfect itinerary for Vietnam family holidays is to have a balance – you’ll want some time discovering the cities, but also the chance to get off the beaten track to enjoy the countryside, as well as time chilling out, hopefully by the beach, plus plenty of cultural experiences thrown in.

Cities

If our readymade holiday itineraries don’t quite tick all your boxes, it’s easy to create your own ideal trip to suit your family’s preferences. Start in one of the cities, whether that’s the capital Hanoi in the north or the buzzing bustle of Ho Chi Minh City further south. There’s also the more laid-back Hoi An, where you could spend days wandering the picturesque streets of the UNESCO World Heritage site, taking a cookery class or browsing the shops and market, as well as relaxing at the coast nearby.

Off the beaten track

But that’s only the beginning. Some of the best parts of family-friendly Vietnam holidays take you right off the beaten track: head into the hills to stay in a stilt house in Mai Hich to get a taste of daily life and learn more about the culture of the tribes here, whose ancestors came from Thailand.

Rural

Or you can see another side of the country at Ninh Binh, cycling through paddy fields and cruising along the river in this corner of northern Vietnam, as well as at a farm near Hue where you get hands-on in the rice fields, helping on a working farm with everything from ploughing to harvesting or even catching fish.

Adventure

There’s adventure to be found in Vietnam too; get active in one of the national parks and enjoy some adrenaline thrills alongside the scenery. Phong Nha, in the Central Highlands, is perfect for families – discover one of the world’s largest cave systems, walk through unspoiled jungle and marvel at 400-million-year-old karst mountains.

Some of Vietnam’s most popular attractions are easily visited with kids as well, including a visit to the Mekong Delta. Swap a long cruise for shorter boat trips and a stay in an eco-lodge, sailing past floating villages and meeting some of the locals who live along Asia’s third longest river.

Bai Tu Long Bay

The eye-catching limestone peaks of Halong Bay also top many wishlists but with more and more tourists piling on to more and more boats, it’s far from the tranquil experience which first tempted visitors onto the water. Instead, head to nearby Bai Tu Long Bay, where you can board a traditional junk boat and explore the peaceful scenery without sharing it with the crowds.

Beaches

And after all those adventures, no family holiday to Vietnam is complete without a bit of beach time. Kick back at Nha Trang, where you could kayak, swim, and make the most of the kids’ club, or head to Phu Quoc with some fantastic snorkelling and diving – and lots of time to sit back, do nothing and gaze out across pristine sandy beaches to the sea.

Public Transport

If you’re planning to see more than one part of Vietnam, you’ll need to prepare for a few longer journeys. When time is tight, that might mean an internal flight but taking public transport is an experience in itself and a way to get a taste of authentic life in Vietnam – so get ready to embrace the adventure.

Trains are easily the best way to get around Vietnam, with a chance to see more of the country as you travel; the north-south route, the Reunification Express, connects a lot of the destinations you’re likely to be visiting. If you’re worried about longer train journeys across Vietnam with kids, you can also take the sleeper train from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for a memorable way to get around.

Rickshaws and Vespas

In the cities themselves, swap taxis for rickshaws and Vespas to nip through the traffic, with rickshaw rides usually only costing a few dollars – agree on the price before you set off – and fun Vespa tours to take you around the main sights. With 45 million motorbikes across the country, one for every other person in Vietnam, two wheels are definitely the most popular.

In smaller towns, do as the Vietnamese do and choose to travel by bike or on foot when you can, although you’ll see cycle rickshaws in most places to get you from A to B.

There’s no need to stay in boring, bland, identikit chain hotels on your family trip to Vietnam – our focus is on finding places with plenty of local character, independently owned and usually on a small scale.

There are some unforgettable places to stay in Vietnam as well, including homestays with hill tribes, eco-friendly farm stays, secret beach retreats and a cabin on a traditional junk boat so you’ll be enjoying the country’s culture as well as having somewhere to relax at the end of a busy day sightseeing.

All our accommodation is categorised in four levels, from In Style (such as a city hotel with a rooftop swimming pool) to Standard, Simple and Basic, which usually lets you rub shoulders with the locals.

There’s plenty of chance to chill out in comfort, such as this lovely hotel with pool just outside Hoi An, as well as unique experiences, including an eco-lodge by the banks of the Mekong.

Weather

It’s not unheard of for Vietnam to have snow in the mountains of the north and tropical sunshine in the south at the same time, so it’s worth checking when to go to Vietnam with kids to see what the usual forecast holds – and to ensure monsoon rain won’t affect your plans, for example.

It also means that you’ll probably need to pack for a changing climate as you travel, with layers if you’re visiting northern Vietnam, as well as for early morning travels and cooler evenings, and for the often fierce air conditioning indoors. Breathable lightweight fabrics are also good, especially if there’s high humidity.

If rain is predicted, it’s more likely to be a short dramatic downpour, so while an umbrella and lightweight raincoat is handy, you’re unlikely to need to dress for chilly, day-long drizzle.

Modesty

Vietnam isn’t the most conservative country in Asia, but adults do need to dress modestly if visiting temples, and more modestly day-to-day than they might at home, although attitudes are more relaxed at the beach. Bringing a scarf to cover the shoulders or knees is a good idea.

There aren’t any strict rules for younger children, although you’ll probably want to keep them covered against the strong South-Asian sun anyway, but older teens will face similar expectations to adults.

All ages need to remove shoes before entering temples, so it’s well worth bringing something which is easily slipped on and off, ideally a pair which stands out amid the sea of shoes at the entrance to some popular sites. If you’re heading off the beaten track, a pair of hiking sandals or lightweight hiking shoes is also a good option.

A basic first aid kit is always helpful when you’re travelling with kids too, as well as high SPF reef-safe sunscreen and hats.