Planning a family trip to Vietnam isn't easy. It's hard to keep everyone happy, especially when you're juggling logistics, flights, and budgets. It gets even trickier with multiple generations or teens who'd rather be on their phones than visit a museum.
Once a travel consultant, I've planned more family trips than I can count, both for my clients and my own family. Now, as a content specialist and a mom of a daughter, I share what I've learned from years of helping real families plan their trips — what works, what to skip, and how to keep things simple.
Top Places to Visit for a Family Trip to Vietnam
Based on our experiences, most families only visit 3 to 4 destinations for one trip. Here are our top recommendations, based on your family's travel style and priorities:
Top 4 Destinations for First-Timers
If it's your first family trip to Vietnam, these four destinations offer the most iconic experiences from culture to nature and urban life to history. They're also easy to connect via direct flights or short drives, which means fewer travel-day headaches.
- Hanoi: The capital is a great introduction to Vietnam's culture and daily life. Cyclo rides in the Old Quarter, water puppet shows, and guided street food tours are family favorites.
Enjoying Local Food at Old Quarter, Hanoi- Halong Bay: with a rare chance to go offline, cruising through Halong Bay gives families the ultimate "bucket list" bonding time. Overnight stay is the top choice for a slow-paced family trip. Kids can be engaged with kayaking, swimming, cave visits, and squid fishing, while parents have enough downtime to enjoy the views.
For our family clients, we often recommend a smaller or private cruise through the lesser-known Lan Ha Bay for a more exclusive experience.
- Hoi An: Hoi An is a favorite for good reason. It's easy to get around—no traffic stress. The old town glows with lanterns at night. You can make your own lantern, bike through the countryside, or try a farming or cooking class.
The Ancient Town in Hoi An- Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam's most energetic city offers a modern contrast to Hanoi. Crawl through narrow Cu Chi Tunnels gives a hands-on glimpse into Vietnam's past, while the War Remnants Museum provides a direct experience with military artifacts, Agent Orange impact and survivor stories. For more exciting moments, take a motorbike food tour together (with a licensed local driver!) or add a Mekong Delta day trip for a relaxing taste of local river life.
Take a sampan ride in Ben TraBest 3 Destinations for Active Families
For families with teens or kids who love the outdoors, these three spots are ideal. They help burn off energy, keep everyone off screens, and still bring you back to a comfy bed by night.
- Sapa: It offers cool weather, gentle hikes through rice terraces, and insight into Vietnam's ethnic diversity — all without high altitude. An overnight stay in a local village adds a meaningful offline experience, with comfort.
Rice Terraces in Sapa- Phong Nha: A hidden gem for cave lovers and adventure seekers. Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave are easy for all ages with paved paths, no extreme climbs, and just enough "wow" to impress teens. For active families, take an overnight trek to Hang En Cave with jungle hiking, river crossings, and camping inside a massive cave (only for ages 16 to 70).
Phong Nha Cave- Ninh Binh (optional swap): For a gentler adventure, Ninh Binh is a great pick for families. You can bike through peaceful countryside, visit old temples, and take a boat ride past rice fields and limestone cliffs.
Best 2 Beach Destinations for Family Downtime
While Vietnam's beaches may not rival the fame of Thailand or Bali, they offer a more laid-back vibe and are perfect for recharging toward the end of your trip.
- Phu Quoc (Best for winter holidays): Vietnam's most tranquil island, Phu Quoc is ideal for a peaceful retreat. Calm waters, high-end villas, and plenty of space make it perfect for multi-generational families seeking comfort and privacy.
- Da Nang (Best for summer): Da Nang is easy to reach, more affordable, and has guaranteed sunny weather for June–August trips. It also has better access to activities—like day trips to Hoi An, Cham Islands or Ba Na Hills.
How Long to Spend in Vietnam for a Family Trip
For most of our clients, families usually spend 10–14 days in Vietnam to explore the North–Central–South route without feeling rushed. With teens or multiple generations, a slower pace works best.
With 10 days, you can comfortably explore Vietnam's classic north-to-south route: Hanoi, Halong Bay (cruise), Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. Spend 2–3 nights in each place to soak it all in without rushing or changing hotels too often.
If you have up to 14 days, you'll have more room to slow down the pace — perhaps adding a beach retreat in Phu Quoc, soft-adventure trekking in Sapa, or a cave experience in Phong Nha. For different time schedules, you'll find more itinerary suggestions at How Long to Spend in Vietnam.
Top 2 Family-Friendly Vietnam Itineraries
Itinerary 1: 2-Week Vietnam Family Trip with Beach Relaxation
This classic family itinerary covers Vietnam's top sights for first-timers at a comfortable pace. We mix active days like farming with easy days of culture or beach time, so teens don't get bored, and parents get some breathing space too.
You would soak in the typical Vietnamese culture in Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, but also relax in the iconic Halong Bay and tropical beaches in Da Nang. Cultural shows (like the water puppet show) and outdoor activities, like farming and fishing, are arranged to keep both seniors and kids entertained.
Here's a sample itinerary for your inspiration.
- Day 1-2: Hanoi (Old Quarter cyclo ride, water puppet performance)
- Day 3: Ninh Binh (rowing boat ride, cave exploration)
- Day 4-5: Halong Bay (a two-day boat cruise in a less-touristic bay, kayaking, swimming)
- Day 6-7: Ho Chi Minh (Cu Chi Tunnels)
- Day 8-9: Mekong Delta (a floating market, a sampan ride)
- Day 10-11: Hoi An (a foodie walk, a fishing or farming tour)
- Days 12-14: Da Nang (beach relaxation)
Itinerary 2: 10-Day Time-smart Vietnam Tour
This route is compact but covers all the essentials from north to south. If you prefer to have a glimpse of Vietnam within the limited school breaks or other schedules, look no further than it.
Here's a sample itinerary for your inspiration:
- Day 1-2: Hanoi (Old Quarter cyclo ride, water puppet performance)
- Days 3-4: Halong Bay (a two-day boat cruise in a less-touristic bay, kayaking, swimming)
- Days 5-6: Hoi An (an ancient town walking tour, fishing life experience, a cooking experience at Tra Que Herb Village)
- Day 7: Fly to Ho Chin Minh City, explore the vibrant nightlife
- Day 8: Ho Chi Minh city tour and the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Day 9: day trip to Mekong Delta by a boat named Mekong Queen
- Day 10: Departure
Click to see the detailed itinerary.
How Much Does It Cost for a Family Trip to Vietnam
For a high-quality travel experience, we recommend booking a private tour.
Vietnam stands out from many countries with big IP tourist attractions as it often requires the presence of a local expert to fully experience and explore the authentic and hidden gems of the country. As such, private tours are the optimal way of touring Vietnam.
For a journey through Vietnam, you can anticipate a cost of approximately US200–250 per person daily based on 4- or 5-star hotels (with a discount of 30-50% for children under 10). For a family trip (2 adults plus 2–3 children) for 2 weeks in Vietnam, it normally costs US$8,000–12,000 per family.
This price covers train or flight expenses within Vietnam, lodgings at top-quality 4- or 5-star hotels, admission fees, lunch, private transportation, and knowledgeable English-speaking guides. International airfare, however, is not included.
When Is the Best Time for a Family Trip to Vietnam?
Vietnam generally enjoys dry days, mild temperatures, and pleasant conditions across much of the country from November to April.
But most families don't travel based on the weather alone. School holidays and university breaks often set the schedule. Here's how Vietnam aligns with those popular times:
- Easter (March–April): This is Vietnam at its best across the entire country. It's the perfect time for a well-paced trip that includes Hanoi, Hoi An, and the Mekong Delta.
- Christmas & New Year (December–January): A good second choice. Southern Vietnam (like Ho Chi Minh City) is warm and sunny. Central Vietnam (like Da Nang) can see light rain, and northern Vietnam (like Hanoi) is cooler with more overcast days — better for cultural sightseeing than outdoor adventures.
- Summer Breaks (June–August): While parts of the north and south can be wet, central Vietnam shines with its sunniest beach days.
If your family has more flexibility, consider traveling in May or November. These two months sit just outside the peak seasons and offer great value with fewer crowds. Go to the north and central regions for dry weather in May while northern and southern Vietnam are both in season in November.
Check out further monthly weather of Vietnam from Best & Worst Times to Visit Vietnam.
How to Choose the Right Hotel for Your Family Trip
For a more relaxing stay, coastal cities like Hoi An, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc tend to have the most family-friendly options — resorts with pools, connecting rooms, and kid-friendly facilities.
While the regular hotel rooms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are often compact and may not comfortably accommodate an extra bed, you can more easily find serviced apartments with kitchens and washing machines in these two cities.
The location also makes a big difference. Based on our travelers' feedback:
- In Hanoi, families usually prefer the French Quarter over the Old Quarter as it's quieter, has wider sidewalks, and is stroller-friendly.
- In Ho Chi Minh City, District 3 and Thao Dien offer more space and a calmer vibe than the tourist-heavy District 1.
- In places like Hoi An or Sapa, staying just outside the main town gives families access to boutique lodges or small resorts with gardens and scenic views.
Tip: Family suites and connecting rooms sell out fast during school breaks, so book at least 3–4 months in advance. Upscale hotels often provide baby cribs, high chairs, and other kid-friendly amenities on request.
What's the Best Way for Families to Get Around in Vietnam?
For cross-region travel (e.g. Hanoi–Da Nang–Ho Chi Minh City), flying is the only efficient choice. Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways are the most reliable—avoid budget airlines if you're tight on time or traveling with young kids.
For some unavoidable long drives (like Sapa to Hanoi), a private van is the most comfortable option. It's not just about comfort but also gives you control over timing, rest stops, and meal breaks. Car seats for little ones are available but must be requested in advance.
Skip overnight trains if you are a lighter sleeper. (We've had families try overnight trains "for the experience," but most end up regretting the lack of sleep and comfort). Buses are not suggested for language barriers and comfort unless you're curious about the local experience.
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My first trip to Southeast Asia
I can't say enough good about our experience. We were met promptly at airports, given thorough tours of temples and other sights by local, well informed guides, and dined with excellent meals along the way.Our Hanoi guide was very good. He showed us many museums as well as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. We saw the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater and had an excellent five course meal afterwards on New Year's Eve. More
Elizabeth Kinney, Jan 2024
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