There are few countries with diverse and unique terrain, from sea, river, forest, mountain, waterfall, plateau to delta for visitors to discover like Vietnam. Besides, the richness of cultures and cuisines from different regions are also other attractive characteristics of Vietnam. Therefore, we highly recommend the below ideal itinerary for a family holiday in Vietnam to explore and experience all the above-mentioned attractions.

Family holiday in Vietnam

This family holiday will bring all the family members a close relationship and new knowledge about the history, culture, customs, and nature of Vietnam for your children to learn. Our itinerary will include the attractions below.

Let’s find out detailed information with Handspan Travel Indochina!

Hanoi - 3 nights

Hanoi, Vietnam's capital city, is the first attraction you should visit for your family holiday in Vietnam. Although the city has a dense population and heavy traffic, it also has many historical relics and rich culture. Our family holiday includes tasting a Vietnamese coffee (thick and sweet) in the corner of Hanoi, where you will be able to look out over the crowded roundabouts, French architecture, and the Old Quarter. In addition, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, the Museum of Ethnology, the Confucian Temple of Literature, etc., are worth visiting. It will also be impressive to walk into the Old Quarter for some shopping or try the Hanoi street food with the famous “PHO” or spicy “BANH MY.” 

Hanoi egg coffee

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Hanoi Temple of Literature

Banh Mi Hanoi

Halong - 2 nights

Halong is really an ideal destination for a family holiday in Vietnam. A cruise through the emerald waters and islands of Halong Bay made for a delightful and very photogenic trip. Two nights onboard is a great time to explore islets and beaches and onboard activities. 

Halong Bay

Treasure Junk

Besides, you can also enjoy a cooking demonstration on board, go kayaking, or visit the bay’s floating villages. An early morning tai chi session on deck is also an exciting activity. It is the perfect time to watch the sunrise or to view the mist of the slumbering clifftops. 

Kayaking in Bai Tu Long Bay

Visiting a fishing village in Bai Tu Long Bay

For more information about cruising on Halong Bay, you can refer to our tour: Halong Bay Cruise on Treasure Junk (1 night) 

Sapa for three nights

Hiking and enjoying nature, and exploring the purely indigenous life of ethnic minorities in Sapa are great experiences of a family holiday in Vietnam. The most prominent attraction in the area around Sapa is Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam and about 19 km from Sapa town.

Fansipan Mountain

Sapa

Besides, Hoang Lien National Park is another attractive destination. The park covers a picturesque mountain landscape and several forests and serves as the habitat for a diverse set of animals. The beautiful villages of Hoang Lien Son National Park are suitable for hiking, biking, visiting ethnic people, making friends with locals, learning about their cultures, or enjoying their customs. Your kids will like some new knowledge from these places.

Hoang Lien National Park

Ninh Binh - 2 nights

Ninh Binh, which lies to the southeast of Hanoi, is becoming more and more attractive for a family holiday in Vietnam. Below are some attractions you can visit for two days in Ninh Binh. 

Ninh Binh

Tam Coc

Tam Coc is one of the best nature destinations in Ninh Binh. Its karst landscape is similar to the Halong Bay; however, you will find some scenic limestone hills dotted amongst emerald green rice paddies. Tam Coc is the right choice if you want to get off the beaten tracks, explore the rural rice fields village, or ride a boat trip through its rivers and caves. 

Tam Coc

Van Long Nature Reserve

Van Long Nature Reserve is a wetland reserve and home to several species of animals like monkeys, reptiles, and birds. The area is protected but still open for visitors. If you love nature, wildlife, and seeing the local flora and fauna, and birdwatching, you will definitely like this place.

Van Long Nature Reserve

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

This place was the country’s capital in the 10th century.  Nowadays, its large citadel and scenic temple and its long history are attractive to visitors. 

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Cuc Phuong National Park – 1 night

Cuc Phuong National Park is one of the leading national parks of Vietnam. The park is covered by tropical forests, 307 species of birds, 133 species of mammals, 122 species of reptiles, and over 2,000 different kinds of plants. If you want your children to admire and love nature more, let’s bring them here.

Trekking in Cuc Phuong National Park

In the Park, you will see the Endangered Primate Rescue Center overseen by the Frankfurt Zoological Society. There are 150 monkeys, 12 kinds of langur, and three species of gibbon in the Center. The animals here were rescued from illegal traders. Hopefully, more and more animals will be protected from illegal wildlife trading activities in the World.

Cuc Phuong National Park

Hue – 2 nights

Hue is a place of spectacular stories and admiring architecture. The Imperial Citadel echoed with the sounds of the Nguyen dynasty, Vietnam’s last imperial family, and the former owners and inhabitants.

Hue Imperial Palace

The colorful gates, pavilions, temples, and courtyards of the complex were remarkable. They were rivaled only by the beautiful bonsai and peaceful temples of the Thien Mu Pagoda. The tomb of the Tu Duc King, Khai Dinh King, etc., are the place of quiet and meditative majesty of the buildings and gardens.

Tu Duc Tomb

Hue has a beautiful “Hương” river and evergreen rice-field villages, suitable for a Vespa tour starting from the citadel. The shiny Italian scooters, driven by knowledgeable local guides, usually navigate the Hue citadel, passing the villages, and taking you up the Vong Canh hill. This is one excellent vantage point over the Perfume River, a prime picnic spot for a Vietnam Holiday with kids. If there had been fewer clouds, the sunset would have been remarkable.

Huong River, Hue

Trang Tien Bridge

Vong Canh Hill

Hoi An- 5 nights

Hoi An has become one of the most famous tourist destinations in recent years.  The ancient town attracts tourists with its unique architectural designs with yellow tile roofs and colorful lanterns, diversified cultures, and gastronomies. Let’s explore attractions to visit and things to do with your family in Hoi An. 

Hoi An

Hoi An Ancient town

Once a major port and still a popular beachside and riverside retreat, this charming central town is highly recommended for a family holiday in Vietnam. The hoian town is attractive for its hundreds of colorful lanterns. They are glowing paper orbs that transform the Hoi An Old Town streets. It’s really great for the kids to walk through those streets after dark and enjoy a full of Hoi An pancakes. 

Hoi An Ancient Town

Also, you should not miss the Japanese Bridge, which was built in the 1590s by a Japanese businessman living in Hoi An. It connects the two streets of Hoian town and over a small canal that runs to the Thu Bon River. So, it is also called Chua Cau by locals (Chua means Pagoda, Cau means Bridge). Moreover, if you want to have your dress or suit made by world-famous seamstresses in a concise time, Hoian Tailors surely will make them for you.

Japanese Bridge

My Son temple complex

The My Son temple complex is another highlight for history- and outdoorsy types, standing proud atop a lush green mountain. Dating back further than Angkor Wat, these impressive Hindu ruins have survived the French and American Wars. They live to tell a proud tale of the Champa tradition.

My Son temple complex

Hoian by Jeep

A jeep tour through a fish market, down narrow streets where local kids waved you by, and past the My Son temple complex will be atmospheric and exciting on your holiday with family in Vietnam.

The jeeps drop you off beside the Thu Bon River. Then you embark on a sleek wooden boat to have lunch on board with cooked local food.  The boat rides along the river with a picturesque view of the village's surroundings. Get off the boat to visit Thanh Ha village, a pottery district of Hoi An, where wizened women spin pottery wheels and clay pots hang from door frames. This is a highlight of our family holiday in Vietnam.

Thanh Ha pottery village

Hoi An Cooking Class

One way to explore Vietnamese gastronomy is learning to prepare some of the dishes for your family. In the Hoian cooking class, you are taught and guided carefully; then, you will cook and enjoy the food with the famous dishes of Vietnam and Hoian.

An Bang beach

An Bang Beach was recently ranked as one of the top 20 most beautiful beaches in Asia by the TripAdvisor website, making the place a more attractive beach destination.  The beach is one of the few stretches of beach in Hoi An and is relatively unspoiled by development. This makes it the first option for visitors to soak up the sun and enjoy an array of seaside activities. 

An Bang Beach

Let’s refer to more Hue, Hoi An, and Central Vietnam tours here: https://www.handspan.com/en/central-coastline.html. 

Ho Chi Minh City – 3 nights

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, known as “The Oriental Pearl,” is the largest cultural, economic, and political center of Vietnam. When you travel to Ho Chi Minh City, you will have the chance to admire high-rise buildings, amusement parks, and shopping centers combined with ancient villas and traditional markets that have existed for hundreds of years. Let’s explore an ideal itinerary in Ho Chi Minh with your family!

Independence Palace, Saigon

Saigon City Tour

A Ho Chi Minh city tour will bring you a fascinating insight into the city’s richness of culture and historical heritage. The first exploration is the French Quarter with the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Ben Thanh market. The second part of our visit is the Vietnam War and Vietnam Military History area with the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. To know more about local life in Saigon, we will visit the “China Town” – or “Cho Lon,” dating back to 1778. It’s also a place of the historical and cultural significance of Chinese people living here.

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

Ben Thanh Market, Saigon

Saigon Central Post Office

The historical Cu Chi tunnels

The trip will show you how the old Viet Cong soldiers eat, live, and fight underground during wartime. Your children will have a chance to discover the famous underground networks of Cu Chi, and they can even experience the real feelings of crawling up and down the tunnels.

Cu Chi Tunnels

Saigon After Dark Vespa Adventure

This Saigon night tour is part night excursion, part street food adventure. Experience Saigon nightlife the way locals do, all from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. This kind of activity recently is the most wanted activity of a family holiday in Vietnam.

Please refer here for more Saigon tours.

Mekong Delta On Board to Can Tho, Tien Giang - 2 nights

Taking you through the heart of the Mekong Delta is a highlight of our family tour. The trip is an ideal introduction to the deep sights and sounds of this watery region. A cruise to visit the famous destinations along the Mekong Delta, including floating markets and local villages, offers an opportunity to observe the local daily life and lush landscapes. In addition, spending overnights on board allows you to capture the most beautiful landscape of the Mekong Delta. The moments will be unforgettable memories of your family holiday in Vietnam.

Cruising on the Mekong Delta

More tours in the Mekong Delta, you can find here: https://www.handspan.com/en/mekong-delta.html. 

Family Beach Relaxation in Phu Quoc Island – 5 nights

Phu Quoc island is one of the most attractive places for beach relaxation in Vietnam. An ideal family holiday in Vietnam should not miss Phu Quoc. Phu Quoc’s idyllic beaches, romantic sunsets, evergreen forests, and serene atmosphere make it a perfect holiday destination to escape bustling city life but the whole family together.

Dai Beach, Phu Quoc

Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Phu Quoc

Vinpearl Phu Quoc

This is all for the recommendation of our family holiday in Vietnam. Hoping you can use this as a guide to start planning your own itinerary to Vietnam with your family. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@handspan.com.