1 Week in Vietnam - 4 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Northern & Southern Vietnam for Families: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Ho Chi Minh City

This itinerary of Northern and Southern Vietnam is geared toward families that want to sample all of Vietnam. You'll have interactive experiences designed to keep kids happily engaged, like a puppet show in Hanoi, a cooking class in a countryside village, kayaking in Ha Long Bay, seeing the inner workings of workshops in the Mekong Delta region, and exploring the historical Cu Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City. 

On Day 1, orient yourself in Hanoi by riding a cyclo (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi) in the Old Quarter, eating Trang Tien ice cream, and attending a water puppet show. Cycle through the countryside around Ba Vi on Day 2, passing through the villages of Ri and Moc, where the kids can participate in a hands-on cooking class and pick tea leaves while listening to the life stories of your local hosts. Cruise the emerald waters and kayak along the limestone islets and caves of Ha Long Bay on Days 3 and 4. 

Adventures abound in Ho Chi Minh City on Day 5. Kids will love exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passages built during the Vietnam War, and experiencing the local life and culture through landmarks like Independence Palace, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market. Traveling down the Mekong Delta on Day 6 will have kids enjoying an interactive time on Ben Tre River, whether learning how bricks and rice paper are made, seeing a coconut workshop on the Cai Son Canal, or trying honey tea at a bee farm. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Family-Friendly Southern Vietnam

Families looking for a more relaxed pace and beach time will enjoy this southern Vietnam itinerary, focusing on kid-friendly activities in southern Vietnam. You'll cruise the Mekong River, learn about Vietnamese history at the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City, lounge on the tropical beaches of Phu Quoc Island, and fish and snorkel in the Gulf of Thailand. 

Begin your vacation exploring buzzing Ho Chi Minh City at the unique Artinus 3D Art Museum, where kids can take pictures and interact with 3D artworks and murals. Then, enjoy cruising through the mangroves on the Ben Tre River in the Mekong Delta on Day 2, passing through My Long village to Cai Son Canal, and see how bricks are laid, coconuts are pressed, and rice paper is made along the way. Learn about Vietnamese history at the Cu Chi Tunnels on Day 3 as you squeeze your way through before covering famous cultural landmarks like the Independence Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral and hunting for souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market. 

On Day 4, take a short flight to the west coast for family time and relax on the peaceful beach on Phu Quoc Island. Take a dinner cruise and try your hand at squid fishing. The next day, enjoy a snorkeling and fishing tour near Mong Tay Island or Gam Ghi Island. Day 5 is yours to experience Phu Quoc however you'd like: snorkel, swim, relax in the sun, or do activities beyond the beach. Visit Vinpearl Land Amusement Park and Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc, where you'll see various wild animals, or admire the beauty of the forest and mountains and hike through the jungle to see Suoi Trang Waterfall. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Northern Vietnam Adventure for Families: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Beyond

This northern Vietnam adventure is for families with bold kids who want to explore beyond the cities. You'll experience a range of active and chilled-out activities as you discover northern Vietnam, like watching a traditional dance performance in Hanoi, cycling through villages around Ba Vi, refreshing yourselves at an eco-resort on Hoa Binh Lake, and cruising and kayaking along Ha Long Bay. 

You northern Vietnam adventure kicks off in Hanoi. Wander through the Old Quarter and enjoy a "Lang Toi" ("My Village") show, a lively performance depicting ancient Vietnamese village life. Get close to nature on a day trip to the mountainous Ba Vi area on Day 2. Then stop in Ri village to connect with a local host and learn about tea growing and Moc village for a hands-on cooking class before cycling through rice paddies and banana trees. Day 3 is for family time at Mai Chau Hideaway Resort in Mau Chau. This eco-friendly resort on Hoa Binh Lake offers stunning landscapes, an infinity pool, a playground, and outdoor activities.

Discover more of Hanoi on Day 4 by jumping on a cyclo, eating street food, or visiting Hoan Kiem Lake and the impressive 11th-century Temple of Literature. The following day, cruise Ha Long Bay, where you can ready the kids and kayak through limestone rocks and karst grottoes, swim, or relax on the beach. On Day 6, you'll visit a limestone cave—sure to delight the little explorers—and spot lush islands and hidden coves on the cruise back to the dock, returning to Hanoi for one last evening. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Luxury Family Tour of Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Ho Chi Minh City

This luxury family tour provides extra comfort and premium experiences that make it easier for families traveling with kids. Experience northern Vietnam with cultural shows and water puppetry in Hanoi and cruise the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay. Explore the Mekong Delta on a luxury yacht in southern Vietnam and visit the bustling Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City.

On Day 1, taste kid-friendly street food like bun cha (Vietnamese meatballs) or pho (noodle soup) in Hanoi's Old Quarter and head to a lively performance that depicts ancient Vietnamese village life. Visit sights like the Ho Chi Minh Complex, the Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda on Day 2. Kids can play in the Temple of Literature's garden, meet a puppet maker and performer, and learn the basic techniques of using bamboo rods to move puppets. On Day 3, transfer to the coast and cruise along the limestone rocks and karst grottoes of Ha Long Bay, where you can explore caves by kayak or play on the beach.

The following day, discover a cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites that will fascinate kids of all ages. Sail the waterways of the Mekong Delta on a luxury yacht on Day 5, stopping at Ben Tre to board a traditional flat-bottomed boat and witness the inner workings of local shops and farms along the way. On Day 6, see Ho Chi Minh City in style, starting with the War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office. Next, shop for souvenirs and local snacks at Ben Thanh Market before embarking on a sunset cruise along the Saigon River. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Vietnam Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Vietnam? Check out these other one-week Vietnam itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.

A note on diacritical markings: In order to support the best technical experience and search functions, diacritical markings have been omitted from this article.