2 Weeks in Vietnam - 4 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Vietnam Family Explorer: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Phu Quoc & More

This itinerary is ideal for first-timers that want to experience some of the most popular spots: city tours in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, UNESCO Heritage sites in Ha Long Bay and Hoi An, and beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc.

Zip through Hanoi on a cyclo (three-wheeled bicycle taxi), then let the kids find their favorite Vietnamese dishes on a food tour. Meet villagers in Ba Vi on Day 2 and take a cooking lesson in a local home. Spend a night aboard a boat in Ha Long Bay, where kids will enjoy swimming and a cave tour—the limestone rocks around the bay make a perfect backdrop for family photos. Fly to Da Nang on Day 5 and tour around Hoi An, ending with a sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River. Craft your souvenirs in a lantern-making class, then cycle to Cam Thanh, where the kids can try their hand at net fishing and paddling a bamboo basket boat. 

Head to Ho Chi Minh City on Day 8, sample street food at Ben Thanh Market, and marvel at the "bamboo circus" acrobatic performance at Saigon Opera House. Explore the underground world of the Cu Chi Tunnels, then learn about French colonial architecture on a Ho Chi Minh City tour. Fly to Phu Quoc island on Day 10, and find out which family member is the best at squid fishing on a sunset cruise. Spend your remaining days with family fun in the islands, including hiking to Suoi Trang Waterfall, snorkeling at Gam Ghi island, and racing down waterslides at Aquatopia Water Theme Park on Thom Island. Learn more 

Itinerary #2: Cultural Immersion for Families: Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi 

A classic route taking you and the family across the length of Vietnam, this cultural immersion itinerary is perfect for families interested in learning Vietnamese history and culture by engaging with locals. You'll enjoy a variety of interactive cultural experiences, including kite-making in Hue, cooking with a local family in Dong Ngac village, and riding in a bamboo basket boat in Cam Thanh. 

If little legs are tired on arrival, enlist the help of a cyclo to tour Ho Chi Minh City and visit the Ben Thanh Market, where you can fuel up on street food. Cruise the Ham Luong River on Day 2, visit handicraft workshops in Ben Tre, and kayak through the canals to experience daily life along the Mekong River. The kids will enjoy watching locals cook and sell goods from their boats at the Cai Rang Floating Market. Fly to Hue on Day 4, where you can visit the Imperial Citadel, then make kites at a local craftsman's home. Next, head to Hoi An with a stop for a family photo and coastal views along the Ocean Cloud Pass.

Help the kids find their favorite dish and learn some history and culture on a Hoi An food tour, then take a bike ride to the countryside where little ones will especially love paddling a bamboo basket boat and fishing in Cam Thanh. Fly to Hanoi on Day 9, and sample some Trang Tien ice cream on a stroll around the Old Quarter. Let the kids play chef while cooking with a local family in Dong Ngac village, then take a boat trip through the Trang An Grottoes. Celebrate your journey at Ha Long Bay, where you'll spend two days cruising, kayaking, and sharing your favorite Vietnam memories while enjoying the scenery. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Off-the-Beaten-Track Vietnam for Families

Adventurous families will appreciate the abundance of outdoor activities, including cycling through the rural landscapes of Ba Vi and sandboarding in the dunes beyond the resort town of Mui Ne in the country's southeast, combined with city sites in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on this off-the-beaten-track itinerary.

Try kid-friendly favorites like bun cha (Vietnamese meatballs) and Trang Tien ice cream on arrival in Hanoi, then enjoy a water puppet show. Spend Day 2 in Ba Vi, a national park located in the mountains, where you'll chat with villagers about daily life and learn to cook local dishes. Next, the whole family will be in awe of the rock formations and caves as you cruise Ha Long Bay. Fly to Hue, take a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River, then cycle to the home of a local kite maker to craft your personal kite. Tour the Old City on a cyclo and stop by Dong Ba Market, where the kids can select souvenirs from the stalls.

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City on Day 8, and visit the highlights, including the Notre-Dame Cathedral, on a cyclo tour before heading to Mui Ne on Day 9. Spend the next few days enjoying the beaches and water sports—older kids may want to take a windsurfing lesson, while little ones will love spinning in traditional basket boats. Take a Jeep tour and try sandboarding on the dunes, then sample local specialties (banh xeo, rice pancakes with pork, and seafood, are a must!). Return to Ho Chi Minh City on your final day and enjoy a "bamboo circus" show at the Saigon Opera House before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Family Trip to Vietnam & Thailand:  From Hanoi to Phuket

This Vietnam and Thailand family trip is suited for family members interested in a multicountry adventure. You'll hit the highlights of Vietnam, including spending the night aboard a boat in Ha Long Bay and a cycling tour in colorful Hoi An. Then the gang is off to explore the beaches of Phuket and the temples and markets of Bangkok and Ayutthaya in Thailand.  

Feed hungry bellies at Thanh Ha Market on arrival to Hanoi, and wander around the Old Quarter. Then, attend a private water puppet show where the kids can meet the performer and learn to operate the puppets. On Day 3, journey to Ha Long Bay and spend two days cruising and swimming with views of the limestone formations. Head for Hoi An on Day 4, where you'll take a family bike ride to a vegetable farm in Tra Que, then try traditional fishing in Cam Thanh. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and see the sites from a cyclo, then visit the Artinus 3D Art Museum—kids will love snapping photos with 3D art objects.

Observe life along the Mekong Delta as you cruise on a yacht, then visit a coconut candy workshop, a big hit with kids who enjoy sampling sweets. On Day 8, fly to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and take a tuk-tuk ride to Wat Pho (little ones will love seeing the giant Reclining Buddha!) and the glittering Grand Palace. Spend Day 10 in Ayutthaya, where you can visit historic temples and take a wooden boat tour on the Chao Phraya to see stilt houses. Fly to Phuket and spend your final days lounging at the beach, ziplining through the jungle at Flying Hanuman, and cruising the islands of Phang Nga Bay. Learn more

More Great 2-Week Vietnam Itineraries

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

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