Vietnam Family Explorer: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Phu Quoc & More - 14 Days

Continue to Dong Xuan Market, where noodle shops are located amid stalls selling handbags, clothes, and other goods. Finish with dessert in the Old Quarter. You'll see ceremonial cake stalls and stop to taste a special French-influenced dessert. Continue walking along Hang Cot Street, where popular preserved fruits are sold. The tour wraps up at a small but busy coffee shop. Sit down for a sweet iced coffee or a slow-dripped hot brew while your kids refresh with cold soft drinks.

Day 3: Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Outdoor Activities

In the morning, your private driver will meet you at your hotel and take you east of Hanoi to UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, a must-visit destination in northern Vietnam. Cruising is one of the most comfortable and relaxing ways of exploring Ha Long Bay, especially if you're traveling with kids. This trip includes a variety of interesting activities, but it's all done at a slow pace. Upon arrival at the harbor, enjoy a welcome drink and check into your cabin.

Enjoy lunch while cruising through the breathtaking scenery of limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After lunch, the boat will stop in a quiet place where adventurous kids can explore the limestone islets and caves in a kayak. Younger ages can relax on deck and enjoy the beautiful views or take a boat ride. 

Continue cruising to one of the islands, where you can swim or relax at the beach. Return to your boat in the evening to watch the sunset, take part in some activities prepared by the cruise team, and sit down to dinner. Everyone will enjoy the mix of activity and relaxation and the delicious food on board.

Day 5: Fly to Hoi An, Family Food Tour

Today you'll fly from Hanoi to Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam that's very near the beautiful UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An. After checking into your Hoi An hotel, freshen up quickly and get ready to explore the historic town on a family-friendly food tour. Hoi An is famous for its delicious cuisine, and you're sure to find a new favorite dish for every member of your family. Over the course of three hours, gain a fantastic knowledge of Vietnamese food as well as the town of Hoi An: its history, culture, and also its restaurants, traditional food, culinary specialties, and unique flavors.

End the day with a relaxing sunset boat trip while the kids spot fish and marine life along Thu Bon River. After that, head back to the hotel, where you'll have this evening on your own. It's worth walking down by the riverside in the evening, and through the center of town, to see the beautiful colorful lanterns strung up.

Day 6: Hoi An Tour, Lantern-Making Workshop

Get to know local Hoi An culture better today with a program of activities that will keep everyone happy. Start with a walk through Hoi An's colorful, quiet streets. This cozy town was the national trading center of Vietnam in the 16th century, and is now home to many beautiful old streets and homes. Learn about Chinese, Japanese, French, and European architecture and its influence on the town. Don't miss the 100-year-old Japanese Bridge, the Phuc Kien Hall, and the local market.

Stop for lunch in a local café and taste the Vietnamese sandwich, banh mi; Hoi An's version is said to be the most delicious in all of Vietnam. After lunch, head to a local craftsperson's home to learn how to make lanterns. These are a symbol of Vietnam and a big part of Hoi An's local culture, as you'll have witnessed already. You'll learn how the lanterns became a symbol of Hoi An and see a lantern-making demonstration. Then, create your own lantern to keep as a souvenir. Kids can hang it in their room back home and be reminded of their fantastic trip to Vietnam. 

Day 7: Free Time, Cam Thanh Village Cycling & Basket Boat Tour

Today you can choose to relax or get active according to your family's needs at this mid-point in your trip. To take it easy, plan to spend the day in Hoi An town or at the nearby beach. At the beach, you'll find many small cafés where you can relax with a fresh fruit drink. You and the kids can swim in the warm, calm sea or relax on sun loungers.

If you're feeling energized and like something more active, head out on a village tour. Your guide will take you for a cycling trip into the countryside and along the rivers around Hoi An. Don't worry if your kids can't ride a bike by themselves because they can sit with you or the guide. Alternatively, if you don't want to cycle, you can take a private car tour.

As you meander through the countryside, experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way. This easy biking trip will take you to the beautiful vegetable-farming village of Tra Que, where you'll see how locals plant vegetables. Walk around the village and take some great photos before heading to the fishing village of Cam Thanh, where you'll take a paddleboat trip down the waterways in a unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat. Enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing, which is lots of fun and kids will love it.

Day 8: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Evening Cultural Show

Continue south today to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), a 90-minute flight from Da Nang. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and take some time to settle in. If you and your family are ready to check out this exciting city—Vietnam's largest—you can take a fun cyclo tour to get your bearings. Stop at the Ben Thanh Market, where you can try local street food specialties and shop for souvenirs. If you're up for it, visit the Artinus 3D Art Museum and have fun taking pictures with the 3D art objects—your kids will love it!

In the evening, head out for a show at the iconic Saigon Opera House, built by the French in 1898, where you will enjoy an authentic night of Vietnamese culture and art. A O Show by Lune Production is known as a "bamboo circus." The show depicts the transition of rural Vietnam to modern life. Performers use a variety of props such as giant woven baskets, ropes, and bamboo, accompanied by traditional live music, dance, and acrobatic performances such as balancing on top of bamboo poles. It's a fun evening out for the whole family. 

Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels Tour, Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Today, your family will learn a lot about the history of Vietnam by exploring the remarkable architecture of the French colonial times, and by crawling through the underground tunnels at Cu Chi. Learn about the tunnels and their dramatic history as a network of underground tunnels built by Vietnamese fighters during the first Indochina War, and later used during the Vietnam War. The underground metropolis includes living rooms, kitchens, hospitals, weapon factories, storage facilities, and a command center, and stretches over 155 miles (250 km). You'll also get the chance to descend into the tunnels, if you like.

After lunch at a local restaurant, head back into the city to check out some of the city's grandest buildings. First, stop at the landmark Independence Palace, designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu. Also check out the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office, an example of classical French colonial architecture. Kids will enjoy seeing the palatial public architecture that's probably quite different from what they're used to.

Day 10: Fly to Phu Quoc Island

Today it's time to shift gears and swap Vietnam's big, bustling cities for the island paradise of Phu Quoc, a Vietnamese island just off the southern coast of Cambodia. Phu Quoc is about a one-hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City. You'll be transferred to your hotel after your arrival, where you can spend some time relaxing and visiting the beach.

Later on, enjoy a dinner cruise. Board the cruise boat in Duong Dong Town. You'll be welcomed with a complimentary soft drink. As you watch the sun go down, cruise to a perfect spot to anchor. You and your kids could try your luck at squid fishing; if you've never done it before, the boat crew will teach you. If you catch anything, the crew will be delighted to prepare and cook it for you. Then enjoy a delicious dinner on board before returning to the harbor and on to your hotel.

Day 11: Boat Trip, Cable Car, Water Park Visit

What could be more fun on a beach vacation than taking a boat out to some beautiful islands? You and your children will have lots of fun with the water-based activities prepared for today. Board your boat and cruise toward Gam Ghi Island, a perfect place to go snorkeling to see coral with children as it's not too deep. Younger ages can stick to having fun at the white-sand beach, with beautiful views. 

Next up is Buon Island (or Mong Tay Island) for more swimming and snorkeling, followed by May Rut Trong Island, with a beautiful lagoon that's great fun for children. Here you can have fun swimming with your kids, strolling along the sandy beaches, sipping fresh drinks at the beach bar, sunbathing in the shade of coconut trees, and more. Return to the boat to enjoy lunch on board. 

After lunch, head to Thom Island to visit Aquatopia Water Theme Park. Have fun on water slides and at the cartoon playground zone, or just relax or enjoy the games in the Pirate Bay Zone. After the water park, enjoy an exciting ride on the world's longest cable car, which takes around 25 minutes. It soars high above the island for a spectacular panoramic view of fishing villages, the town, islands, and beaches.

Days 12-13: Free Time on Phu Quoc

The next couple of days are yours to enjoy at your leisure. You can chill out on the beach, go snorkeling from the shore or visit some fun, family-friendly water parks in Phu Quoc. A great spot for families is Vinpearl Land Amusement Park, with plenty of adventurous activities for kids and adults alike. Take your swimwear along, as there's a waterpark there, too.

If you and your kids are animal lovers, you could also visit Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc, where you will see various wild animals. Nature lovers will enjoy taking a picnic to the beautiful Suoi Trang Waterfall, admiring the beauty of the forest and mountains, and hiking through the jungle. With two whole days at your disposal, you could even do it all.

Day 14: Depart Phu Quoc

It's time to say goodbye to Vietnam. Enjoy some free time—perhaps a last swim or walk on the beach—before your driver transfers you to the airport for your flight back home. Safe travels!

More Great Vietnam Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your family trip to Vietnam? Check out these other Vietnam itineraries, explore different ways to spend two weeks in Vietnam with your family, or discover the best time to visit Vietnam.

 

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