Vietnam Guide for Families

Vietnam is an incredible destination for families, offering a mix of culture, adventure, nature and relaxation all in one trip. Before diving into the destinations and activities in this guide, here are a few helpful things to know when planning a family trip to Vietnam.

When to Visit Vietnam

Below I have provided the best times of year to visit each part of Vietnam. It is important to note, though, that even if you visit at the "best time of year" the weather will still be very hot and humid due to its tropical location.

Best time to visit Northern Vietnam

October - April is considered the best time to visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh as the weather is generally cooler and drier, with temperatures sitting in a comfortable range.

Tip: ☔️ Even though these months are considered drier, I'd highly recommend still packing an umbrella! We were in Hanoi in April and got caught in the pouring rain on our first day. Thankfully, some kind people passed us an umbrella as they drove past our family walking the street.

Best time to visit Central Vietnam

February - August are the best months to visit Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue when the weather is generally warm and dry.

How to get to Vietnam

I'd highly recommend flying into either Hanoi or Da Nang and starting your trip from there. All the itineraries provided work with either of these cities as your starting point.

Ho Chi Minh City is also a common starting point for a Vietnam trip. However, as it is located in the south of Vietnam, I wouldn't recommend it as a starting point if you're following this guide. If you would like to add Ho Chi Minh to your itinerary I'd simply recommend visiting on either side of your trip!

How Long to Visit

Anywhere from 10 - 24+ days is ideal for a trip to Vietnam. Our trip was 3.5 weeks long and we still feel like we missed out on so many incredible spots!

However, if you're limited on time I have also included 2x 10-day itineraries in the guide which are perfect options to give you a taste of the best of Vietnam.

Just note, if you choose to visit for a week and want to explore more than one area, it will be a fast paced trip!

Where to Stay in Vietnam

Finding family friendly accommodation in Vietnam was surprisingly easy! Between hotels, resorts, Airbnbs and homestays there are options for families at every price point and comfort level.

Accommodation

Throughout our trip we chose to stay in a mix of all 4 options which gave us a very balanced experience. Overall, though, our Airbnb stays ended up being some of the worst accommodation we stayed in. Although I'm sure this could easily come down to the ones we booked rather than Airbnbs as a whole.

We found that the availability of things like cots definitely varied. We were often able to book family sized rooms.

In the guide

Throughout the guide I've provided a range of accommodation options for each area we stayed in. I've included all the places we stayed (aside from the ones I wouldn't recommend) as well as added additional options so that there are alternatives to suit your needs. Each has been researched to ensure they are family friendly and something I would feel comfortable booking myself!

Additional Areas to Consider

(please note, these are not included in this guide)

There were a few places in Northern Vietnam that we would have LOVED to visit, but unfortunately (even with 3.5 weeks) were unable to fit them into our itinerary. I've given a brief outline of them here so that if any strike your interest you can look into adding them to your itinerary.

Sapa

Sapa is a famous, scenic hill station renowned for its dramatic rice terraces. It is located 5 hours from Hanoi and is a very popular tourist spot, despite being quite remote. Here you can ride the Mount Fansipan Cable Car, trek through rice terraces, visit a local village or simply relax at your hotel and take in the views. This was one of the spots that I would have loved to visit, but it simply didn't fit into our itinerary.

Ban Gioc Waterfall

Ban Gioc waterfall is known as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam and the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia. It is located along the Chinese border in the very North of Vietnam, almost 7 hours north of Hanoi.

My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage site located about 1.5hrs from Hoi An. The location is surrounded by jungle and history, and best visited early in the day. If your family has extra time in Hoi An this might be somewhere worth visiting!

Mai Chau

Located about 3 hours from Hanoi, Mai Chau is an area known for its rice terraces, rich ethnic culture and tranquil countryside. It's commonly known as a less popular, less crowded area in comparison to Sapa.

We actually had accommodation booked in Mai Chau and were very much looking forward to exploring the area. Unfortunately we had some delays getting to Vietnam and had a hard time arranging transportation out to the rural area at a reasonable price. In the end, we chose to stay in Hanoi for a few extra days and take it easy!

Bạch Mã National Park

This national park is often recommended to visit on a day trip from Hue. It's a beautiful area filled with waterfalls and hikes, as well as an array of plant and animal species. It's a large National Park, stretching from near the coast to the Cambodian border.

I believe we might have driven through Bạch Mã National Park as we drove from Hue to Hoi An!

Ba Na Hills

Commonly known as a top family destination, Ba Na Hills is a mountain top resort and amusement park. It is located just outside of Da Nang, and includes a scenic cable car, the iconic Golden Bridge and a "French Village" atmosphere.

While we didn't actually go here ourselves, I did end up including some information in the guide on visiting as it is an easy day trip from Da Nang and doesn't require moving to a new area.

Things to Do in Vietnam

This guide covers the best things to do across Northern and Central Vietnam, based on our 3.5 weeks travelling through the country with two kids. Here’s a quick look at the types of activities and experiences you’ll find throughout the guide.

You’ll find a mix of cultural highlights, scenic nature spots, easy family-friendly activities, and a few unique experiences that make Vietnam such a memorable place to visit. From lantern-lit towns and river cruises to mountain views, temples and relaxing beach time, the guide focuses on experiences that are both worthwhile and manageable when travelling with kids.