Planning family holidays often involves a balancing act when choosing a destination, given the diverging needs, preferences, and energy levels. Fortunately, Vietnam for family holidays offers a vibrant tapestry of experiences, from stunning natural landscapes and historic sites to welcoming family resorts. With modern amenities, rich cultural heritage, and great beaches, Vietnam is fast becoming one of the best destinations for families to have both an adventurous and laid-back experience. In this guide, we’ll show you how to plan a family vacation in Vietnam by mentioning the best destinations, things to do, and family-friendly resorts in Vietnam to ease any stress while still making it fun.
Why Choose Vietnam for Family Holiday?
Vietnam is a diverse and family-friendly destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re traveling with young children, teenagers, or grandparents, the country provides a mix of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. Here are some reasons why Vietnam is perfect for a family vacation:- Stunning Beaches: The beaches are excellent, from Nha Trang to Da Nang, even to the island of Phu Quoc – the very best destination for a leisurely family holiday.
- Cultural Diversity: Wrapped within the rich history and diverse culture of Vietnam, there is so much for kids to pick up interactively.
- Adventure Activities: From kayaking in Ha Long Bay to cycling through rice paddies in Hoi An, there are plenty of family-friendly outdoor activities that will keep them busy.
- Affordable Luxury: The different forms that family resorts take in Vietnam provide a luxury that is relatively affordable, especially compared to other family-friendly destinations.
Best Destinations in Vietnam for family holiday
When planning Vietnam for family holiday, it’s important to choose destinations that offer a variety of activities for all ages. Here are some top family-friendly spots:1. Hanoi – Vietnam for family holiday
The busy capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has much to keep everyone from kids to adults busy. A mixture of ancient history and modern attractions, it is a rich cultural experience but provides ample fun for the younger visitor.Top Family-Friendly Spots in Hanoi:
Ha Noi Old Quarter: The Old Quarter is not to be missed by families. It’s a historic precinct with narrow streets full of local vendors, brightly colored shops, and street food. Kids love the action in this precinct, and they can try some of the special snacks that are peculiar to this area, such as Banh Mi or sweet treats called Che.
Ha Noi Old Quarter – Vietnam for family holiday
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: A visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is a good way to initiate your kids into the history of Vietnam and its respected leader. The imposing monument and the whole park are serene and instructive in every way. Temple of Literature: If your kids are interested in history, this is a quiet place to learn about Confucianism and about education in ancient Vietnam-it was the country’s first national university.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – Vietnam for family holiday
Water Puppet Shows: The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is very popular among families. Colorful puppets will amuse your kids by “dancing” on water and acting out traditional Vietnamese stories to live music playing in the background. It is a very unique form of entertainment, especially for younger audiences, and a great way to round off a day of sightseeing.
Water Puppet Shows – Vietnam for family holiday
Outdoor activities include:- Hoan Kiem Lake: This serves as a very good relaxation from the hustle and bustle of the city. The kids will be fascinated by the locals practicing Tai Chi, feeding turtles, or simply people-watching, while grown-ups enjoy the serenity. Let’s not miss Ngoc Son Temple, situated in the middle of the lake and reachable by crossing a picturesque red bridge.
- Cycling Tours: For active families, cycling tours around the quiet Hanoi areas will get you into neighborhoods and scenic views in peaceful surroundings.
- Children-friendly museums:
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: This is an interesting look into the nation’s 54 ethnic groups with its indoor and outdoor displays of traditional houses. Open spaces are there for kids who have inquiring minds to be entertained, as well as interactive displays.
- Vietnamese Women’s Museum: It is also a very good place to go to as a family. Exhibitions are interactive, have bright visuals, and describe in detail the role of women throughout Vietnam’s history and culture.
2. Halong Bay – Vietnam for family holiday
One of the most incredible natural experiences can be a family trip to Ha Long Bay. This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts emerald waters and towering limestone karsts, making it a perfect playground for a nature-loving family.
Halong Bay Family-Friendly Highlights:
Cruising the Bay: This is one of the best ways to experience Halong Bay through a cruise. There are many family-friendly cruises available that have activities ranging from kayaking, swimming, and cave exploration, which makes this quite an adventure for kids and adults alike. The most exciting place for kids will be the visit to one of the greatest caves in Halong Bay-Sung Sot Cave, or Surprise Cave – completely filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
Ha Long Bay – Vietnam for family holiday
Beaches and Swimming: Some cruises stop near small beaches, secluded from the world, where all the family can enjoy swimming in calm waters, while kids splash in shallow waters as their parents relax on soft sands.
Floating Villages: A floating fishing village visit, such as Cua Van Village, would provide kids with a chance to get glimpses into the life of the locals on the water. Various cruises run guided tours where families can either spectate or participate in traditional fishing practices.
Outdoor Adventures:
Kayaking and Rowing: Kayaks could be rented by the family, or they could take a boat ride through the limestones to give an almost near-and-personal view of beauty to the bay. This activity is both fun and safe for older kids who love outdoor escapades.
Cat Ba Island Cycling and Hiking Tour: Take a day trip to Cat Ba Island, the biggest island in Halong Bay, and make use of the opportunity for cycling and hiking through Cat Ba National Park, highly rich in biodiversity and picturesque value. The families can be taken around the trails of this park or can take a boat to visit Monkey Island, where kids can enjoy the playful primates.
3. Hoi An – Vietnam for family holiday
Hoi An is a city in Vietnam declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. It presents a strikingly contrasting urban experience with quietness and shall remind one of the contradictory bustling towns of Vietnam. Due to reasons including paper lantern-lit streets, historic architecture, and family-friendly activities, Hoi An happens to be an ideal destination for a Vietnam for family holiday.
Hoi An old town
Family-Friendly Highlights in Hoi An:
Old Town Exploration: Hoi An’s Old Town is car-free; for this reason, families find it safe and an excellent place for families to wander about. Kids love the colorful lanterns adorning the street, while the slower pace makes sightseeing stress-free.
Tailor-made experience: Hoi An has plenty of tailoring shops, and for older children, this will be a great experience for clothes tailored. It is quite an amusing yet instructive process to watch the choosing of the fabrics, taking of measurements, and sewing.
Lantern-Making Workshops: Families can participate in popular activities like a lantern-making class, which can give kids the chance to make their own lanterns as souvenirs for going home.
Outdoor Escapades:
Rice Paddy Cycling: A good way for families to see the countryside of Hoi An is by renting bicycles and cycling through beautiful countryside rice paddies. Many tours have routes that would be suitable for children, which would also allow you to stop at small villages, temples, and local farms.
An Bang Beach Day: Only a short ride from the center of town, An Bang Beach offers a soft-sand, calm-water day out. The beach has a line of family-friendly restaurants where you can have fresh seafood while your kids play on the shore.
Family-Friendly Cooking Classes: Hoi An has some great cooking schools, which are very family-friendly, and they also conduct classes aimed particularly at families. Kids can join the preparation of typical Vietnamese dishes like Spring Rolls and Banh Xeo in an active and playful way.
4. Da Nang – Vietnam for family holiday
Da Nang has become a preferred destination for families who also want beach time with adventure. Sandwiched between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, this seaside city provides an excellent combination of nature and culture hotspots, combined with amusement parks, suitable for all age groups, making it ideal for a Vietnam for family holiday.
My Khe Beach
Family-Friendly Highlights in Da Nang:
My Khe Beach: This long stretch of golden sand is basically dedicated to being an ideal place for families to come, lie down on the beach, and then enjoy some quality time. The shallow waters are safe for children, while family-friendly cafes and restaurants line the beach.
Marble Mountains: Located within a short drive from the city, the Marble Mountains offer history and adventure. A family can climb the steps or take the elevator to see the caves, pagodas, and beautiful views from the top. This is an easy enough hike for older kids and quite an educational experience, too.
Marble Mountains
Amusement-Theme Parks – For the Sake of Children:
Ba Na Hills: Ba Na Hills is a park housing the Golden Bridge – a structure held up by giant stone hands – an amusement park and provides an unforgettable family experience. Children love taking a ride on the world’s longest cable car, while the French village-style and activities based on themed parks amuse every member of the family.
5. Phu Quoc Island – Vietnam for family holiday
Off the southern coastline of Vietnam, Phu Quoc Island has remained a dream destination for many families looking to have a tropical getaway. The crystal-clear waters lapping against the white sandy beaches are eye-catching, and with so many kids’ friendly activities, Phu Quoc strikes just about the right balance between adventure and leisure-from nature walks to enjoying sun-and-sea leisure. For those planning a Vietnam family holiday, Phu Quoc offers a perfect blend of entertainment and peaceful escapes, making it an ideal choice for all ages.
Sao Beach
Top Family-Friendly Activities on Phu Quoc Island:
Relaxing Days at the Beach in Long Beach and Sao Beach: Some of the best beaches in the nation can be found in Phu Quoc, including two of the most family-friendly beaches named Long Beach and Sao Beach.
Long Beach: This is a long stretch of golden sand, ideal for families. The waters here are tranquil; hence, very safe for small children to swim. A number of beachfront resorts and restaurants can be found where sunbeds can be hired or where one can eat after a day of fun in the sun.
Sao Beach: Besides the soft white sand, the turquoise waters here make Sao Beach a place to which one should head. Quieter than Long Beach, a person should expect it to be much quieter. Kids will have fun building sand castles or paddling into the tender waves while their parents relax under the shelter of palm trees.
Snorkeling at An Thoi Islands and diving
A visit to Phu Quoc is never complete without snorkeling or diving in the An Thoi Archipelago, right off the southern tip of the island. Most tour operators will offer family-friendly boat trips to these islands, and even for young snorkelers, there is a lot to see underwater about vibrant coral reefs with colorful tropical fish. Older children and teenagers, in particular, love an adventure in diving or snorkeling in these crystal-clear, warm waters. For families with younger kids, glass-bottom boat tours are a great alternative where one gets to see the marine life without getting wet.
VinWonders Phu Quoc Amusement Park
VinWonders Phu Quoc is the biggest theme park in Vietnam and is a child’s dream. Rides shows, and interactive zones throughout the park will have the children busy throughout.
Water Park: The huge water park in the complex is very good for hot days and highly slide-filled, with a number of splash zones suitable for younger kids.
Safari and Zoo: Next to VinWonders is Vinpearl Safari – a huge open zoo where children will be able to observe animals in semi-wild conditions. Just that combination of education and fun where, in their natural environment, they will come in contact with giraffes, lions, and all such exotics.
Fantasy World: This is a part of VinWonders, where younger groups are targeted with areas designed based on various types of fairy tales; the area also includes live shows and family-friendly rides.
Night Market Fun
Probably one of the more interesting and sensory experiences for families could be a night market visit to Phu Quoc Night Market in Duong Dong town. This is an ideal place to expose the kids to local culture because of the diversity that surrounds them, from just-caught seafood to handmade souvenirs. The more adventurous eaters might try Phu Quoc’s famous pepper or have a bowl full of seafood noodles, which might be fun for the family. If your kids are picky eaters, do not worry; there are plenty of stalls serving up familiar snacks, like grilled corn, pancakes, and fruit smoothies. With its blend of adventure, relaxation, and family-friendly activities, Phu Quoc Island truly stands out as a top destination for a Vietnam for family holiday.