By aussiematesvietnam 
G’day! Planning Your Family-Friendly Vietnam Adventure
Vietnam wasn’t exactly on my radar when the kids were little. Back then, Thailand was the go-to for Aussie families wanting an Asian adventure. But crikey, how things have changed! On our recent trip to Vietnam with the grandkids in tow, I couldn’t believe what we’d been missing all these years. This fascinating country has transformed into a ripper destination for families of all ages.
After three incredible weeks zigzagging from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, I’m convinced Vietnam deserves a spot on every Aussie family’s bucket list. The locals absolutely adore kids, the food is fantastic (and can be as mild as you need), and your dollar stretches further than a rubber band. Plus, the mix of beaches, history, and culture offers something for everyone from restless teens to curious grandparents.
So, chuck on your reading glasses as I share everything you need to know about planning a family-friendly Vietnam adventure that’ll create memories for generations.
When to Visit Vietnam with the Family
First thing’s first – timing is everything when traveling with the family mob. Vietnam’s weather can be a bit like Melbourne’s – unpredictable and varying widely depending on where you are. The country’s stretched-out geography means different regions experience different seasons simultaneously.
For most families, the sweet spot is February to April or August to October. These months generally offer milder temperatures and less rainfall across most regions. We went in March and scored beautiful 25-28°C days in most places – warm enough for the beach but not so stinking hot that the grandkids were melting.
If you’re limited to school holidays, here’s my two bob’s worth:
- Christmas holidays: The north (Hanoi) will be cool and sometimes misty (pack jumpers), while the south (Ho Chi Minh) and central beaches are perfect.
- Easter break: Absolute beauty! Moderate temperatures nationwide with minimal rain.
- Winter school holidays: Bit wet in the north, but perfectly doable with the right gear. Central Vietnam shines during this period.
- Spring holidays: The north and central regions are lovely, though the south might throw some afternoon thunderstorms your way.
We struck gold with our March trip – comfortable temperatures everywhere and only one afternoon downpour in Hoi An (which gave us the perfect excuse to nip into a café for Vietnamese coffee and smoothies).
Mapping Your Vietnam Family Itinerary
When I started planning our Vietnam adventure, I wanted to see absolutely everything. Then reality hit – traveling with an 8-year-old, a 12-year-old, and my wife who insists on unpacking at each stop meant we needed to slow our roll.
For a family trip, less is definitely more in Vietnam. Here’s a sample 2-week itinerary that worked a treat for us:
Days 1-4: Hanoi and surrounds
Get your bearings in Vietnam’s charming capital. The Old Quarter’s chaotic energy is actually fantastic for families – the kids were mesmerized by the street vendors, motorbike ballet, and water puppet shows. A day trip to nearby Ninh Binh (the “inland Halong Bay”) lets you experience rice paddies and limestone karsts without the overnight boat commitment.
Days 5-7: Halong Bay
Those limestone karsts rising from emerald waters are on everyone’s Vietnam bucket list. While the overnight cruise feels like a splurge, it was honestly worth every dollarydoo. The family-friendly boats offer kayaking, cave explorations, and cooking classes that kept our entire multi-generational crew entertained.
Days 8-11: Hoi An
This was the unanimous family favorite. The ancient town’s car-free streets make it perfect for families, and the nearby beaches offer welcome relaxation. The grandkids still bang on about the lantern-making workshop and bicycle tour through rice fields. Plus, getting clothes custom-made is a novelty the teens particularly enjoyed.
Days 12-14: Ho Chi Minh City
End your journey in Vietnam’s buzzing commercial hub. The War Remnants Museum is confronting but important for older kids to understand history. The Cu Chi tunnels fascinated our 12-year-old history buff, while day trips to the Mekong Delta provide a glimpse into rural Vietnamese life.
If you’ve got three weeks like we did, consider adding in Phong Nha’s incredible caves, Dalat’s cooler highlands, or beach time in Phu Quoc. Just don’t try to cram it all in. Our family rule was a minimum of three nights at each stop – anything less and you’re spending more time packing and unpacking than actually experiencing Vietnam.
Getting Around Vietnam with Kids
Getting from A to B in Vietnam with the family is half the adventure! Here’s the lowdown on your transport options:
Domestic Flights: For longer stretches (Hanoi to Danang or Danang to Ho Chi Minh), domestic flights save valuable holiday time. Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and VietJet Air offer regular services. We found tickets for around $80-120 AUD per person, which felt like good value for the time saved. Book a few months ahead during school holiday periods.
Trains: The kids were absolutely chuffed with our overnight train journey from Hanoi to Danang. We splurged on a private 4-berth soft sleeper cabin (about $65 AUD per person), which turned into a giggling slumber party on wheels. The gentle rocking sent everyone to sleep, and waking up to coastal views was magical. Just BYO toilet paper and hand sanitizer!
Private Transfers: Between cities that aren’t too far apart, private cars with drivers are surprisingly affordable. We paid about $80 AUD for a 4-hour journey with stops wherever we wanted. The air-conditioning and door-to-door service were godsends with tired kids.
Grab: Think Uber, but Southeast Asian style. This app was our secret weapon for city travel. The fares are fixed before you ride (no haggling needed), and the app shows your route to ensure no “scenic detours.” A 20-minute ride typically cost us under $5 AUD.
One word of caution – we initially considered renting motorbikes in Hoi An (as the grandkids were begging to zip around like locals), but quickly came to our senses. Vietnamese traffic requires nerves of steel and local knowledge. Save the motorbike adventures for organized tours with professional drivers.
Family-Friendly Accommodation Options
Vietnam offers a ripper range of family digs to suit any budget. Here’s what we discovered:
Family Rooms and Connecting Rooms: Most hotels understand family needs and offer suitable room configurations. In Hanoi, we booked a family suite at the Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa for around $180 AUD per night, which gave us a king bed plus two singles with enough space that we weren’t tripping over each other.
Serviced Apartments: For stays longer than a few days, serviced apartments are gold. In Hoi An, we snagged a two-bedroom apartment with a kitchen and washing machine at the Hoi An Waterway Resort for about $150 AUD nightly. Being able to prepare simple breakfasts and do laundry made life with kids so much easier.
Homestays: For a true blue cultural experience, family-run homestays in rural areas offer fantastic value and genuine connections. In the Mekong Delta, we paid just $80 AUD for two rooms including a home-cooked dinner and breakfast. The kids still talk about learning to fish for prawns with the grandfather.
Beach Resorts: When everyone needed a break from sightseeing, a few days at a beach resort was just the ticket. The Sunrise Premium Resort in Hoi An ($220 AUD per night for a family room) kept the grandkids busy with swimming pools, beach activities, and a kids’ club that actually had interesting activities.
Pro tip: Always email the property directly after booking to confirm your family requirements. Most places will go above and beyond to accommodate families, often throwing in extras like airport transfers or breakfast for the kids.
Feeding the Troops: Vietnamese Food for Families
I won’t lie – I was a tad worried about feeding our somewhat fussy grandkids in Vietnam. Turns out my concerns were completely unfounded. Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, flavourful, and can be as mild or adventurous as you like.
Start with familiar gateway foods like:
- Fresh spring rolls (gỏi cuốn) – the transparent rice paper ones
- Fried rice (cơm chiên) – available everywhere
- Bánh mì – Vietnam’s famous French-influenced sandwiches
- Phở – the famous noodle soup that you can customize to taste
By the end of week one, our previously-suspicious 8-year-old was confidently ordering her own bún chả (grilled pork with noodles) and declaring it “way better than spaghetti.”
Street food is a highlight of Vietnam, but for families with younger kids or sensitive tummies, here’s my approach:
1. Look for busy stalls with high turnover (fresher ingredients)
2. Start at established markets or food courts rather than random street corners
3. Carry hand sanitizer and wet wipes for pre-meal cleanup
4. Consider a food tour early in your trip – our Hanoi street food tour with Vietnam Food Tour ($45 AUD per person, half-price for kids) gave us the confidence to explore independently afterward
Most restaurants are extremely accommodating to children. Our 8-year-old’s request for “noodles with nothing on them” was met with a smile rather than confusion. And the best part? Even “western food” in Vietnam typically has fresh, local ingredients.
Keeping the Kids Engaged: Family-Friendly Activities
The secret to a ripper family holiday is balancing activities that engage different ages. Vietnam makes this easier than you might expect:
Hands-On Cultural Activities: In Hoi An, the whole family got stuck into a lantern-making workshop ($15 AUD per person), while a cooking class at Gioan Cooking School ($45 AUD for adults, $25 for kids) had us all proudly making our own spring rolls and banana leaf-wrapped fish.
Water Adventures: Vietnam’s coastline offers everything from gentle swimming at Cua Dai Beach to snorkeling around the An Thoi archipelago. The kayaking excursion through Halong Bay’s floating villages was a highlight for everyone from grandpa to the kids.
Cycling Tours: Bike tours through rural areas provide the perfect pace for families. In the Mekong Delta, we joined a leisurely cycling tour through villages and fruit orchards, stopping to try exotic fruits straight from the trees.
History Made Accessible: Historical sites don’t have to be boring! The Imperial City in Hue became an adventure playground in our 8-year-old’s imagination, while Cu Chi tunnels turned into an Indiana Jones-style exploration. Just be aware that some war-related sites like the War Remnants Museum have confronting imagery – we took turns supervising the younger one outside certain exhibits.
Wildlife Encounters: For animal-loving families, consider the ethical Endangered Primate Rescue Center in Cuc Phuong National Park or the turtle conservation center in Con Dao.
The key to success? Intersperse busy sightseeing days with relaxed “pool days” and don’t overschedule. Some of our best memories came from unplanned moments