Vietnam with Toddlers, School-age Kids and Teens

Promising stacks of culture, gorgeous beaches and divine food, Vietnam is an easy choice for your first family holiday to Asia. From the French-colonial architecture of Hanoi and the rosy lantern-draped streets of Hoi An to the dramatic limestone peaks of Halong Bay, this long, skinny country, which is jam-packed with history and spirituality, and whirled in legend, is a sensory overload for kids from toddlers to teens – one they will love.

'For a truly interactive history lesson, crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City, which were used as hiding places by Viet Cong soldiers.'

Vietnam with Toddlers

One of the most family-friendly nations in the world, Vietnam is an absolute joy with toddlers. Vietnamese people adore children and welcome all with open arms and smiles. When visiting with little ones, choose destinations that will engage their senses, such as the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An. We also recommend a gentle rickshaw ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter, a mesmerising water puppet show and relaxing on a boat trip on the Mekong Delta and just watching the world drift by.

You can find some great Vietnam holiday packages to Nha Trang and Phu Quoc Island. Many family-friendly beach resorts have toddler-friendly pools to keep cool in, as well as kids' clubs and entertainment programmes.  See our hand-picked places to stay in Vietnam with kids.

Vietnam with School-age Kids

Vietnam is a playground for school-age kids, combining history, culture and millions of super-cool things to do. A Vietnam adventure tour catering to kids aged 10 and above might include the likes of trekking in the hills, visiting traditional villages and learning local crafts in Sapa, and take a cooking class in Hoi An where you can learn how to make spring rolls and noodles together. For a truly interactive history lesson, crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City, which were used as hiding places by Viet Cong soldiers.

Vietnam with Teens

This is one of the well-worn routes on the gap year route as teenagers adore the energy of Vietnam. There are some brilliant Vietnam adventure tours to enjoy with your teen, or go it alone – perhaps in a rickshaw in Hanoi and exploring the Old City's ancient temples and hidden shopping streets, where they can pick up their favourite ‘designer' threads.

Venture north to Halong Bay and go kayaking through the grottoes or try rock climbing up one of the granite karsts. A big draw for teenagers is the chance to go trekking in the hills of Sapa and visiting local tribes. There's plenty for adrenaline seekers too. In the south, Mui Ne is Vietnam's surf capital thanks to its growing kitesurfing scene, while canyoning, zip-lining and white-water rafting are popular in nearby Dalat.

Where to Stay in Vietnam with a Family 

For families with toddlers and young children, the central east coast is a good option. Hoi An's pedestrian-friendly old town and nearby beaches of Da Nang offer a good balance of culture and relaxation. For a Vietnam beach holiday, head to resorts such as Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, which are both blessed with beautiful palm-fringed beaches and family-friendly resorts

For Vietnam with school-age kids, consider staying in Hanoi. As the capital, it's a vibrant mix of history, culture and buzzy Vietnam life. It's also a good launch pad for visiting the ancient city of Hue and Halong Bay. Double up with a river cruise on the Mekong Delta, where kids can experience river life and shop from floating markets.

And if you're travelling with teenagers, pretty much anywhere in Vietnam will excite them. From the buzzy beach resorts of Nha Trang and Phu Quoc to the vibrant streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, it's guaranteed to give them a taste for travelling.

It's also worth spending time inland, exploring the hill stations and terraced rice fields of Sapa or the ancient temples and floating villages that lie along the Mekong Delta.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam

Long and narrow, Vietnam runs the gamut of weather from cool, crisp winters to balmy, humid summers. The best time to visit Vietnam with family depends on your itinerary and what you want to do. North Vietnam (Hanoi and Sapa) is best between October and April as it's cooler and less humid, which works for sightseeing and trekking.

Central Vietnam (Da Nang and Hoi An) is at its finest between February and May, when it sees plenty of sunshine and fewer rain showers, making it perfect beach weather. If you're heading to South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta), visit during the dry season, November and April, for balmy temperatures and the most sunshine.

What to Eat in Vietnam

Vietnamese cuisine is a joy. Fresh, zingy and packed with flavour, many dishes appeal to the more adventurous child, while plain noodles, rice and chicken skewers sate the pickier eaters. Bun cha, grilled pork with noodles, is a Vietnam staple, as is pho, the national noodle soup, eaten morning, noon and night. And snack on a banh mi, a French-inspired baguette filled with pâté or grilled meat and crunchy vegetables.

Young kids love making their own spring rolls using rice paper and fresh veggies, dipped in peanut sauce. Of course, tropical fruit is in abundance, including fresh mango, dragon fruit and passion fruit, as well as stinky durian for the brave.

Getting To and Around Vietnam

Flights to Vietnam are often direct from the UK, fly to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in around 12 hours. Internal flights are cheap, while the excellent train network can take you from north to south in a matter of hours, which means you can cover a lot of the country in just two weeks.

By Tracey Davies

Read more about Vietnam family trips, including our Vietnam Family Adventure and two-centre holidays, or contact us on 020 3633 0653 or via our online form for more information or a quote. Or check our our guides to Japan with kids and Malaysia with kids.