Vietnam Round Trip with Kids
Complete itinerary + route, tips and experiences (2.5 weeks)
A round trip through Vietnam with kids? Maybe not the first destination that comes to mind — but trust me: it’s one you’ll never forget. During this journey, you’ll travel from the lively streets of Hanoi to the green rice fields of Ninh Binh and Sapa, cruise between the impressive limestone formations of Halong Bay, and finish with beach time and relaxation on Phu Quoc and in Hoi An.
This itinerary is perfect for families who love variety, adventure, and a little bit of chaos (in a good way 😉). It’s not a “sit back and relax” kind of holiday, but that’s exactly what makes it so much fun. Together, you’ll discover a completely different culture, enjoy the best street food, and watch your kids marvel at everything — from trains passing straight through narrow streets to boat trips through caves and rice fields.
We found Vietnam surprisingly easy to travel through with children (ages 5 and 7), mainly because there’s so much variety. Busy cities are balanced with peaceful nature, active days with relaxing moments. And perhaps best of all: Vietnamese people are incredibly kind to children.
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Our Vietnam Round Trip with Kids
We did this Vietnam round trip with kids in about 2.5 weeks and found the balance just right: enough sightseeing, but also plenty of time to relax and enjoy. The first week was definitely a bit busy, but the second, more relaxed week made up for it completely. We started in Hanoi, continued to Ninh Binh and Sapa, returned via Hanoi to Halong Bay for a cruise, and then flew south for beach time on Phu Quoc. We ended the trip in Hoi An.
Hanoi (2 Days)
Landing in the Chaos (in a Good Way)
Hanoi is busy, chaotic, and… surprisingly fun with kids. It takes a moment to adjust when you arrive, but that’s exactly why it’s such a great place to start your trip. You don’t need to see “everything” here yet — simply wandering around, taking it all in, and soaking up the atmosphere is more than enough.
Top attractions
One absolute must-do is the water puppet show. It’s truly Vietnamese and surprisingly entertaining for kids. It combines live music with a puppet performance on water that tells stories about Vietnamese culture and history. Definitely book this in advance, because it sells out quickly. We managed to get last-minute tickets through Viator.
The water puppet theatre is located by Hoan Kiem Lake. The atmosphere around the lake is especially lovely early in the morning. Locals exercising, dancing, and stretching — it’s such a nice way to experience the city waking up. Be sure to walk across the iconic red bridge and visit the temple as well (make sure your shoulders are covered).
And then there’s Train Street… one of those places kids will talk about for weeks afterward. You literally sit with a drink next to the railway tracks, and suddenly a train comes rushing through the narrow street. Ask your hotel for the latest train schedule, as the times often change.
Hotel suggestion
We stayed at the Champton Hotel Hanoi in the Old Quarter and it was honestly a great choice. Two spacious connecting rooms (ideal with kids), a rooftop pool, and right in the part of the city where you’ll want to stay.
Ninh Binh (3 Days)
The Vietnam from the Postcards
About a two-hour drive from Hanoi lies Ninh Binh. We booked a private transfer in advance through TravelThru — highly recommended! Ninh Binh is the Vietnam you picture in your mind: green rice fields, dramatic limestone mountains, and total peace and quiet.
Top attractions
A boat tour through Trang An is an absolute must. Yes, it’s touristy — but it’s also genuinely stunning. You glide through the landscape in a traditional boat, passing mountains and caves (some low and narrow, others enormous). Along the way, you stop at temples, and the whole experience feels a little magical.
The climb to Hang Múa is also highly recommended. It’s around 500 steps (a bit intense in the heat), but the view at the top is absolutely spectacular. One of those moments where you think: yes, this is exactly why we travel.
What we may have loved most was simply cycling around. No plan, just riding past rice fields, water buffalo, and tiny villages. This is Vietnam at its purest.
Sapa (1 Day)
Authentic… But With a Small Disclaimer
We went back and forth for a long time about whether to include Sapa in our itinerary. It’s quite far off route (about 7 hours by car from Ninh Binh and 5 hours from Hanoi), but the Instagram photos looked so beautiful! It was high on our wishlist, but I’ll be honest: this is one of those places where expectations and reality can clash a little. Yes, it’s beautiful. But it’s not all endless green rice terraces like you see on Instagram. We visited in April, and many of the fields were still brown. There’s also quite a bit of construction, pollution, and tourism. Still… it was definitely a worthwhile experience.
Top attractions
We did a hike from Lao Chai to Ta Van and it really felt like escaping the crowds for a while. Although I have to say: even here, it’s more touristy than you might expect. Looking back, we would probably have chosen a different route towards Cat Cat Village, as it looked quieter (less built-up and fewer tourist shops).
For the kids, Sapa Green Valley was an absolute hit. Moana Sapa is fun for taking photos, but if you have to choose: go for Sapa Green Valley.
Halong Bay (2 Days / 1 Night)
The Highlight of Our Vietnam Round Trip with Kids
From Sapa, we drove back to Hanoi in about 5 hours with TravelThru. After spending one night there, we were picked up early the next morning for the highlight of our trip! This is something you absolutely shouldn’t skip. We did a 2-day / 1-night cruise, and for our kids, this was the ultimate highlight of the entire journey. Sleeping on a boat surrounded by towering limestone formations — how special is that?
During the day, you go kayaking or take a bamboo boat through caves, you can swim, and there are activities like cooking classes and Tai Chi at sunrise.
Phu Quoc (3 Days)
Doing Absolutely Nothing (and That’s Perfect)
We had a very busy first week — maybe even a little too busy. After all the impressions and travel, this was exactly what we needed. We flew from Hanoi to Phu Quoc in just two hours. We stayed at the Novotel Phu Quoc Resort and it truly felt like a dream with kids. Pools, beach access, playgrounds — it had everything. Honestly, we barely did anything here. And it was wonderful. One day, we visited Sao Beach, a beautiful beach with an inflatable water park in the sea, but besides that, we mostly just enjoyed the resort.
Hoi An (2 Days)
Atmospheric, Charming (and Busy)
Hoi An may just be the most charming place in Vietnam, and we definitely didn’t want to miss it. We flew from Phu Quoc to Hoi An in just over an hour. Hoi An is absolutely beautiful! Think lanterns, narrow streets, and cozy little restaurants everywhere. We stayed at Tam Hong Phuc Homestay Hoi An, right in the Old Town, which is ideal with children. Everything is within walking distance. It’s lovely during the day, but in the evening the town really comes alive. It can get busy — really busy — but the atmosphere more than makes up for it.
One of our favorite things to do was making our own lantern at The Lady Lantern. Such a fun activity, and a perfect souvenir to take home. Other than that, Hoi An is mostly about wandering around, eating good food, grabbing ice cream, and simply enjoying the atmosphere.
Budget Estimate for a Vietnam Round Trip with Kids
Vietnam is much more affordable than many other long-haul destinations, although you can make it as expensive as you want. Our biggest expenses were the flights and accommodations. We paid around €4,000 for flights and approximately €1,000 in total for our hotels and stays.
While traveling, we spent another €2,700 altogether, which came down to about €160 per day. Vietnam is definitely no longer the ultra-budget destination it once was, but it’s still very affordable considering everything you get in return.
Best Time to Visit Vietnam with Kids
The best time to visit Vietnam depends a bit on which region you’re traveling to, but in general, February to April and October to November are the most comfortable months. We traveled in April. The temperatures were great, although the north (Sapa) wasn’t at its greenest yet.
Conclusion: A Vietnam Round Trip with Kids
Vietnam is not the easiest destination… but that’s exactly what makes it so special. It’s intense, lively, sometimes chaotic — but also incredibly beautiful, diverse, and surprisingly family-friendly. If you love adventure, culture, and truly experiencing something together as a family, then a Vietnam round trip with kids is one you’ll never forget.
Wil je je rondreis naar Vietnam meteen gaan plannen?
Bij het plannen van je reis naar Vietnam zijn er verschillende manieren om je verblijf en activiteiten te boeken. Als je graag zelf alles regelt, kun je via Booking.com eenvoudig accommodaties vinden die passen bij jouw wensen. Voor unieke excursies en tours is GetYourGuide een uitstekende keuze. Wil je liever alles in één keer geregeld hebben? Dan biedt TUI complete pakketten aan voor een zorgeloze vakantie. Ben je op zoek naar meer flexibiliteit en wil je je reis op maat samenstellen? Kijk dan eens bij Riksja, waar je met bouwstenen je eigen ideale reis kunt samenstellen.
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