Vietnam Travel Tips for Families with Kids

Dung (Emma)
Aug 3
4 min read

Planning a trip to Vietnam with your little ones? We see you, super-parents! At Beyond Vietnam, we've welcomed many traveling families, from parents with toddlers to multigenerational groups, and we understand the mix of excitement and chaos that comes with family adventures.

To help you make the most of your trip to Vietnam (without losing your mind or your favorite snack pouch), here are our top tips, gathered from real experiences with real families.

1. Create your own flexible itinerary

Don’t try to see everything. Seriously.Vietnam is long and rich in sights, but hopping from Hanoi to Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh in a week with kids? That’s a one-way ticket to exhaustion.

Instead:

Pick 2–3 key destinations and enjoy them slowly.
Include downtime after flights or long car rides.
Keep travel days light — no one wants to be sightseeing in meltdown mode.

🏖️ Example: Spend 3–4 days just exploring Hanoi and nearby countryside. It's full of food, fun, culture, and surprises your kids will love (trust us!).

2. Book in advance (especially around Vietnamese holidays!)

Family-sized rooms, good guides, and top experiences can book out quickly — especially during local holidays.

🚨 Key holidays and busy seasons in Vietnam to keep in mind:

Tết (Lunar New Year) – Usually late Jan or early Feb. Whole country travels home.
Reunification Day & Labor Day – April 30 & May 1
National Day – September 2
Summer break – June to early August (local families also travel)
Christmas & New Year – More tourists, higher prices

✅ Plan ahead and check festival calendars. Book your accommodations, internal flights, and tours early (especially kid-friendly ones like ours 😉).

3. Be weather-wise

Vietnam’s weather changes a lot depending on region and season.

Hanoi can be hot and humid in summer ☀️, chilly in winter 🧥.
Central Vietnam might be sunny while the North is rainy.
Mountain towns like Sapa or Da Lat? Bring sweaters!

💡 Afternoon showers are common — plan indoor stops like museums, coffee workshops, or cooking classes for those hours.

👒 Tip: Always pack a sun hat, water bottle, light raincoat, and sandals that dry fast!

4. Involve the kids in planning

Letting your kids feel involved makes them so much more excited.

✨ Try this:

Ask them to pick a dish to try or a place to visit.
Let your son be the family photographer 📸.
Put your daughter in charge of navigating a short walking route 🗺️.
Let them choose a souvenir shop stop (just... maybe not every 10 minutes 😂).

Small responsibilities = big sense of ownership.

5. Balance their needs… and yours

Sometimes, you won’t tick off everything on your bucket list. And that’s okay.

You might skip that 5th pagoda visit in favor of a popsicle break or playground detour. Or swap your museum stop for a nap break (yes, even for you!).

💬 At Beyond Vietnam, we always help you find that balance — meaningful cultural moments and enough breathing room for everyone.

6. Keep it simple — but make it special

Traveling with kids doesn’t mean giving up on authentic experiences.

You just need the right kind:

🥢 Food tours that include safe, tasty dishes and small bites for little mouths.
🎨 Hands-on fun like dragonfly painting, lantern making, or market treasure hunts.
🚲 Experiences like cyclo rides or local ferries — cool, slow-paced and full of discovery.

That’s exactly how we design our family-friendly tours at Beyond Vietnam. Curious little explorers, artsy teens, and food-loving grownups — we’ve got you covered.

7. Don’t overschedule

We’ll say it again: less is more. Plan 1–2 key activities per day. Let the rest flow.

You’ll thank yourself when the baby needs a nap or the big kid suddenly spots a street vendor selling coconut ice cream. That’s when the real magic happens.

8. Pack smart — not heavy

No need to bring the whole playroom! A few favorites and some practical must-haves will do.

Must-pack list for family travelers:

Wet wipes (lots)
Rehydration powder & travel meds
Kid-safe bug spray
Small toys / coloring kits
Reusable water bottles
Light scarf or blanket (handy everywhere!)

9. Try local food — carefully

Yes, street food is delicious — and safe, when you know where to go.

Some quick food safety tips:

Eat where it’s busy (fresh turnover!)
Avoid raw veggies/ice in unknown places
Trust local guides or join a food tour made for families (like our Taste of Hanoi!)

Many Vietnamese dishes are naturally kid-friendly — think noodle soups, fried rice, pancakes, grilled meats, and fresh fruit galore 🍉🍜.

From our family to yours...

Vietnam is magical for families — warm people, colorful culture, and curious street corners waiting to be explored. And if you travel with a little flexibility, a touch of humor, and a lot of snacks… it might just become your family’s favorite trip ever.