Venturing Vietnam with Kids: A Memorable 13-Day Journey
Four Cities in 13 Days: Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City
Our visit to the ancient Ha Long Bay meant ticking another UNESCO World Heritage site off our list, alongside the little ones.
Kayaking at Ha Long Bay amplified our Vietnamese adventure.
“You’re spending 13 days in Vietnam? With kids?”
“Is Vietnam suited for families?”
“How safe is it for children?”
Such were the queries we received when we announced our ambitious 13-day itinerary across Vietnam. Many travelers opt for short visits focusing on either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, and seldom with children in tow.
In the heart of Hanoi, we discovered a unique ‘Train Street’.
Why Vietnam, and why for so long with kids?
Being working parents, our aim was to extract the most from our year-end holidays. Once in Vietnam, we decided to delve deep into the country’s treasures, a choice that was immensely rewarding.
An unforgettable moment: kids riding a water buffalo in Hoi An.
Navigating from North to South, from Hanoi to Da Nang, Hoi An, and culminating our trip in Ho Chi Minh City, was an exhilarating experience.
At the lush Ba Na Hills, even the rain couldn’t dim our enthusiasm, especially with our amazing guide guiding us through.
Indeed, our local Hoi An guide, Mr. Vincent, ensured that we were in safe hands throughout the trip.
Vietnam opened up as a haven for families. Military jeep tours, mesmerizing cultural performances, the historic Cu Chi Tunnel Tour, and kayaking at Ha Long Bay – every activity resonated with the kids.
To truly experience Ho Chi Minh City, one must explore the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Our guided tour around Hanoi City on a Military Jeep was nothing short of spectacular.
Additionally, the trip became an enlightening experience. It introduced the family to Vietnam’s rich past, its wars, and struggles for independence. It sparked discussions and queries from the kids about concepts like communism and war, topics that would eventually surface in school. This firsthand experience was priceless.
Our stay at the splendid InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula will always be etched in our memories.
Charting our 13-Day Vietnam Adventure:
We’re sharing our meticulously crafted 13-day Vietnam itinerary, hoping it inspires more families to explore this magnificent nation.
| Day | City | Itinerary (with Hyperlinks For Easy Bookings) |
| 1 | Singapore to Hanoi | Arrive in Hanoi in the evening. Check into La Siesta Classic Ma May Hotel. (https://lasiestahotels.vn/mamay/). Explore old quarter on foot. Dinner at Red Bean Restaurant (within the hotel) – Highly Recommended! |
| 2 | Hanoi | Morning walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake. Join the Half-day afternoon Army Jeep Backstreet Tour. Watch Long Water Puppet Show in the evening (Booked via Klook). |
| 3 | Ha Long Bay Cruise | 2D1N Ha Long Bay Cruise (Booked via Hanoi Hotel Concierge) |
| 4 | Ha Long Bay – Hanoi | End cruise and return to Hanoi. Visit Hanoi Cathedral and ‘Hanoi Hilton’ (Hỏa Lò Prison). Enjoy late lunch at ‘Obama Bun Cha’ in Hanoi. |
| 5 | Hanoi to Da Nang (Flight) | Take Domestic Flight via Vietnam Airlines to Da Nang. Check into luxury 5-star Intercontinental Danang, Sun Peninsula Resort (https://www.danang.intercontinental.com/). Free and easy in resort. |
| 6 | Da Nang | Explore hotel breakfast, experience guest facilities and activities such as Hotel Gym, Coffee Art Class, Planet Trekkers Kids Club, Pizza Making and Spa. |
| 7 | Da Nang to Hoi An | Check out of Da Nang, transfer to the charming La Siesta Hoi An Resort (https://lasiestaresorts.com/). Visit Hoi An Old Town, try Hoi An Street Food (especially Banana Nutella Pancake!). Enjoy dinner at Morning Glory Restaurant (yummy!) and take the river boat ride to admire the lanterns at night. |
| 8 | Hoi An | Hoi An Tour with Buffalo Ride and Basket Boat Ride (Booked via Klook). Join Lantern Making Class (Booked via Klook). Watch Teh Dar Cultural Acrobatic Show by Lune Productions (Booked via Klook). |
| 9 | Hoi An (Ba Na Hills) | Join the Full Day Ba Na Hills Tour with Mr. Vincent from Hoi An Cham Cham Travel. Highly recommended! Contact Mr. Vincent via Whatsapp at +84 93 194 48 53. |
| 10 | Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City (Flight) | Take Domestic Flight via Vietnam Airlines to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and take a taxi to Fusion Suites Hotel (www.fusion-suites.com). Enjoy dinner in hotel. They have a really nice cafe. |
| 11 | HCMC | Join the morning City Day Tour with Saigon 2CV or a Vietnamese Cooking Class. Evening, join Saigon Street Food and Sightseeing Night Tour with Aodai Riders (Booked via Klook). |
| 12 | HCMC | Join the morning Cu Chi Tunnel Tour via Speedboat (Booked via Klook). Afternoon, explore Ho Chi Minh City Free and Easy. Visit Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Square and go Café Hopping at Saigon Café Apartments. |
| Last Day | HCMC – SIN | Go on the Hop On, Hop Off Bus of Ho Chi Minh City (Booked via Klook). Check out and proceed to Airport for flight back to Singapore. Bye Vietnam! |
Five Must-Haves for Your Vietnam Adventure:
- Let your fingers do the work: We relied on the Klook app for a variety of local tours. Its convenience and flexibility, even allowing for last-minute bookings or cancellations, were invaluable.
- Stay connected: We opted for Wi-Fi routers from Changi Recommends, ensuring seamless connectivity. Their routers provided fast, strong connectivity for multiple devices, reducing our dependence on hotel or free Wi-Fi services. Their foreign exchange services also came in handy.
- Travel in style: To make the most of our stay, especially in Ho Chi Minh City with its bustling motorbike traffic, we chose the Saigon 2CV Tour. Cruising around in a vintage open-top Citroen (CV2) was an unmatched experience.
- Trust the experts: While planning a DIY trip, local knowledge can be invaluable. Our concierge at Hotel La Siesta Classic Ma May, Ms. Kaylee, provided priceless insights and recommendations. Their prompt and professional communication made our journey smoother.
- Steal some couple moments: On one free evening, we spontaneously booked a Saigon Night Food Tour with Aodai Rider via Klook. Riding pillion on bikes, experiencing local street food, and engaging with the Aodai-clad riders became a highlight of our trip.
A Heartfelt Goodbye to Vietnam:
Our adventure across Vietnam unveiled its diverse landscapes and warmed our hearts with the genuine hospitality of its people. From the scenic beauty of Ha Long Bay to the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City, every experience was enriching. We’ve fallen head over heels for Vietnam and are eager for our next visit!