Vietnam is a beautiful and diverse country with rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine. It’s an incredibly rewarding destination for families looking to explore Southeast Asia. With 10 days in Vietnam, you can experience highlights like Ha Long Bay, Hoi An’s Ancient Town, the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, and the magical Mekong Delta. This itinerary will help your family make the most out of your Vietnam vacation.
Consider Vietnam Trip Budget for your Family
When planning a 10 day family trip to Vietnam, the first thing to consider is your budget. Vietnam can be done on a budget, with comfortable mid-range accommodations costing $50-100 USD per night. Here’s a breakdown of average costs for a family of 4:
Accommodation
- $50-100 per night for a family room at a mid-range hotel or homestay
- $150-300+ per night for higher-end hotels
- Campervan rental around $100 per day
Food
- $5-10 per meal per person at local restaurants
- $15-25 per meal at nicer restaurants in major cities
- Street food dishes for $2-5
Transportation
- Flights between cities: $50-100
- Train tickets: $10-20 per person
- Taxis/airport transfers: $10-20 per trip
- Half-day taxi tour: $30-60
Activities
- Entrance fees: $5-20 per site
- Day tours: $30-60 per person
- Multi-day Halong Bay cruise: $200-500+ per person
Budget around $100-150 per day total as a baseline. Track expenses before and during your trip to avoid surprise costs. Having some buffer room in your budget helps in case unexpected costs arise.
Saving Money
Here are some tips to save money in Vietnam with kids:
- Book affordable homestays with families
- Take overnight trains/buses for long transit
- Eat street food or casual local spots
- Join free walking tours
- Check out free sites and parks
- Travel the country slowly
Consider When to Travel to Vietnam for your Family
Vietnam’s climate varies by region, so when you visit impacts your experience. The cooler months of December-February are ideal for the north and inland areas. The hot season from March-May can be quite intense. Typhoon season hits the central coast from September-November.
Here is an overview of Vietnam’s weather patterns:
North (Hanoi)
- Cool/Dry Season: November – April. Temperatures 60-80°F.
- Hot Season: May – September. Temps can exceed 100°F. High humidity.
- Rainy Season: July – October. Heavy rain with humidity.
Central (Hoi An, Hue)
- Dry Season: January – August. Temps 75-90°F.
- Rainy/Typhoon Season: September – December. Heavy rain, wind.
South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta)
- Dry Season: December – April. Temperatures 75-95°F.
- Rainy Season: May – November. High heat & humidity.
For a family trip, late December through February is ideal, with comfortable weather conditions across Vietnam. The spring months of March and April are also lovely in most regions, though the north starts heating up. Autumn brings nice weather as well, just watch for potential tropical storms hitting central Vietnam.
Check Out Vietnam Visa Policy
Citizens from select countries like the USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and others can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 15 or 45 days. Check current visa regulations based on your home country.
If your family trip is longer than the visa exemption period, you’ll need to obtain visas in advance. The easiest options are:
- E-visa: Apply online for $25 USD single entry or $50 multiple entry. Approval in 3 days.
- Visa On Arrival: Available at international airports for $25 USD single entry with 2 passport photos.
- Visa services: Companies that handle applications for $50-100+. Useful for rush processing.
When arranging Vietnam visas for kids, each child needs their own approved visa/stamp in their passport on arrival. Have visa confirmation letters and application receipts on hand to facilitate the arrival process.
Extending Your Stay
If your family extends travel beyond the original date, you can apply to increase the visa validity once in Vietnam. Fees apply for each extension.
Overstaying your visa without permission comes with strict penalties and fines. Avoid this scenario by tracking dates and renewing visas proactively if needed.
Suggested 10-Day Vietnam Itinerary for your Family
This flexible 10 day Vietnam family itinerary hits top highlights from north to south. You’ll explore jungle caves, cruise world-famous Ha Long Bay, wander ancient streets in Hoi An, sample Ho Chi Minh City, and cruise the lush Mekong Delta waterways. Enjoy cultural experiences, spectacular scenery, delicious cuisine, and quality family bonding time!
Days 1–2: Arrival, Hanoi city tour
Fly into Hanoi and take it easy on arrival day. Recover from jet lag, sample street eats like pho and banh mi, and stroll around scenic Hoan Kiem Lake.
On your full day, dive into Hanoi highlights via a guided city tour:
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex – See Uncle Ho’s preserved body and wander the tranquil palace grounds.
- Temple of Literature – An oasis with ornate architecture, red lacquered pillars, and graceful courtyards. Vietnam’s first university site dating to 1070 CE. Pay respects at the Confucius and scholar altars.
- Hanoi Hilton – Not a hotel, but rather the infamous French-built prison where American POWs suffered, like Senator John McCain. An emotional place recalling Vietnam War history.
- French Quarter – Stroll past European-style landmarks from Hanoi’s colonial era like the Opera House. Snap pics at scenic St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
- Tuck into bowls of bun cha – caramelized pork with vermicelli noodles. This classic Hanoi dish offers the perfect midday energy boost!
Day 3: Ninh Binh day tour
Escape the city for magical Ninh Binh province just 2 hours south. Often called “Ha Long Bay on land” for its striking limestone mountains rising from lush rice paddies. Relax on a full day tour with sites like:
- Cruise Tam Coc waterways on a hand-rowed sampan boat. Float by rice fields and immense rock formations towering overhead.
- Bike ride and trek Cuc Phuong National Park. Spot exotic wildlife like langur monkeys and go bird watching.
- Enjoy farm-to-table Vietnamese lunch at an eco-lodge.
- Tour Hang Mua Caves with 500 steps up through a jungle-lined passageway. Perfect for a family adventure! Take in panoramic views over Ninh Binh’s landscape from the peak.
Spend the night in a homestay or farmstay for full cultural immersion. Meet local families and learn about Vietnamese rural life.
Day 4-5: Halong Bay cruise
No Vietnam family trip is complete without a Halong Bay cruise! Just a 4 hour drive east, Halong Bay spans over 1,500 forested limestone islands dotting emerald waters – an unforgettable seascape. Book a family-friendly cruise with:
- Sea kayaking into wild lagoons and caves
- Spring roll making classes
- Squid fishing at night
- Tai chi on the sundeck
- Plenty of Vietnamese seafood feasts
Consider splurging on a luxury junk boat with fancy cabins. Or opt for a budget sailing cruise to meet fellow travelers. Most boats feature family rooms to keep everyone together. Gaze at the scenery in a blissful digital detox escape.
Day 6: Hoi An
After your Halong Bay cruise, fly down to charming Hoi An on Vietnam’s central coast. A laid back riverside town with old world ambiance, lantern-lit streets, and a vibrant cultural scene perfect for families. Top attractions include:
- Ancient Town – Wander the old streets full of bright yellow merchant homes. Shop for souvenirs or custom clothing/shoes made to order.
- Japanese Bridge – Hoi An’s iconic covered bridge with excellent views. Intricately carved with history dating to the 1600s.
- Beaches – Day trip to golden sand beaches like An Bang or hidden Cua Dai. Build sandcastles, play in gentle waves, feast on fresh seafood.
- Cooking Class – Take an immersive cooking class making regional specialties like fresh spring rolls or cao lau noodles. Great family fun!
Stay along the riverside promenade in the heart of the Ancient Town for convenience.
Day 7-8: Ho Chi Minh City
Fly to bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in Vietnam’s steamy south. Juxtaposing old and new, HCMC dazzles with neon-lit streets, colonial landmarks, and war history. Top sights include:
Cu Chi Tunnels
- Day trip underground into the 125-mile Cu Chi tunnel network used by the Viet Cong army during the Vietnam War. Crawl through narrow passages to understand wartime life. Fun for kids with the chance to shoot air rifles too (optional).
City Centre
- French colonial Notre Dame Cathedral and grand Central Post Office. Enter these historic icons designed by Gustave Eiffel in the late 1800s.
- Reunification Palace where a tank crashed through gates marking the end of the war on April 30, 1975. Excellent war museum inside too.
- Beng Thanh Market – Haggle for souvenirs with locals at this huge market hall. Try unique fruits and sweet coconut candies. It’s hot but fascinating!
Beyond
- Day trip to the Cao Dai Great Temple to witness the colorful noon service of this uniquely Vietnamese religion combining philosophies.
- Visit the sobering War Remnants Museum to learn about Vietnam’s traumatic war history from the Vietnamese perspective. Not suitable for sensitive kids due to graphic content.
Stay in District 1 for centrally located family digs, or District 7 for more spacious rooms near the park and zoo.
Day 9-10: The Mekong Delta
Finish your family Vietnam holiday immersed in the fertile Mekong Delta – the nation’s rice bowl. Just a 2-3 hour drive south, the Mekong region spans over 15,000 square miles across nine southern provinces. Cruise the muddy brown waterways edged with emerald rice paddies and tropical fruit farms. Meet the super friendly locals going about daily Delta life. Top experiences include:
- Boating through floating markets teeming with boats overflowing with tropical produce.
- Having lunch at a countryside Buddhist monastery surrounded by jackfruit groves.
- Biking and wandering country roads & bridges.
- Sipping cups of super sweet coconut candies, popped rice treats, and sliced exotic fruits at family-run shops.
- Overnighting on a remote farmstay island to learn about organic farming and dine on the catch of the day.
Base yourself for a few nights in vibrant Can Tho city or along the Mekong Delta’s tributaries. Prepare for tropical heat and humidity, but with kids kept active exploring the waterways it’s quite bearable. With an early flight out of Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho airport on Day 10, bid farewell to this mesmerizing country!
Getting to and Around Vietnam in 10 days
The main international gateways to Vietnam are Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City airports. From North America or Europe, expect 18+ hour long-haul flights with a layover in places like Taiwan, Hong Kong, China or Seoul.
Pack light and prepare to take domestic flights between the north, central, and southern regions of Vietnam. Round trip flights average $40-100 USD connecting top destinations. Train travel overnight like Hanoi to Nha Trang saves on accommodation too, plus scenic coastal views along the route.
Long distance buses run daily as well, saving money but sacrificing comfort. For transfers between close-by cities (2-3 hours drive max), hire a private car and driver for $40-60 USD enabling stops along the route.
For tooling around each destination, walking, cycling, and ride share services like Grab work well. Just beware of traffic! English isn’t widely spoken outside main cities, so have your destination address written down to show taxi drivers.
FAQs
Is Vietnam family-friendly?
Absolutely! Vietnamese culture centers around kids – locals instantly light up in their presence. Attractions cater well to multi-gen groups. Stick to mid-range and higher accommodations for ample space, kids clubs/pools and safety standards.
Is street food safe for kids?
Yes, for the most part. Stick to freshly cooked dishes served piping hot. Avoid uncooked ingredients washed in tap water. Fruit you peel yourself is fine too. Kids build immunity sampling different cuisines. Pack hand sanitizer and diarrhea meds just in case.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam with kids?
The spring dry season from February to April brings mild temps ideal for the whole family to enjoy. December-January is lovely too. Summer’s heat/rain can prove challenging for little ones.
What should kids pack for Vietnam?
Lightweight, breathable clothing protects from heat rash. Sun hats, UV swimwear, polarized sunglasses shield sensitive skin. Pack activity toys like card games, Uno, Mad Libs for rainy days plus plenty of snacks. Baby carriers keep infants content on tours.
Conclusion
A family trip through Vietnam creates magical shared memories discovering this vibrant country together. Cruising world-famous Ha Long Bay, discovering historic towns, learning regional cuisine, meeting welcoming locals… Vietnam offers incredible diversity for all ages to appreciate.
Carefully timing your visit over school holidays between February and April brings ideal weather conditions too. Just set realistic expectations around travel times given the long distances between top sights dotting North to South Vietnam.
Researching destinations using trusted tour companies like Intrepid Travel or G Adventures helps build an itinerary matching your family’s interests and fitness levels. Their expert local guides remove language barriers while hitting iconic attractions plus hidden gems.
Do expect chaos navigating Vietnam’s traffic-clogged cities. But then counterbalance city intensity with digital detox moments amid lush jungle and rice terrace landscapes. With cultural appreciation and regional understanding, an epic cross-generational adventure unfolds certain to bring your family closer together!
