Vietnam rewards curious travelers with layered history, delicious street food, and scenery that changes every few hours by train or plane. From the dynastic relics and tree-lined boulevards of Hanoi to the lantern-lit alleys of Hoi An and the energy of Ho Chi Minh City, this 10-day itinerary keeps things family-friendly, budget-conscious, and activity-rich.

Expect hands-on fun: boat rides between limestone karsts in Ha Long Bay, an easy countryside bike in Ninh Binh, a day at Da Nang’s Golden Bridge theme park, and a peek inside the Cu Chi Tunnels. Coffee lovers will find Vietnam’s café culture irresistible, and shoppers can browse everything from tailor-made áo dài to artisan lanterns and market finds.

Practical notes: Vietnam’s e-visa process is straightforward for most nationalities, and domestic flights are frequent and affordable. Cash is still king at markets; tap-to-pay is common in cities. Weather varies—pack light layers, sun protection, and a rain jacket. Use Trip.com or Kiwi.com for flights, and Trip.com Trains if you’d like a scenic rail leg.

Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital blends centuries-old temples with French-colonial architecture and parks. The Old Quarter’s narrow shophouses hide superb pho, egg coffee, and family-run boutiques, while the French Quarter offers museums and leafy boulevards. It’s an excellent base for Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay.

• Top sights: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One-Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, Long Bien Bridge.
• For families: Evening water puppetry, cyclo rides around the lake, easy walking streets on weekend nights.
• Local eats: Pho Gia Truyen (classic pho), Bun Cha Huong Lien (the “Obama Bun Cha”), Banh Mi 25 (portable crowd-pleaser).
• Cafés: Cafe Giang (original egg coffee), The Note Coffee (kids love the sticky notes), Cong Caphe (retro Vietnamese chain).
• Shopping: Dong Xuan Market for basics, Hang Gai silk, and weekend walking-street artisans.

Where to stay (Hanoi): Midrange favorite Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa (great service and location), family-friendly suites at Somerset Grand Hanoi, classic splurge at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, or skyline views at Lotte Hotel Hanoi. Browse more stays: VRBO Hanoi | Hotels.com Hanoi.

Getting to Hanoi: Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Hanoi tours we love:

Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep

Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour: Hoa Lu, Tam Coc Boat & Biking

Hanoi City Tour: Private Half-Day Customized with Train Street

Hoi An & Da Nang

Hoi An feels tailor-made for families: car-free old streets with glowing lanterns at night, a mellow riverfront, and sandy beaches at An Bang just minutes away. Da Nang adds modern cafés, a long city beach, and the photo-famous Golden Bridge in nearby Ba Na Hills.

• Top sights: Ancient Town assembly halls, Japanese Covered Bridge, An Bang Beach, Tra Que herb village, Da Nang’s Marble Mountains.
• Food & coffee: Banh Mi Phuong and Madam Khanh (banh mi legends), White Rose dumplings, Hoi An Roastery, The Espresso Station.
• Shopping: Night Market lanterns, bespoke tailoring (Yaly Couture and other reputable shops), bamboo toys and woven baskets.
• Easy family biking: Flat paths through rice paddies to Cam Kim Island; stop for coconut water and kite-spotting.

Where to stay (Hoi An): Value pick Hoi An Dream City Hotel, beachfront family favorite Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa, riverside elegance at Anantara Hoi An Resort, or the splashy splurge Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai. Browse more stays: VRBO Hoi An | Hotels.com Hoi An.

Getting there from Hanoi (morning travel assumed): Fly Hanoi–Da Nang (about 1h20; ~$40–$90 per person); compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. A scenic overnight train Hanoi–Da Nang takes ~15–17 hours (soft sleeper ~$35–$60); see Trip.com Trains. Da Nang to Hoi An is a 45–60 min drive.

Central Vietnam tour to book:

Full Day Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills Small Group Tour

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Saigon hums with scooters, markets, and bold flavors. You’ll find layered history, inventive coffee roasters, and some of Vietnam’s best street food. It’s also the jumping-off point for the Cu Chi Tunnels and the palm-fringed waterways of the Mekong Delta.

• Top sights: War Remnants Museum, Central Post Office and Notre Dame area, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue walking street.
• Food & coffee: The Workshop Coffee and Shin Coffee (third-wave), L’Usine (all-day menu), Pho Le (southern-style pho), Banh Xeo 46A (crispy crepes), Pizza 4P’s (kid-friendly).
• Sports: If schedules align, catch a V.League 1 football match at Thong Nhat Stadium; otherwise, watch Premier League at family-friendly sports pubs in Thao Dien.
• Day trips: Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta by speedboat or limo van—engaging for kids and adults alike.

Where to stay (HCMC): Excellent value at Silverland Yen Hotel (rooftop pool), apartment-style suites at Sherwood Residence (great for families), modern comfort at Hotel Nikko Saigon, or splash-out glam at The Reverie Saigon. Browse more stays: VRBO Ho Chi Minh City | Hotels.com Ho Chi Minh City.

HCMC tours to book:

Ho Chi Minh City Private Half-Day Tour by U.S Army Jeep

Ho Chi Minh Street Food & Sightseeing By Motorbike (Safe & Fun)

Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta VIP Tour by Limousine

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Afternoon: Land in Hanoi and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs with a gentle loop around Hoan Kiem Lake and peek into Ngoc Son Temple—great for first photos and getting oriented.

Evening: Early dinner at Bun Cha Huong Lien (grilled pork and noodles; order nem cua be crab rolls). Catch a water puppet show near the lake—kids love the live music and splashing dragons. Finish with egg coffee at Cafe Giang or a sweet stop at The Note Coffee.

Day 2: Hanoi Highlights by Foot and Jeep

Morning: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex and One-Pillar Pagoda, then stroll the Temple of Literature. Grab a mid-morning coffee at Cong Caphe (try coconut coffee) and a snack from Banh Mi 25.

Afternoon: See the Opera House and French Quarter avenues, then join a family-friendly city ride: Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun.

Evening: If you’d like a safe, guided look at Train Street and kid-approved snacks, consider this Private Half-Day Tour with Train Street. Dine on bun bo nam bo or try Cha Ca (turmeric-dill fish) at a local specialist.

Day 3: Ninh Binh Day Trip – Boats, Biking, Karsts

Full-day tour (no need to split by morning/afternoon/evening): Head south to the “inland Ha Long Bay” on the Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour—a family favorite that pairs a sampan boat through rice paddies and caves with a gentle countryside bike ride.

Tip: Pack sunscreen, hats, and a lightweight towel. Expect ~2 hours each way by road.

Day 4: Transfer to Ha Long Bay and Board Your Cruise

Morning: Depart Hanoi by shuttle (~2.5–3 hours) to the bay. Check in to an overnight cruise—this all-inclusive option offers choices across budgets: Top Tier: All-Inclusive OVERNIGHT Halong Cruises.

Afternoon: Sail among limestone islands, kayak into lagoons, and visit a cave. Kids love spotting monkey silhouettes in the karsts and swimming off the boat when conditions allow.

Evening: Sunset on deck, a casual cooking demo, and a family dinner. Early night or try squid-fishing off the stern.

Day 5: Sunrise in the Bay, Return to Hanoi, Fly South to Da Nang

Morning: Join tai chi on deck and enjoy the misty silhouettes at sunrise. Disembark after brunch and shuttle back to Hanoi.

Afternoon: Fly Hanoi–Da Nang (~1h20; typical fares ~$40–$90). Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Transfer 45–60 minutes to Hoi An and check in.

Evening: Dinner along the Thu Bon River—try White Rose dumplings and cao lau noodles. Photograph the lantern-lit streets and browse the Night Market for souvenirs.

Day 6: Hoi An Old Town + Beach Time

Morning: Coffee at Hoi An Roastery, then a guided stroll through assembly halls and the Japanese Covered Bridge (go early for photos). Book a quick fitting at a tailor if you’d like custom pieces by Day 7 or 8.

Afternoon: Easy family bike ride through Tra Que’s vegetable farms to An Bang Beach; rent loungers and swim. Lunch on fresh grilled seafood and lime-salt dips.

Evening: Casual dinner at a riverside eatery; try a coconut boat dessert. If kids have energy, release a small lantern on the water (a sweet photo moment).

Day 7: Golden Bridge Day Out (Ba Na Hills)

Full-day tour (no need to split by morning/afternoon/evening): Take the scenic cable car and stroll the giant-hand Golden Bridge & Ba Na Hills. Expect gardens, an indoor fantasy park, and panoramic views—ideal for family photos and a break from the heat.

Return to Hoi An for dinner—banh mi from Madam Khanh or a sit-down multi-dish meal.

Day 8: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) + City Jeep Overview

Morning: Fly Da Nang–HCMC (~1h20; ~$40–$90). Use Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Check in at family-friendly Sherwood Residence or midrange Silverland Yen.

Afternoon: Do a breezy overview by open-top Jeep to beat traffic and heat: HCMC Private Half-Day Jeep Tour—snap the Central Post Office, Opera House, and old boulevards.

Evening: Dinner at Pho Le or kid-pleasing Pizza 4P’s. If your family enjoys a little adventure, join the safe, well-reviewed Street Food by Motorbike (teen-friendly); otherwise, stroll Nguyen Hue walking street for music and fountains.

Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels + Mekong Delta (VIP Day)

Full-day tour (no need to split by morning/afternoon/evening): Combine history and river life on the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta VIP Tour by Limousine. Crawl short tunnel sections (optional), cruise canals by boat, and sample fruit and local music. It’s a satisfying, all-in-one day that works well for families.

Day 10: Coffee, Shopping, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at L’Usine or The Workshop Coffee (excellent pastries and roasts). Shop Ben Thanh Market for textiles and snacks; for bargains, check the fixed-price stalls at Saigon Square.

Afternoon: If time allows, visit the War Remnants Museum (older kids/teens) or the Post Office for last photos. Head to the airport for your flight home—search options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Add-Ons and Swaps

• Ha Long day cruise from Hanoi: If you prefer a day trip instead of overnight, consider the Halong 5-Star Day Cruise—buffet and kayaking included.
• Sports fans: Check for V.League 1 fixtures (HCMC FC at Thong Nhat Stadium) or watch live matches at family-friendly pubs in Thao Dien.
• Beach base instead of Hoi An: Stay in Da Nang for a city-beach vibe; browse Furama Resort Danang or InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort for a splurge, or search broadly on Hotels.com Da Nang.

Budget tips (aiming for ~50/100): Mix midrange hotels with a few splurges (e.g., Ha Long cruise). Eat where locals eat (banh mi, bun cha, com tam), use ride-hailing for short hops, and bundle day trips that include transfers and lunch.

Backup accommodation links (by city):

• Hanoi: VRBO | Hotels.com
• Hoi An: VRBO | Hotels.com
• Ho Chi Minh City: VRBO | Hotels.com

That’s your family-friendly Vietnam loop: culture and coffee in Hanoi, boats and karsts on Ha Long Bay, beaches and lanterns in Hoi An, and big-city flavors in Ho Chi Minh City. With short flights, simple transfers, and kid-approved experiences, it’s easy, memorable, and packed with photo moments.