Vietnam is a land where dynastic citadels, French boulevards, and modern skylines share the same horizon. From Confucian scholars around Hanoi’s Temple of Literature to lantern-makers in Hoi An, the country’s story spans Champa kingdoms, imperial Hue, and the 20th-century struggle that shaped the nation.

Today’s Vietnam is energetic and welcoming, with scooter-filled streets, coastal resorts, and national parks. Families will find plenty to do: easy hikes, calm beaches, boat rides through limestone valleys, and hands-on activities like lantern-making and cooking classes.

Practical notes: most nationalities can apply for a 90‑day e‑visa. The currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). Weather varies north to south—plan for warm, humid days, summer showers, and cooler northern winters. Street crossings require patience; child car seats are not always available, so request in advance from drivers or hotels.

Hanoi

Hanoi mixes lakeside serenity with Old Quarter verve. Colonial villas edge wide boulevards, while Hoan Kiem Lake anchors morning tai chi and evening strolls. Food is a calling: smoky bún chả, broth-bright phở, and indulgent egg coffee.

Days 1–5: Old Quarter, Ninh Binh Karsts, and Ha Long Bay

Day 1–2: Explore Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and the Old Quarter’s guild streets. Visit the Temple of Literature and the Women’s Museum, then catch the Thang Long Water Puppet show—delightful for kids. Cap an afternoon with an insider’s look at neighborhoods and bites on a vintage jeep tour.

Recommended Viator activity (family hit): Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep — a great way to taste, learn, and ride without tiring little legs. Book on Viator

Day 3: Take a day trip to Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long on land.” Row through Tam Coc’s rice-valley caves, climb the Hang Mua steps (family-friendly if paced; ~500 steps) for sweeping karst views, and cycle quiet lanes.

Recommended Viator activity: Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike. Book on Viator

Days 4–5: Sail Ha Long–Lan Ha Bay on an overnight cruise with kayaking, cave visits, and onboard spring roll cooking—big hit with kids. Family cabins and gentle schedules keep it easy.

Recommended Viator activity: HaLong, Lan Ha Bay 2D1N w/ 5* Cruise, Balcony Cabin, Transfer, Kayak, Cooking Class. Book on Viator

Where to eat and drink

• Breakfast/coffee: Cà phê Giảng (classic egg coffee; ask for kids’ hot chocolate), The Note Coffee (sticky-note walls kids love), Cong Caphe (coconut coffee for adults, smoothies for kids).
• Lunch: Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn (stand in line; reward is a pristine broth), Bánh Mì 25 (easy grab-and-go), Chả Cá Thăng Long (turmeric-dill fish cooked tableside).
• Dinner: Home Hanoi (modern Vietnamese in a leafy villa), Quán Ăn Ngon (street-food hall format—great for picky eaters), Bún Chả Hương Liên (Obama bún chả set is an icebreaker with teens).

Where to stay

• Search apartments and homes: VRBO Hanoi, hotels: Hotels.com Hanoi
• Classic splurge: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
• Mid-range favorite: Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa
• Family apartments: Somerset Grand Hanoi or views at Lotte Hotel Hanoi

Getting in and around

• Fly into Hanoi (HAN). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Hanoi–Ha Long transfers are ~2.5 hours by shuttle; many cruises include pickup. Expect ~$15–25 per person round-trip.

Next stop: Hoi An/Da Nang — Take a morning flight from Hanoi to Da Nang (~1h20; ~$50–100). Trains (soft-sleeper) take 15–16 hours (~$35–70) and are scenic but long for young kids. Book with Trip.com Flights or Trip.com Trains.

Hoi An & Da Nang

Hoi An’s Ancient Town glows at dusk under silk lanterns, its riverside shophouses sheltering tailors, teahouses, and noodle stalls. Nearby Da Nang brings miles of sandy shoreline, seafood shacks, and dragon-bridge spectacles.

Days 6–9: Lanterns, Beaches, Marble Mountains, Golden Bridge

Settle in Hoi An and spend an easy morning at An Bang Beach—gentle waves and loungers make it family-friendly. Try a lantern-making workshop or a cooking class in Tra Que vegetable village for hands-on culture.

Hike the Marble Mountains in Da Nang (stairs to pagodas and caves; choose shorter loops for kids). In the afternoon, stroll Hoi An’s Japanese Covered Bridge, browse the night market for lanterns, and enjoy a sunset boat ride.

Reserve a day for Ba Na Hills. The mountaintop theme park delivers the photogenic Golden Bridge (those giant stone “hands”), gardens, and gentle rides—great with kids, cooler temperatures up high.

Recommended Viator activity: Ba Na Hills with Golden Bridge Private Tour (hotel pickup, flexible pace). Book on Viator

Where to eat and drink

• Hoi An Breakfast/coffee: Hoi An Roastery (solid espresso and cold brew), Reaching Out Teahouse (quiet, meaningful experience run by speech- and hearing-impaired staff).
• Hoi An Lunch: Bánh Mì Phượng or Madam Khanh “The Banh Mi Queen” (customize fillings; mild options for kids), Mót Hoi An (herbal lemongrass drink everyone loves).
• Hoi An Dinner: Morning Glory Original (central Vietnamese classics—white rose dumplings, cao lầu noodles), Bà Lễ Well (DIY rice paper wraps with sizzling bánh xèo), Cơm Gà Bà Buội (Hoi An chicken rice).
• Da Nang Bites: Mì Quảng Bà Mua (turmeric noodles with pork/shrimp), Bé Mặn Seafood (choose-your-catch, beachfront vibe).

Where to stay

• Search apartments and hotels: VRBO Hoi An, Hotels.com Hoi An; VRBO Da Nang, Hotels.com Da Nang
• Hoi An (beachfront splurge): Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An or Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
• Hoi An (riverside comfort): Anantara Hoi An Resort
• Hoi An (value): Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa or Hoi An Dream City Hotel (budget)
• Da Nang (resort options): InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Furama Resort Danang, hostels like Danang Backpackers Hostel or Funtastic Beach Hostel

Onward to the South — Take a morning flight from Da Nang (DAD) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), ~1h20 and ~$40–90. Book via Trip.com Flights. The Reunification Express train is 17–19 hours; only consider if you want an overnight rail adventure.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Saigon is Vietnam’s big-spirited metropolis—French-built landmarks, markets that never sleep, and a culinary scene that sprints from street carts to chef counters. It’s also a great base for the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.

Days 10–14: City Icons, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, and Foodie Nights

Day 10: Orient yourselves at Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street and the Central Post Office. Visit the War Remnants Museum (plan 60–90 minutes and consider skipping graphic rooms with young kids) and relax in Tao Đàn Park’s shade. See more in style with an open-air jeep tour.

Recommended Viator activity: Ho Chi Minh City Private Half-Day Tour by U.S. Army Jeep. Book on Viator

Day 11: Combine two classics on a small-group excursion—crawl through widened Cu Chi Tunnels sections (kids love the history-in-action) and boat the Mekong’s palm-lined canals, tasting honey tea and coconut candies.

Recommended Viator activity: Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Small-Group Tour. Book on Viator

Day 12–13: Choose a family day: Dam Sen Water Park (lazy river and slides), the Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens (one of Asia’s oldest), or Suối Tiên Theme Park (Buddhist-fantasy architecture and kid zones). One evening, hop on a food tour by motorbike—operators provide helmets and kid-friendly pacing; confirm minimum ages.

Recommended Viator activity: Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour by Motorbike or Walking. Book on Viator

Day 14: Free morning for last-minute tailoring or souvenirs at Saigon Square and Bến Thành Market. Enjoy a leisurely lunch before your flight.

Where to eat and drink

• Breakfast/coffee: L’Usine (pastries and pancakes), The Running Bean (smoothies and sandwiches), Shin Coffee (single-origin pour-overs for adults; cocoa for kids).
• Lunch: Phở Hòa Pasteur (old-school pho), Bánh Xèo 46A (crispy rice pancakes to share), Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền (broken rice with caramelized pork).
• Dinner: Pizza 4P’s (house-made burrata and crowd-pleasing pies), Cục Gạch Quán (home-style Vietnamese in vintage decor), Secret Garden (rooftop Vietnamese—with gentle breezes in the evening).
• Dessert/drinks: Coconut coffee at Cộng Cà Phê; chè sweet soups from street vendors—ask for mixes with jellies and beans.

Where to stay

• Search apartments and hotels: VRBO Ho Chi Minh City, Hotels.com Ho Chi Minh City
• Splurge: The Reverie Saigon
• Mid-range: Silverland Yen Hotel, Hotel Nikko Saigon
• Families: Sherwood Residence (apartments, kids’ playroom)
• Hostel (older kids/teens): The Common Room Project

Flights home — Depart from SGN. Check options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you return north for onward travel, consider the scenic Reunification train (book on Trip.com Trains).

How your 14 days break down

• Days 1–5: Hanoi base with day trip to Ninh Binh and 2D/1N Ha Long–Lan Ha Bay cruise.
• Days 6–9: Hoi An stay with Da Nang day trips—beach time, Marble Mountains, Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge.
• Days 10–14: Ho Chi Minh City—city icons, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, water park/theme park day, street food by night.

Budget tips for a mid-range family: Aim ~$90–150 per night for well-located rooms; apartments run similar and add kitchens. Domestic flights are affordable; trains are cheaper but longer. Street food meals can be $2–4, sit-down dinners $8–15 per person; splurge nights raise the average nicely without breaking the bank.

In two memorable weeks, you’ll sample Hanoi’s heritage and northern landscapes, relax on Central Vietnam’s beaches, and dive into Saigon’s dynamic south. Expect gentle hikes, lanterns and boat rides, and plenty of flavor—plus just enough downtime to keep the whole family smiling.