Vietnam Family Trips

Vietnam is no longer a challenging place to travel with kids. We should, having organized the very first family tours to Vietnam in the early 90's. With our long experience, local knowledge, in-country offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, deep connections, meticulous planning, premier guides who specialize by age and activities, your trip will not only be a smooth one, but a thrilling, educational and unforgettable one.



Our family trips will spice up your travel in Asia, but nowhere is more fascinating nor exciting than Vietnam. Since 1994, as the very first American tour operator in Vietnam, we've escorted hundreds of kids of all ages on our Vietnam family tours, organizing artist encounters, volunteering, school visits, cooking classes, biking, kayaking, light trekking, camping out in hill tribe villages, with unique activities such as performing with the Hanoi traditional opera troupe, learning traditional water puppets theater from a master, and private artist encounters where your children will learn hands-on how to produce lacquer paintings in the ancient style. Our staff, and in fact you'll discover almost all Vietnamese are, "kid crazy" and your children will enjoy one of the most remarkable family trips they've ever had.

If you've traveled with Abercrombie & Kent or Butterfield & Robinson before, consider us for our geographic focus and location in Vietnam along with our unmatched experience in the country. Contact us for detailed information about a private Vietnam family adventure in Vietnam. We are honored to be an in-country partners for premier family travel companies My Little Swans and Ciao Bambino.

Drying Rice in Hanoi, Vietnam

Take in a bit of history just outside Saigon, where you can visit the intriguing Cu Chi Tunnels where South Vietnamese fighters lived in these underground tunnels for years during the Vietnam War, and even had doctors and stores set up under the ground. This is a sobering and educational reminder of the dangers and hardships of war. We'll also expose you to living history, meeting with fighter pilot Mr. Hong My in his Hanoi Old Quarter home to hear of his dogfights above Hanoi during the war.

For a more light-hearted trip, we'll head to the mountains in Sapa in the far north of the country. Here you can trek through emerald-green rice terraces and meet friendly local groups who still retain their unique culture and traditional ways.

"It was the trip of a lifetime! All of us will bring back memories we will never forget. The people we met and activities you planned for each of us were beyond anything we expected and our trip went as smooth as could be. Our guides were outstanding and we appreciated each place we arrived into, they already knew about us and our travels so far."

If your family enjoys active travel, will love kayaking through the stunning karst landscapes of Halong Bay. Just two and a half hours outside of Hanoi is one of the world's most incredible geological settings. Here, you can paddle past towering limestone karst formations and traditional Vietnamese wooden boats. The waters are very calm here, and a pleasant for boating and kayaking with children of all ages and ability. We love biking! There is wonderful cycling in Vietnam, through the Northwest hill tribe country (above), on Vietnam's picturesque central coast and through the Mekong Delta. We now have imported Giant e-bikes so everyone can ride!

Vietnam Family Trip Ideas

Cooking class on Halong Bay, Vietnam

CULINARY DELIGHTS
Junior Iron Chef Vietnam
Discover why Bourdain and countless others wax poetic about what we've saying since 1994—Vietnam is one of the world's top culinary destinations. Our Vietnam culinary trips have been organized for over 20 years, featuring fabulous street eats, markets, farms, formal dining, with chef introductions and hands-on cooking.

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Vietnamese rice paddy farmer replanting seedlings

PHOTOGRAPHY
Vietnam in Focus
Few destinations in the world, or people, are more photogenic than Vietnam. We've been hosting photographers since 1994. Sublime landscapes of drowned karst, vaulting terraced rice files, colonial-era architectural grandeur, and white-sand beaches, along with the famously gregarious Vietnamese, make the country a must-visit for photographers.

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Child playing the dan bau, a Vietnamese traditional instrument

ART ENCOUNTER VIETNAM
The Ultimate Art experiences in Vietnam
Meet premier artists up close and personal, in their home galleries, working in a variety of mediums from traditional "thread art" to contemporary lacquer. Canvas architectural highlights of the capital, Imperial ruins on the central coast, and Vietnam's unique traditional crafts, up close and personal.

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Family vacation by private jet in Vietnam

LUXURY VIETNAM FAMILY TRIP
The Very Best of Vietnam
Explore the very best of the unique and striking collection of Vietnam's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from vibrant Hanoi, sublime Halong Bay, ancient Hue, and charming Hoi An. Along the way, enjoy exclusive sights, places, activities, fine eating, and private personal encounters few travelers experience. In addition, if you've the time we recommend extending for 2-3 days in "prize of Southeast Asia" —the magnificent temples at Angkor.

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Family kayaking on Halong Bay, Vietnam

THE BEST OF VIETNAM WITH THE KIDS
The Number One Kid Destination in Asia!
Forget The Great Wall, Tokyo's Manga and Cosplay, or Thailand's beach resorts... For children, no other destination in Asia, or much of the world, is as fascinating nor thrilling as Vietnam. We've hosted exciting family adventures for over 20 years and travel the region with our own children. Discover the many charms of Vietnam, our terrific and very unique activities, and delight in many encounters with "kid-crazy" Vietnamese. We plan authentic experiences, visiting schools, farms, and small villages away from the crowds.

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Khai Dinh Tomb, Vietnam

CLASSIC VIETNAM WITH ADULT KIDS
Vietnam North to South for Older Kids
From stoic Hanoi, cruising on picturesque Halong Bay, imperial treasures of Hue, charming Hoi An, buzzing Saigon, and the emerald green vistas of the Mekong Delta, experience the very best of Vietnam—fascinating personal encounters, magnificent cuisine, vibrant arts, and unique places.

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Halong Bay luxury charter crew welcoming

VIETNAM WITH TEENS
Trips to Thrill in Vietnam
Teens can be hard to please on the road. This is not a problem with our trips geared towards families with older children, skipping museums and temples for Vietnam's thrilling contemporary culture, places, food, people, attractions and activities, that are all keep your teen engaged and excited.

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Family in front of hilltribe longhouse in North Vietnam

VIETNAM FOR KIDS & GRANDPARENTS
Experience Authentic Vietnam
From hilltribe villages to mountain hikes; cultural immersion to sunset kayaking on Halong Bay; delightful cooking class to artist encounters, there is something for everyone on our adventure-packed private family trip – perfect for multi-generational travel.

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Family with monks in Thailand

CLASSIC INDOCHINA WITH THAILAND
Vietnam, Laos & Angkor with Thailand
Over three weeks, explore Thailand's four kingdoms, bucolic northern Laos, magnificent ruins of a Khmer Empire at Angkor, and everyone's favorite—Vietnam. World-class accommodations feature the legendary Metropole in Hanoi, the Nam Hai, the region's premier beach resort, and the renowned Mandarin Oriental along Bangkok's Chao Praya River. With pre-arranged visas, VIP immigration, exclusive personal encounters, dining arrangements, dedicated tour manager and premier escorts, you may relax and enjoy this journey to the fullest.

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Family cycling tour in Vietnam

FAMILY ADVENTURE
Vietnam With Kids
No other place enthralls or enchants like Vietnam, nor have people as "kid-crazy" as the Vietnamese. As parents, we enjoy arranging unique adventures, fascinating encounters, and places that keep children and teens engaged and curious. School visits, hands-on art activities with premier artists, delightful cooking classes, pleasant countryside biking and kayaking on Halong Bay, hill tribe encounters, and much more. All under the watchful eye of an experienced and dedicated, local tour manager and guides with over a decade of experience with children.

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Volunteer nurse in Vietnam for the University of California, San Francisco Vietnam Nurse Project

OUTDOORS: Hike, Bike & Kayak
Sublime Cycling and More
We pioneered Vietnam multi-sport tours in 1994 with our adventure wing, VeloAsia. Much has changed since then, but some of the most amazing sights and experiences to be had in Vietnam are still on two-wheels. All abilities can enjoy biking, hiking and kayaking everyday, or simply mix in cycling in great places, such as Ninh Binh (above). Our outdoor trips are fully-supported with experienced guides, dedicated tour manager, sumptuous hotels, high-quality imported bikes, and a long record of safety first and foremost. Our new fleet of e-bikes means everyone can ride.

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Donating books in rural  Vietnam school

VOLUNTEER & SERVICE LEARNING
Volunteering in Vietnam
Make a difference and enjoy delightful encounters by volunteering during your trip. We can arrange from a few hours, to multiple-day assignments, with schools, in health care (nursing), and elephant sanctuaries.

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Hill tribe women walking in north Vietnam village

HILLTRIBE ADVENTURE
Hill Tribes and Mountains
The traditional tribes and mountain landscapes of Northwest of Vietnam are among the most picturesque and fascinating in all of Asia. Colorful tribes remain in small villages in farms, living a way of life that has existed for hundreds of years.

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Family boating in North Vietnam

NORTH VIETNAM
The Cultural Triangle
With a shorter time in Vietnam, then Hanoi, Halong Bay, and the northwest hill tribe region are the country's not-to-miss. Our unique take on these places captures the very best of each, customized to your preferences.

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Family posing with traditional dancers in costume at Angkor temple in Cambodia.

FAMILY INDOCHINA
Vietnam, Laos & Angkor Wat
Explore the best of Indochina—Vietnam, ancient Laos, and the magnificent exotic temples of Angkor. Adventure awaits in the Vietnam's vibrant towns, hilltribe villages, Halong Bay on kayaks, elephant sanctiaries and Buddhist monasteries in tranquil Laos, with jungle and temples exploration in Cambodia.

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Bangkok Royal Palace gilded structures

THE GRAND TOUR
The Very Best of Southeast Asia
Extend your Vietnam luxury tour with the ultimate private luxury travel experience in Southeast Asia. Over three to four weeks, journey from Hanoi, to Angkor Wat, Bangkok, and Mandalay, experiencing the very finest properties, dining, sightseeing and shopping. Our curated adventures, personal encounters, activities, have been finely tuned over our two decades in the region.

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Past Vietnam Explorers

Miss Vy Hoin Cooking Class in Vietnam
Cycling in Dalat, Vietnam

Mario's Iron Chef Biking Trip in Vietnam

For Mario's 12th birthday, dad took him along on our two-week Vietnam Iron Chef biking trip, learning hands-on about Vietnam's delicious cuisine from north to south, including cooking classes and fascinating visit the pre-dawn fish market in Nha Trang while enjoying the countryside from the vantage point of a bicycle saddle.

Best memory: "The food is awesome, my favorite!"

Read Mario's diary of traveling in Vietnam

Duncan's Vietnam Diary

Duncan's Vietnam Family Trip Diary

Read about Duncan's surprise 12th-birthday Vietnam family tour with his father and grandmother traveling to Hanoi through the central coast, meeting with families, local artists, exploring small villages, visiting schools, and enjoying Vietnam's culinary treats along the way—not to mention an exciting white-knuckle bicycle ride in Hue across the Perfume River!

Read more about Duncan's Vietnam Family Tour

Unique, Exceptional & Private Family Experiences In Vietnam

Hanoi

Family private opera show with Hanoi traditional troupe in Hanoi, Vietnam

Star in a Vietnamese Traditional Opera

In the Old Quarter the Hanoi Traditional Opera Troupe presents weekly shows. Enjoy an exceptional private meeting with the troupe, learning and playing traditional instruments, then being made up and costumed to act in a wonderful family production directed along with the troupe’s producer and actors.

Visit Doan Thi Diem Middle School

Classroom in Hanoi, Luxury Tour in Vietnam

If you're traveling with children, we can organize meeting local students as ambassadors, acting as tour guides to take your family to see some of their classes such as dancing and art, while giving your children a chance to teach in an English class with students excited to learn more abut Western lifestyles but rarely meet foreign children.

We can also introduce your family to the student's, meeting their parents for an informal tea or lunch. Soccer is the sport in Vietnam and if your children like, we can arrange for them to attend a game with the students or play with the students, or a more cultural experience, traveling outside of Hanoi into the farm and river areas, sharing time fishing and meeting farmers with your new friends.

Unlock the Secrets of Vietnamese Traditional Water Puppets

During this delightful activity, visit a water puppet master in his private theater, learning hands-on how this wonderful traditional performance art, unique to Vietnam, is performed. Later this evening, we can also go see an actual water puppets show after this behind the scenes glimpse of how the plays are created.

private family water puppet show in Hanoi

Young Entrepreneur

Have a budding entrepreneur in the family? Your kids remember Flappy Bird? The viral gaming app was made by a young coder in Saigon (where Intel also has a large chip fabrication plant). Asia is rising and over the last decade China and Vietnam have had the most dynamic economies in the world. A watershed moment for Vietnam was the 2010 opening of an Intel's billion-dollar plant in Ho Chi Minh City, Intel's largest plant to date. In Hanoi and Saigon, we'll organize meetings with students in their classrooms and young entrepreneurs for your older children to understand firsthand the human element of these growing economies. We specialize in tech startups, but can arrange meetings in almost any industry from manufacturing, agro products (Vietnam is now the world's second largest producer of coffee beans), to design.

Junior Iron Chef Vietnam Culinary Experiences

Cooking Family Trip in Halong Bay, Vietnam

As No Reservation's Anthony Bourdain points out, there's no better place to travel by your stomach than Vietnam, a place inhabited by "a skinny people obsessed with food." And cuisine is a highlight of any family trip in Vietnam. Vietnam offers delightful hands-on adventures in cuisine, from fruit carving and learning to roll spring rolls with your chef on Halong Bay (right).

Or enjoy an "Iron Chef" cook-off between family members in Hoi An, hunting and preparing several favorite Vietnamese dishes such as banh xeo, a Vietnamese crepe, for a hard-to-please panel of judges.

Artist Encounters

Children Learning Lacquer Art in Hanoi

Hanoi remains the bohemian capital of the region and currently enjoys one of the most vigorous emerging art scenes in the world. We can arrange private meetings with many of the country's premier artists, engaging in interesting activities for children such as a hands-on learning about how traditional lacquer is made working on actual pieces of artists.

Bomb Shelter Tour

A fascinating multimedia space in the recently-discovered war-era bomb shelter. The educational experience teaches with signage, sound, and is led by a local historian. There were historic accounts of a Vietnam-era bunker designed to protect hotel guests during bombing raids, but nobody recalled where it was located or if it even still existed until recent renovations struck the massive concrete walls of the bunker.

Halong Bay—A wonderland for family adventure

Kayaking in Halong Bay, Vietnam

On our Vietnam family tours, our most popular family destination is Halong Bay. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, Halong features stunning landscapes that are anomaly formed by thousands of limestone peaks being flooded by the South China Sea. These islands create a natural barrier to the wind-blown waters of the South China Sea, dramatically calming the waters. The karst wonderland was once a favored hiding place for pirates (and the James Bond villain in Man with the Golden Gun). These calm waters are wonderfully suited for kayaking and despite the negative things you've read about Halong Bay, we use only a handful of quality luxury charters that cruise away from the crowds into the pristine areas of the bay.

Cycling Vietnam's Wild Northwest

Biking in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Vietnam's Northwest not only features stunning geography of high-mountains and towering karst peaks (nicknamed the "dry Halong Bay"), but is mesmerizing for the colorful collection of traditional hilltribes in the area

Cycling Vietnam's Central Coast

Meeting students during a family biking trip in Vietnam

Family Cycling in the Mekong Delta

Luxury Family Travel in Vietnam

Our Mekong family tour travels some of the quietest back roads in the country, with frequent side trips by the delta's primary mode of transport — sampan (small boat). Drift in small sampan through bustling market places and riverfront villages, stopping into homes, cottage industries, and crafts villages, along the way. Cycling through the bustling markets is always a highlight.

Vietnam Family Trip Images

Take in a Hanoi TNT soccer match, have "Santa" — aka dad — surprise the kids at the hotel, visit a school where kids have never met foreign children, play pickup basketball or badminton with locals, unlock the secrets of lacquer art with a premier artist, learn to cook spring rolls, cycle through hilltribe villages and to royal tombs, kayak from your private charter on Halong Bay, star with your family in a private performance with a traditional opera troupe, meet with a pilot from the war and tour a bomb shelter from that time, mingle with child monks in their monastery, and many other unique encounters and activities we've organized since 1994, keeping children of all ages and the rest of the family engaged and thrilled.

The Indochina Travel Difference


Asia Expert

Asia changes quickly and is, well, very different from trip planning to other places. Many of our travelers have never used a tour company before.


Experience

The first American tour operator in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia and to organize specialty adventure, family, arts, photography, and culinary trips.


Insider Travel

Toss the guidebook and discover the authentic, away from crowds, overlooked gems, immersive activities, and amazing encounters that provide real insight into places you visit.


Unique Experiences

Skip the boring, the unremarkable, and tourist traps. Thrill to unique insider experiences, fascinating people encounters, and activities that only we arrange.


Airlines

We provide full-service booking for your international flights, discounted and refundable, and arranging of all regional and in-country flights.


Only Private Trips

Access our decades of experience in the region on an entirely private custom trip, enjoying insider access, exceptional people, and activities few travelers experience.


Visas and More

Relax while we handle airlines, visas, and all other incidentals, including VIP immigration for your arrivals. Benefit from attentive local offices, experienced staff, and premier guides.


Culinary Delights

We organized the 1st culinary trips in Indochina. We plan and organize our dining from street eats to formal. See the remarkable people behind our culinary trips.


Premier Guides

Experienced travelers know the guide makes the trip. Our guides are the most experienced and knowledgeable, typically with two decades in their position.


Value

Enjoy a private trip for what many companies charge for a group trip, all with equal or better quality guides, itinerary, and accommodation.


Trip of a Lifetime

Even the most jaded our travelers return thrilled about their unique and unforgettable trips. Ask us for references and read our testimonials.


Peace of Mind

Enjoy services premier travel agents use with meticulous trip planning and attentive 24x7 service between our San Francisco and and in-country offices.


"We went on a thrilling Vietnam family trip with our two boys ages 8 and 11. What a great trip! We were stunned by the friendliness of the Vietnamese people, the wonderful views, the terrific food and the stellar way that you assembled our trip. This was truly one of our best family vacations."
—Karen and Rich Goss

Ready to plan your Vietnam Family Adventure? Call us in San Francisco at (415) 418-6800 or send us a message:

INDOCHINA Travel Company

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San Francisco California
Phone: (415) 418-6800