Anyone been with (older) kids to Vietnam?

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We are considering a trip to Vietnam with our DC next Easter - they will be 12 and 10. DH and I went years ago and loved it.

Not sure if it might be too full on for the kids (they are pretty well travelled but haven’t been outside Europe much) or perhaps too much in the way of sightseeing rather than activities? We would probably focus on the North and Central areas.

If anyone has been with kids, would you recommend? What were the best/worst bits? Thanks

Bump

“We would probably focus on the North and Central areas.”
What month of year? How many days?

I think it has probably massively changed since you were there. I last went a year ago, and some places have changed so much that you would not recognise it. Most of it is absolutely fine for a 10 and 12 year old, and there is a lot to love. You can get fast food everywhere, pizza etc. taxis are cheap, and child friendly attractions are all about. Hotels with pool are cheap. Some things are still a ballache to do (i.e. the temples at My Son, we went at dawn in a taxi for an hour or so, and we loved it, but I can imagine my 12-year old self thinking "what on earth are they dragging me here for"). The stuff around Ninh Binh is really great, Halong bay is what it it (over touristed but lots of good opportunities) and Hanoi is superb on many levels, they will also enjoy picking up "fake" gear in the markets if they have a budget and you have the baggage allowance, and the patience to tolerate it. The roads are a bit lively, but it is a safe enough place, it can be hot and humid (north less so) so check out the weather. We went from the hot and humid to the foggy and dismal (catba island, nothing to write home about, other than a jumping off point to Halong Bay). There is good stuff to do in HCMC but I personally think it is more for adults. Da Nang is OK (good beach, loads of good hotels, nice park with the big budha) Hoi Ann is also OK, pretty, but really over-touristed. Hope this helps x

We are going April 25 with our 9,6 & will be 3yos so interested! Lots of hoi an, a little Hanoi, Halong bay and siem reap.

Vietnam was the family holiday destination of choice for a lot of Australians a few years back (now it’s Japan). Most people I know who went probably had slightly older kids to yours, but not by much, and everyone raved about it. I think people generally did the well trodden route of Hanoi to Hoi An (or the other way round) with a boat trip at Halong Bay. When we travelled South East Asia with kids we tried to have really nice accommodation in the busiest places so there was some respite from heat and crowds when it got a bit overwhelming. A hotel pool works wonders to revive hot grumpy children.

Thank you! Sorry just saw these replies.

We would go first half of April, probably for 2 weeks or a little over. Weather looks decent then in north and central areas I think?

We went a different time of year before and skipped the centre of Vietnam and the northern Highlands due to heavy rain, so would love to visit those especially.

You’re right avignon I can imagine it’s going to be very different to how I remember. On the plus side, easier now with kids (they will love a fakes market 🙈)

Good tip about a nicer hotel with pool in the busier places. We would build in some beach time too for sure.

Hadn’t thought of adding on Siem Reap, I will look into that although think there’s going to be too much we want to see in Vietnam!

“We would go first half of April, probably for 2 weeks or a little over. Weather looks decent then in north and central areas I think?”
Good time for both Northern and Central Vietnam (Travel Central (Danang/ Hoian) to North (Hanoi) will be better at that time).