Potential Japan Trip vs. Vietnam or other!

[waddlingthroughdorset]

Hi all, would be very grateful of some thoughts/advice!
We are planning a ‘big holiday’ next year, our children will be 6 and 8. Initial thought is Japan, but wondering if we should hold off on that for a few years - the internet is suggesting £20k for 2 weeks….. We could do it but wondering if it would be better to wait until the children are a bit older (would they appreciate it more when a little older as it would be quite an investment). Alternative option is Vietnam - or we are open to other suggestions! For those who have done either trip - what would you recommend? Does Japan need to cost that much? It would need to be in school holidays (willing to miss a couple of days of school either side of hols but not full weeks). All advice and thoughts very welcome! Thank you in advance.

Is that summer school holidays? If so it was 40° in Tokyo and Kyoto for most of August last year and in the mid 30s in July and September- keep that in mind if heat is not your thing! Personally I'd wait until the children were older if you really want to appreciate the scenery, culture and cuisine of Japan. I found compared to the UK eating out was cheaper but the flights were the biggest chunk of my budget followed by accommodation. The 'bullet trains' are quite expensive (but amazing) whilst local trains are much cheaper. You can do Japan on a budget but it is an expensive place to visit.

Any schools holidays really, whatever works best!

Japan is safe and relatively easy to book independently. It's also cheap once there due to exchange rate. You should be able to do it for a lot less than £20k. I think I'd prefer Japan to Vietnam with children.

That said, I do think the trip would be better appreciated when the kids are older (teen years).

We went in Autumn which was perfect.

For alternatives I'd suggest Costa Rica or Borneo but it depends on your interests.

Easter holidays works well for Vietnam. For Japan easter is good weather I believe but expensive and busy due to cherry blossom season (tho later Easter hols might be past cherry blossom season). October is also good for Japan if you get a 2 week half term.

I actually think they are too young to really appreciate both countries as both will involve quite a bit of sightseeing and culture. I would focus on nature and choose South Africa or Costa Rica or Borneo instead.

We did Japan last year, albiet from Australia. We got cheap flights by not doing school hols, but it was cherry blossom season in March/april so the most expensive time to visit. Kids were 9 & 12.

It wasn't expensive, but we travel cheaply. We searched for cheaper hotels / Airbnb's near transport hubs. We ate at combinis & restaurants off the tourist path (Street food was for snacks). Paid entry into things that were important & looked for free sights. Public transport is quite cheap.

Do book if you want to do something otherwise you'll miss out.

We found some amazing places by getting off the track a bit. Often no other tourists in sight!

March/ April is a good time for traveling in Vietnam.

I’ve just come back from Japan and it was amazing . It can definitely be done a lot cheaper than £20k but as others have said I’d wait until your kids are older to really appreciate it . Same with Vietnam really , many of these countries are steeped in history and I’m not sure young children would engage with it .

I went to Da Nang Vietnam last year with my 9-year-old son and he absolutely loved it. I’d highly recommend it. You’d be hard pressed to spend £20K, once there it was as cheap as chips.

I’d definitely leave Japan until they are older and definitely not go in our summer holidays. We did in depth long haul when dc were around 10 and 8.

Thanks everyone for your comments. Need to do some more research. We have been to Vietnam before (pre children), and always said it was super family friendly. I think we need to get the balance right, and remember it’s not just a holiday for the adults. We just haven’t been long haul for a long time, and the desire to go further afield is kicking in!

@waddlingthroughdorset Families Worldwide might give you good ideas. Dc get to meet other dc and we found them pretty good because dc are at the centre of the holiday but as adults, we were happy with the itineraries.

Have a look at Stubborn Mule and other companies like that. Good ideas.

I'd avoid Africa. To do safari properly you need a private reserve in Kruger and most are age 10+ to go off road. The parks in the Eastern Cape are glorified Longleat and Knowsley! Save your money.

Thailand would be my suggestion to give the kids a try of moving around. Koh Lipe / Chang Mai and Bangkok.

Vietnam I think I'd wait until the kids are older

Sri Lanka might be worth a look. Borneo I would wait until they are a bit older.

@JustMarriedBecca There are great family holidays to Kenya and you certainly don’t need to be 10 plus to go off road in the parks. I would still leave it a couple of years though. There are family friendly companies that have great itineraries for Kenya.