Hoi Aan is one of the most tourist-focused cities in Vietnam, and with good reason because, in addition to its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city has everything to attract tourists: charming restaurants and narrow streets, exceptional local cuisine, and idyllic beaches. Hoi An will also charm lovers of ancient ruins, who will enjoy discovering the remains of the Cham city of My Son.

Fall under the spell of Hoi An and the surrounding area

Dien Bien Phu is the capital of the province with the same name. It was the location of a battle which took place in Tonkin from 20 November 1953 to 7 May 1954 against the French Union forces. It is considered to be the place of victory for national liberation.

Dien Bien Phu and its history

The town of Sapa is located at the summit of a hill, at 1,600 metres of altitude. It is surrounded by beautiful scenery and sits above the Muong Hoa valley, where it is dominated by the famous Fansipan at 3,143 metres. An obligatory stopover during your tour of Vietnam.

Sapa and its surroundings

I'd like to give an insight into&nbsp;Hué, a tourist town that was once an imperial city and is famous throughout the country for its food! But what tourists often don't realise is that there are numerous wonderful sites just a few kilometres from this town that are seldom visited but are nonetheless authentic and magnificent&nbsp;

Hué and the riches of its surroundings

Bac Ha is a village in northern Vietnam, a quiet and peaceful village except on Sunday mornings, which is market day, attracting all the ethnic minorities to the area.

Asia

Someone talks about Vietnam and you automatically think of spring rolls, pointed hats or shoulder yokes, those large sections of bamboo and their two suspended woven baskets. Our collective imagination has been flooded with these images... But do they correspond to the current reality of Vietnam? Even if they are not all representative of life in the cities, they still subsist in the countryside... However, Vietnam cannot be summarized by these few clichés. Its people have come far with a particularly turbulent 21st century. The country is now decidedly turned towards the future: Vietnam changes and evolves. The former children of the “boat-people” are returning to Saigon to fulfil their dreams and seek success. Hanoi has opened superb art galleries... For many, Vietnam consists of mountains and plateaus, Vietnam is marked by two major waterways, the Red River to the north, and the mother of all rivers, the Mekong to the south. Between equatorial plains, temperate plateaus and high summits, you will be awestruck by the tender green rice paddies, the canyons of Red River and the superb Mekong Delta.... And if beyond its people and nature you still need a reason to visit Vietnam, let’s mention gastronomy! Vietnamese cooking is one of the most renowned worldwide, light and refined by the same token: spring rolls of course, but also Pho, Cha cà, Oc nhoi and other delicious meals...

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I didn't particularly enjoy my time in Lao Cai, whilst on my <a href="/vietnam/">holiday in Vietnam</a>. We got off the train from Hanoï after having had a restless night. Lao Cai is the last stop before you reach China. We had breakfast on the square opposite the train station, in an attempt to get our energy levels up. We then headed down to the banks of the Red River, where we had a cup of tea right by the Chinese border. There's a temple with an esplanade that has an unusual view of its neighbouring country. It's a contrasting landscape - we came face to face with a 90s concrete jungle. We also found the local traders unwelcoming and bargaining with them was nigh on impossible.

Lao Cai is a town that overlooks China.

The best local travel agencies in Vietnam for family tours with kids

Family tour ideas in Vietnam

Vietnam is the home to so many interesting experiences that it can be a hugely rewarding <a href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/where-to-go/family-adventure-holidays/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/where-to-go/family-adventure-holidays/">family destination</a>, especially for younger children, who are bound to be blown away by the unique atmosphere and surroundings here. Visit the city of Hanoi, where you can get around in a tuk tuk, which is sure to be a ride you’ll never forget. Here you can visit local markets, try endless and delicious local recipes and even go to see a performance of the traditional water puppets, which never fail to entertain young children and adults alike. Many activities in our&nbsp;<a data-destination-id="78" data-internal-link="destination">customisable Vietnam tours</a>&nbsp;are also designed to give your family&nbsp;a sense of Vietnamese history and culture, from a fun perspective.&nbsp;For a beach stop-off, visit Danang to avoid the party scene and enjoy family meals on the beach every evening in a beautiful setting. Hoi An is another unmissable destination, with colourful lanterns hanging all around the town which make it a real feast for the eyes. On top of all this, Vietnam is incredibly cheap compared to some other destinations, making it great value for money and meaning that you can afford to splash out on some incredible activities that the whole family can remember for years to come. <h3>Best things&nbsp;to see and do in&nbsp;Vietnam with kids</h3>In Vietnam, families are truly welcomed and so it is one of the best destinations for families to discover new cultures, since you will be immersed so easily and willingly by the locals that you meet along the way.&nbsp;Local people are incredibly welcoming&nbsp;and will smile and greet families whenever they see them.&nbsp;For this reason, a local homestay is an amazing experience for families and you and your children will be able to get a valuable insight into the way in which other people and cultures live their everyday lives. Stay with a family in <a data-place-id="15" data-internal-link="place">Sapa</a> where you can feel as though you are surrounded by nature and help local families prepare the rice that is grown in this region and is the livelihood of many here. Once you have got a feel for Vietnamese culture, its time to start the adventure; <a data-place-id="31698" data-internal-link="place">Ninh Binh</a> is home to incredible river cave systems and a boat ride through these huge natural tunnels will be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. If you like the sound of this, then Phong Nha-ke Bang is also a great option, with a mud cave expedition involving kayaking, swimming and finally, covering yourself in the thick mud that can be found here; every child’s dream. <a data-place-id="25" data-internal-link="place">Hoi An’s</a> beautiful colourful streets are an amazing place to buy gifts for friends and family back home before enjoying delicious food or going on on traditional basket boat ride to catch crabs.&nbsp;As well as being one of the best places for beach holidays, Vietnam also has so many activities to offer kids, whether you’re kayaking in&nbsp;<a data-place-id="33435" data-internal-link="place">Halong Bay</a>, visiting local farms,&nbsp;learning how to cook fresh local food&nbsp;as a family (children from 7 years old and upwards are welcome in cooking classes!), or&nbsp;making traditional kites and lanterns by hand;&nbsp;children always have something unforgettable to take home with them. Skills, treasures or memories will make Vietnam your children’s new favourite place!&nbsp;Learn to fish in a traditional basket boat&nbsp;and see the local children riding on the backs of buffalo as you float downstream and take in fascinating aspects of rural Vietnamese culture. For families interested in history, Vietnam has a fascinating (and turbulent) past with civil war and the Vietnam war with America featuring in many museum exhibitions. Visit the Chu Chi tunnels to see the intricate underground trenches built by the Vietnamese soldiers. These tunnels are small and so are often the perfect size for children, with parents finding the low ceilings more challenging. These tunnels really bring home the extremity of war and are a fascinating and educational visit. If you need a few days of beach relaxation after all that adventure, then travel south of <a data-place-id="22775" data-internal-link="place">Danang</a> to one of the cleanest and most family-friendly beaches in Southeast Asia, China Beach, where you can all enjoy the sun and sea in this seaside paradise before returning home to reality.&nbsp;<h3>Best time to visit&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;as a family</h3>Since Vietnam is a very long country it is hit by two separate monsoons, each hitting a different part of the country at different times. The Southern monsoon season begins in May and runs through to September and the Northern monsoon falls between October and April. This means that no matter <a data-document-id="3377" data-internal-link="article">when you go</a>, you’ll be able to visit a part of the country that is dry. Even at their worst, however, the downpours rarely last for longer than an hour or two in the afternoon and it can be nice to enjoy some downtime as a family during this time. Since the weather patterns here are so variable from place to place, the lost popular times to travel are often dictated by holiday periods, with the months of June, July and August being the busiest. If you wish to travel during this period, expect to find prices slightly elevated and larger crowds at major attractions. <h3>Family holiday tips for travelling to&nbsp;Vietnam</h3>With a little research and knowledge you can ensure that you are as prepared as possible for your family trip to Vietnam, here a few tips and tricks to ensure that everything runs smoothly on your holiday. <ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">For those who don’t like spicy food, remember to specify this as you are ordering. Much of the food here can be spicy for unaccustomed taste buds and spicing up dishes is the norm.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Try to avoid the mistake of trying to squeeze too many activities into a shorter space of time. Take your time and appreciate this wonderful country by planning a few extra days to relax, even if this means cutting down on some activities. You’ll thank us in the end. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas where pickpockets are rife. Keep cash and any important documents in a safe a hidden place. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">As with any visit to a foreign country, check with your GP before leaving whether there are any vaccinations or medicines that you need to get. Bring along plenty of mosquito spray too, to avoid the annoyance of itchy bug bites throughout your trip.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Make the most of the cheap prices here to sign up to some unforgettable family activities. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Young children, especially those with blonde hair and blue eyes, will feel like little celebrities, with locals even asking to hold younger children. This is meant in good will and is completely normal in Vietnamese culture but if it bothers you, you can simply politely say no. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Try to avoid the tap water where possible, since this can lead to stomach bugs which can quickly ruin the perfect family holiday. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Learn a few key phrases. Learning some choice words and phrases can be extremely handy should you find yourself in a situation where no one speaks English. Learning a new language can also be a great new challenger for your children. If nothing else, it always goes down well to greet locals in their own language.</li></ul>

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The best tailor-made Vietnam tours for families with children, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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Vietnam family holidays

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Family Holidays in Vietnam | Child-Friendly Tours

The best local travel agencies in Vietnam for two week tours

Two week tour ideas in Vietnam

The best two week tours to explore Vietnam, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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Two weeks in Vietnam

Two Week Tours

Two Weeks in Vietnam | 14 Day Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in Vietnam for one week tours

One week tour ideas in Vietnam

One week in Vietnam&nbsp;gives you the perfect opportunity to explore a Southeast Asian paradise with the perfect 7 day itinerary. Whether you’re relaxing on a white sand beach or getting your fix of adrenaline on a caving or spelunking tour, you won’t be bored for a moment of your time&nbsp;in <a data-destination-id="78" data-internal-link="destination">Vietnam</a>&nbsp;and you’ll be ready to book your next trip here as soon as you get home. <h3>Best things to see and do for one week in Vietnam</h3>What to see in one week Vietnam has so many sides to it that it can be hard to see enough with just one week here. With a bit of careful planning, however, it can be done and you’ll be able to see Vietnam in all its glory, from its stunning beaches to its sometimes devastating history. For the most idyllic beaches in Vietnam, visit <a data-place-id="16915" data-internal-link="place">Phu Quoc Island</a> where you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the warm water. To get a sense of the natural beauty of Vietnam, visit one of its many national parks, each of which is totally different from the last. <a data-place-id="4765" data-internal-link="place">Cat Ba Island</a> is an excellent choice for any age and ability, with hiking trails of varying difficulty. Take a short boat trip out to the island before exploring on foot for the day. <a data-place-id="21398" data-internal-link="place">Phong Nha Ke Bang</a> is another excellent option, with rivers, waterfalls, caves and forest spanning in every direction. Explore wet caves and see the bizarre formations that the rocks have taken on. Take a guided tour to hear all about the myths and legends surrounding the caves. <h4>What to do in one week</h4>Exploring some of Vietnam’s cities is a must on any 7 day itinerary and each city has its own unique sights, sounds and attractions. Visit <a data-place-id="10997" data-internal-link="place">Ho Chi Minh</a>, formerly known as Saigon, to wander the fascinating streets and explore the French Colonial buildings that are dotted around the city. Visit the French Colonial Post Office to see this stunning architecture. Ho Chi Minh is the perfect place to pick up a few souvenirs to remember your trip and you’ll be able to explore the sprawling market complexes and find gifts at wholesale prices. While in Vietnam for you 7 day trip, why not learn a little about its history? Visit sites such as the <a data-place-id="28" data-internal-link="place">Cu Chi Tunnels</a> for an interactive experience that hammers home some of the difficulties faced by this country in the past. Continue exploring with a boat trip around <a data-place-id="6408" data-internal-link="place">Ha Long Bay</a> to see the bizarre rock pillars that jut out of the water. <h3>Best time to travel to Vietnam for a week</h3>The best times to visit Vietnam are during the slightly cooler seasons of Spring and Autumn, where rainfall is less frequent and humidity is lowered. Due to the long, thin shape of the country, the weather patterns can vary enormously between North and South and so visiting the entire country can make <a href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/vietnam/holidays/when-to-go/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/vietnam/holidays/when-to-go/"></a><a data-document-id="3377" data-internal-link="article">choosing when to go</a> difficult. Generally speaking, you may have to prepare for different weather patterns and pack a few waterproof items to make sure that you aren’t caught unawares. With this in mind, Vietnam is truly a year round destination, meaning that whenever you decide to visit, you’ll have an unforgettable trip.

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One week in Vietnam

One Week Tours

One Week in Vietnam | 7 Day Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in Vietnam for hiking and trekking tours

Tour ideas for hiking and trekking in Vietnam

The best hiking and trekking tours and excursions in Vietnam, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect trekking tour with a local expert in Vietnam

Trekking in Vietnam

Hiking & Trekking

Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam | Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in Vietnam for island tours

Tour ideas for exploring Vietnam's islands

The best island holidays and island-hopping tours in Vietnam, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect island holiday in Vietnam with a local expert

Island tours in Vietnam 

Islands & Island-Hopping

Island Holidays in Vietnam | Explore Vietnam's Islands

The best local travel agencies in Vietnam for snorkelling and diving tours

Diving and snorkelling tour ideas in Vietnam

The best snorkelling and diving tours in Vietnam, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Experience diving in Vietnam with a hand-picked local expert

Diving in Vietnam

Snorkelling & Diving

Diving & Snorkelling Tours in Vietnam | Diving Excursions

The best local travel agencies in Vietnam for cycling tours

Tour ideas for exploring Vietnam by bike

The best cycling holidays and bike excursions in Vietnam, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect cycling tour with a local expert in Vietnam

Cycling in Vietnam

Cycling Tours

Cycling Holidays in Vietnam | Explore Vietnam By Bike

The best local travel agencies in Vietnam for train tours

Tour ideas for exploring Vietnam by train

The best train tours to explore Vietnam, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect train tour with a local expert in Vietnam

Train travel in Vietnam

Train Tours

Best Train Tours in Vietnam | Explore Vietnam By Train

The best local travel agencies in Vietnam for nature holidays

Tour ideas for exploring Vietnam's nature

The best tours and excursions for exploring Vietnam's nature, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Lào Cai Holidays

Lào Cai: How to get there?

Lào Cai: See when to go?

Lào Cai: For how long?

Lào Cai: What to see nearby?

Vietnam: our articles for your holidays