Vietnam Family Holidays – An Adventure You Won’t Forget!

Have Vietnam family holidays ever crossed your mind? I hadn’t always thought of Vietnam as a holiday destination. When I did I never thought that I would make it there and then one day…. One day all the plans fell in place.

I was no longer dreaming of holidays to Vietnam, I was planning one. Shawn and I spent three weeks in Vietnam and we traveled from the North to the South before we eventually crossed over to Cambodia. Of late, just like us I have noticed that a number of people are planning their holidays to Vietnam.

The more that I think about it, the more I realize that our Vietnam family holidays was one of the best trips we have had in the past couple of months. In fact, we loved it so much that we are thinking of heading back soon.

That made me want to document everything that worked (and what didn’t) so that you can plan your Vietnam family holidays with ease.

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Vietnam Family Holidays: Facts About Vietnam

Whenever we travel to a country I like to know what I’m heading into. This includes a bit about the history, culture, food, landscape etc. Knowing about country also helps you plan your holiday better. You know what you want to do and where you want to go.

This helps you layout your itinerary well. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve decided to include a few facts about Vietnam in our Vietnam Travel Guide

History Of Vietnam

Vietnam has felt the influence of numerous countries: China, Mongolia, Chams, Khmer, France and America. The effects of these tussles can be seen in different parts of the country. The most popular era in the Vietnamese history however was the Vietnam war which was fought with the Americans. A lot of its popularity and knowledge has to do with the coverage of the war in social media.

The effect of the war on Vietnam can be seen through various museums and landmarks through the country. We spent some time in these memorials learning about the hows and the whys of the war caused such a big impact on the country.

From the effects of Agent Orange to the Cu Chi tunnels, there is a lot to see learn and feel. The history of every country gives you a wider perspective of how the people of the country function. I say feel because it is important feel to truly understand a person’s joy and pain. It is a vital part of history that travel can provide.

Landscape

The Landscape of Vietnam is varied. The country is one long strip of land that is bordered by the South China sea. It makes for a mix of opportunities. The coast offers beautiful beaches. Halong Bay is an iconic UNESCO heritage site that has got popular over time.

The hilly regions offer people opportunities to hike and trek. If you head to the far north you will also find beautiful rice terrace fields. Vietnam also has a number of caves that are popular among the tourists. We haven’t explored the caves yet but we would love to head that way on our next holiday in Vietnam.

Climate

The climate in Vietnam varies from the North to the South. The North of Vietnam is a lot colder than the south. In Sapa and the Halong Bay we had to wear jackets to keep warm.

As we traveled to the south it got warmer and we ditched the warm clothes for light cotton clothing. Bear in mind that December and January are the coldest months of the year.

The country also receives a lot of rainfall. So that’s another thing that you need to consider when you are planning your Vietnam family holidays.

Currency

The currency in Vietnam is called the Vietnamese Dong and its currency code is VND. The currency is a little confusing at first because of all the zeros that they use.

Let me give you an example. You could pay 20,000 VND for a meal. Sounds very expensive doesn’t it? The truth is that at the current exchange rate that would equate to a little less than a dollar.

Getting the hang of the currency is a little difficult. At first you feel like a millionaire and in truth if you count in Vietnamese Dong you are one.

The Vietnamese will also accept dollars as payment in some areas. Bear in mind that the places that accept dollars usually over charge you. The trick is to ask them the exchange rate that they are calculating at.

Food

I love Vietnamese food. One thing that I realized while we were traveling is that vegetables are always fresh and they quite literally crunch in your mouth. I’m not a vegetarian mind you but I do appreciate good food.

Meat also forms a large part of the Vietnamese diet. Deciphering which dishes contain meat and which don’t was a hard task for me. So if you are a vegetarian I would suggest doing a bit of research on the terminology before heading there.

The delicacies vary from region to region from egg coffee in Hanoi to mutton in Ninh Binh. There is a lot to taste and try. The more time you spend in the region, the more you learn about the differences in cuisine.

Why Should You Consider Vietnam Family Holidays

I want to share my passion for Vietnam family holidays. That’s why I’m going to point out all the reasons why I think you should plan your holidays in Vietnam.

I guess the question that I’m truly trying to answer is: What does Vietnam have to offer that makes it so attractive to tourists from all over the world?

I’ve already spoken about the climate and the landscape. The variety in both gives you so many options in the country and makes Vietnam a year round destination. The options aren’t just restricted to the places that you visit, they are also related to the things that you can do in Vietnam.

You can choose an action packed holiday or a quiet peaceful one. You can climb a mountain in Sapa or you can kayak through the iconic Halong Bay. Vietnam quite literally offers something for everyone all year round!

In addition to this, you will find that Vietnam is really cheap compared to most holiday destinations across the world. Even by South East Asia standards Vietnam offers a holiday that is fun and budget friendly.

The people are nice, the food is good, the climate is varied and the landscape is gorgeous. What more could you want?

Vietnam Family Holidays: Facts For The Visitor

Planning your holidays to Vietnam requires a bit of information that is catered specifically to the visitor. How to get your visa? What kind of transport is available in the country?

Other common questions involve accommodation, currency exchange, travel itineraries etc. I’ve compiled a short list of items that a visitor to Vietnam may find useful.

Entering The Country

The most popular airports to enter into Vietnam are Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. This is because people usually travel through the length of the country starting either at the north or the south. A lot of people cross over into Vietnam from Laos or Cambodia using the land border.

This is particularly popular among people who are backpacking across Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. It is a cheaper way to get around than using the flights.

Visa rules change depending on the type of passport you hold. Please refer to the government of Vietnam site when applying for your visa as there are a number of fraudulent companies and scams that take place.

Remember that you need a passport with at least 6 months validity to apply for a Vietnamese visa. You also need to have a blank page in order for them to stamp the passport.

Transport

Almost everything is carried on scooters in Vietnam

One of the questions that everyone asked when I said I was writing a Vietnam travel guide was regarding transportation. I am quick to admit that it was also one of my concerns when I was planning my holiday to Vietnam.

In order for our guide to Vietnam family holidays to be more comprehensive, I’m dividing it in sections: Intercity and in a city.

Intercity Transport In Vietnam

Getting from city to city in Vietnam is not very difficult. The number of ways in which you can travel are varied. You can go the expensive way and choose a flight. That helps you save time.

You could also choose to take the train. I was pleasantly surprised by the Vietnamese trains. They are way more comfortable that Indian ones!

A number of buses ply from city to city. Definitely not the most comfortable mode of transport but it is supposed to make the journey cheaper. Some backpackers rent motorbikes and ride across the country. That makes for a fun experience too.

Transport In Cities

I guess that this really changes from city to city but from my experience the most popular method of transportation are motorbikes.

Almost everyone has one and almost every motorbike is loaded up way beyond its capabilities. In fact you can see a large number of queer things being carried on motorbikes.

Public transport in the form of buses and taxis also exists. We preferred to walk or rent a bike depending on the city that we were in.

Money Exchange

Exchanging money in Vietnam is simple enough because most of the big cities have numerous money exchanges. If you are heading off the beaten track then I would suggest exchanging money before you head out.

We chose to exchange a small amount at the airport first. That helped us get to the city comfortably and gave us a buffer for a day when we were in town.

A tip that I would suggest when exchanging your money is to check the current exchange value online. Compare it to a few money exchange stores. You can sometimes negotiate for a better price. Just make sure that you aren’t paying too much above the online exchange rate.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Vietnam is pretty cheap. The interesting part about it is that it forces you to take a step back and consider one of the two options. Take the cheap option (which is pretty good on its own accord) or indulge in one of the few places that allow you to without worrying about how much it will cost.

If you choose the former, then you will find numerous hostels around the country. You can pick from dorms to single rooms depending on your preference. There are also some hotels that come very close to the prices that these hostels offer for their single rooms and those are worthwhile checking out.

Since we were two of us traveling together, checking into a dorm wasn’t our preference since the amount that we would pay for a single room was marginal. W

e booked our accommodation from Booking.com and earned some genius points as well. The genius benefits come in handy from time to time. A quick tip that we follow is to book accommodation that has a rating of 8.0 and above.

How To Choose Your Destinations For Your Vietnam Family Holidays

There are a number of places that one can visit in Vietnam. As time goes on I plan to collaborate with other bloggers and travelers to grow this resource.

To start with I would like to remind you of what I said in the very beginning of the Vietnam travel guide. The landscape changes across the country and a large part of where you go should depend on what you want to do.

Do you love water sports or would you like to relax while listening to the lapping of the waves? Head to Vietnam’s extensive coast which offers plenty of opportunities to do just that.

Do you like hiking, caves, rice fields? The North and central parts of Vietnam offer just that. You can head down to the south if you think of visiting the famous Mekong delta. Visit Hoi An to take in the view of the Old town and the remnants of colonization.

We went through so many different locations. Each one was more appealing than the rest. I would suggest marking them on a map and drawing up a route that hits the most number of places that you would want to visit. Make sure that it fits in your time frame and account for the weather conditions too.

Souvenirs From Vietnam

The gorgeous hand made cards sold on the street.

I think that buying souvenirs is a very personal thing. People buy things that speak out to them on an emotional note. It is something that will remind you of the time you spent in the country. For us our souvenir is usually a small article for the house and one that goes on our Christmas tree. The later is non-negotiable the former is negotiable.

One of the souvenirs that I regret not buying was the cut paper artwork that is seen on the streets of Hanoi. I thought it would be available in other places but I only stumbled across a few in Hoi An. They weren’t the ones I was looking for. Instead we bought a set of chopsticks for us to use. Vietnam was the first place that we actually learned to use them.

Itineraries And Travel Guides For Your Family Vietnam Holidays

We are working to provide you with a variety of itineraries that you can use to plan your holidays in Vietnam. Here you will find travel guides and travel itineraries on the country as a whole and each city in parts.

We will also be collaborating with other travelers and travel bloggers in the near future to give you other alternatives. You can find the links to some of the travel itineraries below.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• 2 Weeks in Vietnam
• A brief overview of our 2 day Hanoi Travel Itinerary
• Hanoi travel guide: All you need to Know about Hanoi
• The Ultimate Cat Ba Travel Guide

Vietnam Family Holidays: Places To Visit In Vietnam

Like I have said time and time again, the places that attract people to Vietnam are numerous. During our three weeks in Vietnam we managed to explore quite a lot of the country.

A large number of places however still remain to be seen and we will head back to discover more of the country eventually. In the mean time we will be collaborating with other travelers and bloggers to grow our resource list.

Sapa

A view of the terraced fields in Sapa

Situated in the North of Vietnam, Sapa is a tiny village that has progressively received more and more tourists each year.

The reason why so many people add it as a destination when planning their Vietnam family holidays is because of the famous colorful terraced fields that are seen around the village. A number of people come here to hike to other villages and up the mountains.

We visited the village in December. A word of advice… Check the weather before you go there and ensure that you allocate more than one day in Sapa. The area receives a lot of rainfall and since it is cold the combination can get uncomfortable during a hike.

Do check when the harvest takes place if you are heading to Sapa only for the terraced fields or you may be disappointed.

Hanoi

A view of one of Hanoi’s lakes at night.

I cannot write a Vietnam travel guide without mentioning Hanoi. Hanoi is one of the biggest cities in Vietnam and is also the capital of the country. The city has an impressive charm about it and that’s why I always suggest that anyone who is planning a Vietnam family holidays should plan a stop in the city.

There is plenty to see and learn from the different monuments. Let’s not forget about the shopping and the street food that the city has to offer. I have written numerous articles about Hanoi. I’m dropping links to a few of them below.

Halong Bay

A glimpse of Halong Bay from Monkey island.

Halong bay is a UNESCO heritage site. Yes! The entire bay! The karst landscape has made Halong bay really popular over time. A number of companies offer overnight cruises through the bay. The boats/ships are typically called Junk boats. Don’t know why but they are. Had us really confused for a while.

The cost of the cruises however was beyond our budget. This is one of the few occasions where you can have your cake and eat it too. Instead of staying on a cruise ship, we decided to opt to stay on Cat Ba island which had a charm of its own.

The fact that it was way cheaper was definitely a perk. The island itself has a lot of things to do. In fact among the list of places that I have just stated in the guide to Vietnam family holidays, Cat Ba island is definitely my favorite.

No matter what you do, don’t skip Halong bay. It is a beautiful place with a lot of water activities (kayaking, swimming, cruises, snorkeling, cliff diving etc) and other adventure activities (hiking, trekking, rock climbing etc). Halong bay definitely deserves a spot on your list when you plan Vietnam family holidays.

Ninh Binh

A man at work in the Van Long Nature reserve.

Popularly known as the Halong Bay on land, Ninh Binh should definitely be considered as a stop when planning your Vietnam family holidays. The city was much more active than I thought it would be. Since we stayed on the outskirts it was a much quieter environment.

Ninh Binh also has the same karst landscape that Halong bay is famous for. The difference is that each of hills that rise up from the ground are not separated by sea. The shallow water is navigated through the use of a boat. These boat rides can be experienced at a number of places.

Trang An, Van Long Nature Reserve and Bai Dinh temple were our favorites sites in the area and ones that I recommend not visiting.

Hoi An

Hoi An always reminds me of a lot of colors.

The quaint little town of Hoi An appears to take you back to a different time and a different era. This city is also a UNESCO Heritage site. The Old Town of Hoi An is the part of the city that is relatively well preserved since 15^th century. You can enter some of the buildings have guides explain to you how the architecture has evolved since then.

Hoi An is also popular for its tailors. Not only is the material and the labor cheap, Hoi An is home to some of the best tailors in Vietnam. If you plan to have something tailored then make sure that you plan your Vietnam family hin such a way that you have at least three days in Hoi An.

We spent Christmas in Hoi An and it was so interesting to see how people celebrated the festival in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh

The Vietnamese flag fluttering in wind on one of Ho Chi Minh’s popular streets.

Ho Chi Minh lies at the south of Vietnam. A lot of people still call it Saigon. This is due to the fact that ‘Saigon’ was its former name. Ho Chi Minh is a bustling city. It has roads filled with numerous motorcycles.

Popular memes around this city involve the traffic and the numerous intertwined wires that seem to be suspended everywhere. Many people head through Ho Chi Minh to visit the famous Mekong delta.

If you want to catch a bit of history when you are in Ho Chi Minh, I would suggest taking a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. It is a day trip out of the city but it certainly is worth it.

Vietnam Family Holidays: Money Saving Tips

Many people who plans their Vietnam family holidays are on a budget. This is largely because Vietnam is evolving as a backpacker paradise. We chose Vietnam because well a dollar lasts longer in the country which in turn means that you can stay longer. That being said there were a few tips that we picked up along the way.

Book Your Accommodation And Transport in advance.

If you are one of those people who plan their holidays in advance then you are probably in the same zone that we were in. We knew where we were going and we had booked both our accommodation and transport in advance.

While you do get cheap accommodation even when you wing it, we got the best accommodation for the cheapest rates. The same help true for the trains and planes! Buses on the other hand were something that we booked as we went.

Head Out Of The Tourist Area To Eat Food

Eating street food is both fun and cheap but very often you begin to realize that you are being overcharged. We realized this when we noticed that the cost of the meal outside a small restaurant was often almost the same as on the street.

A great way to ensure that you get the street food for the price the locals pay is by heading out of the popular tourist destinations. Sit with the locals and enjoy a meal. It is a great way to learn about the people, the food and their cultures.

Learn To Bargain When You Shop

The prices what you pay for things are often the tourist price. This means that you a paying double and sometimes even quadruple of the original cost. Bargain with the sellers. Move on to other shops and compare the rates. Even the over inflated rates have a range.

Travel At Night

One of the best money saving tips that I can offer you in this Vietnam travel guide, is to travel at night. It saves you the cost of one day’s accommodation. It also saves you time. You will find that this particularly useful for long journeys.

Vietnam Family Holidays: Accessories You Should Carry

It would be remiss of me not to include a few tips on accessories that you should carry in this Vietnam travel guide. Since the landscape and climate of Vietnam is varied, a lot of what you carry depends on where you are headed to and in which season you are traveling.

The north is pretty cold in December and January so you definitely need something warm to wear. The south is warm so you would need loose cotton clothes. This is a list of accessories that may help people who are planning holidays to Vietnam.

Sunscreen

Not everyone is prepared for the sun in South East Asia. A lot of people even underestimate it. If you are going to spend a lot of time in the sun then I would suggest carrying a sunscreen and using one. Make sure to get a water resistant one so you can use it at the beach or in case you indulge in water related activities.

Mosquito Repellent

The rains in Vietnam bring in the swarms of mosquitoes. While the little insects are pesky at best, they also carry a range of diseases. Dengue and Malaria are the primarily concerns. Zika is the latest disease which is associated with mosquitoes.

I believe that prevention is the best cure. While you can’t probably find a way to rid the area around you of mosquitoes, using a mosquito repellent will ensure that you aren’t bitten.

Jacket

If you are heading up north and your holiday in Vietnam is during December or January, then ensure that you carry some warm clothing. A well chosen jacket can come in handy in a variety of situations. You can use it to keep warm and you can also use it when it rains.

I try to choose jackets that fold up easily when you don’t need them and that don’t occupy too much space because I believe in traveling light.

Lifestraw

This is a concept that I was introduced to by a fellow blogger. The lifestraw is a company that designs bottles and other products that ensure that you get safe drinking water. I have personally never tried one but I have heard that more and more travelers are using them on their trips.

The lifestraw is particularly useful if you are heading off the grid, doing some trekking, hiking etc.

Microfiber towel

I find a microfiber towel very useful especially when you are backpacking. Not all hostels provide you with a towel. A towel of my own also feels so much more comfortable for hygienic reasons. A towel is also a great accessory to carry if you are heading over to the beach. Most of the travelers towels don’t even occupy much space!

A Camera

Everyone carries a camera when traveling. Whether it is attached to your phone or it is a DSLR, it doesn’t really matter. What should matter is that the camera you carry is meant for the terrain that you are on. In that sense I have found that the GoPro is the most versatile camera around. It is small, compact and can even be used when diving.

Backpack

The thing about Vietnam is that nothing is as you expect it to be. So if you have a large suitcase, you are probably going to struggle while you move around. It does depend on which part of Vietnam you are but in general it is difficult. When planning Vietnam family holidays I would suggest keeping this in mind.

If you are going to do a lot of traveling think about taking a backpack along. It is so much easier to move about with one. You can jump into boats, take cheaper modes of transport etc.

Vietnam Family Holidays: Experiences You Should Not Miss

The country offers a set of experiences that people should consider adding to their list when planning their Vietnam family holidays. Take a look at the list that we have drawn up and see if any of them pique your attention.

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