10 Days in Vietnam with Kids: Hanoi to Saigon Family Itinerary

Overview

This itinerary works for families with children aged 4–14. It balances downtime with exploration, avoids long bus rides, and prioritizes activities that don't require extensive sitting. Budget roughly 50–80 USD per person per day (accommodation + meals + transport + entry fees), depending on hotel class and how much you eat street food.

The route: Hanoi (3 nights) → Ha Long Bay (2 nights) → Hanoi (1 night, transit) → Hue (2 nights) → Hoi An (2 nights).

Day 1 — Arrive Hanoi, settle Old Quarter

Fly into Noi Bai International Airport (45 km north). Grab a Grab ride or negotiate a taxi to your Old Quarter hotel (around 400,000–600,000 VND / USD 17–25). Skip the airport shuttle if traveling with kids and luggage.

Head to your hotel, drop bags, rest. If kids are bouncing at 4 PM, walk to Hoan Kiem Lake—15 minutes from most Old Quarter hotels. It's green, enclosed, and has no traffic in the central park. Grab "[pho](/posts/pho-vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム)-noodle-soup-guide)" or "banh mi" from a streetside stall (50,000–80,000 VND / USD 2–3.50 per bowl/sandwich) and watch the lake.

Eat dinner near your hotel. Pho (쌀국수 / 越南河粉 / フォー) 24 or a local pho shop is safe, predictable, and kids usually eat well. Budget 100,000 VND / USD 4–5 per person.

Hotel tip: Old Quarter mid-range picks like Hanoi (하노이 / 河内 / ハノイ) Pearl or Elegance Ruby have family rooms, elevators, and staff used to children. Expect 40–60 USD/night.

Day 2 — Water Puppets, Temple of Literature, Street Food

Start with a late breakfast of egg noodle soup ("banh canh") or congee at a corner shop (40,000–60,000 VND / USD 1.70–2.50).

Walk to the Temple of Literature (Tran Quoc Pagoda is nearby too, or visit the actual Temple of Literature on Guozijian Street). Kids will chase pigeons and play in the courtyards; parents can read the inscriptions. No entry fee, just respectful dress.

Lunch: grab "com tam (껌땀 / 碎米饭 / コムタム)" (broken-rice plates) with grilled pork or fried egg at any com tam stall in the Old Quarter (60,000–80,000 VND / USD 2.50–3.50).

Afternoon: rest at the hotel or walk along Long Bien Bridge (old French bridge, iconic views, safe footpath on one side). Kids can run around the waterfront park at the southern end.

Highlight: Evening water-puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (Dinh Le Street, 5-min walk from Hoan Kiem Lake). Shows last 50 minutes; book tickets online (200,000–300,000 VND / USD 8.50–13 per adult, kids same price). Kids aged 4+ usually stay engaged. It's air-conditioned and a quintessential Hanoi experience.

Dinner: eat near the theatre or walk back to Old Quarter for pho. Budget 120,000 VND / USD 5 per person.

Day 3 — Ha Long Bay Transit Day

Early breakfast, then arrange a tour operator or hotel concierge to book a Ha Long Bay (하롱베이 / 下龙湾 / ハロン湾) overnight cruise (or 2-day/1-night, which is the sweet spot for families). Depart Hanoi 8–9 AM via minibus (2.5–3 hours). Cost: 100–150 USD per adult, kids 50–75 USD (includes transport, lunch, cruise, dinner, overnight, breakfast).

Alternatively, take a coach to Ha Long City and book a same-day sunset cruise if you prefer not to overnight. But overnight is far easier with kids: they'll sleep while you cruise, and you avoid a long return drive.

Cruise highlights:

• Halong (하롱 / 下龙 / ハロン) Bay's limestone karsts are stunning and low-stress for kids (boat-sitting, kayaking optional, cave walks short).
• Most cruises feed you well (Vietnamese seafood, noodles, rice). Alert the operator in advance if your kids are picky; they'll usually accommodate.
• Cabins are basic but clean. Expect shared bathrooms on budget cruises (2-star, ~100 USD/person) or private bathrooms on mid-range (3-star, ~150–200 USD/person).

Evening: sunset on deck, fish for dinner, early bed for kids.

Day 4 — Ha Long Bay Cruise, Return

Morning: sunrise on deck (optional, kids rarely stay awake), breakfast on board, kayak or shore cave walk. Most caves have short, easy paths.

Return to Ha Long City by noon. Minibus back to Hanoi arrives ~5–6 PM. Check into your Old Quarter hotel again (or a different one, but Old Quarter is convenient for the Hanoi–Hue (후에 / 顺化 / フエ) flight tomorrow).

Light dinner: pho or noodles near hotel. Kids will be tired.

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels

Day 5 — Fly Hanoi to Hue

Morning flight: Hanoi (Noi Bai) to Hue (Phu Bai) takes 1 hour 15 minutes. Book Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo Airways; fares around 40–70 USD per person (kids discounted). Avoid early-morning flights if kids are grumpy.

Arrive Hue ~1 PM, Grab to hotel in Hue Old Town or near Huong River (20 km from airport, ~400,000 VND / USD 17).

Afternoon: walk the Huong River waterfront or rest at hotel. If kids are fresh, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda (riverside, peaceful, short visit, free entry).

Dinner: "bun bo Hue (분보후에 / 顺化牛肉粉 / ブンボーフエ)" (spicy beef noodle soup) at a local stall, or a milder option like pho at a sit-down shop. Budget 100,000 VND / USD 4–5 per bowl.

Hotel tip: mid-range picks near Huong River (Pilgrimage Village Resort, Elegant Hue) have family rooms, gardens, and calm vibes. 35–50 USD/night.

Day 6 — Hue Citadel, Tombs

Breakfast: pho or congee at a local spot.

Morning: walk or Grab to the Imperial Citadel (Thanh Thang Long). Entry 250,000 VND / USD 11 (kids free under 5, discounted 5–17). Walls are impressive, courtyards spacious, but the interiors can feel repetitive for kids. Aim for 1.5–2 hours, not a full day. Bring water.

Lunch: grab "banh hoi" (thin crêpes) or "mi Hue" (thin rice vermicelli) at a streetside stall near the Citadel (70,000–100,000 VND / USD 3–4.50).

Afternoon: visit one royal tomb. Tomb of Tu Duc is the easiest for kids: well-maintained, calm gardens, not too massive. Entry 150,000 VND / USD 6.50. Skip if kids are tired.

Evening: return to hotel, swim if there's a pool, dinner nearby. Pho or a restaurant with familiar options.

Day 7 — Hue to Hoi An

Breakfast, check out. Minibus or Grab to Hoi An (1 hour, ~250,000 VND / USD 11). Book via your hotel concierge.

Arrive Hoi An ~11 AM, check into hotel in the Ancient Town or on the outskirts (outskirts = quieter, cheaper, easier parking if you have a car). Ancient Town hotels are atmospheric but noisier and pricier (40–70 USD/night).

Lunch: grab "cao lau" (Hoi An specialty noodle dish) or "banh mi" from a streetside vendor in the Ancient Town (60,000–90,000 VND / USD 2.50–4).

Afternoon: walk the Ancient Town. It's compact, car-free, and safe for kids to explore. Lantern shops, souvenir stalls, and street performers entertain. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge (~10 min walk, free entry, scenic). Dip into a silk shop and chat with vendors—they're used to families.

Evening: stroll the riverside, grab "cha gio" (crispy spring rolls) or banh hoai (Hoi An shrimp crêpe) from a street stall for dinner. Budget 80,000–120,000 VND / USD 3.50–5 per person.

Day 8 — Hoi An Beaches, Cycling

Breakfast: egg coffee or pho.

Option A (easier for younger kids): Grab to Cua Dai Beach (4 km east, ~150,000 VND / USD 6.50). It's crowded but safe, with vendors, parasols, and shallow water. Swim, build sandcastles, eat grilled seafood at a beachfront stall (150,000–200,000 VND / USD 6.50–8.50 per grilled fish). Return by 3 PM.

Option B (for kids 8+): rent bicycles and cycle to An Bang Beach (6 km, flat route, ~50,000 VND / USD 2 per bike/day). Quieter than Cua Dai, good for a half-day. Start early to avoid afternoon heat.

Lunch: banh mi or fresh seafood near the beach.

Afternoon: return, rest, swim at hotel pool if available.

Evening: evening market walk (if Hoi An has a weekly night market) or dinner at a riverside restaurant. Budget 150,000–250,000 VND / USD 6.50–11 per person for a sit-down meal.

Photo by Fernando B M on Pexels

Day 9 — Hoi An Day Trip or Rest Day

Option A: day trip to My Son (Hindu temple ruins, UNESCO site, 40 km away, 3–4 hours with transport and walking). Book via hotel. Cost ~50–70 USD per person (transport + guide + entry). Requires moderate walking and patience; good for kids 8+.

Option B: rest day in Hoi An. Revisit favorite spots, swim, shop for souvenirs, eat "goi cuon" (fresh spring rolls) or pho for lunch. Kids often need a downshift in week 2.

Option C: visit Cu Lao Cham island (snorkeling, boat trip 30 min, 200,000–300,000 VND / USD 8.50–13 return, entry ~100,000 VND / USD 4.50). Best for confident swimmers.

Dinner: riverside restaurant or banh hoai from a street vendor. Budget 100,000–200,000 VND / USD 4–8.50 per person.

Day 10 — Hoi An to Saigon

Flight or bus: Hoi An to Saigon. Most families fly Da Nang (30 km away, 45 min by Grab, ~300,000 VND / USD 13) to Saigon (1 hour flight, ~60–100 USD per person). Early morning departure means arriving Saigon by early afternoon.

Alternatively: night bus Hoi An to Saigon (12 hours, leaves evening, arrives morning next day; 200,000–400,000 VND / USD 8.50–17 per person). Kids often sleep; saves a hotel night. But it's tiring.

If flying: Late breakfast in Hoi An, Grab to Da Nang airport, fly to Saigon, Grab to hotel in District 1 or District 3 (20 km from Tan Son Nhat, ~400,000–600,000 VND / USD 17–25).

Arrive hotel ~4 PM. Rest, explore Ben Thanh Market (air-conditioned, food court, souvenir stalls, 10-min walk from downtown hotels) or Dong Xuan Market if you want busier energy. Both are family-friendly if you're prepared for crowds.

Dinner: street food (banh mi, pho) or sit-down restaurant. Budget 120,000–200,000 VND / USD 5–8.50 per person.

Exit flights from Saigon are typically the following day or later.

Food for Picky Eaters

• Pho, banh mi, and "com tam" are safe defaults everywhere.
• Grilled pork ("thit nuong") and fried egg ("trung op la") work if kids refuse seafood.
• Street stalls often cook to order; ask for "no spicy" ("khong cay").
• Instant noodles ("mi") and fried rice ("com chien") are fallback options in every town.
• Bottled water and electrolyte drink mixes are sold everywhere (A O A, Pocari Sweat).

Practical Notes

Transport: book flights in advance (3–4 weeks). Minibus and Grab are reliable; hire a private car with driver if you want flexibility (~100–150 USD per day). Kids get bored on 3+ hour bus rides; pack snacks and a tablet.

Accommodation: mid-range 3-star hotels (35–60 USD/night) offer family rooms, elevators, and air-con. Budget ones are basic but clean. Splurge on 1–2 nights (luxury resort in Hoi An or Ha Long) if you want a break.

Money: 1 USD ≈ 24,000 VND. ATMs and Grab pay are everywhere. Carry small bills for street food.

Language: learn "hello" ("xin chao"), "thank you" ("cam on"), "water" ("nuoc"), and "no spicy" ("khong cay"). Smiling works universally. Most hotels speak English; fewer street vendors do.

Health: bring sunscreen, bug spray, and children's fever/pain meds. Tap water isn't safe; stick to bottled. Street food is generally safe if cooked fresh in front of you.