Planning a two-week family itinerary to Vietnam with kids felt as exciting as any international trip, with an extra challenge thrown in: we were traveling with 19 people—10 adults and 9 kids ranging from toddlers to teens—to celebrate my wife Dani’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. Vietnam had been on our bucket list to visit with the kids (we’d both been separately), and the combination of stunning beaches, rich culture, incredible food, and exceptional value made it the perfect destination for our multi-generational celebration.
We chose to split our time between two cities: one week in Da Nang for beach relaxation and modern amenities, followed by a week in Hoi An for cultural immersion and charm. This two-location strategy gave us variety without the exhaustion of constant packing and moving with kids. The cities are only 45 minutes apart, making the transfer painless while offering completely different experiences.
This is our complete day-by-day account of what we did, what worked brilliantly, what we’d skip next time, and all the practical details you need to plan your own Vietnam family adventure. Whether you’re traveling with extended family or just your immediate crew, this itinerary balances structured activities with flexibility, adventure with downtime, and cultural experiences with pure beach bliss.
Pre-Trip Planning: The Foundation of Success
Before I dive into the daily breakdown, I need to mention the tool that made this entire trip manageable: our niece Ashley created a comprehensive Google Sheets itinerary that became our lifeline. For a family that usually wings it, having a detailed spreadsheet felt foreign, but with 19 people, it was absolutely essential.
The spreadsheet included daily activity suggestions with timing, restaurant recommendations for every meal, booking links, notes on kid-friendliness, backup plans for rain, and transportation details. We didn’t follow it rigidly—some days we completely ignored it and just hit the beach—but having options ready when we needed them, especially for making decisions as group, prevented so much stress and decision fatigue.
If you want to create something similar for your trip, I’ve built a customizable Google Sheets travel planning template based on what worked for us, or you can use my AI itinerary builder to generate a personalized plan for your family’s specific needs and interests.
Week 1: Da Nang – Beaches, Waterfalls & Vietnamese Immersion
Day 1: Arrival and Settling In
After long international flights with kids, we kept our first day intentionally low-key. We arrived in Da Nang in the afternoon and transferred to our villa on Man Thai Beach, a relatively quiet stretch of coastline north of the city center. The villa was perfect for our large group—8 suites with their own bathrooms, a kitchen, and a large communal space where we could all gather without feeling cramped. It even had it’s own elevator which the kids played on endlessly. There was a small pool on the roof, with swings that dangled over it. And even though it wasn’t heated and too cold for the adults, the kids jumped right in.
We spent the late afternoon unpacking, claiming rooms, and letting the kids immediately dive into the pool. There’s something magical about that first moment when kids who’ve been cooped up on planes for hours can finally run free. The adults opened beers, sat on the terrace overlooking the beach, and exhaled collectively. We’d made it.
For dinner, we walked to the closest restaurant and ordered an assortment of seafood fresh from tanks and grilled meats. Man Thai is covered with seafood restaurants, and I have to believe most of the fish are fresh caught there by the number of fishing boat that we can see daily. Arlo feel asleep in the stroller on the way and the rest of us were exhausted as well, but Remi is the travel pro and jumped right in to eating with chopsticks and attempting Vietnamese words with the servers. We stayed awake as long as possible to attempt to get our jet lag on schedule, then crashed in our room.
What worked: Keeping day one simple was crucial. No ambitious sightseeing, no restaurant reservations to rush to, just arrival and decompression.
Practical tip: We downloaded Grab (more popular than Uber here) before we arrived. A 20-minute airport transfer was around $8 USD. There were several people trying to get us into their cars or vans, and one of the groups almost took one for $60 USD until they checked Grab.
Day 2: First Tastes of Vietnam
We eased into our first full day with a leisurely morning at the villa. Breakfast was a mix of fruit from a nearby market, bread, eggs, and yogurts that we had stocked the fridge with. This became our standard breakfast pattern—simple, self-serve, no pressure to get everyone dressed and out the door first thing.
Around mid-morning, we ventured to a local café where we tried our first salted coffee. If you haven’t experienced this Vietnamese specialty, imagine a perfectly balanced iced coffee with a layer of salted cream on top that adds an almost caramel-like richness. It sounds strange, tastes incredible, and became our daily ritual. Dani and I never drink sweet coffee at home but here we got hooked.
That afternoon, we set off on a food tour through the city that Ashley had booked ahead of time (I think it was on Get Your Guide, look for walking tour by David!), which turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. Our guide took us to local spots we never would have found on our own—a tucked-away spot for Michelin-recognized (not quite a star) crispy Vietnamese rice-flour pancakes (Banh Xeo), a busy family-run banh mi street stall, a pho and noodle place frequented by locals, a dessert shop serving che (Vietnamese sweet soup) in flavors we couldn’t identify but devoured anyway.
The food tour accomplished multiple goals at once: it introduced us to Vietnamese cuisine in a guided, approachable way; it got everyone excited about eating adventurously; it gave us restaurant ideas for the rest of the trip; and it showed the kids that trying new foods could be fun rather than scary. Dani even created a game – each new food the little kids tried they got a point, and she kept score in her phone. They tried everything; Remi even ate a whole oyster!
We returned to the villa full, but some families had leftovers and snacks from the tour. The flexibility of having a kitchen meant we could accommodate everyone’s energy levels and appetites.
What worked: The food tour was the perfect first activity. Low physical demands, high engagement, and it primed everyone for culinary adventure.
Kid tip: Vietnamese food is surprisingly kid-friendly. Spring rolls, grilled meats on rice, noodle soups, and fresh fruit were all hits with our young crew.
Restaurant recommendation: Our guide took us to Bánh Xèo Bà Dưỡng. Get there before 11am or after 2pm to avoid the lunch rush.
Day 3: Marble Mountains and Beach Culture
After two relatively easy days, we were ready for our first real excursion. We hired a van and driver to take us to the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five limestone hills just south of Da Nang. Each mountain is named after one of the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—and they’re filled with caves, tunnels, Buddhist sanctuaries, and spectacular viewpoints.
The climb is not long, but the stairs are steep. Most opted for the elevator option. The kids were fascinated by the caves—some filled with Buddha statues, others with natural light streaming through openings in the rock ceiling creating almost mystical beams through the darkness.
We spent about two hours exploring before kid attention spans maxed out. We got ice creams back at the bottom which was a great reward for all.
We called another Grab and some of us decided on happy hour and early dinner at East West Brewing, a craft brewery in Da Nang that we spotted on the drive over. on. The beer was excellent, and sitting on their beach view terrace was a relaxing sunset wind-down.
With a bit of energy somehow, we decided to walk the 40 minutes or so back to the villa along the beach. The beach was nearly empty, and watching the sun set over the water with three generations walking together felt like exactly why we’d taken this trip. It took a bit longer though as the kids played in the sand along the way.
What worked: Splitting the day between group activities and smaller outings let everyone get what they needed.
Marble Mountains tip: Wear good walking shoes—it’s slippery in places (especially in the drizzle we had).
Would skip: Don’t be fooled into thinking you need a tour – they will just bring you to workshops and souvenir stores with high-pressure sales. We used a Grab both ways and it was easy to navigate on our own.
Day 4: Hot Springs Waterpark Magic
This day was a unanimous home run across all ages. We’d read about Núi Thần Tài, a hot springs resort and waterpark about an hour drive from our villa, and decided to commit the entire day to it.
The facility is massive—multiple mineral bath pools at different temperatures, waterslides for the kids, lazy rivers, wave pools, and spa areas. We arrived mid-morning and didn’t leave until late afternoon.
What made it perfect for multi-generational travel was that everyone could do their own thing in one location. The teenagers went on the slides, the younger kids started with kiddie pools and gentler slides. Because it was offseason and a lot of the pools were cold, we all ended up in the in the warm mineral pools for most of the day.
We broke for lunch at the resort’s restaurant—Korean BBQ. The convenience of not having to leave was worth the slightly elevated prices, although the kids were anxious to get back to the pools so I might have opted for something quicker if we did it again.
We went back into the park for some more hot springs, and made sure to take a quick trip to the other side of the park for some of the more unique attrations: a Dino Park with animatronic dinsaurs of every shape and size, and Love Forest, a catwalk through the trees that made for some beautiful golden-hour views. There was even a zoo that we glimpsed but didn’t venture into at the end of a long day.
What worked: Single-location, all-day activities are gold for large groups with diverse ages. No coordination stress, everyone’s entertained, and you can genuinely relax.
Practical tip: Bring your own towels from the villa. You can rent them, but with 19 people and free laundry at the villa, we did fine with our own.
Cost: About $15-20 per person for all-day access, which felt like a steal for the quality and variety of facilities.
Day 5: Beach Bliss and Local Experiences
After a breakfast of bahn mi, Dani’s dad and I played with Arlo on the sand at My Khe Beach, one of Da Nang’s most famous stretches of sand. Unlike Man Thai, My Khe is more developed with beachfront restaurants, lounger rentals, and water sports. Remi and Dani had their nails done, and others found massages or shopping.
The weather was perfect—a bit of sun, not too hot. We didn’t swim this time: there were enough waves that most of the beach was closed for swimming besides a small section supervised by lifeguards.
In the afternoon, 8 of us booked a spa service at Maha Spa that was a highlight: a 21-step hair treatment at a local salon. A friend of Dani’s sister Jacinta’s recommended this Vietnamese specialty where they wash, treat, massage, and style your hair through an elaborate 21-step process. It took about 90 minutes and cost roughly $12.
That evening, we headed to Son Tra Night Market, one of Da Nang’s more local markets (less touristy than some others). The kids loved wandering through stalls selling everything from grilled seafood to cheap toys to knock-off sneakers. We ate street food for dinner—grilled corn, banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes), nem lui (grilled pork skewers), at little tables where vendors competed for our attention with big photo menus.
The plan for the evening was walking to the Dragon Bridge around 9pm for the weekend fire and water show. The massive dragon-shaped bridge literally breathes fire and sprays water while lit up in changing colors. With a bit of jet lag still lingering, Remi and Arlo both fell asleep at the markets so we didn’t make it, but the rest of the group at a great time and some even got soaked by the water spray.
What worked: Mixing a relaxed beach day with evening adventure kept things balanced.
Hair treatment: Look for salons advertising “21-step” or “spa tóc.” Many cater specifically to women but some welcome everyone. Ask your villa host for recommendations.
Dragon Bridge tip: Get there 15 minutes early to secure a good viewing spot. It gets crowded.
Day 6: Family Photo Shoot and Anniversary Celebrations
December 20th was the main reason for the trip, celebrating Dani’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, and we leaned into making it special. Jacinta arranged for a local photographer to do a family session on the beach in the afternoon.
The morning was deliberately unstructured. Some people hit the beach, others explored local cafes, a few went shopping for last-minute Christmas gifts for the kids. We reconvened at the villa around 3pm to get ready for photos with coordinating outfits.
The session was magical. Our photographer was engaging and experienced with big groups, and knew exactly when the light would be perfect. He captured formal portraits of everyone together, smaller family groupings, candid shots of kids playing, and photos of Dani’s parents with all the grandkids that made the whole trip feel like the anniversary celebration it was meant to be. The investment was absolutely worth it—these are images we’ll treasure forever and that Dani’s parents have already framed prominently in their home.
After photos, we returned to the villa for our in-house BBQ. We’d arranged for a catering service to bring everything—marinated meats, fresh seafood, vegetables, sauces, rice, and all the equipment. They provided a few chefs who grilled everything while we relaxed. This was far easier than trying to navigate a restaurant with 19 people, and the kids could play between courses.
What worked: The family photo shoot was the best money we spent. Having these images is priceless.
Photo tip: Book photographers in advance through Instagram (search #danangphotographer) or ask your villa host. Expect to pay $150-250 for a 1-2 hour session with edited digital photos.
In-house BBQ: This was so much easier than a restaurant for a large group. The caterer cost about $15 per person for way too much food.
Day 7: Rainy Day Backup Plan
We’d been incredibly lucky with weather during rainy season, but our luck ran out on the day we planned to see Ba Na Hills, one of Vietnam’s most famous tourist attractions with natural scenery and an amusement park. We woke to heavy rain and gray skies—our first truly rainy day. We’d planned to spend it at the theme park and taking a cable car to to top of the hills, but that was clearly off the table.
We pivoted to Mikazuki Water Park 365, an enormous indoor waterpark about 20 minutes from our villa. Indoor might be a slight misnomer—parts are covered, parts aren’t—but it’s designed to function in rain with massive roofed sections.
The facility was incredible. Multiple themed zones, wave pools, slides ranging from gentle to terrifying, a lazy river, even arcade games. Even with a fair amount of other guests, the pools and slides didn’t feel crowded at all.
We arrived for lunch at one of the on-site food court restaurants. By afternoon, the rain had actually stopped, but we were having too much fun to leave. We finally dragged everyone out around 5pm, returned to the villa for showers and downtime, and headed out to a wood-fired pizza dinner at Hermanos to celebrate the last night for some of the group!
What worked: Having rainy day options already researched meant we could decide quickly without debate.
Lesson learned: Don’t over-plan days. Our best experiences came when we were flexible and open to whatever happened.
Week 2: Hoi An – Culture, Charm & Christmas Magic
Day 8: Transfer to Hoi An and Night Market Exploration
We sadly said goodbye to half of the group, while half of us continued our adventure in Vietnam in Hoi An. Transfer day went smoothly thanks to the short distance. We packed up the Da Nang villa after breakfast, loaded into our pre-arranged van, and arrived at our Hoi An villa by late morning. The Hoi An property had a different vibe—more traditional Vietnamese architecture, a beautiful view of rice fields, and a location about 10 minutes outside the Old Town, which gave us proximity while maintaining quiet.
We spent the afternoon settling in, claiming rooms, and doing a grocery run for basics. The villa had a smaller living room area than our Da Nang place, but we found a place to set up the little felt Christmas tree I brough and unpack the gifts “under” it. It’s a fabric tree you can pack flat with detachable ornaments the kids can rearrange endlessly. This small touch made Hoi An immediately feel more like home and gave us a focal point for the last of our Christmas celebrations.
That evening, we made our first trip into Hoi An’s famous Old Town for the night markets. If you’ve never experienced Hoi An at night, it’s genuinely magical—hundreds of colorful lanterns illuminating narrow streets, the riverside glowing with floating candles, street food vendors grilling everything imaginable, and a general carnival atmosphere that kids and adults both love.
Dinner was at a riverside restaurant where we had our first cao lau, a Hoi An specialty noodle dish you can only get authentic versions of in this city due to the specific water used. We also tried morning glory, another Hoi An specialty of garlic-y sautéed greens.. The food in Hoi An is slightly different from Da Nang—more refined, more variety, more focused on the culinary traditions and vegetable gardens the city is famous for.
What worked: The short transfer meant we could move cities without losing a full day to travel.
Hoi An accommodation tip: Stay outside Old Town if you want quiet and a bit of space. It’s a quick taxi or scooter ride in, but you’ll appreciate the peace at night.
Night market note: Old Town is pedestrian-only from 6pm-late, making it safe and easy to navigate with kids.
Day 9: Bike Tour Through the Countryside
We had a great breakfast at Chillax Cafe near our villa – stunning views from the upstairs tables and decks that the kids loved to wander on. We booked a half-day bike tour through Heaven & Earth Bicycle Tours, and it exceeded every expectation.
Our guides picked us up after noon and fitted everyone with bikes—including a child seat for Arlo and bench seats for the 6-year-olds – just too young to ride solo with some tricky sections near traffic. We set off through Hoi An’s countryside mostly on quiet paths, past rice paddies, vegetable gardens, and villages that felt unchanged for generations.
Our first stop was an organic farm where we learned about Vietnamese farming practices and saw vegetables we’d been eating but didn’t know how they grew. The kids got to help harvest greens, and found a puppy to play with which they found thrilling.
Next was basket boats in the coconut palm forest. These round boats are traditional Vietnamese fishing vessels, and paddling them is significantly harder than it looks. Our guides spun us in circles until we were dizzy and laughing, then showed us how to actually control the boats. The kids screamed with delight, and even the teenagers who’d been too cool for some activities were fully engaged. The boat experience was packed with tourists, which was the only downside, but we managed a great time anyway.
We biked further to a small village where we stopped for dinner at a riverside family restaurant—fresh spring rolls, the crispy pancakes we learned to wrap in rice paper with herb and peanut sauce, grilled pork, rice, and vegetables. The family told us about life some of the recent flooding in Hoi An and how grateful they were that visitors were back.
After dinner, our guides had us leave the bikes and take a night boat ride back via Old Town’s canals, seeing the town lit up and others releasing floating lanterns on the water. It was a nice relaxing way to end the tour as the sky started to get dark.
What worked: The bike tour balanced activity, culture, education, and fun perfectly. Guides were patient with kids and made everything engaging.
Booking tip: Heaven & Earth can customize tours for large groups and different ability levels. Book at least a few days ahead.
Basket boats: Definitely do this. It’s unique to the region and absolutely joyful.
Cost: About $35-40 per person including lunch, bikes, and all activities.
Day 10: Coffee Workshop and Local Immersion
We started the day at Roving Chillhouse, a sprawling cafe near our villa that offers lounge chairs over the rice paddies, as well as workshops on Vietnamese coffee culture. We learned about different varieties grown in Vietnam, roasting techniques, traditional preparation methods, and the difference between Vietnamese coffee culture and Western café culture.
The best part was the hands-on element—we learned to make traditional phin coffee (the metal drip filter method), and created our own variations with condensed milk, coconut milk, and yes, more salted coffee. We left the kids home with Manma so got to savor every cup.
The workshop was only about two hours, which was perfect.
After lunch back at the villa, Dani, Remi and I decided to wander to the closest spa while Arlo was napping. After seeing the rest of us enjoying massages throughout the trip, she decided she would try a foot massage! The massages were fantastic and cost about $8 for an hour.
Later, we explored a local market that felt like more Vietnamese shoppers rather than tourists. We had another amazing (and cheap) dinner on plastic chairs while Remi practiced ordering and saying “thank you” in Vietnamese! It was one of those moments that feels so rewarding introducing kids to other places and cultures.
That evening, the kids left cookies and milk out for Santa and carrot flowers from the take-out meals for the reindeer!
What worked: Smaller group activities let people pursue specific interests without forcing everyone to participate in everything.
Coffee workshop: Roving Chillhouse was excellent. Book online in advance. About $8 per person.
Day 11: Christmas in Vietnam
The kids woke up to find Santa had indeed found them in Vietnam!
The morning was pure chaos—wrapping paper everywhere, kids showing off toys, everyone in pajamas, Vietnamese coffee brewing in the kitchen. It was Christmas morning transplanted to a villa in Southeast Asia, and it was perfect.
For lunch, we’d arranged for a catering company to bring a traditional Vietnamese feast—grilled pork belly, spring rolls, banh xeo, morning glory, rice paper rolls we assembled ourselves, noodles, and tropical fruit. It was a feast that honored where we were rather than trying to replicate a Western Christmas dinner.
Late afternoon, we hired a boat for a sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River. The boat company provided canapés and drinks while we floated past Hoi An’s Old Town, watching the city light up as dusk fell. The kids ran around the boat deck, the adults toasted Dani’s parents and their 50 years together, and we took about a million photos that all somehow turned out beautifully in the golden light.
Dinner was at a simple street-side café, nothing fancy, but the meal felt special because of the day. The Vietnamese waitstaff seemed charmed by our large, loud, clearly celebrating family and brought the kids free desserts.
Boat cruise tip: Private boats for groups are surprisingly affordable ($100-150 for the whole boat for 2-3 hours). Much better than per-person tourist cruises.
Catering: Vietnamese catering is exceptional. Ask your villa host for recommendations rather than booking generic services online.
Day 12: Explore and Discover Day
We deliberately left this day unscheduled—our “choose your own adventure” day where different groups could pursue different interests without coordinating.
Some families went back to the beach. Others wandered Old Town’s Ancient House museums and Assembly Halls.
We rented scooters and loaded up all four of us on one for a ride! The kids loved it, and we felt like locals. Our family hopped on the moterbike all together and spent the morning café-hopping. Hoi An has an incredible café culture—everything from sleek modern spaces to traditional Vietnamese coffee houses to French-inspired patisseries. Our favorite discovery was a bahn mi stall that is always busy and had lots of smiles for the kids everytime we stopped.
That evening, we all reconvened for dinner at a restaurant in Old Town and swapped stories about our day. This pattern of splitting up and coming back together created a nice rhythm—we got autonomy and also shared experiences.
What worked: Unstructured days prevent burnout and let everyone recharge in their own way.
Solo travel tip: Even on family trips, taking a few hours alone can be restorative. We normalized this so no one felt guilty.
Café recommendation: The Espresso Station, Faifo Coffee, and Reaching Out Tea House were all excellent for different reasons.
Day 13: Food Tour and Custom Tailoring
We started with another food tour, this time focused specifically on Hoi An specialties. We arranged for the same guide from Da Nang to take us to his favorite spots – another excellence bahn xeo, a busy stall that only does com ga (chicken rice), a third is famous for serving bahn mi to Anthony Bourdain.
The tour also included a taste of Mót Herbal Tea (Nước Mót), a refreshing, aromatic concoction of herbs like lemongrass, lime, chrysanthemum, cinnamon, and lotus leaves, as well as a dessert place (of course) for local treats like coconut ice cream and tofu sweet soup. We explored The Japanese Covered Bridge, the various Assembly Halls representing different Chinese communities, and the preserved merchant houses which give genuine insight into Hoi An’s trading history.
We also stopped at a tailoring shop that belong to the cousin of our guide (on our request). Dani got measured and choose fabric for several outfits.
The real joy was getting a tiny red suit made for Remi. The tailor thought it was so cute and put extra care into making it special for her to pick out every element. The turnaround from measurement to finished product was less than 48 hours, the craftsmanship was exceptional, and the price was a fraction of what equivalent Western tailoring would cost.
What worked: Tailoring is quintessentially Hoi An. Even if you don’t need custom clothes, it’s fun to do something unique to the place.
Tailoring tips: Shop around, check reviews, look at samples. Ours was called Tuong Tailor. Allow 2-3 days for fittings and alterations.
Cost: Dresses $20-$50, suits $100-$200, shirts $20-$40, all fully custom and high quality.
Day 14: Beach Day with Expat Friends
We headed out for beach day at An Bang Beach, meeting up with friends of one of our family members who’d moved to Vietnam a few months ago. Having expat friends gave us a different perspective—they told us all about their neighborhood and things they’d been learning since arrival.
An Bang is quieter and more laid-back than some of Hoi An’s other beaches. We rented loungers at a beach club and ordered cold beers. The expat friends brought their kids, around the same ages, and they were happy playing in the sand for hours.
Lunch was at Dolphin Kitchen & Bar, a beach club with excellent food, comfortable seating, and a mellow vibe. There was a little playground kids area and a pool table, where the kids played while the adults were chatting.
That evening, we had a quiet dinner at the villa—leftover beach club food, snacks, and everyone sort of doing their own thing. After two weeks of constant activity, a low-key evening felt necessary.
What worked: Connecting with people who live somewhere gives depth you can’t get as tourists.
An Bang tip: Less crowded than Cua Dai, more laid-back vibe. Several good beach clubs (Soul Kitchen, Salt Pub, The Deck).
Expat perspective: If you know anyone living abroad or have connections to make through friends, take advantage. Local knowledge is invaluable.
Day 15: Family Cooking Class
Our final full day we wanted to do something that Dani and I had fond memories of on our previous Hoi An visits, so we booked a family cooking class through Green Bamboo Cooking School just outside Hoi An.
The experience started with a market tour where our instructor explained ingredients, let us taste things, and showed us how to select good produce. The kids were fascinated by the live seafood, exotic vegetables, and fruits they’d never seen.
Back at the cooking school, we had individual cooking stations and learned to make several dishes: fresh spring rolls, fish sauce, banh xeo (crispy pancakes), grilled eggplant, pho, and a papaya salad. The instructors were incredibly patient with the kids, guiding little hands through wrapping spring rolls and flipping pancakes.
What made it special was cooking together—grandparents, parents, kids all working side by side, laughing at mistakes, celebrating successes. We ate everything we made for lunch, and it was genuinely delicious. The school gave us recipe cards to bring home, and we’ve actually recreated some dishes since returning.
The afternoon was dedicated to picking up final tailoring orders and last-minute souvenir shopping. We wandered Old Town one more time, bought souvenirs and coffee for relatives back home, and stopped at our favorite cafés for final Vietnamese coffees.
That evening’s dinner felt bittersweet—our last meal together in Vietnam. We went back to Roving Chillhouse and ordered our favorites (and let the kids get pizza and fries). We talked about favorite moments, shared photos, made plans to do this again (maybe a different country next time).
What worked: The cooking class was the perfect culminating activity—hands-on, educational, delicious, and appropriate for all ages.
Cooking class recommendations: Green Bamboo, Tra Que Cooking Class, Morning Glory are all excellent. Book in advance. About $30-35 per person including market tour, cooking, and lunch.
Recipe tip: We actually use the recipes at home. Vietnamese cooking is more approachable than you might think.
Day 16: Goodbye Vietnam (January 3)
Our final morning was a flurry of packing, cleaning out refrigerators, making sure nothing got left behind, and taking last photos of the villa and the view. We had a late checkout we’d arranged in advance, so we weren’t rushed.
Unfortunately Dani’s mom had gotten an ear infection that was getting worse, so she went the hospital to get it treated. She ended up staying for 4 nights and extended their trip to avoid having to fly before it was healed. The silver lining is that travel insurance covered everything, and the hotel we booked for their last few night were amazing! We were jealous of their extra salted coffee mornings.
Sometimes, the worse-case travel scenario is not as bad as you imagine.
Our transfers to the airport were staggered—some families were flying out that morning, we flew late at night, a few staying (Dani’s parents as her mom was recovering). We said our goodbyes in waves, which was actually easier than one big emotional moment.
As our taxi pulled away from the villa toward the airport, I felt that particular bittersweetness that comes at the end of really good trips—exhausted but happy, ready to go home but sad it’s over, already looking forward to the next adventure.
Practical tip: Arrange airport transfers in advance through your villa host, or Grab is just as easy (you can select a larger car to ensure the luggage fits).
Final checkout: Late checkout (1-2pm instead of 10am) is often available for small additional fee and worth it to avoid rush.
What We’d Do Differently
Every trip has things you’d change in retrospect. Here’s what we learned:
Schedule more date-night experiences. With 10 adults, we could have taken more advantages of grandparents/auntie/uncle/niece/nephew babysitting duties for one or two evenings and given parents of the little kids actual date nights. We split up for activities, but never formally planned this.
Pre-book a few more experiences. We hadn’t planned anything for Christmas and found a few family-friendly party ideas that were fully booked by the time we called. It worked out great with our catered lunch and boat cruise, but we could have had more options further ahead of time.
Better rain gear. We got lucky with weather, but that one rainy day showed us we were under-prepared. Lightweight rain jackets for everyone would have been smart. (I bought some knockoff North Face ones for Remi and I at the markets that were great!)
Practical Tips for Planning Your Vietnam Family Trip
Best Time to Visit
We went in late December (end of rainy season) and despite concerns, had excellent weather. Benefits of rainy season: fewer tourists, lower prices, still warm enough for swimming. Risk: potential rain (obviously). Dry season (February-August) guarantees better weather but brings crowds and heat.
For families, avoid Tet (Vietnamese New Year, late January/early February) when everything shuts down and prices spike.
How Much Time Do You Need?
Two weeks was perfect for two cities at a relaxed pace. Could you do it in 10 days? Probably, but it would feel rushed. Three weeks would allow adding another destination (Hanoi, Sapa, Phu Quoc).
Budgeting
Vietnam is incredibly affordable. Our per-person costs for two weeks (not including flights):
- Accommodations: $40-50/night per person (splitting villas)
- Food: $15-25/day per person (mix of street food, mid-range restaurants, some splurges)
- Activities: $10-20/day per person (many things are cheap or free)
- Transportation: Minimal (short taxis, pre-arranged transfers)
Total: Approximately $1,000-1,500 per person for two weeks including everything except flights.
Packing Essentials
- Lightweight, breathable clothes (it’s hot and humid)
- Reef-safe sunscreen (important for environmental protection)
- Mosquito repellent
- Basic first aid supplies (pharmacies are everywhere but familiar brands help)
- Portable power banks (long days out)
- Swimsuits (lots of them—they don’t dry quickly)
- For kids: favorite snacks from home as emergency comfort food, and this screen-free camera from Santa was a hit!
Health and Safety
Vietnam is very safe for families. We never felt unsafe, even in crowded markets late at night. Standard precautions:
- Drink bottled water
- Be cautious with street food (choose busy stalls with high turnover)
- Use mosquito repellent (dengue exists but risk is low)
- Bring motion sickness meds if doing boat trips
- Have travel insurance
Getting Around
Taxis are cheap and ubiquitous. Download Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber) for easy booking. For longer trips or group transport, arrange cars through your villa host.
Walking works well in Old Town Hoi An. Da Nang is more spread out and requires transportation.
Renting scooters is popular but not recommended if you’re not experienced (Dani and I are both licensed and experienced driving them in Asia).
Language
English is widely spoken in tourist areas, less so in local spots. Download Google Translate and offline Vietnamese. Basic phrases help:
- Xin chào (hello)
- Cảm ơn (thank you)
- Bao nhiêu tiền? (how much?)
- Ngon (delicious)
Vietnamese people are incredibly patient and helpful with language barriers.
Money
Vietnamese Dong is the currency. ATMs everywhere, credit cards accepted at nicer places. Carry cash for street food, markets, small shops.
Rough conversion: 25,000 VND = $1 USD.
Tipping isn’t expected but appreciated. Round up for good service.
Why This Itinerary Worked for Multi-Generational Travel
Looking back at two weeks with 19 people, several factors made this trip successful rather than stressful:
Two locations gave stability. We didn’t exhaust ourselves moving constantly, and everyone could establish routines and favorites.
Mix of structure and flexibility. Having a plan meant we never wasted time debating what to do, but not being rigid about it prevented burnout.
Private villas were essential. The space, privacy, kitchen, and communal areas made group dynamics manageable.
Vietnam’s affordability removed financial stress. We could say yes to experiences without constantly worrying about cost.
Activities for all ages. From hot springs for grandparents to waterparks for kids to cooking classes for everyone, we found multi-generational appeal.
Food as common ground. Even when people split up for activities, we gathered for meals and shared food experiences.
Built-in childcare. With 10 adults, parents got breaks and grandparents got quality time with grandkids.
Cultural richness without difficulty. Vietnam offers deep cultural experiences but is accessible and easy to navigate, unlike some destinations that require extensive planning or difficult travel.
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend Vietnam for a family trip? Absolutely. Would I recommend attempting multi-generational travel with 19 people? With the right planning tools, realistic expectations, and flexible mindset—yes.
This trip gave Dani’s parents an anniversary celebration they’ll remember forever. It gave cousins memories and bonds they’ll carry into adulthood. It gave our family shared experiences and inside jokes we’ll reference for years. And it showed us that big, complicated trips are absolutely doable when you approach them thoughtfully.
Vietnam exceeded our expectations in every way. The food, the culture, the people, the affordability, the beauty—it all came together to create something really special.
If you’re considering Vietnam for your family, whether it’s just your immediate crew or a massive multi-generational gathering, I hope this itinerary gives you the confidence and framework to make it happen.
Ready to Plan Your Vietnam Adventure?
Use my Google Sheets Family Travel Planner to organize your own trip with daily itineraries, budget tracking, restaurant lists, and packing guides.
Or try my AI Itinerary Builder to generate a customized Vietnam plan based on your family’s specific ages, interests, travel dates, and budget in just minutes.
Questions about planning your Vietnam trip? Drop them in the comments—I’m happy to share more details about anything I covered (or didn’t cover) here!
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Helpful Resources & Booking Links
Here are some resources to help you plan your Vietnam family adventure: This post contains links to planning tools I’ve created. I only recommend resources I actually use and believe make travel planning easier for families. The small commission I get from the links below help support the work I do to create these resources!
