Planning a Vietnam family holiday with teens? After spending 17 unforgettable days exploring the top and middle of the country with teenagers, we can honestly say that this is an incredible destination for families.
From jungle hikes to food adventures and relaxing beaches, a trip to Vietnam with teens offers the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and fun. We travelled as a family of four (with two 17-year-old teenagers in tow) and we all loved it. It was certainly a very different trip from my solo backpacking days, but still a great adventure.
Here are our top 10 cool and fun things to do in Vietnam that your teens will love, from kayaking in Halong Bay to cycling through rice paddies and exploring Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets.
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Halong Bay Cruise
At the top of our list of things to do in Northern Vietnam with teens is a cruise around Halong Bay (or Lan Ha Bay, its quieter neighbour). We took a 2-night, 3-day cruise, which was packed with outdoor adventure activities, including kayaking, swimming, cycling on Cat Ba Island, and even jumping off the boat. This was ideal for kids, as they were so busy.
In the evenings the teens enjoyed making their own spring rolls, relaxing on deck at the sunset party, and trying their hand at squid fishing. They even caught a couple!
For active teens, this is an unforgettable experience and definitely worth adding to your itinerary. Admittedly, it was one of the most expensive stays on our itinerary, but if you’re on a budget, you could book a 1 night Halong Bay cruise instead.
Read our review, to find out more about what to expect on a cruise.
Exploring the Old Quarter in Hanoi
The Old Quarter in Hanoi is buzzing with life and perfect for exploring on foot. It’s easy to spend hours just wandering through the streets, soaking up the atmosphere stopping at local cafés.
We visited a few of the top attractions, including the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), Hoan Kiem Lake and had a fun cultural evening at the Water Puppet Theatre.
Train Street in Hanoi
No visit to Hanoi is complete without seeing Train Street, one of the most fun and unique things to do in Vietnam. Grab a drink at one of the cafés that sit beside the tracks, then just wait for the train to rush by. It literally just skims by your nose!
Check train times before you go as they are not that frequent, but you’ll know it’s coming when the café owners hastily move the chairs off the tracks.
It’s an Instagram-worthy attraction that teens will love!
Hiking in Sapa
For a more adventurous side to your Vietnam family holiday, head north to Sapa. Nestled in the mountains, it’s a paradise for nature lovers and hikers. It’s a 6-hour drive from Hanoi, but you can do this easily with an overnight bus or private transfer.
We started our self-guided hike at Cat Cat village and followed the trail through the stunning Muong Hoa Valley, passing waterfalls, terraced rice fields, and small villages. It was a challenging trek at times, but the views were absolutely worth it, layers of green terraces and the occasional water buffalo wandering past!
If you’d rather not walk on your own, you can easily book a guided trek with a local guide. You could even stay the night in one of their homes. The kids loved it, so it really is worth adding this kind of adventure to your Vietnam itinerary.
Cycling in Ninh Binh
Just two hours from Hanoi, Ninh Binh (often called “Halong Bay on land”) is another must-visit for families in Vietnam. It has a dramatic landscape with limestone cliffs, rice paddies, and caves, which is best explored by bike or boat.
Most of the homestays will rent or lend you a bike. For any teens who love the outdoors, this is a real highlight, cycling through rice paddies without a care in the world was just so exhilarating. If you’re not up to cycling, you could try a tour on an electric bike!
Bay Mau Coconut Forest, Hoi An
You’re bound to be familiar with Hoi An, one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam. Its lantern-lit Old Town, riverside charm, mixed with its proximity to the beach make one of the best places to visit in Vietnam for families.
But have you heard of Coconut Village? Just 4km outside Hoi An, you can take a ride in a traditional Vietnamese basket boat. The trip starts peacefully as a local rower takes you through the coconut groves, before the mood changes to more of a party vibe with spinning boats, karaoke, and fishing demos.
Yes, it’s super touristy, but the teens absolutely loved it, and its certainly one of the most fun things to do in Hoi An with teenagers.
Trying Vietnamese Food
One of the best ways to immerse itself in Vietnam’s food culture is by simply eating your way through it. Out boys are adventurous eaters and were happy to try anything new – one even tried goat! Favourites dishes included pho (noodle soup), banh mi, bun cha, and banh xeo, but we tried loads more.
A good way to really taste the best of Vietnam is with a street food tour, so you can sample authentic local dishes with an expert guide.
Take the cable car to Fansipan
A highlight for our teens was taking the Fansipan cable car in Sapa. Stretching 6.3 km, it’s one of the longest cable cars in the world and offers stunning views over the rice terraces below.
Known as the “Roof of Vietnam,” Fansipan is 3,143 metres above sea level, making it the highest peak in Indochina. It takes about 20 minutes by cable car, before a short transfer into a funicular train.
At the summit, there are temples and pagodas to visit, but kids will love holding a flag for a photo at the trig point. On a bright day, you’ll get amazing views across the cloud-covered peaks below.
Monkeys at Da Nang
Although our teens are not the biggest fans of historic sites, they enjoyed visiting the Linh Ung Pagoda in Da Nang, home to the tallest Buddha statue in Vietnam. The real attraction? Watching the macaque monkeys jumping and playing in the fountains!
Chilling on An Bang Beach
If you’re travelling with kids, it’s always a good idea to include some beach time in your itinerary. After all, after days of exploring, there’s nothing better than relaxing by the sea.
An Bang Beach in Hoi An was our favourite — long stretches of golden sand, calm waves, and a friendly beach bar.
Other great beaches you could try include My Khe Beach in Da Nang or Phu Quoc Island, known for its clear waters and tropical island vibe.
Practical tips for families visiting Vietnam
Travelling through Vietnam with teenagers is easier than you might think. The country is safe, affordable and very welcoming to families. Here are some handy Vietnam family travel tips:
- Book accommodation with a pool
- Include lots of adventure activities (get the kids to help plan the itinerary)
- Give the kids a separate room (rather than a family suite)
- Take plenty of cash – many places don’t accept credit cards
- Buy a local eSIM for everyone
- Mix adventure with relaxation
- Use private transfers for comfort
- Don’t assume everyone speaks English. It’s worth learning some key words
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