Family-Friendly Vietnam Itinerary

Boat on the Yen River, harvesting waterlilies in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

What to expect on this itinerary

Step into a world of water that is presented by Vietnam’s enchanting highlights on this luxurious, 7-day family adventure. Southern Vietnam boasts a collection of geographical phenomena and culture-drenched landmarks across its beautifully diverse landscape. Many of these highlights are aquatic by nature, such as chestnut rivers that cascade over archaic rock formations, curved bays that are bordered by jade, and century-old temples that honor spiritual gods of water. From the open seas to gentle streams, you will escape the busy crowds in Southern Vietnam.

Countries Visited

Vietnam

Places Visited

Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Ben Tre, Phan Thiet, Vinh Hy Bay, Cam Ranh

Suggested Duration

7 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Ho Chi Minh City – The Water Goddess

Once you land and clear customs, you will meet your private transfer and cruise across the cityscape toward your luxurious accommodation. In the lobby, a guide will be waiting to lead you on an educational exploration of the city’s highlights. During your tour, you will weave through the cityscape and venture to Thien Hau Temple. The elaborate, spiritual complex is the sacred heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown. Your tour may continue to a selection of must-visit locations, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and War Remnants Museum, but where you venture will be entirely up to you and your family.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Day 2

Ho Chi Minh City – Uncover Spectacles and Culture

Day 3

Phan Thiet – Sand-Boarding and Dramatic Slopes

Day 4

Phan Thiet – Trek through Time

Day 5

Vinh Hy Bay – Sensational Sights and Flavors

Day 6

Vinh Hy Bay – Wallow in Water Sports

Day 7

Cam Ranh – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Indulge in a tour of the fabled Thien Hau Temple of Ho Chi Minh City to uncover Vietnam’s fascinating blend of spiritual influences
  • Voyage across the iconic Mekong Delta on a guided speed boat tour to Ben Tre, which is a charming riverside village that is teeming with cultural intrigue
  • Witness a celebrated Water Puppet Show that will share insight into Vietnam’s traditional performing arts while dazzling in its vivid display
  • Hurtle across the sienna sands of Phan Thiet’s Red Sand Dunes on an enthralling sand-boarding expedition
  • Trek through the soothing waters of Fairy Stream to encounter its unique rock formations and coconut palm landscape
  • Soar to the summit of Ta Cu Mountain on a cable-car to reveal the unbridled panoramic spectacles that make up the greater Phan Thiet landscape
  • Wallow in the aquatic allure of the venerated Vinh Hy Bay and enjoy an abundance of water sports for a new perspective of the bay

Detailed Description

Decadent in its contemporary design and elegantly adorned in traditional Vietnamese furnishings, your grand suite in Ho Chi Minh City will embody luxury and charm in addition to providing you with spectacular views of the cityscape. You will call this home for a few nights, and every detail will breathe opulence. From the repose of your room, you will be submerged in the unique atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City on a guided tour to iconic landmarks. Your first destination will be Thien Hau Temple, and along your way, you will pass by markets brimming with enthusiastic visitors and fragrant street food.

Thien Hau Temple is an elaborately crafted spiritual pagoda that honors the ancient Chinese water goddess, Mazu. The curved roof is colorfully decorated, and intricately carved statues decorate the altar, while burning incense blankets the walkways. A peaceful ambiance will radiate from the temple, and you will delight in the tranquility as you learn more about Vietnam’s ancient customs. You will continue your educational expedition to more significant destinations, which will be selected specifically for their prominent value to the Vietnamese people.

The following day, you will be led out of the city along the Mekong Delta in a private speed boat. You will cruise down narrow canals that are fringed by mighty mangroves and onto the weaving tributaries, where you will explore traditional riverside life. In the modest town of Ben Tre, locals will welcome you with friendly smiles to their charming homes that are located within an intriguing landscape. Beyond witnessing timeless, cultural crafts, you will marvel at the stunning destination while being wowed by the Mekong’s unspoiled majesty.

Your voyage will continue along the coastline toward the humble fishing village of Phan Thiet. Time moves slowly in this endearing town because, in this city, warm-natured locals embrace the few foreigners who travel here. The Red Sand Dunes of Phan Thiet will be a spectacle to behold, and your family will delight in thrilling activities on the rolling slopes. From sand-boarding down the staggering peaks to dune-buggying over the velvety sand, a day on the dunes will provide you with breathtaking adventures and photos. When you wake up the following morning, you will yearn to discover more, and your knowledgeable tour guide will ensure that you do. You will then arrive at the gentle Fairy Stream, which is a chocolate-colored river that showcases stark topographic contrasts on both sides of its gentle stream. Both dune cliffs and luscious greenery embellish the surrounding terrain, creating a unique environmental display that you will adore and appreciate. A short cable-car ride up Ta Cu Mountain will then reveal the sprawling vistas of the greater Phan Thiet from a summit well above the rest.

Your final overnight destination will be Vinh Hy Bay, which is an idyllic crescent headland that is nestled off the beaten path on Vietnam’s coastline. You will venture down to the sea to experience all that it has to offer. There is a wealth of opportunity to experience in this aquatic destination, such as snorkeling, viewing vivid marine life, kayaking alongside forested rock formations, soaring across the water’s surface on a catamaran, and windsurfing. You will continue to Cam Ranh on your final morning, where you will delve into the delightful flavors of Vietnam’s famed cuisine before being whisked away to Ho Chi Minh City for your flight home.

Starting Price

$1,700 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

4.8

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 667 reviews

Jeffrey W.
Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore Travel Review: Lan Ha Bay, Angkor Thom, Chiang Mai, Cruise, Mountain Biking, Elephant Sanctuary, 15 Nights

We had an amazing, nearly three-week trip throughout Southeast Asia. Zicasso's tour operators did an incredible job planning all of the details of the trip. In general, I am not easily impressed and I tend to be pretty upfront with my criticism. In this case, I was truly impressed. I really don't have any criticism about the whole experience.

This was a very complicated trip, with eight cities/locations and six internal flights. We had great communication in the months and weeks leading up to the trip. They were receptive to all of our requests and they gave very good advice when we had questions.

All of the guides were great. The hotels were amazing and all of the details of the activities, transfers, and internal flights were well thought out and well coordinated. I was so impressed by their attention to detail. They were also willing to be flexible and able to make changes, even during the trip. I was able to reach them throughout the trip by WhatsApp and they responded quickly every time. I would recommend them wholeheartedly.

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Marcia H.
Vietnam, Cambodia Tour Review: Ha Long Bay, Angkor Wat, Village, Cruise, Bike Ride, Kayaking, Buddhist Blessing, Water Puppet Show, 2 Weeks

We traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia from May 8 to 22, 2025. This was my fifth trip through Zicasso. As expected, the itinerary was excellent and exactly what we were looking for. I did double my budget from what I initially sent to Zicasso.

All of the lodging selections were outstanding. Along with the tours of the Ho Chi Minh complex, Hue Imperial City, the Angkor Wat complex, and numerous other temples and pagodas, we experienced a cable car ride to a mountain summit, a walk through an ethnic village, a water puppet show, a Cambodian circus, a Vietnamese cooking class, an evening lantern boat ride in Hoi An, and dinner in one of the top 50 restaurants in Asia. The water puppets are an ancient Vietnamese art (11th century) and the show was extraordinary.  

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Marlene H.
Vietnam, Cambodia Trip Review: Food Tour, Art, History, Culture, 21-Day Tour

Zicasso's travel specialist arranged a wonderful trip and was extremely responsive to our interest in all art forms, culture, cuisine, and the American war in Vietnam. She was very receptive to revisions, even during the trip.

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David H.
Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore Tour Review: Khmer Cooking Class, History, Geography, Culture, Rural Areas, Private Guides, Boutique Hotels, 3 Weeks

Zicasso’s travel agency worked patiently with us over several months to organize a perfect four-country tour through Indochina, doing exactly what we asked, including a Khmer cooking class with a local chef.  

We were met on arrival in each county by an experienced English-speaking guide who was well-versed in the history, geography, and culture of each location, and they were just delightful people too. They took us to rural villages and through urban mazes to get a close look at the daily life of the citizens. We chatted with farmers in the field and had meals in local homes. Our agency booked amazing hotels for each stop, from an eco-lodge in the mountains of Vietnam to a spectacular seaside resort in Thailand. 

We had contact names and numbers for agency representatives in each country. They were incredibly responsive, even after hours, when we had a small medical issue. They gave us a completely seamless experience from arrival to departure, with no wasted time. Vacation time is very precious, so we prefer to work with professionals who know the area intimately and take the time to understand our objectives rather than pushing a canned itinerary.

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Karem B.
Thailand, Vietnam Vacation Review: History, Culture, Private Transfers / Guides, Khao Sok National Park, Boat Trip, Local Cuisine, 17 Nights

We used Zicasso for the third time and, once again, were not disappointed. We went to Thailand and Vietnam. Our agent helped design our trip and was absolutely wonderful. From hotel to excursion options, he helped us to tailor the trip to exactly what we wanted. He was always available and kept checking on us throughout our trip.

As far as the actual trip, everything was amazing. Our tour guides were such wonderful people who were not only immensely kind, but also so knowledgeable, filling us in on so much of the history of Thailand. We were met at every destination with private transfers that made the trip so effortless. For any minor hiccups (of which there were next to none), all we had to do was contact our agent and his team took care of it immediately. With their assistance, we were able to focus on enjoying our vacation without any stress at all. 

In Vietnam, we were met by a guide in Hanoi, yet another wonderful tour guide who made sure our every need was met and who also provided us a local’s perspective on Vietnam’s history and culture. In Hoi An, our guide was very nice and provided amazing recommendations for places to eat. Our expeditions were all wonderful experiences and our only regret was not being able to stay longer. 

Zicasso has only given us wonderful experiences on the trips we have planned using their services. We are clearly repeat customers and will continue to be so. We can’t wait for our next trip with Zicasso!

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suma M.
Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia Vacation Review: Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Boat Rides, Mount Batur, Hiking, Jagasari, Rice Terraces, Dance Performance, 12 Nights

Overall, Zicasso’s travel agent was excellent. The agent was very receptive to our requests, planned our trip very well based on our input, and every arrangement was seamless, without any hiccups.

Singapore is quite humid and can get hot, more than Texas. With walking everywhere, it can be uncomfortable, so perhaps plan to visit in the cooler months, based on local agents’ feedback.

Vietnam was a surprise in all dimensions. It had very good infrastructure. The travel agents took fantastic care of us and the trips to Ninh Bình, which included a bamboo boat tour, and Hạ Long Bay, with a private boat tour, were noteworthy and must-dos.

Bali was a magical and mystical land, with extremely polite and hospitable people and an extraordinary guide who was calm and facilitated our tour so well. The early-morning Mount Batur hike, though moderately strenuous, was worth it, as the sunrise was spectacular, and the trip to the Jagasari area was peaceful and so insightful. I highly recommend staying longer than the four days we stayed and perhaps changing the location to the coast and north side, as traveling within the island from one spot to another takes a long time. The highlight was the kechak dance performance. It gave us goosebumps.

The arrangements were wonderful, with great accommodations and transportation.

Thanks to our travel agent.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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