Vietnam may be more popular among young travelers and backpackers, but this diverse nation has something for everyone, including traveling families. It may not be as easy to plan a trip with children involved but is very possible. We hope that after you read this, you will be motivated to plan a family holiday in Vietnam.
One thing you can’t go wrong with is going the beach. With over 2,100 miles of coastline, your family can enjoy fun beach activities from swimming to paddling, to building sand castles together. Whatever floats your boat! Here are our family-friendly beach recommendations in Vietnam:
#1 Nha Trang Beach
Nha Trang beach is in the city of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province. This is less than an hour away via plane from Ho Chi Minh City or seven hours by train. It boasts of 6 kilometers of golden sand and turquoise water.
Nha Trang Beach
Since it is quite a popular tourist destination, it has services and accommodations that are convenient for visitors. This makes it easier for families to plan their trips. It won’t be difficult to find restrooms with changing tables, restaurants with kid-friendly menus, and other conveniences adults look for their children.
Aside from frolicking on the beach, your family can pay a visit to the Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam. Your kids, especially little boys, will enjoy seeing fossils of fascinating sea creatures and huge fish tanks of all sorts of marine life.
Nha Trang also takes pride in their quality seafood. You and your family can enjoy some of the best seafood you will probably get to try. Be sure to try some shrimp in coconut from Nha Trang Seafood Restaurant.
If you want to laze on the beach, go snorkeling or diving, then you avoid the rainy season. This is from October to December.
#2 Mui Ne
Mui Ne is another long stretch of white sand beach in Southern Vietnam. Before all the developments, Mui Ne was just an isolated stretch of beach where earlier travelers camped. Now, it is full of beach resorts and amenities.
Mui Ne Beach
Families who enjoy active sports will surely love this beach. It’s a kite-surfing paradise, stand up paddling, sailing, kayaking, and Jet Ski. Families with young children can still enjoy this beach. The beach is wide and long, so smaller kids will love playing in the long stretch of shallow waters too. You can also pitch tents, make sand castles, fly kites, and more.
You and your family can also go sightseeing and see the beautiful Pagodas nearby and sand dunes. There’s also a traditional market nearby where you can experience some of Vietnam’s rich culture.
You can visit Mui Ne anytime of the year. The rainy season is from June to September, but even during these months, the rain is relatively light.
#3 Con Dao
Con Dao is a group of islands in the Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. It offers one of the best beaches near Ho Chi Minh City. Unlike the other beaches on this list, Con Dao is not quite as “touristy” or commercialized. It’s more preserved and serene, perfect for intimate family gatherings.
Con Dao Beach
Con Dao is one of the best places to go biking because there are little traffic and pollution. You can also enjoy wildlife spotting. The kids will love to see the green turtles! You can explore the nearby islands via boats. But, if you want a bargain, find local fishers to take you around (but be sure to haggle). They’re much cheaper than boating packages.
One thing you should try in Con Dao beach is their red lobsters or fire lobsters. They may not be as big as other kinds of lobsters, but the meat is sweet and firm. It’s quite expensive, but I think it’s worth the try.
If you are thinking of traveling to Con Dao beach, consider the best time to visit. The dry season is from November to February, but the seas are calmest between March and July. Though November is dry, it can be very windy. You should also keep in mind that the hottest months are September and October.
#4 Vung Tau
This is probably the nearest beach to Ho Chi Minh City. That said, it’s quite popular and can get crowded, both with locals and expats. A great time to visit this beach is during the weekday because there will be fewer visitors than on the weekend. The sunny season is from May until around October.
Vung Tau Beach – Source https://flic.kr/p/q3YdFw
Being the closest to Ho Chi Minh, you’re sure to enjoy more than just the beach. You can choose from a lot of outdoor, as well as indoor, activities. You need to be more cautious with your children, though; it can get quite bustling.
#5 Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is an island painted with different hues of blue water with a lush green background. Find shade under your palm tree, take a dip into the crystal turquoise water, and have some fresh seafood right on the beach. Phu Quoc is truly one of Vietnam’s best.
Phu Quoc Beach
To enjoy your trip, avoid the rainy season during May to October. The sea can get pretty rough and unsafe for your family. Peak seasons are in December, and January offers clear skies and calm seas. If you don’t want to be sweating so much while getting sunburnt, avoid visits during hot April and May
Conclusion
Vietnam is a great travel destination for young adults, children, and families. We know traveling with kids isn’t so easy so we would understand why Vietnam isn’t at the top of your list. However, you can’t go wrong with the beach, which is what Vietnam is full of.
I’m Katherine – Curious, passionate; little dippy perfectionists are some adjectives that could define my passion.
I decided to get into a culinary blog to meet, share ideas, and my good plans for not only making food but also for traveling. All of my dishes are cooked with 100% passion and love for food and cooking with famous recipes and also my creative ones.
Website: http://minimalistmeal.com/
Twitter: TuggleKatherine
