Self-Launched Vietnam Family Adventure: Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and take a Grab taxi (Vietnam's Uber equivalent) to your guesthouse in District 1 — far cheaper than airport transfer services (~£4-6). Get oriented in the backpacker hub of Bui Vien Street. Head out for a welcome dinner of pho or banh mi at a local street restaurant. If you arrive a day early, consider booking the Cu Chi Tunnels independently via GetYourGuide (~£12-15pp) — a fascinating half-day trip.

🚌Grab taxi from airport to District 1 (~£4-6)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in District 1, e.g. The Common Room Project or similar (~£15-20pp/night)

• →Arrive and take Grab taxi from airport (~£5)
• →Check in to guesthouse in District 1
• →Explore Bui Vien Street and surroundings
• →Welcome dinner at local Vietnamese restaurant
• →Optional: Cu Chi Tunnels self-booked day trip via GetYourGuide (~£13pp)

Book a full-day Mekong Delta tour independently via Klook or GetYourGuide (from ~£18-25pp). Most tours depart from District 1 and include a private boat cruise through the waterways, visits to coconut candy workshops, sampan paddling, a tuk-tuk village ride and lunch with a local family in Ben Tre. This is one of the best-value day trips in Vietnam and very family-friendly. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by early evening.

🚌Tour minibus departs from District 1 hotel (included in tour price)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in District 1 (~£15-20pp/night)

• →Full-day Mekong Delta tour booked via Klook/GetYourGuide (~£20-25pp)
• →Private boat cruise through Mekong waterways
• →Coconut garden visit and candy-making workshop
• →Sampan paddling with local rowers
• →Tuk-tuk village tour in Ben Tre
• →Lunch with local family included in tour

Fly from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Da Nang (DAD) — budget airlines VietJet or Bamboo Airways run this route frequently for ~£20-40pp if booked in advance. From Da Nang airport, take a pre-booked shuttle or Grab taxi to Hoi An Old Town (~45 mins, ~£5-8pp). Check in to your guesthouse and take a self-guided orientation walk of the atmospheric Hoi An Old Town. In the evening, join a lantern-making workshop with a local artisan — bookable directly with local workshops on the street or via GetYourGuide (~£8-12pp). Enjoy dinner in town at one of Hoi An's many excellent local restaurants.

🚌VietJet/Bamboo Airways flight SGN→DAD (~£25-40pp) + Grab/shuttle to Hoi An (~£6pp)

🛏Guesthouse in Hoi An Old Town area, e.g. Hoi An Chic Hotel or similar (~£15-22pp/night)

• →Budget flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang (~£25-40pp, book via VietJet or Bamboo Airways)
• →Grab taxi or shuttle from Da Nang airport to Hoi An (~£5-8pp)
• →Self-guided orientation walk of Hoi An Old Town
• →Lantern-making workshop with local artisan (~£8-12pp via GetYourGuide or direct)
• →Dinner at a local restaurant in Hoi An town

Rent bicycles (~£2/day) or take a local taxi to An Bang Beach (~5km from Old Town) for a relaxed morning. Pack a picnic from the local market to enjoy on the beach. In the afternoon, consider optional activities: a Thu Bon River boat trip (~£2-3pp direct with local boatmen), a countryside bicycle tour (~£1-2 self-guided), a family-friendly cooking class via GetYourGuide (~£20-25pp) or a trip to My Son Sanctuary (~£6-8 entry + £3 transport). The beach and surrounding area are wonderful for families.

🚌Bicycle rental (~£2/day) or Grab taxi for beach (~£3 each way)

🛏Guesthouse in Hoi An Old Town area (~£15-22pp/night)

• →Bicycle rental to An Bang Beach (~£2/day per bike)
• →Picnic lunch at An Bang Beach (supplies from market ~£5pp)
• →Optional: Thu Bon River boat trip (~£2-3pp direct with local boatmen)
• →Optional: Countryside bicycle tour (self-guided, free beyond bike hire)
• →Optional: Family cooking class via GetYourGuide (~£22pp)
• →Optional: My Son Sanctuary visit (~£8pp entry + £3 transport)

A relaxed day to explore at your own pace — one of the real joys of self-launched travel. Wander the UNESCO-listed Old Town, browse the tailors and silk shops, and pick up a famous Hoi An lantern. Consider a family-friendly cooking class with a morning boat ride and farm tour, bookable via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£20-25pp). Or simply enjoy extra beach time at An Bang or a pool afternoon at your guesthouse. Hoi An is extremely family-friendly and there's no shortage of things to do.

🚌On foot or bicycle within Hoi An

🛏Guesthouse in Hoi An Old Town area (~£15-22pp/night)

• →Self-guided Old Town exploration and shopping
• →Optional: Family cooking class with boat ride and farm tour (~£22pp via GetYourGuide)
• →Optional: Additional beach time at An Bang
• →Optional: Pool time at accommodation
• →Explore Hoi An night market in the evening

Take a bus or book a private transfer from Hoi An to Hue (~3.5-4 hours, ~£5-8pp by public bus or ~£12-15pp by shared minivan). The route crosses the spectacular Hai Van Pass — ask your driver to stop for photos if travelling by private van. On arrival in Hue, hire cyclos (bicycle rickshaws) to tour the historic citadel area and local market (~£3-5pp). Visit Ho Chi Minh's house in Hue. In the evening, arrange a home-cooked dinner with a local family via a community tourism programme (bookable via Klook or local guesthouses, ~£10-15pp) — a truly memorable experience.

🚌The Sinh Tourist or Queen Cafe bus Hoi An→Hue (~£6pp, ~3.5hrs)

🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Hue, e.g. Canary Boutique Hotel or similar (~£14-20pp/night)

• →Bus or shared minivan from Hoi An to Hue (~£5-8pp via The Sinh Tourist or Queen Cafe bus)
• →Scenic stop at Hai Van Pass (request driver stop on private van)
• →Cyclo tour of Hue Citadel area and local market (~£4pp)
• →Visit Ho Chi Minh's house in Hue (small entry fee ~£1)
• →Home-cooked dinner with local family (~£12pp via local community tourism)

Spend the morning exploring Hue's magnificent Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City (combined entry ~£6-8pp) — Vietnam's most impressive historical complex. Hire a bicycle (~£2) or take a Grab to reach the citadel easily. In the afternoon, explore Hue's famous boat noodle soup (bun bo Hue) and royal tombs. In the evening, board the Reunification Express overnight train from Hue to Hanoi (~£18-28pp for a soft sleeper berth — book via Vietnam Railways website or Baolau.com). An iconic and comfortable way to travel north.

🚌Reunification Express overnight train Hue→Hanoi, soft sleeper (~£20-28pp, book via Baolau.com or Vietnam Railways)

🛏Overnight train sleeper berth (included in transport cost)

• →Imperial Citadel of Hue visit (~£6pp entry)
• →Forbidden Purple City visit (included in citadel ticket)
• →Optional: Visit royal tombs by bicycle or Grab (~£3-5 entry each)
• →Lunch of authentic bun bo Hue (spicy noodle soup) at local restaurant (~£2)
• →Board overnight Reunification Express train to Hanoi (~£20-28pp soft sleeper)

Arrive into Hanoi's Ga Hanoi station in the morning. Take a Grab taxi to your guesthouse in the Old Quarter (~£3-4). After freshening up, visit Vun Art, a social enterprise gallery supporting disadvantaged Vietnamese artists — free to enter, and they offer drop-in art workshops for families (~£5-10pp). In the evening, catch a traditional Water Puppet performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (~£4-6pp) — one of Hanoi's must-do cultural experiences. Book tickets at the theatre box office or via Klook.

🚌Grab taxi from train station to Old Quarter (~£3-4)

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Hanoi Old Quarter, e.g. Hanoi Backpackers Downtown or similar (~£12-18pp/night)

• →Arrive Hanoi by overnight train, Grab taxi to Old Quarter (~£3)
• →Check in to guesthouse in Old Quarter
• →Visit Vun Art gallery and participate in art activity (~£5-8pp)
• →Explore Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple (~£1 entry)
• →Water Puppet performance at Thang Long Theatre (~£5pp, book via Klook or box office)

A full day of Hanoi's highlights. Start with the excellent Museum of Ethnology (~£2pp entry) — one of Southeast Asia's best museums and very engaging for children. Then visit the Temple of Literature (~£1.50pp), Vietnam's first university dating from 1070. For lunch, head to KOTO (Know One Teach One) restaurant near the Temple of Literature — a social enterprise training disadvantaged youth in hospitality. Meals here are excellent and affordable (~£8-12pp). In the afternoon, wander the 36 Streets of the Old Quarter.

🚌Grab taxi or city bus to Museum of Ethnology (~£2 return), on foot for Old Quarter

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Hanoi Old Quarter (~£12-18pp/night)

• →Museum of Ethnology visit (~£2pp, take a taxi or city bus ~£0.30)
• →Temple of Literature visit (~£1.50pp)
• →Lunch at KOTO Restaurant (~£8-12pp, supports local social enterprise)
• →Self-guided walk through Hanoi's 36 Streets Old Quarter
• →Evening street food tour of Hoan Kiem area (self-guided, ~£5-8 in food)

Book a 2-day/1-night Halong Bay cruise independently — this is the most impactful saving vs the guided tour. Budget and mid-range cruises run by reputable local operators (e.g. Bhaya Cruises, Dragon Legend, or Indochina Junk) can be booked directly or via Klook/GetYourGuide for ~£55-90pp all-in, including transport from Hanoi, all meals, cave exploration and swimming. Avoid the very cheapest operators for safety. Depart Hanoi by cruise bus (~3.5 hours), board your vessel and spend the afternoon cruising among Halong's iconic limestone karsts, exploring Sung Sot cave, and swimming in the emerald waters.

🚌Bus transfer Hanoi→Halong Bay pier included in cruise package

🛏On-board cabin on Halong Bay cruise vessel (included in cruise cost)

• →Bus transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay pier (~3.5hrs, included in cruise package)
• →Board overnight Halong Bay cruise (book via Klook or direct ~£60-90pp 2D/1N)
• →Boat cruise among limestone islands and karsts
• →Cave exploration (Sung Sot or Thien Cung Cave) with stalactites and stalagmites
• →Swimming in Halong Bay
• →Optional: Kayaking around the bay (~£5-8pp extra or included in some packages)

Rise early for a sunrise kayak session around the limestone formations (included in many cruise packages or ~£5pp extra). Enjoy breakfast on the boat before disembarking and taking the return bus to Hanoi (arriving mid-afternoon). Freshen up at your guesthouse, then head out for a final group dinner celebration at a local restaurant — try Cha Ca La Vong for Hanoi's famous turmeric fish dish, or a rooftop restaurant overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. Toast your Vietnam adventure!

🚌Return bus Halong Bay→Hanoi included in cruise package

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Hanoi Old Quarter (~£12-18pp/night)

• →Early morning kayak around limestone formations (often included in cruise or ~£5pp)
• →Breakfast on the boat
• →Return bus from Halong Bay to Hanoi (~3.5hrs, included in cruise)
• →Free afternoon in Hanoi Old Quarter
• →Final celebratory dinner at a local Hanoi restaurant (~£10-15pp)

A final free morning to explore Hanoi at leisure. Wander the Old Quarter's 36 Streets, pick up last-minute souvenirs (Vietnamese coffee, silk, lacquerware), and enjoy a final Vietnamese coffee at a pavement cafe. If time allows, visit the Vietnam Museum of Women (~£1.50pp) or take the Long Bien Bridge walk for great city views. Transfer to Noi Bai International Airport by Grab taxi (~£6-8) or airport bus 86 (~£1.50pp) for your onward flight.

🚌Grab taxi to airport (~£7) or Airport Bus 86 (~£1.50pp)

🛏Check out from Hanoi guesthouse

• →Final morning exploration of Hanoi Old Quarter
• →Vietnamese coffee and breakfast at pavement cafe (~£2-3)
• →Shopping for souvenirs in the 36 Streets
• →Optional: Vietnam Museum of Women (~£1.50pp)
• →Optional: Long Bien Bridge walk (free)
• →Transfer to Noi Bai Airport by Grab (~£7) or Bus 86 (~£1.50pp)