Sample family itinerary · Hanoi to Hoi An
10-Day Vietnam Family TourHanoi to Hoi An by train, with kids
Ninh Binh by sampan and bike, a night train in your own cabin, a day as farmers in Phong Nha, then Hue and the drive over Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. First planned for two parents and their children aged 6 and 10.
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Planned by Ethan, our lead in Da Nang & Hoi An, with Paul in the North and Helen in Hue4.9★ on GetYourGuideVietnam Haven Travel · hello@vietnamhaventravel.com · WhatsApp +84 934 796 432 · vietnamhaventravel.com/vietnam-family-tour-10-days-hanoi-hoi-an/
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Photos from this trip
Who it suits
Is this trip right for your family?
Every trip is private and can change. Here is how this one works for each age, as it is planned now.
Babies & toddlers With changes
Possible with two changes: under-5s skip the night train, and we split the drive south into shorter days by private car. The sampan and cave boats are seated, with small life jackets.
Kids 5 to 12 Best fit
The sweet spot. Farm animals, a cave by boat, bikes past the rice fields, a night train and a craft workshop. First planned for kids aged 6 and 10.
Teens
The Mua Cave climb for the big view, the DMZ day with real history, and the Hai Van Pass viewpoints.
Grandparents
Boats are seated, the Hue Citadel is by electric cart and the Mua Cave climb is optional, with a café below. Tell us early about stairs and we plan the easiest way round.
Day by day
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested rhythm, first planned for a real family. Open a day for times and family tips. Every day can change.
- Day1
Ninh Binh
Hanoi to the rice fields of Ninh Binh
A two-hour drive south, check in among the rice fields, then the pool and gardens.
Travel dayFree timeTimes and family tips
- Private pick-up in Hanoi (Kia Carnival, about 2 h), optional lunch stop
- Check in at Eco Field Nest, Tam Coc
- Free time: pool, gardens, a walk in the fields
- Day2
Ninh Binh · Trang An
Sampans through the caves of Trang An
A private sampan through limestone caves and karsts, back at the resort for a free afternoon.
With guideFree timeTimes and family tips
- Private sampan through the Trang An caves and karsts, past the Kong: Skull Island film set
- Optional: Hoa Lu, the ancient capital
- Back to the resort, free time
Life jackets in every size, and you stay seated the whole way. Easy for a 6-year-old.
Add-on: Hoa Lu ancient capital, +$20
- Day3
Ninh Binh · Tam Coc
Bikes along the country paths
Cycle past rice paddies and temples at your own pace, with an optional climb at Mua Cave.
Family-ledTimes and family tips
- Cycling through Tam Coc, Bich Dong and Thai Vi Temple
- Mua Cave: optional climb for the valley view, or wait below with a drink
- Pool time at the resort
Smaller bikes are available. Ride in the cool morning, swim in the afternoon.
- Day4
Ninh Binh → night train
Sunset boats and the night train south
A free morning, a sunset boat at Thung Nham Bird Valley, then your own cabin on the night train.
Free timeFamily-ledNight trainTimes and family tips
- Free time at the resort
- Boat trip at Thung Nham Bird Valley
- Shower, pack and dinner; your room is kept until 9 PM
- Private transfer to Ninh Binh Station (15 min)
- Night train QB01 to Dong Hoi, private 4-berth cabin, arriving 6:30 AM
- Day5
Phong Nha
Farmers for a day
Early check-in and a nap, then ducks, buffalo and a farm lunch in the Bong Lai valley.
Early arrivalFamily-ledTimes and family tips
- Arrive Dong Hoi, private transfer to Phong Nha (40 min)
- Early check-in at Karst Villas, breakfast, a nap
- The Duck Stop: herd ducks and meet the buffalo
- Wild Boar Eco Farm, Bong Lai valley
- Free time
- Day6
Phong Nha
By boat into Phong Nha Cave
A boat up the Son River and straight into the cave, then a free afternoon by the lake.
With guideFree timeTimes and family tips
- Guided boat up the Son River into Phong Nha water cave
- Free time
You arrive by boat, with no climbing. Mornings are cooler; bring a light jacket for the cave.
- Day7
Phong Nha → Hue
Across the DMZ to Hue
About 3 hours by private car, with lunch near the 17th Parallel and an easy afternoon in Hue.
Travel dayFamily-ledTimes and family tips
- Private drive to Hue (about 3 h, 200 km)
- Lunch near the 17th Parallel
- Check in at HueNam Residence
- Tea break and a rest
- Day8
Hue
The Imperial City by electric cart
A guided morning in the Citadel by electric cart, with two optional visits after.
With guideTimes and family tips
- Imperial City with your guide, by electric cart
- Optional: Thien Mu Pagoda
- Optional: Tu Duc Tomb
Start early to beat the heat. The cart saves tired legs.
Add-on: Thien Mu Pagoda & Tu Duc Tomb, +$40
- Day9
Hue
A Hue craft workshop
The kids choose the craft: paper lotus flowers, kite painting or a poem hat. The afternoon is yours.
Family-ledFree timeTimes and family tips
- Craft workshop: lotus paper flowers, kite painting or a poem conical hat
- Optional: Dong Ba Market, or a sunset dragon boat on the Perfume River
Add-on: Sunset dragon boat on the Perfume River
- Day10
Hue → Hoi An
Hai Van Pass and Lang Co Bay
A scenic drive with a seafood lunch at Lang Co and coffee at the top of Hai Van Pass.
Travel dayTimes and family tips
- Private pick-up, 1.5 h to Lang Co Bay
- Seafood lunch at Be Than Restaurant
- Hai Van Pass viewpoints and a coffee at the summit
- Check in at your Hoi An hotel
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Stays & transfers
Where you'll stay
Family-friendly places we know well, two or three nights each. We can swap any of them for your budget or room needs.
Eco Field Nest, Tam Coc
3 nights · nights 1 to 3A boutique resort in the rice fields, with a pool. Your room is kept until 9 PM on train night.
Private 4-berth cabin
Night 4Train QB01, Ninh Binh 22:12 to Dong Hoi 06:30. Just your family in the cabin.
Karst Villas Phong Nha
2 nights · nights 5 and 6Lake views. Early check-in from 7 AM after the train.
HueNam Residence
3 nights · nights 7 to 9A garden-style stay, close to the Citadel.
Every leg, at a glance
Price
What's included & price
One price for your whole family, private from start to finish. Your final quote follows your dates, hotels and changes.
Included
- All private transfers and the night-train cabin
- Private guides for Trang An, Phong Nha Cave and the Hue Citadel
- Entrance fees, private sampan, cave boat and Citadel electric cart
- Early check-in and late check-out around the train
- Help in English from our team during the trip
Not included
- Hotels (we suggest them and quote by season and room)
- International and domestic flights
- Lunches and dinners
- Optional add-ons: Hoa Lu +$20, Thien Mu & Tu Duc +$40
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Guides & transfers from
$830/ family of 4
Guides, entrance fees and private transfers for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children), June 2026 prices. Hotels quoted separately.
Make it ours- Under 5? We swap the night train for a private car and split the drive into shorter days.
- Hanoi is pick-up only and Hoi An is drop-off only. Days in Hanoi or Hoi An can be added.
Make it yours
Customize this trip
Tell us your dates and who is coming. A planner replies within 24 hours with a free day-by-day plan and a price. Nothing to pay now.
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Your dates, the children's ages and anything you would change. We take it from there.
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Good to know
Questions about this trip
Something else on your mind? Ask us. A planner answers within 24 hours.
Ask on WhatsAppCan we bring a baby or a toddler?
Yes. For children under 5 we swap the night train for a private car and split the drive south into shorter days. The boats are seated and have small life jackets.
Are hotels included in the price?
The price covers guides, entrance fees and all private transfers for a family of 4. We suggest the hotels on this page and quote them separately, by season and room.
What is the night train like?
You have a private 4-berth cabin on train QB01, leaving Ninh Binh at 22:12 and arriving in Dong Hoi at 06:30. Your hotel room is kept until 9 PM, and you can check in early in Phong Nha.
Can we add days in Hanoi or Hoi An?
Yes. The plan starts with a pick-up in Hanoi and ends with a drop-off in Hoi An. Tell us how many days you would like in each and we add them.
Does this trip work for grandparents?
Yes. The boats are seated, the Hue Citadel is visited by electric cart and the Mua Cave climb is optional. The longest drive is about 3 hours, with a lunch stop.
Are meals included?
Breakfast depends on the hotel; lunches and dinners are not included, so you can eat where and when the kids like. Tell us about any diet and we note it for every stop.