Arrive at Noi Bai Airport and transfer to a centrally located hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter to rest and acclimatise. Choose a hotel with lift and family rooms for comfort; check-in times typically from 14:00 but early luggage drop is common.
Walk the traffic-calmed streets around Hoan Kiem Lake and explore the Old Quarter lanes — easy, low-walking option great for all ages. The area is open all day; late afternoon is cooler and photogenic.
Eat at Loving Hut (international vegan chain) or a reputable 100% vegetarian ('nhà hàng chay') restaurant in the Old Quarter where all dishes are plant-based; request no fish sauce. Most vegetarian restaurants open 09:00–21:00 but confirm timings.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theater offers a 45–60 minute cultural show popular with families; evening shows usually around 19:00–20:00, tickets should be booked in advance. Shows run daily but times can vary.
Have a hearty vegetarian breakfast at Loving Hut or ensure the hotel prepares vegetarian options; many hotels offer cooked vegetarian items on request. Typical breakfast hours 07:00–10:00.
Visit the mausoleum complex to see the preserved Ho Chi Minh and the surrounding stilt house grounds; the mausoleum opens mornings (approx. 07:30–10:30) and is closed Mon/Fri so October 2 (Thursday) is generally open — plan early as queues form.
Explore Vietnam’s first national university with tranquil courtyards and well-preserved architecture; typical open hours 08:00–17:00 and it’s wheelchair/stroller friendly in most areas.
Choose a Hanoi vegetarian restaurant that serves northern vegetarian dishes; ask for a set family lunch of rice plates and vegetable soups. Most vegetarian restaurants serve lunch 11:00–14:00.
Option A: Museum of Ethnology (open 08:30–17:30) offers easy exhibits about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups; Option B: guided walking tour of Old Quarter’s craft streets for shorter legs. Choose based on family energy levels.
Return to a reliable pure-vegetarian restaurant; again request no fish sauce and confirm dishes are strictly plant-based. Most restaurants close around 21:00–21:30.
Private car to Ninh Bình (Tam Coc or Trang An) — scenic rice fields en route; comfortable for family and allows flexibility. Travel time about 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.
Gentle 1-hour sampan boat ride through limestone karsts and paddy fields; boats usually operate 08:00–16:00 and are family-friendly though wear sun protection.
Enjoy a vegetarian set lunch at a dedicated chay restaurant in Tam Coc; many places can prepare typical northern-style vegetarian dishes and mock meats if desired.
Optional climb to the Mua Cave viewpoint for panoramic valley views (stairs, moderate difficulty) or the tranquil Bich Dong Pagoda (easier, family-friendly); open around 07:00–17:00.
Depart Hanoi early for Halong Bay embarkation; comfortable private transfer recommended for a family. Travel time about 2.5–3 hours depending on traffic and chosen pier.
Check in to a family-friendly Halong overnight cruise. Confirm a 100% vegetarian menu ahead of time; most operators can accommodate if requested at booking. Typical check-in around 12:00–13:00.
Enjoy a vegetarian lunch while cruising among karst islands; fresh vegetable dishes and vegetarian Vietnamese specialties are usually available when pre-arranged. Cruises operate activities through afternoon.
Optional light activities like kayaking, swimming or visiting caves and floating villages — activities typically run 14:00–17:00 and are family-friendly but check age/safety rules for kayaking.
Evening vegetarian dinner served on board; confirm salt-free/less-spicy options for elderly family members. Some cruises also offer evening squid fishing (non-alcoholic pastime) or board games.
Gentle morning activity on deck such as Tai Chi or a sunrise tea — relaxed for all ages and usually offered around 06:30–07:00. Enjoy light vegetarian breakfast afterward.
Short visit to a major cave or beach depending on cruise itinerary; typical visiting hours 08:00–11:00 and easy walks. Mobility can vary by site, so choose based on family ability.
Choose a familiar 100% vegetarian restaurant near your hotel for a relaxing final Hanoi meal; reserve seating if you prefer a quieter corner for elderly family members.
Short domestic flight (approx 1h15) to Da Nang; book early morning to maximise Hoi An time. Domestic airports have simple check-in; arrive 90 minutes before flight.
Private transfer from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An Ancient Town; scenic route if you plan the Hai Van Pass drive later in the trip. Arrival typically at noon for hotel check-in.
Minh Hien is a well-known dedicated vegetarian restaurant in Hoi An serving a variety of local chay dishes and mock seafood made from plants. Open approx 09:00–21:00; order earlier for larger family groups.
Leisurely guided walk around Hoi An's lantern-lit streets, Japanese Bridge, and old merchant houses; the town is open all day but best explored in cooler afternoon hours. Many areas are flat and family friendly.
Enjoy a calm riverside vegetarian dinner and try Hoi An-style vegetarian specialties; evening riverfront ambience is lovely for family photos. Restaurants usually open till 21:00–22:00.
Drive approx 1h15 to My Son, an impressive Cham temple complex; site open 07:00–17:00 and best visited in cooler morning hours with minimal walking on uneven paths. A guided tour explains the history and architecture.
Return to Hoi An for a vegetarian lunch at a dedicated chay restaurant, with dishes like vegetarian cao lầu-style noodles and vegetable hot pots. Most restaurants serve lunch until 14:00.
Visit Tra Que organic herb village for a gentle farming demonstration, easy cycling and chance to learn about local produce; activities run through the afternoon and are family-friendly. Ask for a vegetarian cooking demo if available.
Option to join a short vegetarian cooking class (book ahead) or dine at Minh Hien; many cooking schools in Hoi An can offer a fully vegetarian menu if requested in advance.
Light vegetarian breakfast at a café or your hotel; many cafes offer fresh fruit, vegetarian bánh mì (made without pate) and noodle soups adapted to vegetarian preferences. Breakfast hours 07:00–10:30.
Relax at family-friendly An Bang Beach with shallow waters and beachside cafes; ideal for a restful morning and light beach play. Beach facilities open all day; bring sun protection.
Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at a beachside café that can prepare vegetarian versions of Vietnamese salads, rice and noodle dishes; confirm fully vegetarian preparation to avoid cross-contamination.
Join a family-friendly lantern-making workshop in Hoi An (most run until early evening) and stroll the ancient streets at sunset when lanterns are lit. Workshops usually operate 15:00–19:00.
Savour a calm riverside vegetarian dinner and enjoy the evening lantern views; reserve an early table for elderly family members. Restaurants typically open until 21:30–22:00.
Private transfer north over the scenic Hai Van Pass with stop at Lang Co for views; journey with stops takes around 3.5–4 hours to Hue. This route offers memorable coastal vistas and short photo stops.
Brief visit to the Marble Mountains (open 07:00–17:00) to explore caves, pagodas and viewpoints; some stairs involved so adapt to family fitness levels. Allow about 45–60 minutes for a gentle visit.
Arrive in Hue and have a vegetarian lunch; Hue has several excellent chay restaurants serving central-Vietnam vegetarian specialties and mild broths suitable for elders. Lunch hours usually 11:00–14:00.
Explore the vast UNESCO-inscribed Imperial City with palaces and gardens; open roughly 08:00–17:30 and offers gentle walking within a compact site. Wheelchairs may be limited in some sections.
Dine at a well-regarded Hue vegetarian restaurant (e.g., Bo De or local chay house) offering easy-to-eat dishes for older family members and soothing soups. Restaurants typically open until 20:30–21:00.
Morning visits to two royal tombs: Minh Mang (spacious gardens) and Khai Dinh (ornate interior); both open approx 07:00–17:00 and are culturally rewarding. Take a gentle pace with plenty of rests for elderly family members.
Enjoy a calm vegetarian lunch; try central-Vietnam vegetarian specialities and light noodle soups suitable for the whole family. Lunch hours typically 11:00–14:00.
Drive to Da Nang (approx 1.5h from Hue) or fly from Phu Bai depending on flight options; domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City approximately 1h15. Aim for afternoon flights to arrive by evening.
Dine at a reputable 100% vegetarian restaurant in District 1 or Thao Dien; many offer calm seating and varied menus appropriate for family dining. Most restaurants open till 21:00–22:00.
Full-day private tour to Ben Tre or My Tho with boat rides, village visits and markets; request fully vegetarian meals in advance as many homestays can prepare chay lunches. Tours typically run 08:00–17:00.
Enjoy a freshly prepared vegetarian lunch featuring local fruits, rice dishes and vegetable specialities — confirm as 100% vegetarian in advance. Rural venues may require advance notice for special dietary needs.
Relax with a familiar vegetarian dinner at Loving Hut or another well-reviewed chay restaurant in District 1; confirm seating and any special dietary requirements in advance. Most restaurants open until 21:00–22:00.
If energy permits, a morning visit to Cu Chi (approximately 1.5–2 hours each way) offers historical insight; temper the visit to family comfort, as there are narrow tunnels and walking. Alternatively enjoy a relaxed morning at the hotel or city parks.
Have a final vegetarian lunch near Ben Thanh Market; many chay restaurants in District 1 offer familiar Vietnamese favourites and are convenient for last-minute shopping. Lunch hours 11:00–14:00.
Short cultural stroll in District 1 to see the Central Post Office (open approx 08:00–17:00) and the exterior of Notre-Dame Cathedral (site under restoration at times), plus souvenir shopping at Ben Thanh Market. Keep to light walking for family comfort.
Early vegetarian dinner at a trusted local chay restaurant, then transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for evening departure or next-day flight. Confirm flight check-in times and allow 2–3 hours before international departures.