Since you arrive today and it's already early morning local time, take a relaxed start: enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Café Pho Co overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, then stroll the quieter lanes of the Old Quarter to watch daily life wake up-stop for a playful coffee/soy drink at Cong Caphe (kid-friendly choices) and let children run in the open area near Ngoc Son Temple. Continue with a short cyclo ride around the lake and a visit to the interactive exhibits at the nearby Vietnamese Women's Museum, which offers child-friendly displays and a gentle cultural intro to Vietnamese history and crafts.
After a relaxed morning, head to Hoa Lo Prison Memorial for a short, family-appropriate history visit (choose the quieter exhibits) and then stroll to the nearby St. Joseph's Cathedral to admire its French-colonial facade while kids enjoy the open plaza. Continue with a lively food-walk through Ta Hien Street's surrounding lanes-stop at a casual spot like Bun Cha Huong Lien for an early, kid-friendly tasting of bun cha or rice dishes, and finish with a restful playtime at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre's nearby park area before an evening performance or early dinner nearby.
As the sun sets, wander to the atmospheric Train Street for a quick, safe view of the famous passing train (choose one of the family-friendly cafés set back from the tracks) before moving on to dinner at Cha Ca Thang Long to try the iconic turmeric fish in a lively, kid-welcoming setting. After dinner, enjoy a peaceful riverside stroll along the West Lake (Ho Tay) promenade, stopping at Tay Ho Night Market for light snacks, colorful lanterns and simple souvenirs while children enjoy the casual open space and street performers.
Rise early and board your pre-booked shuttle from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Marina, stopping for a quick breakfast of banh mi and fruit at a roadside cafe. On arrival, choose a family-friendly boat that departs from Tuan Chau Harbour-kids will love kayaking in the calm waters around Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave and paddling near the dramatic islets of Ti Top Island, where you can climb a short viewpoint trail for panoramic photos and a gentle beach break before lunch aboard.
After a leisurely onboard lunch, explore the quieter corners of the bay with a guided tender to Cua Van Floating Village, where kids can meet local families and see traditional stilt houses and fishing nets up close. Later, take a gentle nature walk and short cave visit at Luon Cave (boat access through a serene water tunnel) before returning to the cruise for sunset squid fishing or a family-friendly cooking demo on deck.
As twilight falls, anchor near a sheltered cove and let the family enjoy a relaxed on-deck barbecue featuring fresh seafood prepared by the crew and kid-friendly spring rolls, followed by stargazing while drifting past illuminated karsts; many boats host a short onboard movie night or board games for children. Afterward, take a quiet, guided night-boat to visit a nearby floating fishing platform to try light squid jigging with the crew or stroll the illuminated deck to spot bioluminescence near Titov Bay, then unwind in your cabin or family suite for a peaceful sleep rocked by the gentle bay currents.
After an early flight to Da Nang, collect your luggage and take a private car or Grab to Hoi An, stopping first at An Bang Beach for kids to splash in shallow, family-friendly waters and parents to relax at a beachfront café; many cafés rent umbrellas and paddleboards for short, supervised fun. Later, head into town to drop bags at your hotel, then wander the atmospheric lanes to visit the hands-on workshops at the Hoi An Handicraft Workshop, where children can try simple lantern-making and block-printing, followed by a light lunch of cao lầu at a family-friendly eatery near Central Market.
After lunch, visit the riverfront craft shops near Japanese Covered Bridge and join a family-friendly basket-boat ride through the nearby Tra Que Vegetable Village where kids can try planting and tasting fresh herbs in a short farm demo; wrap up with a relaxed cycle (many guesthouses rent child seats) to Cam Thanh Coconut Village for a gentle boat tour through the mangroves and a hands-on basket-boat fishing demonstration that delights children and introduces local fishing techniques.
As twilight deepens, wander to Hoi An Ancient Town to join the lantern-lit procession along the Thu Bon River, pause at Quan Thang Square for street performances and family-friendly craft stalls, then release a paper lantern together as a simple wish-making ritual. Afterward, enjoy a relaxed riverside dinner at Mango Mango (kid-friendly menu and river views) and finish with a sweet treat from Faifo Coffee before catching the soft glow of hanging lanterns reflected on the water.
Start with a calm family morning at Cua Dai Beach, where shallow shorelines and beachfront cafés make it easy for kids to paddle while parents pack up and enjoy fresh coconut water; many vendors rent sunshades and inflatable toys. After a short drive, choose a guided visit to My Son Sanctuary for an early, cooler exploration of Cham temple ruins-pick a private guide who can tailor the walk for children and include a brief storytelling session about Cham legends at the visitor centre; alternatively, if your flight schedule favors Da Nang, stop at the dramatic Marble Mountains for a quick elevator-assisted climb to hidden caves and panoramic viewpoints before transferring to the airport.
Spend a relaxed afternoon exploring the quieter stretch of An Bang Beach beyond the main strip - rent a beach cabana, try a family paddleboard session, and let kids build sandcastles while parents sip fresh sugarcane juice from a beachfront vendor. Later, detour to the peaceful riverside village of Thanh Ha Pottery Village for a hands-on clay workshop where children can shape small pots and paint traditional motifs, then visit the nearby Hoi An Silk Village for a short demonstration of silk weaving and a chance to buy lightweight, travel-ready textiles before your transfer to Da Nang for departure.
As the day winds down, take a gentle sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River from Hoi An Riverside Pier, where kids can spot fishing boats and parents enjoy golden-light views of the old town; many small operators include juice and local snacks. After the cruise, wander the quieter backstreets to dine at Bale Well for interactive family-style dishes (children love the shared rice-pancake wraps), then finish with a relaxed nightcap at Riverside Lantern Café where you can soak up final lantern-lit reflections and pick up a few handcrafted keepsakes before your transfer to Da Nang.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Café Pho Co (breakfast) | $5 |
| Hoan Kiem Lake (stroll) | Free |
| Cong Caphe (coffee/soy drink) | $3 |
| Ngoc Son Temple | $1 |
| Cyclo ride around Hoan Kiem Lake | $6 |
| Vietnamese Women's Museum (entrance) | $2 |
| Hoa Lo Prison Memorial (entrance) | $2 |
| St. Joseph's Cathedral (visit) | Free |
| Bun Cha Huong Lien (meal) | $6 |
| Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (ticket) | $5 |
| Train Street (view from cafe) | Free |
| Cha Ca Thang Long (dinner) | $10 |
| West Lake (Ho Tay) promenade / Tay Ho Night Market | Free |
| Shuttle Hanoi to Tuan Chau Marina (round-trip, per person) | $15 |
| Halong Bay day cruise (shared, per person) - alternative to overnight | $45 |
| Halong Bay overnight cruise (family-friendly, per person) | $120 |
| Ti Top Island (boat access / entry) | $2 |
| Kayaking in Halong (per person, often included; pay if extra) | $8 |
| Cua Van Floating Village (visit via tender) | $5 |
| Luon Cave boat access | $5 |
| Onboard BBQ / dinner (if not included) | $10 |
| Short night-boat / squid fishing experience (optional) | $6 |
| Flight Hanoi to Da Nang (one-way, per person, low-cost estimate) | $50 |
| Transfer Da Nang to Hoi An (private car per person, shared among group) | $8 |
| An Bang Beach (beach access & umbrella rent) | $3 |
| Hoi An Handicraft Workshop (lantern-making class, per person) | $8 |
| Cao lầu (lunch) | $4 |
| Japanese Covered Bridge (visit) | $1 |
| Basket-boat ride / Tra Que Vegetable Village family demo | $10 |
| Cam Thanh Coconut Village boat tour | $8 |
| Mango Mango (dinner) | $10 |
| Faifo Coffee (dessert/coffee) | $3 |
| Lantern release (paper lantern purchase per family member) | $2 |
| Cua Dai / An Bang Beach cabana / paddleboard rental | $6 |
| My Son Sanctuary (entrance + basic guide per person) | $6 |
| Marble Mountains (entrance / elevator) | $3 |
| Thanh Ha Pottery Village workshop (per child/adult) | $4 |
| Hoi An Silk Village (demonstration / small purchase) | $3 |
| Thu Bon River sunset cruise (per person) | $6 |
| Bale Well (dinner) | $8 |
| Riverside Lantern Café (final drinks/snack) | $3 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $566 |