Vietnam family backpacking - need for advice!
Jan 11th, 2017, 03:34 AM
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Vietnam family backpacking - need for advice!
I'm travelling with my husband and kids to Vietnam for 3 weeks around Christmas time this year. Planning it all, I need some advice 
Kids are age 15, 13 and 3. We are experiences travellers (incl with kids), but not as it comes to Asia... And I have to admit that I appreciate comfortable travelling a bit more now than when the teens were kids Leaving from Copenhagen Denmark and flying to HCMC, we plan to start easy by continuing by plane directly to Phu Quoc, enjoying the Island for 4-5 days. After that, we plan to go by boat + bus to the Mekong Delta and explore the area by bike for 4-5 days. Any ideas for a good place to stay (city/specific lodging)? After that, I need advice how to prioritate... Option no 1 is to go back to HCMC by bus and take a flight to Da Lat, with seems like a very nice and accessible place exploring with kids of different age. After some days there, we would fly back to HCMC and end the trip with some days there (which means that daughter 15 years has the opportunity to do some shopping without having to carry it all around half the trip...). Option no 2 is to visit Ankor Wat instead of Da Lat, thus fly there from HCMC and then fly back directly from Siem Reap to Copenhagen. If I would be travelling without a toddler, I would definitely have chosen Ankor Wat. However, I wonder if Da Lat is not a better option for us as a family..? The teens are eager to visit Ankor Wat, but I believe they would appreciate it even more being a bit older. Maybe it´s kind of a waste of money going there now not being able to focus fully on all the miracles for several days? The toddler will be more interested in running up and down in one set of stairs than moving around to different temple areas... which is very nice if you're in a less touristic area since you always get to chat with the parents of the local kids running up and down the same stairs Any advice? Thanx in advance!!!!
Kids are age 15, 13 and 3. We are experiences travellers (incl with kids), but not as it comes to Asia... And I have to admit that I appreciate comfortable travelling a bit more now than when the teens were kids Leaving from Copenhagen Denmark and flying to HCMC, we plan to start easy by continuing by plane directly to Phu Quoc, enjoying the Island for 4-5 days. After that, we plan to go by boat + bus to the Mekong Delta and explore the area by bike for 4-5 days. Any ideas for a good place to stay (city/specific lodging)? After that, I need advice how to prioritate... Option no 1 is to go back to HCMC by bus and take a flight to Da Lat, with seems like a very nice and accessible place exploring with kids of different age. After some days there, we would fly back to HCMC and end the trip with some days there (which means that daughter 15 years has the opportunity to do some shopping without having to carry it all around half the trip...). Option no 2 is to visit Ankor Wat instead of Da Lat, thus fly there from HCMC and then fly back directly from Siem Reap to Copenhagen. If I would be travelling without a toddler, I would definitely have chosen Ankor Wat. However, I wonder if Da Lat is not a better option for us as a family..? The teens are eager to visit Ankor Wat, but I believe they would appreciate it even more being a bit older. Maybe it´s kind of a waste of money going there now not being able to focus fully on all the miracles for several days? The toddler will be more interested in running up and down in one set of stairs than moving around to different temple areas... which is very nice if you're in a less touristic area since you always get to chat with the parents of the local kids running up and down the same stairs Any advice? Thanx in advance!!!!
Jan 11th, 2017, 04:04 AM
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What a dilemma. The teenagers would love Angkor but it would be wasted on the three year old. It will also be hot and very crowded. hot as it would. A good guide and driver and aircon car are essential.
Dalat should get descent weather in December but it will be quite cold at night. It is known for its outdoor adventure scene so would suit the teenagers as there would be lots of activities to try. Do check the safety standards carefully though as there have been a number of accidents, some fatal, in recent years.
If you do decide on Angkor, then, rather than fly via Saigon, you may be able to fly from Can Tho. Alternatively, we got the boat from Chau Doc (well worth a visit for a few days) to Phnom Penh from where you could fly to Siem Reap.
Some photos of Chau Doc and the rest of the delta on the VIetnam section of our blog @ https://accidentalnomads.com/category/vietnam/
NB if you do want to return to Vietnam after Cambodia you will need a multiple entry visa approval letter or actual visa.
Another option would be to forget about Cambodia and include the north of Vietnam, maybe some minority people's villages? That way the kids would get to mix with the local children. Again some more info on our blog.
Dalat should get descent weather in December but it will be quite cold at night. It is known for its outdoor adventure scene so would suit the teenagers as there would be lots of activities to try. Do check the safety standards carefully though as there have been a number of accidents, some fatal, in recent years.
If you do decide on Angkor, then, rather than fly via Saigon, you may be able to fly from Can Tho. Alternatively, we got the boat from Chau Doc (well worth a visit for a few days) to Phnom Penh from where you could fly to Siem Reap.
Some photos of Chau Doc and the rest of the delta on the VIetnam section of our blog @ https://accidentalnomads.com/category/vietnam/
NB if you do want to return to Vietnam after Cambodia you will need a multiple entry visa approval letter or actual visa.
Another option would be to forget about Cambodia and include the north of Vietnam, maybe some minority people's villages? That way the kids would get to mix with the local children. Again some more info on our blog.
Jan 11th, 2017, 05:11 AM
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If you're intetested in somewhere not yet on the beaten tourist track in Vietnam have a look at Quy Nhon...
https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Quy_Nhon
Going there for 6 nights next month, and really looking forward to settling down with the locals for a few days.
I wouldn't take an active toddler to Angko, you'll need eyes in the back of your head.
https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Quy_Nhon
Going there for 6 nights next month, and really looking forward to settling down with the locals for a few days.
I wouldn't take an active toddler to Angko, you'll need eyes in the back of your head.
Jan 12th, 2017, 12:14 AM
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Thanks for input!
Looking at weather charts for Siem Reap, it doesnt seem that hot..? We spent the summer in Croatia with temperatures +30 C at nights and +35 C daytime, think it should be ok as long as the lodging is decent with aircon? Or am I wrong?
LancasterLad, is there any special reason why you would need eyes in the back of your head at Angko comparing to other (crowded) places..?
Looking at weather charts for Siem Reap, it doesnt seem that hot..? We spent the summer in Croatia with temperatures +30 C at nights and +35 C daytime, think it should be ok as long as the lodging is decent with aircon? Or am I wrong?
LancasterLad, is there any special reason why you would need eyes in the back of your head at Angko comparing to other (crowded) places..?
Jan 12th, 2017, 01:39 AM
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<<<LancasterLad, is there any special reason why you would need eyes in the back of your head at Angko comparing to other (crowded) places..?>>>
You'll find pretty much all the ancient sites throughout SE Asia have no Health & Safety or warning signs, nor attempts to make where your visiting particularly safe for children, or for anyone with mobility issues. Tbh that's the way I like it, I don't want to see all sorts of signs everywhere, but that doesn't take away the dangers.
There are a myriad of obstacles at ground level around temples, a lot of staircases are steep with a wonky handrail or no handrail at all. If it's wet then it'll be very slippery underfoot.
A lot of people who crowd around or climb up and down temples are completely stupid, with little regard for either their immediate environment or the people they're sharing it with.
I'd at least have a toddler on a rein.
You'll find pretty much all the ancient sites throughout SE Asia have no Health & Safety or warning signs, nor attempts to make where your visiting particularly safe for children, or for anyone with mobility issues. Tbh that's the way I like it, I don't want to see all sorts of signs everywhere, but that doesn't take away the dangers.
There are a myriad of obstacles at ground level around temples, a lot of staircases are steep with a wonky handrail or no handrail at all. If it's wet then it'll be very slippery underfoot.
A lot of people who crowd around or climb up and down temples are completely stupid, with little regard for either their immediate environment or the people they're sharing it with.
I'd at least have a toddler on a rein.
Jan 12th, 2017, 01:52 AM
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Another thing with steep staircases, a lot of people don't engage their brain. Steep steps are easy enough to climb, but descending can be a different matter. And often you have to climb and descend on the same staircase, with nobody controlling the directional flow of the people clambering up and down. As I mentioned in my last posting there's often a lot of idiots doing the same as you at the same time.
As for temperatures, heat is one thing, but heat and extreme humidity is another. Lots and lots of water, and keeping your head covered, don't rush around, and you'll soon acclimatise.
As for temperatures, heat is one thing, but heat and extreme humidity is another. Lots and lots of water, and keeping your head covered, don't rush around, and you'll soon acclimatise.
Jan 12th, 2017, 08:41 AM
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IdaSwe: if you plan to let your toddler run up and down stairways at Angkor Wat then please don't go there. This is a very irresponsible thing to do. I cringe when I see parents allowing their unruly children to run amok at temples and ancient sites.
Jan 12th, 2017, 09:48 AM
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I think you'll want somewhere to relax and just spend time as a family--I would choose Dalat, though it may be rainy when you go--rainy season should be over by then but it lasted well into December this past year.
I am sure you are aware of this but it's going to be hard to travel with a toddler in Vietnam. We met a family there with their 5 year old. The kid had been miserable in the cities for a variety of reasons that include: noisy, lots of traffic pollution, constant need to pay attention to traffic, sidewalks that were unavailable (because filled with motos or cafes) or dangerous (because motos drive on them) and lots and lots and lots of unrequested touching and picking up of the kid. Even smaller cities were like that. So you are going to carry your 3 yo most all the time (and have probably planned on that). We met this family on our Mai Chau valley trek and the kid was much happier with some space to play and run around and relax.
Don't mean the above to be discouraging--you said you are experienced travelers but not with Asia. I wasn't sure if you had run into that sort of experience before so I thought that being prepared would help so you can make sure to schedule some downtime and make sure you have a comfortable child carrier (a stroller won't work) and such.
I am sure you are aware of this but it's going to be hard to travel with a toddler in Vietnam. We met a family there with their 5 year old. The kid had been miserable in the cities for a variety of reasons that include: noisy, lots of traffic pollution, constant need to pay attention to traffic, sidewalks that were unavailable (because filled with motos or cafes) or dangerous (because motos drive on them) and lots and lots and lots of unrequested touching and picking up of the kid. Even smaller cities were like that. So you are going to carry your 3 yo most all the time (and have probably planned on that). We met this family on our Mai Chau valley trek and the kid was much happier with some space to play and run around and relax.
Don't mean the above to be discouraging--you said you are experienced travelers but not with Asia. I wasn't sure if you had run into that sort of experience before so I thought that being prepared would help so you can make sure to schedule some downtime and make sure you have a comfortable child carrier (a stroller won't work) and such.
Jan 13th, 2017, 09:50 PM
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Thanks again for advice. Of course we won't let the toddler run up and down temple stairs, I find that very inappropriate too, I assure you. The remark was meant only to give a picture of what a 3-year-old appreciate, that is the small things in life
And we are prepared for a lot of carrying, also trying to take our toddlers need in consideration when choosing lodging, to assure that she will be able to move around/take a swim etc depending on the location. Also, since the other kids are teens, we can easily split our little group doing different things when needed, having one parents staying 'at home' with the youngest and the other joining the teens for their stuff.
Still positive about going, however Da Lat seems to be the better option for us at this moment... Any other suggestions than Da Lat that we should considerate..?
And we are prepared for a lot of carrying, also trying to take our toddlers need in consideration when choosing lodging, to assure that she will be able to move around/take a swim etc depending on the location. Also, since the other kids are teens, we can easily split our little group doing different things when needed, having one parents staying 'at home' with the youngest and the other joining the teens for their stuff.
Still positive about going, however Da Lat seems to be the better option for us at this moment... Any other suggestions than Da Lat that we should considerate..?
Jan 13th, 2017, 11:15 PM
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For what it's worth, I think leaving out Angkor is a good decision. Dalat is an unusual choice for a first visit to the country, most would head north to Hanoi but am not sure I could cope with three children and the traffic of Hanoi! There are however lots of places outside that you could consider like Ninh Binh, the Mai Chau valley. Outdoor activities would mainly consist of cycling, boating and hiking etc. But beautiful scenery.
Dalat, will be cool to cold so swimming will probably be out - although, coming from Denmark, you may well be able to cope with that Thers is a huge amount to do there. See https://www.travelfish.org/sights/vi...am_dong/da_lat for a few ideas.
At around. Different time of year, Hoi An would have been a nice option but I don't think the weather is great in December.
Dalat, will be cool to cold so swimming will probably be out - although, coming from Denmark, you may well be able to cope with that
Thers is a huge amount to do there. See https://www.travelfish.org/sights/vi...am_dong/da_lat for a few ideas. At around. Different time of year, Hoi An would have been a nice option but I don't think the weather is great in December.
