68 Days in Vietnam With Kids. What We Loved, What We Learned, What We’d Do Differently.

Sixty eight days in one country is long enough to move past the honeymoon phase. Long enough to stop seeing it as a holiday and start living in it.

Vietnam was the first stop of our year abroad. We landed slightly nervous, slightly jet lagged, and carrying a mix of excitement and quiet fear. Kia and I had travelled to Vietnam 12 years ago, but with kids was going to be something new. We didn’t know anyone personally who had done something similar. We just committed and got on the plane.

Looking back now, Vietnam was the perfect place to start.

We began in Ho Chi Minh City. Big, loud, chaotic and alive. Crossing the road felt like a real life challenge. The traffic never stops. You step forward with confidence and let the motorbikes flow around you. It was sensory overload in the best possible way. The kids learned quickly to stay close and move with purpose. We explored markets, ate street food on tiny plastic stools, visited museums and let the energy of the city wake us up properly.

From there we moved through the Mekong Delta. Slower, greener and more rural. Boat rides through palm lined canals. Floating markets. Small family run workshops. It felt like stepping into a different rhythm entirely. The kids loved being on the water and seeing how other families lived day to day.

We spent time in Phu Quoc, where beach days balanced out busy travel days. The island gave us space to breathe. Early morning runs, swims in warm water and sunsets that slowed everything down. It was hot and humid but tolerable and great weather for swimming.

Central Vietnam was a highlight. Da Nang is where we realised what we needed accommodation-wise. The town itself is has wide beaches, good coffee, a relaxed pace. Hoi An, felt almost magical at night with lanterns glowing over the river. Tailors, cooking classes, bike rides through rice paddies. The kids enjoyed the freedom and started their own shop out the front of the home stay we were at. We did a Farm Stay in at the Hygge Farm, Quàng Nam. It was so much fun and the kids absolutely loved it.

As we headed north, the temperature began to shift. The humidity eased. Mornings felt fresher. By the time we reached Phong Nha, jumpers were out. After weeks of sweating through shirts, it felt strange pulling on an extra layer. Phong Nha was raw adventure. Massive caves that make you feel tiny. Quiet country roads. Jungle backdrops. It was one of those places where you realise how diverse Vietnam really is.

Further north in Tam Coc gave us limestone cliffs, bike paths and river paddles through scenery that barely feels real. It was one of the most visually stunning places we’ve experienced. Hanoi was our final stop and it was intense. We stayed on the outer edge of the city and travelled in when we wanted, which wasn’t often.

Over 68 days, we weren’t rushing. That changed everything.

We built rhythm. Morning movement. Work blocks. Learning that didn’t feel like school. The kids handled currency, ordered food, navigated transport and made friends from different countries. Resilience came from repetition of small challenges. Language barriers. Missed instructions. Trying again.

One of our biggest lessons was around accommodation.

At the start, we leaned toward small and cheap. It made sense on paper. Lower cost. Central locations. Minimal living space because we were out exploring anyway. But that doesn’t work for our family.

Our kids need space to feel free. They need room to move without bumping into each other. Easy access to outside space. A courtyard, a nearby beach, a park within walking distance. When we stayed in tight apartments with no outdoor flow, the tension rose quickly. The energy had nowhere to go.

We realised we are better when we have space to breathe.

That means slightly higher budget. It means being more selective. It means prioritising proximity to activities so we are not constantly organising transport just to let the kids move.

Vietnam taught us that environment matters. Not just the country, but the exact street, the size of the room, the access to nature.

What we would absolutely recommend for families is slowing down. Pick fewer locations. Stay longer. Mix city, beach and countryside. Vietnam rewards time. Costs are reasonable, food is fresh, and each region feels completely different.

What we would do differently.

Fewer long bus transfers. One long ride with an unwell child was enough to teach us that lesson. Flights are affordable. Private transfers are worth it when energy is low.

More true rest days. Not sightseeing rest days. Actual do nothing days. Vietnam is stimulating. The noise, colour, movement and flavour can wear you down over time.

And we would choose accommodation based less on price and more on liveability. Space. Light. Outdoor access. Walkability. When the kids feel free, everything runs smoother.

Vietnam gave our kids independence.

It gave us perspective.

It gave us proof that this lifestyle can work if we are intentional.

Sixty eight days was long enough to stop being overwhelmed and start feeling capable. Long enough to understand the country beyond the highlights. Long enough to realise that comfort zones expand quickly when you let them.

If you’re wondering whether Vietnam works with kids, it does.

If you’re wondering whether you need five star resorts, you don’t.

But you do need space.

And if you’re wondering whether 68 days is too long.

For us, it was exactly the right beginning.