Published:  15:17 Thursday - September 08, 2016

Vietnam is a peaceful country with many different spectacular landscapes from long coastline to majestic mountains. There are many interesting activities and places to do in Vietnam with your family in your holiday.

Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital is such a vibrant city, there’s never a dull moment in Hanoi. The people are friendly, the food is amazing and there are so many things to see, for the whole family.

In the middle of Hanoi is Hoan Kiem Lake, and it’s magnificent. Locals and tourists alike visit this lake to relax on the benches, admire its beauty or to visit Jade Island which hosts the Temple of the Jade Mountain. This island is connected to the shore by an animated red bridge.

Also, close to the centre of Hoan Kiem Lake is Turtle Tower. According to legend, in early 1428, Emperor Le Loi was approached by a Golden Turtle God to ask for his magic sword, called Heaven’s Will. Loi concluded that the turtle asked for the sword in order to return it to his master, the Dragon King, who had given the sword to Loi. After Loi used the sword in battle against the Chinese he returned it. He renamed the lake to honour the Golden Turtle. For many years, very large turtle shells were found by the lake, and the last known turtle was found harmed earlier this year but unfortunately died. However, there are 3 remaining turtles in the lake, but of a different species.

Hanoi city is also a great shopping attraction, with big brands like Pandora, Valentino, Dior, Gucci and more.

Strolling through the old quarters of Hanoi is stunning. The little restaurants, the markets, the locals, it all makes such a magical experience and shows you the real heart of Vietnam.

About 120km from Hanoi is Phuong National Park, home to an abundance of flora and fauna. It’s a park perfect for a family day out to observe the wildlife, most of which are endangered species!

The Hanoi Opera House is a spectacular, yellow building in Hanoi town. The Opera House was built by the French Colonial Administration for 10 years, completing it in 1911.

There are plenty of museums to go to in Hanoi, which are very interesting, one being the Vietnam Military History Museum. Opened in 1956 it is one of 7 National Museums is Vietnam.

The One Pillar Pagoda is considered one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples, along with the Perfume Temple. It was built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong, he built it in gratefulness as he had a dream that the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara handed him a son on a lotus flower. Soon after he married a poor girl with whom he had a son. In appreciation, he then built the One Pillar Temple similar to the one in his dream.  

Halong Bay

Once, one of the 7 wonders of the world Halong Bay is a scene of true beauty. Covered in bright sea-green waters and mountainous areas filled with hidden caves and a blanket of luscious foliage over them. Halong Bay really is a peaceful place.

This stunning area is subject to boat cruises and cave tours, on which you may find a monkey or 2!

This is a great family experience; it gives a family a chance to bond in the tranquility of these hynotising waters.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a small town famous for its beaches and tailor-makers. Hoi An provides a family with relaxation and custom made clothes. Hoi An is a charming, old town has a way of capturing your heart.

There are loads of activities Hoi An offers such as bike tours, cooking classes, scuba diving, snorkeling, strolling around the night market or relaxing on the beach. So there’s a wide range of activities for all the family.

One of the not to be missed sights in Hoi An is the Japanese Covered Bridge. It was built in the 1590s by a Japanese community, and is guard by a pair of statues of monkeys and another of dogs. Why monkeys and dogs? An old tale says it is because they began building in the year of the monkey and finished in the year of the dog. It really is a lovely sight to see.

Danang

Danang is known as having private beaches for the resorts and public beaches also. Both are equally good and there’s a strong family feeling as most of the people who go to that beach are parents with their kids.

The water is extremely safe, and the beach is flat so there shouldn’t be any accidents! Danang also has no shortage of hotel resorts, which are absolutely breath-taking.

Danang is home to the marble mountains, a collected group of 5 limestone and marble hills. They are named after the 5 elements:

Kim – Metal, Hoa - Fire, Thuy – Water, Moc – Wood, Tho – Earth

Each mountain has hidden caves; however, the only mountain available to climb is Thuy. Buddhist sanctuaries can also be found throughout the mountain.

In the city of Hue, not far from Danang, lies the Imperial City. It was a walled stronghold and palace in Hue.

My Son is a group of partially destroyed Hindu Temples, Southwest of Danang, constructed between the 4th and 14th Century AD by the Champa Kings.

Ho Chi Minh City (Sai Gon)

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city, located in the South. The first must visit site in Saigon would be the Cu Chi tunnels, a system of underground tunnels. The Viet Cong used the tunnels to hide, communicate and sometime live in during the war in Vietnam (1955-1975). The Cu Chi tunnels tour is really an interesting and educational journey, something the whole family will enjoy.

Following up on what you can learn at the Cu Chi tunnels, the War Remnants museum displays weapons, tanks and pictures from the Vietnam war. This museum is perhaps more suitable for families with older children over the age of 10/12. Ho Chi Minh City is home to plenty of information about the Vietnam war, which is quite fascinating.

For days you just want to have fun you can visit Suoi Tien amusement park, which includes and swimming pool and dinosaur garden. You could also visit Dam Sen water park, which offers an electronic games zone, folk tales theater, antique castle, square, small west lake, Nam Tu royal garden, rock garden, and water palace, dancing island, sea life center, subaquatic puppet theater, ancient Giac Vien pagoda, butterfly garden, fishing area, tea store, adventure games zone, swan lake, horse’s gallop lake, western flower garden, ancient Rome-themed square, cultural square, water musical scene, bowling area, sports area, crayfish fishing lake, Thuy Ta restaurant and a children's play area.

For those interested in animals, the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is great fun for all the family. It is home to over a hundred species of mammals, reptiles and birds, as well as many rare orchids and other plants.

The Saigon Central Post Office is an absolutely beautiful building constructed in the late 19th Century when Vietnam was part of French Indochina. The post office is now a major tourist attraction in downtown Ho Chi Minh.

The Mekong Delta

In South Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a network of rivers flowing from the Tibetan Plateau though the Chinese Province, Yunnan, into Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and ending in Vietnam. It is the 12th longest river in the world and is a immense adventure for the whole family if you want to travel from Vietnam into Cambodia (Angkor Wat is also an amazing sight). The river is full of floating markets, Pagodas and villages. It’s a great way to appreciate nature and the beauty of Vietnam.

Not only does Vietnam have all of this to offer and more, but what makes it so special is the people you will meet along your journey. The Vietnamese people are so welcoming, friendly and hospitable and they are really the highlight of anyone’s visit to Vietnam.