ninh binh

In Routs For Nature Loving Families

Vietnam With Kids- Recommended Route For Nature Loving Families

November 2, 2017 No Comments

Vietnam is a terrific destination for families who prefer to spend their time amid wild nature than lounging by a pool. (But if you DO want to spend your time lunging by a pool- here is a great place for that ?).

The richly diverse country offers unspoilt beaches, mysterious caves and caverns, thick jungle and towering mountains. And while the landscape offers plenty of opportunity for off-the-beaten track adventures, there’s no shortage of organized activities that will thrill everyone from toddlers to teens (while keeping the grownups entertained too, of course). Think ziplining through jungle canopy, kayaking, caving and canyoning, as well as more tranquil outdoor pursuits such a swimming, snorkeling and trekking across mist-swathed mountain passes.

Our 30-day itinerary allows plenty of time for nature-loving families in Vietnam to see the big-ticket outdoor attractions as well as under-the-radar sights, and includes some truly off-the-beaten track spots. It allows time for families to appreciate the route rather than whizzing along ticking items off a ‘must-see’ checklist. A word to the wise: Make sure you have your visa in place well in advance of your family trip to Vietnam.

Day 1-3 Hanoi

It can take a day or so to settle into the seemingly chaotic pace of life in the Vietnamese capital, but after catching your breath and fueling up on pho in the Old Quarter, families can spend a day or so checking out city center outdoor attractions such as Thong Nhat Park (where families in Hanoi can ride swan pedal boats around the scenic lake) and a couple of kid-pleasing water parks. But the best Vietnam attractions for nature-loving families are to be found outside the big city, so don’t plan to stay here for more than a few days.

? Box out: Home stay in Mai Chao

For a real off the beaten track experience, head to Mai Chau (around 3-hours’ drive from Hanoi), where the bright green paddy fields are as picture-perfect as the Vietnamese country gets, and families can bed down for the night in houses built on bamboo ‘stilts’. The vilages of Ban Lac and Pom Coong offer homestays where, for a few dollars, visitors can eat home-cooked meals with their hosts, before heading off for cycling trips in the stunning surrounds.

Day 4-10 Sapa

Nature-loving families in Vietnam will be in their element in Sapa, which at 1500 meters above sea level in the Hoang Lien Son mountains is a little off-the-tourist track, but easily reached by express bus (around six hours, $20) or overnight train (expect to pay up to $140 for a fairly plush private family cabin). There are lodgings in every price bracket and luxury level here, and it’s wise to allow a few days here in case of inclement weather – when the mists descend, the views vanish) Trekking through rice paddies and visiting the neighboring waterfalls are the most popular family activities here, and the scenery is simply incredible. Little legs may tire quickly on the treks, but fit families are often to be seen hiking along with babies and toddlers in slings and baby carriers. Set aside at least a day or so to visit Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfal both of which are accessed by a scenic forest walk and offer terrific views. Hiring a scooter or motorbike is a good way to visit surrounding villages, many of which offer homestays with local families.

?Box out: The Hill Tribes of the ‘Tonkinese Alps’

Nicknamed the ‘Tonkinese Alps’, the mountain region surrounding Sapa includes Fanispan, the highest peak in the country. Close to the border with China, the area is home to several hill tribes who remain apart from mainstream society and who are notable for their colorful dress – visitors can pick up eye-catching handicrafts on sale at the town’s market.

Day 11-16 Ha Long Bay

With towering limestone cliffs jutting dramatically from sparkling green waters, Ha Long Bay is instantly recognisable from countless tourist board images of Vietnam. This incredible part of the country is justifiably one of the country’s top tourist attractions, but there is plenty of scope for families in Ha Long Bay to dodge the packed boat trips and find their own piece of paradise. It’s a little under six hours’ bus ride from Sapa ($10-20 depending on comfort level) and families traveling to Ha Long Bay might want to consider the overnight option if kids are likely to be restless during daylight hours. There’s no shortage of places to stay, and great scope for taking to the water in a kayak – it’s wise to go with a guide, who can lead nature-loving families out to hidden lagoons and secret islands that bigger boats just can’t reach. Other off-the-beaten track highlights include cycling on the spectacular Cat Ba archipelago, notable for its swoonworthy topography – waterfalls, caves and grottoes are hidden in the hills – and rich flora and fauna. Snorkeling here is a treat, with colorful marine life galore.

? Tip: There are a large amount of scam ‘tour boat’ operators in the area. Do your research online before handing over any cash, and make sure you are clear on exactly what is included in the price. Also be sure to check that on board safety is adequate.

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Day 17-21 Ninh Binh

Sometimes known as the ‘Inland Ha Long Bay’, the impossibly scenic Ninh Binh remains under-the-radar (possibly not for much longer, as it’s beginning to grab the attention of the international travel press). For now, families visiting Ninh Binh can expect to find rural Vietnam at its most blissfully unspoiled. The crowd-free beauty spot offers rivers, caves and majestic mountains as far as the eye can see, and rafting along a snaking river past golden paddy fields is about as far removed from the packed tourist boat of Ha Long Bay as it’s possible to get. Lodgings range from simple homestays to eco lodges and luxury hotels, and family visitors to Ninh Binh will find enough to see and do here to merit a stay of at least four or five nights.

?Box out: Secret Caves

If there’s one thing that’s certain to impress kids visiting Ninh Binh, it’s the opportunity for exploring dark and spooky caves. The Jurassic Park-esque Thuong Mountain range is filled with grottoes and caverns, some of which are accessed by underground rivers. Grab a guide and visit Dong Thien Ha (Galaxy Cave) which is accessed by boat and remains little-known to tourists – you may find you have only bats for company.

Day 22-24 Cuc Thuong National Park

Vietnam’s largest and oldest national park, Cuc Phuong has a staggering biodiversity, and is one of the best places in the country to escape the tourist hordes and embark on some nature trails. There are several places to stay within the park itself, and families in Cuc Phuong can marvel at the brightly colored birds and butterflies that flit through the trees here. Remote tribes still live on the peripheries of the park, and caves house prehistoric remains dating back over 7000 years.

?Fun fact: Cuc Phuong is home to some of Asia’s rarest flora and fauna – there are more than 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 135 types of mammal, including Asian black bears and rare clouded leopards.

Day 25-27 Phong Nha

Another highlight of any nature-focused family trip to Vietnam, Phong Nha (around 9 hours on the overnight train, from $60 pp) is still one of the country’s best kept secrets, best known for housing Son Doong – the world’s largest cave. You’ll need deep pockets to venture in – treks cost thousands of dollars – but families on more modest budgets will find plenty of other caverns to explore. Kids of all ages will relish a visit to Dark Cave (prices vary according to activity and season, from around $4 for basic cave entrance). Brave families can plunge into a giant mud pit, swim in a pitch-black pool, and zipwire across natural lagoons.

?Box out: Kill Your Own Chicken?

One of the most (in)famous watering holes in the park is the place simply known as the Pub With Cold Beer (as per the handwritten street signs), which serves delicious grilled chicken. The gimmick? Diners are offered the opportunity to choose – and kill – their own chicken. Squeamish families should feel free to decline the offer.

Day 28-30 Da Nang

It might be a nature-based trip, but families in Vietnam may well want to tick Ho Chi Minh City off the bucket list, but there’s more family fun to be had at Da Nang – the largest city in central Vietnam, and accessible via overnight or daytime train (from $30), where visitors will be richly rewarded for the trip with some incredibly pretty beaches, and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An less than an hour’s drive away.

Try to book this amazing family-friendly hotel in Danang, it will be a great ending to your trip.

From here, it’s just over an hour’s flight back to Hanoi, where you might want to overnight or hop straight back on your flight home.

In Foodie Family Adventures

vietnam vacation with kids- recomended route for food-loving families

October 17, 2017 No Comments

Families planning a month-long trip to Vietnam should prepare themselves for the foodie adventure of a lifetime. Food is central to every aspect of life in Vietnam, and the scent and sizzle of delicious dishes being prepared provides the sensory backdrop to travels around this wonderfully colorful country.

It’s good news for foodie families with an eye on the budget, too – unless you’re absolutely intent on splashing some serious cash, there’s absolutely no need to blow the travel fund on eating out in Vietnam. With a handful of notable exceptions, family feasting in Vietnam is more about sampling delicious street food than formal dining at fancy restaurants, so there’s plenty of opportunity to give various foods a try without the risk of making an expensive mistake if the kids decide it’s not for them. Expect to pay the equivalent of a couple of dollars or less for a plateful of food.

? Vietnamese Fish Sauce

The kids may balk at the fishy flavors, but most grown up visitors find themselves developing an addiction to Nước Chấm, the salty fish sauce that is used as a dip for all manner of street snacks, lending the simplest of foods a rich umami flavor. The sauce is made with a number of different fish or even crab, but the ‘real deal’ is made with fermented anchovies, aged for several months in a barrel before the pungent liquor is extracted and mixed with garlic, vinegar, sugar and sometimes chilli, to create a sauce that is a vital component of Vietnamese dining.

Vietnamese food tends to be less fiery than other Southeast Asian cuisines, so there should be plenty for kids to get their teeth into – although those who like it hot can easily add a kick to their food thanks to the peppery sauces that accompany many dishes.

Kids with a taste for culinary adventure can even try chowing down on crickets and other beasties, while even those who are more timid in their tastes should be tempted by the bright and beautiful fruits, many of which are unheard of outside the country.

There are many regional variations to Vietnamese cuisine, so there’s little chance of getting bored on your month-long foodie trip. Pack those loose-fitting clothes, leave plenty of room in your suitcase for gourmet goodies to take home, and get ready for eating experiences that will reappear in your foodie dreams forever.

The Route

Visitors to Vietnam can follow a north-south route, or vice-versa. We’ve set out the north-south version here, flying into Hanoi rather than Saigon, but the same itinerary can be followed in reverse.

Hanoi

Although it’s often considered a less sophisticated city than southern foodie haven Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s capital is bursting with delicious dishes, many of which are prepared and served by the roadside. The city is also famous for its coffee, and your caffeine-fueled adventures in Hanoi should center largely around the beautiful Old Quarter, where characterful cafes abound.

There’s enough to keep you occupied in the city for at least four days and nights, so allow plenty of time in your schedule to discover the best of the eating and drinking scene. Be sure to check out Nam Dong market, which is notable for its che (sweet soups), which might be made with grapefruit and coconut milk, or chestnut, coconut and jackfruit served direct from the green coconut shell. Expect to pay the equivalent of around $1-2 dollars for a soup at the market.

Alongside the famous pho, the noodle-and-meat soup that is eaten with gusto at breakfast, Hanoi’s options include easy eats such as deep fried spring rolls, which can be dipped in spicy or fishy sauce if so desired. Even better news for kids – the legacy of French occupation has led to some enticing pastry shops – look out for spiced apple tarts and gato chuối (banana cake) served at famed cafes such as Cafe Loc Tai.

where to stay in Hanoi- family friendly accomodation

Ha Long Bay

Families in Vietnam should plan to take a couple of days’ trip to Ha Long Bay (cruises run from Hanoi, be sure to research the best options rather than booking on a whim), where the foodie adventures are all about supremely fresh fish and seafood, some of the best of which is served in kid-pleasing floating restaurants. The island-dotted bay offers plenty of scope for beach-hopping and cave-exploring, and most restaurants on ship and on shore will happily cook up chicken for those who don’t like fish.

? Ninh Binh Mountain Snails

If you’re in Ninh Binh during the August-May ‘snail season’, be sure to try the famous mountain snails. These hard-to-find critters live in limestone caves and grottoes, but will typically venture out in search of leaves during the rainy season. Considered a delicacy, the snails are cooked in a variety of ways – steamed with ginger and pungent lemongrass, or grilled with tamarind and/or garlic. The snails can be found at restaurants and street stalls during the rainy season. Check out the markets in Tam Diep the day after a heavy downfall, and you can chow down on snails for a dollar or less.

After a couple of overnight stopovers in Haiphong and Ninh Binh (try the delicious charred rice here).

Hue, which you can either fly to or take an overnight train– both from Hanoi- is one of Vietnam’s foodie hotspots and one that merits a few nights’ stay. This handsome city, formerly the royal capital, is known for a culinary scene that is fancier than elsewhere in Vietnam, with elaborate sweet confections, and dainty rice cakes such as banh beo. Heartier dishes include bun bo Hue, a spicy, meaty broth that can be enjoyed at hole-in-the wall quan restaurants as well as more upscale spots.

from Hue you can take a direct bus or a train to Da Nang and then a bus/taxi to:

Hoi An

If you eat just one thing in Hoi An, make it banh mi. This famous Vietnamese sandwich is Hoi An’s best-known dish, and it’s a favorite with kids and adult alike. Sold at bakeries and on the street, it’s a baguette (that French influence again) typically filled with creamy pates, bbq pork and cold cuts as well as fresh, crisp vegetables. Just point at the ingredients you do and don’t want on your sandwich. For the best in town, locals will point you to the Phuong Banh Mi stand, on Hoang Dieu Street

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Da Nang

It’s easy to get here from hoi An as they’re so close to each other, just hop on a short bus that leaves Hoi An every half hour. Families may want to linger a few days to explore the beaches of Da Nang, and exploring the wealth of street food treats can be a time-consuming task in its own right, such is the appeal of of the foodie scene here. Navigating the maze of streets and the menus can be a challenge, but there are plenty of child-friendly options involving chicken and noodles, for picky eaters who don’t fancy pork skewers dipped into the pork-liver and hoisin sauce that characterizes Da Nang’s street food scene.

Ho Chi Minh/Saigon

for the last leg of this trip you can fly from Da Nang straight to Ho Chi Minh, or take the overnight train.

Somewhat confusingly, Vietnam’s largest city is known as Ho Chi Minh by some people and Saigon by others, but no matter what you choose to call it, there are plenty of delicious things to try here, as well as some relaxing spas to escape to and prepare for your return flight. The busy city streets are ablaze with activity seemingly 24/7, and there’s a dazzling array of different sweet and savory treats to sample. Theme parks, water parks and expansive botanical gardens are among the family-friendly attractions and the coffee, sweetened with condensed milk, will give you an energy boost for exploring the city. Of all the foodie treats in the city, be sure to visit the Lunch Lady in District 1. Made famous by Anthony Bourdain, this is a long-standing favorite among locals, who line-up round the block for the daily noodle specials and summer rolls, cooked with flair before the drooling punters.

? Try the food zone at Vincom B shopping mall. they have a delicious ice cream shop.

AND You must try the ? smoothie counter (“the brothers”) in Bui Vien street, right in the heart of the tourist neighborhood in district 1. They mix fresh fruits (to your choice) with ice and sweet milk. costs- around 1$-1.5$.

Family friendly hotels in Ho chi minh city