Vietnam – Exploring Halong Bay with Kids

Looking for an exciting and memorable family vacation? Look no further than Halong Bay! Located in Northern Vietnam, this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see destination for families with children of all ages.

With its breathtaking scenery, fascinating wildlife, and countless activities to explore, Halong Bay offers something for everyone and we found that it is the perfect destination when exploring with kids.

In this post, we explain how to explore Halong Bay with kids by a live aboard boat as we had an amazing experience doing that with our family. This stunning area was on our bucket list for a long time before we got there and we were not disappointed!

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Why Vietnam should be on your radar

Vietnam is a country of breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. And while it may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a family vacation, it should definitely be on your radar.

Vietnam is an excellent choice for a family trip with kids due to its rich culture and history, delicious cuisine, stunning natural beauty, affordable prices, and friendly people.

Your family can explore ancient temples, bustling cities, and beautiful landscapes while enjoying the flavorful and healthy local cuisine.

Additionally, Vietnam is a budget-friendly destination, making it an ideal choice for families on a budget. The warm and hospitable locals add to the charm of the trip, and your children will have plenty of opportunities to learn and interact with the local culture. Our two blond kids got approached a lot by curious locals who wanted to take pictures with them!

Overall, Vietnam is a unique and rewarding destination that offers something for every member of the family.

Halong Bay by live aboard boat

Halong Bay is a paradise of limestone islands dotted with lush vegetation and surrounded by crystal clear waters. With its breathtaking views, Halong Bay is a must-see destination for any family looking to explore Southeast Asia.

From kayaking and swimming to rock climbing and fishing, there are plenty of ways to explore the bay’s natural wonders with your family. And taking a live aboard boat trip around Halong Bay with your family is an experience that will stay with you for years to come.

Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason. This stunning UNESCO World Heritage site is home to over 1,600 islands and islets, many of which are uninhabited and covered in lush greenery.

What to expect on a live aboard trip

When planning a journey around Halong Bay with your little ones, we find that one of the best options is to book an overnight live aboard boat trip. This type of trip allows you to explore the area by boat during the day and sleep on board at night. Plus you have the added bonus of not having to pack and unpack every day even though you will be seeing different places!

During your day trips, you’ll be able to visit beautiful and iconic spots in the bay. The cruise company will pick out the best sites when planning their itinerary so you don’t have think about it.

You can also take part in activities such as kayaking, swimming, and fishing while exploring the area.

Planning your trip

Start planning by choosing your live aboard company. There are plenty to choose from and we always think you should spend some time researching online to find the companies that are most recommended by users at the time of your trip.

You can search booking.com or similar sites as you would normally search for accommodation. Just enter your dates, number of family members and the destination Halong Bay. Then you should have plenty of options for different live aboard vessels to choose from – just remember to check the recent online reviews.

We went with Swan Cruises and loved it but we’re sure many other companies provide similar experiences.

On board your live aboard boat, your family will be provided with all meals as well as comfortable bedding for a good night’s sleep. Additionally, many boats offer special activities designed specifically for children such as traditional Vietnamese cooking classes or fishing. These activities are great ways to keep kids entertained while learning more about life on board a traditional wooden boat!

On our trip, we tried fishing for squid at night, kayaking and swimming in the beautiful bay and had Vietnamese cooking classes on the boat.

We also went for a few hikes while stopping at some of the smaller islands in the bay and visited a floating village with a pearl farm!

Safety on board

With younger children especially, safety should always come first when traveling by sea. Before booking your live aboard trip it’s important to make sure that your chosen operator is licensed and insured and has an experienced crew who can look after everyone onboard during their journey around Halong Bay. Do check reviews online on sites such as Tripadvisor or other reputable sites.

When traveling as a family, we always recommend bringing a small travel pharmacy. Here’s what we have in ours. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are well covered by a travel insurance.

Be prepared to keep an eye on your little ones at all times while on the boat. And if members of your family are sensitive to sea sickness, you should make sure you are prepared for that, too, although Halong Bay is quite sheltered.

It’s also important to note that this type of activity may not be suitable for very young and curious children who cannot swim – you know what we mean!

Our kids were 3.5 and 6 years when we visited Halong Bay and we all had a good experience.

Final words

Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, there’s something special waiting for you at Halong Bay! With its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and plethora of exciting activities, it’s the perfect place to make memories as a family that will last a lifetime.

Exploring Halong Bay by live aboard boat is definitely an unforgettable experience for any family looking to explore Southeast Asia together! With plenty of activities on board and ashore there’s something for everyone – from kayaking and swimming to cooking classes specifically designed for travelers.

We found it very easy to have an unforgettable time exploring Halong Bay with our kids on a live aboard and would recommend it to other travel-loving families anytime!