Family

While the region rose to prominence as a backpacking destination, South East Asia has now long been a great location for family travel, with many places and activities to appeal to both young and old.
In Vietnam, resorts and beaches in Da Nang or Phu Quoc are great options for a holiday spent relaxing in the warm weather and swimming, either in a resort pool or in the ocean by the pearly white beaches. Wandering the streets of calm and safe Hoi An is also a great option, as the bright lights and life everywhere is sure to distract the young ones from what may otherwise be perceived as a “boring” cultural experience for the kids. For more active families, a few days spent cycling through the valleys of Mai Chau, kayaking in the Mekong or a day spent planting rice in Laos offers both extraordinary scenery and physical activity. Ha Long Bay is a must-see for any visitor to Vietnam, but perhaps even more so for families, as the jutting rock formations are sure to inspire the imagination of anyone, especially children.
More family-friendly beach resorts can be found on various islands in the region, like Ko Phi Phi, Ko Chang and Ko Samui in Thailand or Koh Rong in Cambodia. Also in Cambodia is Angkor Wat, which may seem like a poor choice to entertain the little ones, but with a little effort it’s easy to engage their imaginations and make them feel like they’ve landed in an Indiana Jones movie. The temple complex is also teeming with wildlife, from monkeys to colourful birds, sure to excite children and parents alike.
For more memorable animal experiences, a visit to an Elephant conservation centre will give kids the chance to interact with these magnificent creatures that they’d otherwise only see on television. Be aware though, many elephant organizations engage in unethical practices, so research is imperative. A few well-reputed organizations are the Elephant Conservation Centres in Chiang Mai, Thailand and Sainyabuli, Laos and Conserve Natural Forests in Pai, Thailand. There is also a fantastic Wildlife Rescue Centre just outside of Phnom Penh where families can help out with the care of the endangered animals.
All in all, South East Asia offers something for family members of all ages, and is a great place for for parents wishing to foster a sense of fascination and curiosity for travel and the wider world in their children.

Best Wildlife and Animal Activities in Southeast Asia

Perhaps the most important gift you can impart to your children is a love of travel and the world. While there are many types of activities that are sure to accomplish this, a surefire way to get the little ones excited and provide good times for the whole family is by exploring the diverse wildlife and animal rescue projects in Southeast Asia.

Best Family Friendly National Parks in Southeast Asia

Visiting national parks is perhaps the best way for parents to make sure that their children possess a love and respect for nature, and few places in the world can rival Southeast Asia for either the quantity or quality of its national parks. Starting with Vietnam, Ba Be National Park is a favourite and highlight for many visitors

Best Homestay Experiences in Southeast Asia for Families

There is no better way to experience local culture than to see it up close and personal by staying with a local family in a homestay. It’s also especially perfect for travelling families, as they get to spend time with their local counterparts, and the kids will always have playmates wherever they stay.

Best Food Tours for Family Travellers in Southeast Asia

Sometimes getting children to eat unfamiliar food can be a challenge, especially if they’re not used to exotic colours and flavours. Thus, training their palettes and nurturing a love for exotic food at an early age is a great gift to give, sure to help them out later in life.

Family Friendly Festivals in Southeast Asia

Sometimes it can be challenging for parents to get their children excited about travel and going to new exotic places. Cultural and nature experiences are often decried as “boring” by the little ones, and it can be hard to find activities that appeal to the whole family outside of lounging at a beach or in a resort.

Best Beaches and Resorts in Southeast Asia for Family Travellers

Beaches and islands are a surefire way to get kids excited and involved, and is perhaps the best way to instil a love of travel and curiosity for the world in them at a young age. In Vietnam, there are many resorts along the Central Coast suitable for families with children, especially on the Lang Co peninsula near Da Nang

Vietnam

Laos

Cambodia

Thailand

Indonesia

Myanmar