Vietnam
Vietnam’s World Heritage-listed Hoi An is a stunning historical port town with plenty to do. Take an eco-tour to visit Cham Island, check out Tra Que veggie farm to prove to your kids that veggies don’t come wrapped in plastic and hire some bikes and head out to the nearby beaches. Budding chefs can take a cooking class—there are no shortage of options in this regard. Kids growing out of their clothes too quickly? This is the spot to get tailor-made clothes for a song, as well as shoes. Fashion-conscious teenagers will go wild.
While Vietnam’s beaches and islands are not a scratch on what you'll find in Indonesia and Thailand, they’re not a complete loss. Quickly developing Phu Quoc Island off the far south coast delivers the goods for a family vacation. Spend days lazing by the beach, do a snorkelling trip to a small archipelago off the south coast or just swing in a hammock. For the more active family, Con Dao, a short flight from Saigon (or bouncy boat trip from Vung Tau) is an excellent option, with excellent nature trails and beaches and a fascinating wartime history.
Nestled in the mountains of north Vietnam, the former French retreat of boomtown Sapa (do stay outside the city centre) is a colourful hideaway to take your kids. Enjoy the cooler temperatures (take winter clothes during, well, winter), browse the markets and observe the different ethnic minorities at work and go walking through amazing rice terraces. If you’re in the region over the weekend, the Bac Ha Sunday Market should also be on your list.
Laos
The fabled town of Luang Prabang in Laos will appeal to the whole family. Mum and Dad can relax in one of the many gorgeous cafes sipping Lao lattes while the kids take a cooking class, and everyone can pile into a boat to chug up the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves, home to a gazillion little Buddha images. Hire bicycles for a family trip out to the pretty Kwang Si falls.
Vang Vieng might have a reputation as a backpacker haven, but it’s also not a bad little spot for a family to spend a very active few days. Go tubing down the river flanked by fabulous limestone karsts, go caving or do a well-paced trek to a viewpoint.
In the far south, the 4,000 Islands has a rep for lazy days (or weeks ... ) swinging in a hammock as the muddy Mekong waters slide by. For families looking for something more active, the islands of Don Khong, Don Dhet and Don Khon are still a great option, with plentiful options for bicycle and boat trips, lazing by waterfalls and hoping to see one of the very few remaining dolphins in the area. Another option is a little further north: somnolent Champasak, where you can also visit Wat Phu, one of the most impressive (and far flung) of the Khmer monuments.
Cambodia
Come for the dolphins, stay for the beauty. Cambodia’s Kratie is where to base your family for a visit to see the critically endangered Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins. Only a few score are left in the world, and one of their remaining habitats is at Kampi, about 20 kilometres north of Kratie town. Dolphins aside, head to Koh Trong across the river from Kratie and hire some bicycles for a lovely unspoilt Cambodian rural experience. Your kids may be amazed to see how entire villages live without the internet.
Older kids, especially the more outdoors orientated, might find a stay at a homestay in Chi Phat a very enjoyable experience in southern Cambodia. Staying in a largely traditional village house, the homestay aspect delivers a sometimes humbling look into how your average Cambodian village lives, while the activities—from boat trips to jungle treks—make for a memorable trip. A community-based scheme, you’re also supporting a good cause here.
Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island), just off Kep in Cambodia’s south, is great for an absolutely low-key couple of days for your family to reconnect. Brand this to your kids as an old-style adventure: The accommodation is very rustic, the beach empty and safe, the seafood perfect (your kids will be able to wade out to choose their crabs). You’ll be completely offline as power only comes on at night. Take plenty of sunscreen and games.
Burma
A crowd pleaser on so many levels, Bagan also delivers the goods for kids. In some cases the monument interiors seem almost designed for kids as they’re so pokey and confined. Pick one of the sites with still decent murals within and kids will have plenty of enjoyment with a torch hunting out the details. Combine this with a pony cart for transport and perhaps a hot air balloon ride (in season, not cheap!) and you’ve got a full spread of activities.
Teenagers will get a lot out of the Kalaw to Inle trek. Aside from it being good exercise, the village homestays can be a good experience—just remember to accidentally leave the tablet in your luggage being shifted to Inle—no Minecraft on the trek! There’s also the boat ride across Inle Lake at the end, which is enjoyable for all ages.
Rudyard Kipling's Mawlamyine may have changed somewhat since he penned his famous lines (then it was Moulmein, for starters), but it's a good family spot today. Take advantage of the unusually decent accommodation and eating scene while filling your day with market and temple visits, boat trips, an excursion to Bilu Island or perhaps an overnight to Hpa-an or Setse beach.
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