When I tell people we spent two weeks touring Vietnam and Cambodia with a group, I can often see them picturing it: a big bus, a guide holding up a flag, and a schedule that keeps everyone in lock-step from breakfast to bedtime. Our National Geographic Family Journey through Southeast Asia in July 2025 was nothing like that. This tour, operated by G Adventures, maxes out at 20 travelers, so our group was just our family and four others. Even better, this itinerary built in occasional free mornings or open afternoons, and optional activities, so each family could shape its own experience. We came home with unforgettable memories, new friends, and, thanks to a tailor in Hoi An, a few more clothes than we left with.
Before the Tour: An Overnight on Ha Long Bay
We arrived in Hanoi a few days early to fit in something at the top of my wish list: an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay. With hundreds of boats out on the bay, I wanted something smaller and more relaxed, and we found it on a smaller luxury boat that carried just our family and one other pair of travelers. It felt more like a private yacht than a cruise.
The food alone would have been worth the trip. Every meal was a multi-course affair, each one absolutely delicious, and a cooking class gave us the chance to learn to make our own spring rolls (which we happily ate). Between meals, we kayaked through a small, quiet bay surrounded by limestone cliffs, swam at a nearly empty beach, and hiked up through a cave to a sweeping view of the bay. The next morning started with a tai chi session on deck. And our son’s favorite moment? Fishing for squid off the side of the boat, which became part of his breakfast the next morning!
Hanoi: Not Your Lock-Step Group Tour
The tour officially kicked off with a welcome dinner in Hanoi, where our guides brought all five families together around the table so we could get to know each other. It was a relaxed start, and by the end of the evening we were already swapping travel stories with our new companions.
The first full day set the pattern for the rest of the trip. The group activities, a cyclo tour and a water puppet show, weren’t scheduled until the afternoon, so the morning and early afternoon were ours to fill. We signed up for a motorbike tour of the city, which was thrilling, a little nerve-wracking in Hanoi’s famous traffic, and a great way to see neighborhoods we never would have found on our own. Then we met back up with the group, settled into cyclos for a slower-paced look at the city, and ended the day at the puppet show, a centuries-old Vietnamese art form.
Ninh Binh: Two Guides, Bamboo Boats, and a Muddy Bike Ride
On day three, we boarded a minibus for the drive to Ninh Binh, and the ride doubled as a classroom, with our guides sharing the history and culture of Vietnam along the ride in a kid-friendly & engaging way. We had two guides for the whole trip, one from Vietnam and one from Cambodia, and whoever was in their home country took the lead. Having two guides was wonderful. While one led the group, the other could work behind the scenes on logistics or give individual support to anyone who needed it.
Ninh Binh is known for its dramatic limestone landscape, and one of the best ways to see it is from the water. We floated along the river in bamboo boats, and some of the kids rode together instead of with their parents. They loved the independence and the chance to get to know each other, and we loved the bonus couple time!
The next day’s bike ride was more of a challenge for us. The scenery was stunning, with rice fields surrounded by steep mini-mountains, but we hit some muddy stretches and had a few falls among the group. It turned out to be good practice in perseverance for the kids, and the reward was a stop for tasty treats, where we watched locals make things like spring rolls and potato chips. Nothing tastes better than a snack you’ve earned!
That evening was free, and a few of us decided to head into town for dinner. Our guide arranged for the minibus to take us and even got the microphone going for a mini karaoke session for a few of the kiddos. It was a small gesture, but it’s the kind of thing that made the trip feel personal.
Giving Back Along the Way
One thing I love about traveling with G Adventures and Nat Geo is that they partner with local organizations that support underserved communities, and this trip included two of them. The first came on day five, when we visited a small workshop that employs people with disabilities to make stuffed animals. We met some of the workers, made our own mini stuffed-animal keychains, and had the chance to shop for a few more. It was a meaningful reminder that the way you travel can make a difference for the people you meet along the way.
Hue: An Imperial City and a Quiet Lunch
Our day in Hue was a hot one, and the little electric fans we’d packed earned their spot in the suitcase. Even so, the Imperial City held our attention. This walled citadel was home to Vietnam’s last emperors, and today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We wandered through massive gates and past ornate pavilions, lotus ponds, and gardens, while our guide pointed out where restoration from war damage is still underway.
Lunch at a Buddhist nunnery was one of the most memorable meals of the trip. The nuns served a vegetarian spread that was beautiful and delicious, and sharing it in their convent gave all of us a glimpse into the simple life they lead.
Hoi An: Lanterns, Tailors, and Time to Wander
Hoi An was a highlight, with its charming alleyways strung with colorful lanterns. We started with a short orientation walk that included a stop at the local market, where our guide introduced us to the fruits for sale, including the infamous durian. Stinky doesn’t begin to describe it!
The afternoon was ours to enjoy as we wished, and since it was raining, we found a charming coffee shop and settled in with one of the other families. During another stretch of free time in Hoi An, we spent an afternoon at the beach, where the kids had the chance for some unstructured play together. After so many full days, that downtime was a welcome change of pace.
That evening, we visited a tailor to select our included custom shirt, or to apply its value toward another item like a dress or pants. With hundreds of fabrics, clothing styles, and even the option of a custom design, it was so much fun to browse. We were fitted that night and went back the next day for a second fitting and final alterations. I picked a beautiful dress in a paisley pattern, our son chose a fun, colorful collared short-sleeve shirt, and my husband went all in with TWO suits and a couple of shirts. Good thing we had a little extra space in our luggage!
Our second community visit was Oodles of Noodles, a tour and cooking class run with young people working to improve their life circumstances by learning English and studying tourism. They taught us to make steamed rice noodles, which takes some finesse: you spread the batter paper-thin on a cloth, then steam it briefly to cook. It was a delicious lesson and a wonderful way to support these young people as they build their futures.
That same day, we biked out to a basket boat ride. It was pretty touristy, but the kids didn’t mind one bit. They had a blast being spun around in the round bamboo boats as the boatmen played popular music.
Saigon: Cyclos, Tunnels, and a Birthday to Remember
Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, as our guide called it, opened with another cyclo ride. It was a fun way to see some of the city’s highlights, though a bit nerve-wracking at times as we rolled through the traffic!
On day ten, we took a boat up the river to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the underground network the Viet Cong used during the Vietnam War. We learned how the tunnels were used and even climbed down into a few. Historically, much of it was over the kids’ heads, but it was valuable for the adults, and the kids stayed engaged because they could experience it for themselves.
That day was also our son’s twelfth birthday, and our guides were so sweet about it. They arranged for a chocolate cake (his favorite), and everyone sang happy birthday to him in the hotel lobby. Then they helped us book a karaoke room, and the whole group joined us for an evening of singing and family fun, followed by an Italian dinner. It’s moments like this that show the difference a small group and caring guides can make.
Siem Reap: Temples, Dancers, and the Circus
Day eleven was mostly a travel day to Siem Reap, where our Cambodian guide took the lead. That evening, we opted for a special dinner with a traditional dance performance. The dancers’ hand movements, with fingers bent in ways I didn’t think fingers could bend, were mesmerizing.
Day twelve was absolutely incredible. We started with a morning visit to Angkor Wat, considered the largest religious monument in the world. Built in the early 1100s as a Hindu temple and later converted to Buddhism, it’s staggering in scale. Our visit started off a bit rough – one of the kids was having a rough day thanks to the heat and tiredness – so we meandered away from the group a bit and explored at our own pace. It turned out to be a gift, giving us time to soak in the peace of the place.
Our next stop, Ta Prohm, was possibly the biggest highlight of the entire trip. Here, the jungle has been left to grow, with enormous tree roots and vines spilling over and through the ancient stone walls. It feels like stepping into an adventure movie, and it’s where scenes from Tomb Raider were filmed. We also visited Bayon, at the heart of the ancient city of Angkor Thom, where more than 200 serene stone faces gaze out from its towers.
After a busy morning, we had a few hours to enjoy the hotel pool, more unstructured fun for the kids. We ended the tour at Phare, the Cambodian Circus, starting with a workshop where we learned some tumbling and juggling skills, then watching the performers put those skills into action. Many of the performers trained at a local arts school that supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, which made it a fitting way to close out the trip.
Is This Trip Right for Your Family?
On day thirteen, it was time to say goodbye to our new friends, and in our case, move on to Bangkok. If I were to do this trip again, I’d add at least one post-tour night in Siem Reap. Beautiful temples are everywhere around the city, and one day only scratches the surface.
This trip is a great fit for families with curious, adaptable kids who are up for some adventure. In July, expect heat and humidity (pack those mini fans!), a couple of active days like the bike rides, and plenty of history balanced with hands-on fun. If you like the idea of built-in travel companions and expert guides but still want room to choose your own adventures, a small-group family tour like this one strikes a wonderful balance.
If you’re dreaming of a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, I would love to help you plan it, whether that’s a small-group family journey like ours, a custom itinerary, or even a Mekong River cruise. Contact me at kristin@familytravelsandadventures.com to start planning your Southeast Asia adventure.
