Southeast Asia is an incredible destination for kids and families. I’ve been all over the region and have a good feel for the places to go and the over-rated destinations to avoid. There’s lots to see so let’s take a look at some of my favorites.
The Essential Tip
I could give you lots of tips for traveling to Southeast Asia with kids but I’m going to mention just one here because I think it’s so important.
Try to arrive and depart from different cities. Of course, this advice doesn’t apply if you’re doing a short one-week vacation, but if you’re there for a longer stretch of time it’s close to essential.
Southeast Asia lends itself to this open-jaw method of traveling. The typical must-see cities, attractions, and resort islands stretch along single routes of roads and rail. The most visited places – from Bali to Singapore up to Bangkok and over to Vietnam and onto Hong Kong – form a sort of crescent shaped route for travelers.
Further reading on planning a trip to SE Asia:
- Accommodations: Great Places To Stay In Southeast Asia
- 12 Most Popular Islands For Backpackers In Southeast Asia
- The Most Overrated Places In Southeast Asia
- What Happens When You Get Food Poisoning in Southeast Asia
- The Definitive Guide To Getting Visas For Southeast Asia
- Itinerary Suggestions For The Countries Of Southeast Asia
Where To Go in Southeast Asia – The Highlights
Ubud, Bali
Bali is great for families. And to be honest the kids would probably enjoy one of the beaches (Jimbaran, Sanur, Lovina) more than Ubud. But if travel involved compromise and if there’s one cultural destination in Southeast Asia that works really well with children then it’s Ubud.
Most of the Balinese shows (dancing, singing, theatre) are bright, loud, engergetic – and outdoors – making them perfect for children. The climate is cooler than the rest of Bali and the high number of expats ensures there is lots of good food – and great bakeries – that kids will enjoy. Most mid-range and luxury hotels have a swimming pool and a range of walks and hikes – from easy to more challenging – weave in and out of the local rice paddies.
Further Reading:
- Bali With Kids
- Enjoying Balinese Dance In Ubud
- Things To Do In Bali With Kids
- Exploring The Monkey Forest In Ubud
- Yoga In Ubud
Singapore
Singapore is loaded with fun activities for families. It’s easy to get around, has colorful neighborhoods, and a mind-boggling array of food, shopping, and entertainment options.
Kids will be most interested in the Night Safari, Sentosa Island, and the Science Centre but you could spend a week here and not be bored.
Further Reading:
Penang, Malaysia
Somewhat like Singapore but smaller and friendlier, with a more Old Asia feel. This is a place you could easily spend several weeks or a month relax – settling in and getting to the know the local people, customs, and slow pace of life.
Food is important in Penang so this is a place to explore different cuisines with a open-minded and fun curiosity.
Further Reading:
- Penang With Kids – 10 Best Things To Do
- Renting A Place In Penang
- Cost of Living (for a Family) In Penang
Railay, Thailand
This is my favorite beach in Southeast Asia and it’s a perfect destination for kids. (Actually, there are 2 beaches here – both are fantastic and very kid-friendly.) Railay is only accessible by boat from Krabi or Ao Nang which ads some drama and sense of adventure to your arrival. (Luggage often has to be carried overhead as you hop from the boat into the shallow waters of the beach.)
There are no cars within the town and it’s crisscrossed not by roads but sandy paths leading from one beach to another. Kids love it here.
Further Reading:
Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand
The perfect Thai island that offers a bit of everything at a slower pace than nearby Koh Samui. Haad Rin is party central – renown for Southeast Asia’s biggest Full Moon Party – but get away from there and things change dramatically.
The nicest beaches can be found along the north coast of the island. It requires a bit of trek by car or pick up truck to get there but if you’re looking for what Thailand was like 20 years ago this is as close as you can get.
Further Reading:
- How To Choose A Thai Island
- Koh Samui With Kids
- The Complete Guide to Diving In Koh Tao (a nearby island)
Chiang Mai, Thailand
This Bangkok meets mountain village. Chiang Mai is a hip urban destination – with many expats wandering the streets – but with great outdoor excursions just a short drive away. Do a collection of day trips or take a longer tour through one of the many trek operators found here.
Riding an elephant is usually at the top of most kids to-do list (it was for mine) and that’s easily accomplished in the Chiang Mai region. The overnight train ride from Bangkok is another sure bet to be popular with the whole family.
Further Reading:
- The Best of Chiang Mai – A Roundup
- Living In Chiang Mai – A Family Perspective
- How To Get Between Chiang Mai and Bangkok
- House Hunting In Chiang Mai
- The Temples of Chiang Mai
Bangkok, Thailand
Southeast Asia’s most exciting and dynamic city. From fantastic street food to gritty canal trips, from stunning palaces to the ultra modern sky train, Bangkok flat out wowes you.
You could spend a week here doing fun family-friendly attractions and day trips so don’t dismiss the nation’s capital as just another dirty busy transit hub.
Further Reading:
- 101 Things To Do In Bangkok
- 9 Tips For Surviving Bangkok
- Travel Prices For Bangkok
- Visiting The Dreamworld Theme Park in Bangkok
- The Grand Palace With Kids
- Real Pizza in Bangkok
The Mekong Delta, Vietnam
A great region for getting off the beaten track, traveling like the locals do, and seeing true Vietnamese life. You can criss-cross the delta by bus, boat, or even bike (it’s so flat that this is a popular destination for touring on 2 wheels).
The stunningly beautiful Phu Quoc islands rests just off the Mekong’s west side and makes a great detour for some family beach time.
Further Reading:
- A Cruise down the Mekong by Boat (about Laos but gives a good overview of river travel)
- A Month in Vietnam with Kids – likes, dislikes, and how much we spent
- The Mekong Delta by Bike
Hanoi, Vietnam
The tangle of lanes and narrow streets that makes up Hanoi’s old quarter is the stuff of asian legend and will likely make for a day of adventurous exploration for older children. A (very popular) water puppet show, kid friendly parks, exotic markets, numerous ice cream shops, and a waterslide park that looks out over rice paddies are some of the many highlights.
The overnight train ride to Hoi An or a night or two touring Halong Bay by boat are enticing sidetrips from the city.
Further Reading:
Hong Kong, China
Not truly in SE Asia but on it’s a popular stop and gateway city for people heading farther south so I’ve included it here. The city has an amazing array of attractions that are kid-friendly, uniquely Asian, and easy to get from the city center.
Further Reading:
Questions and Comments
Hotel Tips
Many readers ask about the best websites for booking hotels. These are my favorites.HotelsCombined.com – The absolute best for finding deals and discounts.
Booking.com – Specializes in Europe.
Agoda.com – Specializes in Asia.
Wow, what a great compilation of resources. We don’t have kids but it’s still useful for us too. Thanks for including our Hong Kong guide.
Hi David: Thanks so much for including a link to my article on cruising down the Mekong River. Very much appreciated. I notice you didn’t include Laos specifically in the list. If you ever get a chance to go, grab it. Laos is fabulous.
I have been to Hong Kong a couple times. My friends there took me out to quite a few places. One of them is Ocean Park: a fun place for family where you can see panda. It is so convenient to travel around Asia. Thanks for the guide.
Hiya, Thanks for including the link to our Hong Kong to Hanoi post – grateful for that!
Also, would def second Barbara r.e. Laos – a fantastic place and really child-friendly, esp the 4000 islands region – Dhon Kon was like never never land – so many cute kids, you’d have thought they were running the island!
Hello, I am very interested in “A Month in Vietnam with Kids – likes, dislikes, and how much we spent” but blogspot is blocked in China and I can’t access it from here. Is there any other way I could get that report?
Hi Jose. I just emailed you a text version of the article – it’s a good one. Good luck.
Thanks David for including a link to our blog! Highly recommend India too!!
If you had to choose between Bali and Thailand which would you go for? Thx.
Hi Harpo. If you’re looking for beaches, great food, or a very active vacation (i.e. kayaking, rock climbing, trekking) then Thailand. Bali – for me – is more a place to chill out and spend an extended period of time. Biking is also great in Bali. Lots of culture, performances, painting, and a strong expat scene. Not that Thailand doesn’t have those things but they seem a bit more dispersed there. Mind you, I’m comparing an island with a country. I hope that helps.
Great selection of destinations in SE Asia. I’ve visited all of the places you selected and I feel they’re perfect places not only for families but for anybody thinking of touring the region.
Hello
Love your site. We are planing to travel to Sth East Asia 2012/13 for approx 4 – 5 weeks. Travelling from NZ we will land in Singapore as i think this would likey the cheapest option . We would like to cover Phuket/Koh Samui Chaing Mai. Vietnam. Do you have any ideas on what the best direction would be to travel in would be. We will have 19 month, 4 year old and 7 year old. We are very flexible. But would like a iterinary that would be easy travelling for our kids. We are thinking that a week in each spot? Just hoping for reccomendations and flights we should look at taking between cities etc Also if you have any better ideas for travelling around this part of the world ie: places we should go i would welcome anything. Many Thanks Kym
Hi Kym. Sounds like a fun trip. I would think about flying directly from Singapore to either Phuket or Samui and then skipping the other one. You’ve got a lot planned for 4 or 5 weeks and Phuket and Samui have many similarities – just do one. You’ll probably end of flying out of Bangkok to Vietnam so if you could get to Chiang Mai directly from Samui or Phuket that would be a good use of time too. The kids will love the overnight train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok so I recommend that on the way back to Bangkok. The highlights of Vietnam are Hanoi, Halong Bay, China Beach, Hoi An, and the Mekong Delta – but you’ll be pushed for time so I’d recommend Hanoi with a side trip to either Halong Bay or Hoi An. Good luck.
Hi Kym (and David!)
We too are from NZ and planning a family trip for 6-8 weeks during the middle of this year. We need to cover Vietnam, Bangkok, KL and Bali. I would love to hear more about what your itinerary involves as our wee ones will be 4 years old and 22 months. (no 7 year old as well for us!!)
I have to travel to vietnam for business as we are having apparel made for my boutique, so need to try to head there first.
David, would you recommend Bali as the final destination – for the chill out factor? and Can you recommend any kid friendly places to go/stay in Bangkok as I have never been there and it is a tad intimidating what I read (as I try to imagine my cherubs with me!)
Thanks so much for your time
Jess
Hi Jess. I love the Amari Watergate. Beautiful pool, very good restaurants, and close to a lot of fun stuff – so you don’t waste your time in a taxi getting across the city.
Bali is a great final destination. You’re right, very chill out, relax. It will seem a world away from Bangkok and Vietnam.
Good luck.
Hi there,
You have linked back to my article about the monkey forest in Ubud (thanks!) but please note. You wrote monkey forest ROAD, but there’s a big difference between the monkey forest and the monkey forest road. The former is a beautiful forest filled with monkeys, the latter is a street filled with shops selling junk to tourists!
Denise
Fixed. Thanks Denise for catching that. We loved the monkey forest but could do without Monkey Forest Road. Cheers.
Hi David,
Thanks for the write up, very useful!
We are a family from London currently six months into a year-long global adventure (www.facebook.com/ouryearaway). We’re in New Zealand at the moment and after our next stop (Australia) plan to travel to SE Asia for around 2.5 months. We leave Cairns for Singapore at the end of February and Hong Kong for London in early June but apart from that haven’t decided where to go.
Staying in Thailand for a while is an obvious choice but my wife and I have travelled the country before (and loved it) so we think Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam etc may be worth looking at. One fly in the ointment is my wife’s pre-existing heart condition: she has SVT which is basically an electrical malfunction of the heart where it beats 2-3 time faster than it should. If she get’s an episode she may need to get treatment at a medical centre so we can’t stay in remote places, as least for too long.
A friend has suggested going further north and spending time in South Korea, Japan and China but we’re not sure about this – SE Asia is our first choice.
Where do you think we should go?
Thanks,
Danny
Hi Danny. With 2.5 months I’d start in Singapore and work my way up through Malaysia and Thailand, then through Cambodia and/or Laos to Saigon, and then move north through Vietnam to Hanoi. But more than anything stay flexible and don’t commit to anything that will constrain you if you want to change your plans. I hope that helps. Have fun.
Hi David,
Thanks for all the fantastic information on your site.
We are planing a family holiday in Railay, Krabi in Jan/Feb 2013. At that time we will have a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old.
I was wondering if you can offer any suggestions for good quality mid range family accommodation in the area?
Many thanks,
Marisa
This is an awesome site for finding great deals: hotelscombined.com/ao-nang-and-railay.
Good luck.