You don’t have to go very far to make fun memories with the whole family! Our Southeast Asian neighbors have a lot to offer when it comes to great food, culture, adventure and hospitality! They also promise value for money–what more can you ask for?
If you’re planning your next family vacation, try looking into these places!
Bali, Indonesia
photos: facebook
Indonesia, specifically the island of Bali, has a lot to offer parents and kids. The tropical paradise is home to a lot of family-friendly attractions, like the Bali Elephant park, Ubud Monkey Forest, and the Bali Safari and Marine park, a water and amusement park, where you can swim with dolphins!
You can also visit nearby Kuta beach, Waterbom Park, Treetop Adventure Park and Turtle Island. Take your kids to a traditional Balinese show for a dose of culture, too!
Find out more about how to plan your trip and your budget here.
Penang, Malaysia
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On the island of Penang, like Kuala Lumpur, there is no shortage of keep you and your kids entertained. A trip to Penang Hill via a funicular tram ride is a must as well as visiting the Youth Park, which has a giant playground, numerous different pools, jungle trails, lots of trees, and entrance is free! A monkey or two could say hello, too!
At night, you can take a colorful Cyclo-Rickshaw ride! Temples, night markets, Botanical gardens, a toy and interactive museum, and their bird park would also be fun for the whole family.
Find out more of what you can experience on the island of Penang here.
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
photo: facebook
Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is a great way to experience the country’s culture, with dozens of museums and historical landmarks to visit. Kids will enjoy strolling down their famed “toy street”, otherwise known as Luong Van Can street. Hoan Kiem Lake is a great place for playing and having a picnic. Less than an hour’s drive away, you’ll find Bat Trang Ceramic Village, where parents and kids can learn traditional pottery and take home their own creations.
Board a bus, for roughly P1,000, and you’ll get to Ha Long Bay, which is made up 1,600 islands. This breathtaking part of Vietnam is a must visit. The UNESCO world heritage site is a great choice for a relaxing and memorable trip. Exploring the islands, one will be treated to its fascinating stories, which will be interesting to parents and kids alike.
If you prefer, you can take an hour-long plane ride to Hoi An, an underrated part of Vietnam that offers great food, culture, and beaches. You can ride a basket boat through palm groove, fish and enjoy the fresh catch of the day. Plus: there’s an educational eco-tour for kids. You can ride bikes through the scenic countryside and discover Hoi An’s hidden beaches. You can also discover the art of lantern making and make one of your own.
For more on what family activities to do in other parts of Vietnam, click here.
Phuket, Thailand
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With safe beaches and crystal clear waters, this paradise is a great choice for beach-loving families. Aside from the beach, you can also find other attractions in Phuket, like the Splash Jungle Waterpark, which has fun rides and pools overlooking the jungle and nearby Mai Khao Beach.
If you’re tired of swimming, you can fly across the jungle on their eco-experience Zipline Adventure. It has 15 crisscrossing ziplines, 2 bridges and a skyrail. You can also take a 20-minute walk through the jungle. Kids can explore Phuket’s exotic marine life at the Phuket Aquarium or, better yet, snorkeling at Phi Phi Island. They can also get a chance to make Elephant friends during a trekking and ATV Tour! Best of all, you can all cool off underneath a stunning waterfall!
For more on the best kid-friendly activities in Phuket, click here.
Ko Tonsay or Siem Reap, Cambodia
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Charmingly also called “Rabbit Island”, Ko Tinsay is a peaceful island town, which is a 20-minute boat ride from Kep, Cambodia. It’s remote and simple, there’s no internet or power on the island yet, except at night. Being unplugged can offer you and your kids a chance to reconnect with one another and discover other forms of entertainment. Don’t worry because there are affordable places you can stay which are run by families, too. The beaches are safe and less crowded.
If more excitement is what you’re after, perhaps Siem Reap will be more your speed. Of course, it would not be complete without a visit to the famous Angkor Wat temple. Parents and kids will enjoy learning about the history and architecture of the temple. The local circus, called Phare Circus, an entertaining celebration of Cambodian culture. You can also take kids to explore the walled compound of Angkor Thom, where you can find the beautiful Bayon temple with its four towers bearing four giant smiling faces. There’s a lot of corners and terraces to explore as well as fields and trees to relax under.
Here’s more of what you can expect from a trip to Siem Reap.
Yangon, Myanmar
photos: facebook
Go on a culture trip in one of the lesser visited cities in Asia. Visit the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda to see local families praying or hanging out. It also has a lot of space for kids to play and it promises stunning sunset views. The 240-foot long reclining Buddha, or Chaukhtatgyi Paya, is also a must see.
Take a dip in any of their public pools: Kandawgyi Swimming Pool, Kokkin Swimming Club and the National Swimming Pool and visit Kandawgyi Lake, which is enveloped by a lush 110-acre park.
For more kid-friendly activities in Yangon, visit this page.
READ: 8 Family-friendly hotel staycations for under P3,000 in Metro Manila
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