What to Know for a Family Trip to Vietnam from Saudi Arabia

Traveling to Vietnam for a family trip for the first time from Saudi Arabia requires a few careful considerations. From packing the right items to making an itinerary beforehand to applying for the eVisa, there are a few aspects to be taken care of. 

As of 2025, Vietnam’s wonders are attracting over 17.5 million foreign visitors. But why is this South Asian country suddenly so much in focus? Well, let’s just say there isn’t anything you are not going to find here! Delectable food, breathtaking landscape, warm culture – you name it, to get it! So, adding Vietnam to your must-travel-to-destination list for the next trip is a good start. But as a citizen of Saudi Arabia, what do you need for this family trip?

Do you know which months are ideal for the trip? Have you packed the right essentials? Do you have an itinerary to follow? Most importantly, have you applied for the Vietnam online visa? Or do you even know what kind of visa requirements Vietnam needs from a Saudi Arabian citizen such as yourself?

This blog aims to help you by giving you a brief idea and painting a fair picture of what awaits you in Vietnam!

Applying for a Visa to Travel to Vietnam

Let’s start by addressing the most vital element. Traveling to a foreign country cannot be done without a visa, and you have to do the same. Saudi Arabia does not belong to the list of visa-waiver countries, so you opt for the Vietnam e Visa application for tourists.

Say you are a family of four. While you and your spouse definitely need an eVisa to get entry access to Vietnam, your teenage boy of 12 years and your little girl of 6 years require the same. If your children have individual passports, each one must have an individual visa. And in case your youngest child shares a passport with you, you can opt for a joint eVisa application for Vietnam. In the case of a pet dog/cat accompanying you, make sure you meet Vietnam’s requirements for allowing a pet (vaccinations, health certificates from the vet, etc.)

As per your convenience, choose from:

• A one-month Tourist visa with single entry
• A one-month Tourist visa with multiple entries
• A three-month Tourist visa with single entry
• A three-month Tourist visa with multiple entries

You are also eligible for a Visa on Arrival or a Sticker Visa, but obviously, a Vietnam online visa is much more convenient, as the application gets done pretty quickly. Simply come to our website, fill out the online application form with the correct details, upload a digital copy of your passport (should be valid for the next 6 months) and your recent photograph, make the application fee payment, and voila! You are done! Your eVisa will soon arrive in your inbox! 

To be on the safer side, get started with the Vietnam e Visa application at least 10 days before you get on the flight to Vietnam.

Quite a simple application process, right? And now, we move on to the rest of the planning!

What Is Ideally the Best Time to Plan a Vietnam Trip?

Well, that depends on what you seek. Do you want to see how beautiful the country looks when covered in flowers while celebrating Tet (Vietnamese New Year)? Spring (February to April) is the time! Or are your children excited about spending some time sprawling by the beach or playing water sports? Make plans for a summertime getaway (May to August). Or do you wish to spend this year’s Christmas in a foreign land surrounded by family? Winter (December to January) presents to you a beautifully decorated Vietnam!

Got confused? Vietnam is beautiful all year round. Do some recce, see when flight tickets and hotel bookings are at their cheapest, and book accordingly. And if budget is no constraint, visit in Spring. It will leave you awestruck!

What Are the Most Visit-worthy Places in Vietnam?

You are going with your family, so make sure everyone enjoys the trip equally. 

Hanoi: Vietnam’s capital, this place has the Water Puppet Show (much to your kid’s delight!) as well as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and street food tours (to satisfy the child in you!)

Halong Bay: A UNESCO site, this place offers kayaking and cruising opportunities while exploring limestone caves at the same time.

Sapa: Painting a true picture of Vietnam’s ethnicity, this place offers tranquility as you stay in homestays and learn about the culture by exploring the local markets.

Ho Chi Minh City: Almost the beating heart of Vietnam, this place bustles with tourists all year round and is the home to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum. 

Other than these, you also have options to explore Hue (tombs, temples, and Citadels everywhere), Hoi An (a boat ride on the Thu Bon River takes brownie points), and the Mekong Delta (fruit orchards and floating markets, anyone?). There are off-track places as well, like Ha Giang (the Geopark is the main attraction), Ninh Binh (bike rides and mountain climbing for adventure lovers), and Phu Quoc Island (sunbathing and snorkeling and then gorging on seafood!)

What Can Be the Possible Travel Itinerary Options?

This really depends on how long you are going to stay, which is majorly linked to your schedule, budget, and overall preferences.

A 14-day Classic Vietnam Tour

Hanoi → Halong Bay → Sapa → Hue → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta

Stay for 2 days in each place, do not forget to taste Vietnamese delicacies, and shop for souvenirs from small roadside shops. For more suggestions on what to do in each place, you can always ask locals for guidance.

A 10-day North Vietnam Tour

Hanoi → Halong Bay → Ninh Binh → Ha Giang 

Allocate time for hiking, seeing the Bai Dinh Pagoda, and interacting with ethnic minorities. And for the rest, friendly locals will be more than willing to help.

A 6-day South Vietnam Tour

Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta → Phu Quoc Island

The shortest of all trips, you may only have time for visiting the famous cathedrals and sightseeing locations. Before departing, relax by the seaside and see what seafood Vietnam has to offer.

What about Hotels, Commute, and Food?

No worries, Vietnam caters to the likes of every person’s budget. Since you are traveling with family, choosing a hotel or a homestay should be done with a few factors in mind.

• The hotel needs to be kid-friendly, with maybe a garden or park close by
• Prioritize safety by booking a hotel in a well-lit, secure area, and make sure it has all the amenities you need
• It is preferable to have dining options within the hotel premises itself
• Last but not least, check for flexible booking options that allow a refund 

Public modes of transportation

Getting around in Vietnam is easy; each and every place has a whole lot of public modes of transportation.

Taxis are reasonably priced and comfortable, but only if you haggle for the fare beforehand

Public buses are the most cost-effective, but you may have to know about the routes, schedules, and ticketing options beforehand

Trains are going to give you the best scenic view as you travel from one destination to another, and berths are available according to your budget

Private cars for hire are available, and while they are quite comfortable and convenient, the hiring cost will be on the higher side

Motorbikes are one of the most popular options, but they are more suitable for families with young members and no children or the elderly

You are going to get all kinds of food options here; no restrictions whatsoever. However, the local dishes that most definitely demand a place in your trip are:

Pho, a soup made with noodles and meat chunks

Banh Mi, a Baguette sandwich with fillings of meat and pickles

Vietnamese coffee, a rather strong beverage sweetened with condensed milk

Are There Any Other Prep Tips to Remember?

Number one, of course, is planning ahead and getting the Vietnam online visa for everyone. Also, even though you have the eVisa, keep a printed copy of the visa with you in person at all times.

• Pack clothes as per season. Check the possible temperature of the places you will be visiting and carry the right clothing items. Pack a thing or two extra for the child.
• Essentials like insect repellent, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, mobile charger, power adaptors, reusable water bottles, basic first-aid kit, etc., are a must.
• Learn some basic phrases in the Vietnamese language to gel well with the locals: Xin chào (Hello), Tạm biệt (Bye), Vâng (Yes), Không (No), Cứu (Help), Cảm ơn (Thank you), so on and so forth
• When visiting restaurants, consider tipping a small amount of 5-10%
• Porters and taxi drivers may also expect a token of gratuity
• Exchange foreign currency, i.e., Vietnamese Dong, for a better traveling experience
• Be respectful towards the local culture and refrain from doing anything that the Vietnamese do not approve of

What Shall Be the Estimated Cost of the Trip?

A Vietnam trip can be done well within a budget, but again, the total cost may vary depending on a number of factors, like how long you are staying, the nature of the hotel, what you eat, what activities you sign up for, and a lot more. 

• Flight tickets of $500-$1000/person 
• A hotel or a homestay charging around $20-$100/night
• Transportation fees vary greatly depending on the chosen mode of transport
• Around $10-$50/day on different activities
• Around $10-$30/day on food and drinks

However, this is purely an estimate. The total budget for a 2-week trip may range from anywhere between $2000 to $8000.

All Set for a Trip to Vietnam?

There is no end to what you may have to know when planning for a trip! Well, the best you can do is know the basics, get the Vietnam e visa application done early, have the hotel bookings and flight tickets arranged, and then set sail! Keep your faith in the locals and ask for help whenever needed. 

For more queries about the eVisa, contact us.