8 Best Family-Friendly Experiences in Southeast Asia

Do you enjoy fresh air more than busy streets? Green fields instead of grey buildings? The sounds of nature instead of traffic? These family- friendly experiences take you and your kids away from the city and into everyday local life. From quiet lagoons and small villages to hands-on craft classes and farm visits in Southeast Asia, each experience invites families to slow down, learn something new, and enjoy time together.

1. Local Life on a Lagoon

• Location: Hue, Vietnam.

This experience takes your family away from busy roads and into the calm rhythm of lagoon life near Hue. You’ll meet one of Vivu Journeys’ Local Legends and a welcoming fisherfolk family.

Local people live on floating houses, and you can see how oysters, fish, and other seafood are harvested using traditional methods. After that, you enjoy a fresh seafood meal right there on the lagoon.

It’s a family-friendly experience that offers a real and simple look into everyday life on Hue’s lagoon.

Tour includes:

• Expert English-speaking guide
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Lunch
• Drinking water

2. Lantern Making Class

• Location: Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An is famous for its lanterns, and this experience lets your family make one together, with local artisans showing you how lanterns are made. Each family member can choose their favourite silk and colours, then learn step by step how to shape and decorate a lantern by hand. The process is simple, fun, and suitable for both kids and adults. At the end of the class, you take your handmade lantern home as a personal souvenir, making it a great choice for a creative, family-friendly experience.

Tour includes:

• Expert English-speaking guide
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Entrance ticket
• Water

You may also like: Hoi An Lantern Festival – The Ancient Town’s Magical Night

3. Cacao Farm Experience

• Location: Can Tho, Vietnam.

Visit a local cacao farm to meet the farmers and see how cacao becomes chocolate.

During the visit, your family joins in simple farm activities. You break open cacao pods to see the beans inside and taste the fresh pulp. You also watch how the beans are fermented and dried, the key steps that create chocolate’s flavour.

You learn from Mr. Lau as he talks about his work, the challenges he faces, and how his childhood interest in cacao grew into award-winning chocolate.

Tour includes:

• Expert English-speaking guide
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Entrance ticket
• Drink Signature Marou
• Water
• Lunch

4. Kok Sangke Community & Kampong Khleang experience

• Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Discover village life at Kok Sangke Community, where your family gets a glimpse of authentic village life with local families. You can see how bamboo sticky rice and local rice wine are made. Kids can meet farm animals and enjoy hands-on activities, making this visit easy and enjoyable for the whole family.

Enjoy local music and dances before continuing to Kampong Khleang to explore stilt houses and see the daily work of local people.

Tour includes:

• Local English-speaking guide
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Chai Yam dancing & traditional monk blessing
• Entrance ticket
• Boat trip
• Village activities, as mentioned
• Lunch at a local community centre
• Water

You may also like: Empowering Education in Kok Sangke with Vivu Journeys Cambodia

5. Silk Island Bicycle Tour

• Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

If you’re travelling with kids and want an easy day outside the city, Silk Island is a good choice. The ferry ride across the river is short, and once on the island, the roads are flat and quiet, passing stilt houses and small family workshops.

Silk weaving is still part of daily life here. You can sit with local artisans, try weaving yourself, and see the time and care that go into each piece of fabric. A short visit to the village temple before heading back offers a calm break in the day. Overall, Silk Island gives families a slow, simple look at everyday life beyond Phnom Penh.

Tour includes: 

• Local English-speaking guide during the tour
• Bike and helmet
• Ferry to/from Silk Island
• Lunch
• Soft drinks and Snack
• Water

6. Luang Prabang Pottery Class

• Location: Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang offers an easy mix of culture and outdoor activity for families. The day combines cycling through the countryside with a boat crossing over the Mekong River to Ban Chan, a village known for its traditional pottery.

In Ban Chan, pottery is still made by hand, and your family can take part in a hands-on workshop. After that, a short hike leads to Chompet Temple, where there are nice views before returning to Luang Prabang. It’s a simple mix of outdoor activity, hands-on experience, and local life that works well for families travelling together.

Includes: 

• Expert English-speaking guide
• Bicycle
• Ferry fees
• Entrance ticket
• Water

7. Chiang Mai Tea Garden Journey

• Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

If your family enjoys quiet nature and gentle outdoor activities, this tea garden experience is a lovely way to spend the day. The journey takes you to Araksa Tea Plantation in Mae Taeng, a peaceful countryside setting surrounded by rolling green hills and tidy rows of tea plants.

You stroll through the tea fields, learn how tea is grown, picked, and processed, and see the traditional techniques used to create Thailand’s well-loved teas — all in a calm and scenic countryside atmosphere. Kids enjoy the hands-on parts of the experience, while adults often appreciate the peaceful surroundings and beautiful views. It’s relaxed, easy, and suitable for all ages.

Tour includes:

• Expert English-speaking guide
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Join in activities at Araksa Tea Plantation

8. Hands-On Farm Life Experience for Families

• Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

If your family loves nature, outdoor play, and learning through real-life experiences, this farm visit is a wonderful way to spend time together. The journey takes you to a sustainable, eco-friendly farm in the Chiang Mai countryside, where open fields, rice paddies, and vegetable gardens create a peaceful and welcoming setting.

You wander through the farm, meet friendly animals, and take part in fun, hands-on activities such as rice planting, mud play, and simple Thai cooking. Kids especially enjoy the interactive moments and open space to explore, while adults appreciate the authentic rural atmosphere and slower pace of life. The experience ends with a fresh, organic Northern Thai meal made from seasonal farm ingredients, relaxed, meaningful, and enjoyable for all ages.

Tour includes:

• Expert English-speaking guide
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Hands-on farm activities and an organic meal

With so many family-friendly experiences across Southeast Asia, choosing the right one depends on how your family likes to travel. Some days are about being active and trying something new. The best experiences are often the ones that let families share time together, learn naturally, and come away with memories that feel real.

Want to join an adventure with Vivu Journeys? Send us an enquiry or become our partner today!

Download our Family & Kid-Friendly Tours: Essence of Southeast Asia brochure HERE for ideas, routes, and experiences designed for travelling together.