4 Unforgettable Asian family holidays: places to go with kids

It’s been called “easily one of the most beautiful towns in Southeast Asia” (well said, CNN Travel), and with good reason. Stroll through Hoi An and you may never want to leave. Its beautifully preserved Ancient Town, a well-deserved UNESCO Heritage site, is one of the most unique destinations to experience in Vietnam with kids. 

But before you tour this charming pocket of Vietnam, why not start off with a unique nature activity? Try a tour of the seven-hectare coconut grove near Hoi An. You’ll strap on a traditional conical straw hat and paddle your way up the mangrove in a small bamboo basket boat during this fab expedition, run by Hoi An Eco Green Tour.

If something more serene is your affair, pop down to Hoi An Ancient Town. At sunset, you can hire paddle boats to take up the river, as you soak up the twinkling lights of this lantern-filled city. Then, explore the night market to beat the humid evening air. How? By tucking into ice cream rolls hand-made right in front of you. Sweetened condensed milk is slapped onto a frozen surface, then scraped off with a flourish and blended with fresh fruit or chocolate sauce. 

Hoi An is also famous for its tailors and shoemakers: you can have new outfits or leather sandals whipped up for you and the kids in just three days! 

And if you feel like making use of the babysitters at your resort, head out for dinner by the river at the famous Mango Rooms, or dip into one of the cocktail lounges or wine bars you noticed while wandering through those charming Hoi An laneways with the kids. 

There’s a reason travellers get a dreamy look in their eyes when you ask them, “How was your Maldives family holiday?” Its tranquility, white beaches and unbelievably blue waters are hard to beat.

And while all this makes for a uniquely romantic vibe for you and your partner, it’s not just a honeymoon destination. Kids will love getting up close to wildlife like never before, whether it’s on a dolphin-spotting cruise, or snorkelling above a reef as sea turtles glide majestically by underneath. 

If you’re hungry to learn (and eat), many hotels offer cooking classes. Experienced chefs will teach you to whip up gourmet meals with the freshest of local ingredients, from coconut curries to grilled fish. But nothing tastes better than a fine finned specimen you caught yourself. In most resorts, you can grill up a fish you hooked just hours earlier on a private fishing expedition. 

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort is a firm family favourite. This may have something to do with the over-water villas, allowing you to slip into the tranquil ocean just moments after waking up. 

Does your child dream of being the next Indiana Jones? Then your next destination needs to be Siem Reap, home to the utterly unique temple complex that is Angkor Wat. 

You can spend days touring this 12th century icon, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, but there are hundreds of others dotted around Angkor Archaeological Park. The best way to cover ground, and indulge in healthy family fun at the same time, is a bike tour. Many operators also incorporate a local lunch and a stop off at a village to discover traditional crafts.

The end result is a perfect blend of history, nature and culture. Just one of the reasons why travelling in Cambodia with kids will leave you with a lifetime of great memories.

There’s something for everyone at Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort Hotel. If you’re a member of ALL — Accor Live Limitless and its MyResorts Programme, enjoy welcome gifts and special children's menus as part of the MyKids benefits. Want to make sure younger kids are entertained while the grown-ups visit the more remote parts of Angkor Wat? Babysitting facilities are available. And the historic atmosphere of Explorer’s Tales, the colonial-themed hotel bar with its own library, is perfect for whiling away a quiet afternoon as the pianist plays nearby. 

The Little Red Dot, as it’s known by locals, won’t feel so little once you experience it. This buzzing city state has it all, from some of the most vibrant and varied food offerings in Asia, to unbeatable museums that blend art and science — all reachable by a superb transport system. 

Start off at the Mint Museum of Toys, designed to delight both your actual kids, and your inner child. From Ultraman models to Tintin trinkets and old-school teddy bears, this vintage haven is bursting with nostalgia: 8,000 toys in total are on display, from the 1840s to the 1970s. It’s a great way to get the next generation interested in tangible toys again, and there’s a toy shop at the end too.

Need somewhere the whole family can burn off some energy? Another one of the best places to visit Singapore with children is ZOVB. This quirkily-named spot is one of the few places in town you can go zorbing — stepping into a big bubble that you run around in. ZOVB offers obstacle courses, bubble-suited soccer games, and even the chance to ‘walk on water’ in your balloon. 

Kick back from the tropical humidity at Swissôtel Merchant Court, Singapore. With its resort-style pool complete with impressive water slides, it’ll satisfy the kids and mischievous grown-ups — you’re never too old to enjoy a water slide!