Vietnam, 20 May 2025 – When the city’s temperature starts climbing a few degrees higher, there’s always something magnetic about the idea of soaking in sunshine, waves, and soft sand between your toes. For many Vietnamese, especially families with children, when most scenic local shores have already been checked off the list, blue waves from nearby coastal cities such as Phuket or Bali naturally come to mind as the next plan. It’s easy to see why: arriving at Phuket only takes a 2.5-hour direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City, and with daily departures, it’s a convenient getaway that can even meet most children and toddlers’ spontaneous nap schedules or specific mealtime routines. 

That is how supermodel Vu Ha Anh and her young family of 11-month-old Luca and 06-year-old Myla arrived at Phuket for their Easter break. 

Đọc phiên bản Tiếng Việt của bài viết. 

Normally, a holiday begins the moment the plane takes off. But when it doesn’t, veteran parents know better than to be caught off guard. For Ha Anh and Oliver, travelling with a toddler and a baby means always having a backup plan. Their 09:00 AM flight ended up departing in the early afternoon–definitely not an ideal start but was manageable through preparation and some experiences. 

Her advice? Pack enough food and milk for three to four feeding sessions, include an extra change of clothes, and always keep essentials like diapers and wipes on hand. When landing, give your babies some milk or water to help ease ear pressure. This small gesture does make a big difference. 

What’s next after landing at Phuket? 

Having five days to spend, the Vu-Dowden family decided to experience two distinct ways to enjoy the destination, this time right by the shore of Kata Beach. The location offered just the right mix of calm and beauty, with whiter soft sand, waves in clearer shade of blue, and a beach that felt remarkably clean and well cared for. With the sun setting in soft gold over the sea, fresh coconut in hand, and the children playing barefoot in the waves, it was the kind of peaceful, slow moment that sets the tone for the rest of the journey. 

| The stay-in-local way 

The family’s first few nights were spent at a secure Airbnb villa, a classic choice for travellers who enjoy the freedom of setting their own pace. Nestled in a quiet residential area, the villa offered everything needed for a self-contained, comfortable stay: gated security for peace of mind, a private pool where Myla could splash freely, a cozy kitchen to prepare meals for Luca’s feeding times, and easy access to nearby markets and restaurants. 

It was an opportunity to explore at their own pace. Outings included visits to local dining spots, short taxi rides to the seaside, markets, and zoos. Nearby islands and diving-with-fish spots are also within reach for more adventurous families with older children. But while Phuket has plenty of attractions, the island itself is expansive and traffic can build up quickly. Here is Ha Anh’s tip: keep your plans within a 15-to-20-minute taxi radius of the central area. That alone is enough to fill a two-night itinerary with food, beaches, and even a bit of adventure. 

For parents who enjoy the feeling of discovery, this approach delivers cultural flavour and flexibility, but surely this also means more things to pack, more decisions to make, and more to manage on the go. At around 300 to 350 USD per night, the stay offered more than enough for her family of four. 

| The all-inclusive way

Which isn’t too different from the local travel style, just compacted into one location at Club Med Phuket minus activities like cruising to other islands and visiting the zoos. For Myla and Luca, the second half of their trip shifts from exploring the raw city to wandering through one big playful land. 

Myla took the resort as her playground. She first met Eva, a young French guest, and later reunited with Maya, Miss Natalie Glebova’s energetic little miss. The young ladies and gentleman Luca spent their days discovering the vibrant water park, golden-lit beach, open sports courts, all-ages entertainment shows, and the Mini Club, which quickly became a favourite for Myla. Tie-dyeing, water slides, and outdoor cinema with friends from her age group took no more than a few minutes to draw her into the excitement. 

What gave both children and parents the freedom to explore and mingle so freely was, as Ha Anh described, the sense of safety: a screen-free haven where no phones or iPads were spotted at kids’ gatherings, under security and surveillance installed naturally across the property. That peace of mind was made possible by a carefully designed layout with just one entrance and one exit, wristband access, and attentive G.Os, who even remembered the children’s names and snacking preferences.  

While the children stayed active, the parents had a rare window to reconnect, whether by joining the fun or simply taking a moment to talk, relax, and clink glasses over a quiet cocktail. From evening shows run by G.Os, who you may thought were playing with the children just an hour ago, to face painting also hosted by them during dinnertime, the shared experiences among every family member unfolded naturally, not overly programmed but just well-supported. As clear as it is, the connectors behind all the carefree moments and full of laughter were G.Os tied together by their courtesies and lively energy. 

Beyond the fun, the all-inclusive resort is known to offer daily buffet meals for all three courses. Like any first-time Club Med guest and every parent, the menu sounded vague, considering how they might lack variety or quality. Each meal brought new dishes, live cooking stations, and a rotating menu that included Thai, Japanese, Indian, Western, and even a dedicated corner for baby food. The kitchen team was also open to adjusting seasoning upon request. In general, it wasn’t just about the food quality and diversity; the services genuinely exceeded expectations. 

As for the family’s accommodation, the Family Oasis zone turned out to be just as thoughtfully arranged. Ha Anh’s family opted for two rooms to stay near Luca’s nanny, who was also accompanying the trip, but a single suite can easily accommodate a small family of two children with sofa-beds. For younger travellers, the resort also provides cribs on request, along with full-sized bottles of baby shampoo and lotion from the well-trusted Johnson & Johnson, saving families from packing every little necessity. For parents wanting a holiday without the usual bulk of bags and bottles, Club Med’s practical touches offer exactly that: peace of mind, without the packing list, all of this for 500 to 700 USD per night. 

It’s clear by the end of the trip, this is the kind of setup that simplifies travel before it even begins. Club Med Phuket is officially Myla-approved–Luca too, we believe so. After all, as Ha Anh put it best at the final night: the experience truly was well worth, “đáng đồng tiền bát gạo quá!”. Maybe soon enough, there will be an upcoming trip to Bali, and perhaps a video of Myla skiing down the slopes and Luca standing next to a snowman this winter. 

Ultimately, it’s not about choosing the “better” option, but rather the one that best suits your family’s needs, travel preferences, as well as expectations. From the memories crafted by the Vu-Dowden family, travel clearly isn’t just a break from routine, but a love language that speaks through shared laughter and vivid memories. Every moment spent is a moment connecting more deeply with her children. It’s not about picture-perfect itineraries but the pure joy of holding hands on a beach walk or watching your child’s first dive into the ocean. That is how Ha Anh makes every moment count–by choosing presence over perfection, and connection over convenience. And in doing so, she reminds us that travel, when done with heart, lingers long after the trip ends. 

Image credits and original review: Vu Ha Anh and Family, Natalie Glebova