Sometimes traveling with children can seem intimidating, “What kind of activities are kid friendly?”, “Is it safe to travel with children?”. When traveling to Vietnam, there are so many activities available for families, this makes traveling with kids fun, educational, and most importantly, safe for travelers of all ages!
Vietnam is a country so rich in history and culture dating back over four thousand years and exposing children to different cultures will broaden their minds and teach them history at the same time.
There are many interesting local legends and stories from years gone by as you walk the streets of a place so rich in culture. Vietnam offers a variety of activities to suit every family’s interests, from kayaking in Ha Long Bay to a water puppet show to snorkeling on Phu Quoc Island and take the longest cable car in the world.
I’ve put together a list with some family-friendly suggestions.
1. Cycle through the Old Quarter of Hanoi
Because Hanoi is so rich in history and culture, most visitors visit this bustling city at the beginning or end of their trip. There are so many different sights, sounds and smells that tantalize your senses and a great way to get a feel for Hanoi is to visit the old quarter of Hanoi.
A super fun way to explore the 36 streets of the Old Quarter is to hop on a cyclo. A cyclo is a three-wheeled bicycle taxi that can maneuver freely through narrow streets and busy boulevards.
Enjoy the view or take photos while your driver carefully manages traffic for you. Even watching the traffic in Hanoi is an event in itself! Kids (and adults) will love wandering the streets of ancient Hanoi to take in all the excitement of the city.
2. Make pottery in Bat Trang village
The village of Bat Trang is located on the banks of the Red River, about 15 km from Hanoi. What makes this village very special and so attractive to travelers is the art history that dates back hundreds of years. This 14th-century porcelain and pottery village is home to local artisans who combine traditional and modern techniques to create magnificent porcelain works of art.
When visiting Bat Trang, not only can you buy beautiful ceramics to take home and see them being made before your eyes! Why not take part in a ceramic workshop with one of these artisans! Children will be able to create their own works of art while learning a little about the history of the village and craft techniques.
3. Visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Located about 7 km from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, is the Ethnology Museum. It is one of the best museums in Vietnam and very suitable for visitors of all ages, a must-see on your list of things to do in Vietnam. Expect plenty of exhibits and an immersive style of depiction of life in Vietnam over the years. The most popular exhibits with your children will probably be the many life-size houses and ethnic minority longhouses that children can climb up and down into.
Adults will find this extremely interesting and the museum explains the country’s various minority groups such as the Viet, Muong, Tav, Thai, H’Mong, Dao, Cham, Co Tu, Ede, Bana, Jarai, Ha Nhi, and Khmer ethnic groups. Priceless antiques are on display alongside everyday objects such as pipes, baskets, knives, jewelry, and clothing.
4. Enjoy the Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre
If you’re traveling with kids, or even if you’re traveling without kids, no visit to Vietnam would be complete without seeing a water puppet show in Hanoi. Yes, you can see water puppet shows in Ho Chi Minh City and other Vietnamese cities, but Hanoi might be one of the best places to see a show since it’s where the art was born in the 11th century.
This type of puppet show offers a unique representation of Vietnamese history, culture and farming life set to Vietnamese music. Keep in mind, as with anything, some will like it and some won’t. The show is a unique experience and families can meet the puppeteers after the show! Entrance fees are around $4-$7 per person.
5. Take a boat ride in Ninh Binh
A 1.5-hour drive south of Hanoi lies the remains of the country’s ancient capital, Hoa Lu. While the history of the site is interesting, there isn’t much to see. However, not far away is the Trang An complex nestled in some of Vietnam’s most stunning scenery. Here, towering karsts burst directly from rice paddies and wide rivers meander along sheer cliffs.
Take a boat ride in Ninh Binh and wind your way through the mountains over the millennia. The boat will be piloted by a local rower so you can sit back and admire the beautiful scenery. Follow the river as it winds around the mountains, then head straight into a narrow opening at the base of a cliff.
Soon you will find yourself in a dark cave that tunnels through the hills. Duck under low stalactites and marvel at the dexterity of your rower as he navigates the narrow channel. Children will find it fascinating to row inside the caves and wonder how these great karsts were formed!
6. Cruise Halong Bay
Take a cruise around the famous Halong Bay and disconnect from electronics and reconnect with your family. Together, enjoy the beauty of the region by kayaking between karsts, fishing, exploring caves or biking in Cat Ba National Park. On board, attend a cooking class that the whole family can enjoy or relax on the sundeck admiring the surroundings.
Most Halong cruises offer free cribs or special discounts for older children. Connecting rooms are available on most ships for families traveling with children. Consider Halong Bay a family destination!
7. Meet ethnic minorities in Sapa and visit Bac Ha Market
It only takes about 6 hours to reach Sapa from Hanoi . A trip to the northwest part of Vietnam offers a new insight into the life of the hill tribes and some of the best trekking routes in Vietnam.Consider taking the kids to visit one of the Hmong/Red Dzao villages. This can easily be done in half a day with a short hike to nearby villages to meet and interact with local children. Most of these children speak basic English and love practicing with visitors. It’s really fun to see the interaction between children from different backgrounds and observe how they manage to make themselves understood.
One of the best parts of traveling is meeting people from different parts of the world and this adventure to the hill tribe villages will be memorable for many years to come.
When visiting the Sapa region, consider visiting one of the best ethical markets in Southeast Asia: the
Bac Ha Sunday Market Ethnic hill tribe people travel here on foot, horseback or motorbike to buy their meats and produce for the coming week. Children will be fascinated by the differences in cultures, traditional outfits and all the colors and smells! This weekly event is not to be missed!
8. Visit the historic Hue Citadel
Hue is the capital of the last king of Vietnam. Also called the Imperial City, Hue is located in the center of Vietnam and is incredibly rich in history. This region is the cradle of culture, education and the ideal region for history buffs.
There are lots of lavish temples, tombs and war history. This region was a kingdom ruled for more than two centuries by 13 kings of the Nguyen dynasty. One of the most interesting things to do here is to visit their tombs which are located along the Perfume River.
The best thing to do is to hire a boat along the river and take you up the river to the tombs. Many of these tombs are incredibly ornate and the stories behind them are fascinating.
9. Explore Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge
One of the newest and hottest places in Vietnam is Ba Na Hills. Perhaps you have seen the photos of the large hands holding a Golden Bridge and wondered where and what it is. Located just 25 kilometers from Danang is a popular and tourist destination of Ba Na Hills.
The name “Ba Na” comes from the Katu language of a local minority group meaning “my mountain”. In a modern way, Ba Na Hills has become a premier resort town where one can admire French architecture and plenty of entertainment.
The views are incredible, and it’s definitely a must! Kids will really enjoy this attraction as there is a cable car, Golden Bridge, lots to eat and so much to experience in this old French village nestled in the mountains. Plan a stay at the resort or just take a day trip to Ba Na.
10. Make a lantern in Hoi An
Why not free yourself from your creativity by creating your own Vietnamese lantern, a symbol of luck, happiness and wealth? You can choose between a basic class with pre-prepared materials or a complete class where you create lanterns from start to finish. Learn a new skill and take home your own handmade souvenir!
In Hoi An, there are many courses for family groups. I recommend you
Hoi An Discovery which offers a complete class and even paint your lantern.
11. Take a bike ride in Hoi An
The ancient town of Hoi An is a must-see stop during a family vacation in Vietnam. Families will love the pretty town with its wooden storefronts, bustling markets and sensational restaurants. Visit the Japanese Bridge and stroll down the picturesque street of this charming town. There are also street vendors and nice shops to buy souvenirs for children and adults.
Few tourists venture far beyond the bustling city, but if you do, you’ll find a slower pace of life that offers excellent activities for children. Take a basket boat into the estuary, then into one of the narrow canals that crisscross the rice fields and coconut forests. Try to catch the well-camouflaged purple crabs sneaking around the coconut stalks.
Have lunch by the river at a local restaurant, then rent bikes and cycle through peaceful nearby villages like Tra Que Village. This is similar to the landscape of the Mekong Delta, so if you don’t have time to travel to the far south, this is also a great option.
12. Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels
Curious about how people lived underground during the Vietnam War? How did they live undetected and survive in the region?
This system of famous tunnels are located underground up to 200 km long, were designed and dug with simple tools and bare hands during the French occupation in the 1940s, and further expanded during the Vietnam War in the 1960s to provide refuge and a defensive advantage over American soldiers. Despite all the bombing in the area, the people of Cu Chi were able to continue their lives underground, where they slept, ate, planned attacks, healed their sick, and educated their young. Some even got married and gave birth underground.
Visitors can now tour the Cu Chi tunnels and crawl inside and even taste the food they often ate. It’s very interesting to learn how they were able to cook underground and survive. There are two different tunnel sites open to travelers, operated by the same organization and with similar experiences in each (a 15-minute B&W propaganda film, tunnel tour, trap exhibits and tapioca tasting): Ben Dinh & Ben Duoc.
Your family may choose to visit Ben Duoc, which is a little closer to Ho Chi Minh City with larger grounds and your kids can actually crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels. Here you can also see broken tanks and other war artifacts along the route. There is the gun site positioned at the end of the tour.
There is a part of the tunnels that open wider and make it more convenient for travelers. Most parents have to give up pretty quickly as the heat and the need to crouch and crawl takes its toll. However, most children will happily continue the entire length of the tunnel and then meet you at the end.
13. Discover the Mui Ne Sand Dunes
About a four-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City is the charming seaside town of Mui Ne. Located in southeastern Vietnam and surrounded by ancient Cham temples, this charming seaside town where you can frolic in the sand dunes or kitesurf and enjoy the warm waters.
The sand area has two interesting sights nearby: the Sand Dunes, a seemingly endless expanse of desert-like sand, and Fairy Spring, essentially a shallow stream that runs through the sand dunes. It’s great fun, especially for children, to walk a few kilometers while splashing, jumping, rolling and frolicking in the cool water and its deliciously slimy sand. Book our Mui Ne half-day tour which is suitable for lovers of spectacular scenery, a taste of the desert and family outings!
14. Cycle the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta has changed a lot in recent years. Ignore all the photos taken more than two years ago that show bustling floating markets, because they are all but gone.
However, this region is still worth a visit as the Mekong unfolds in an endless network of channels creating hundreds of small islands.
These are best explored by bike and sampan and you can spend a wonderful day or two exploring the area. Families with older children can enjoy a night on a converted rice barge, slowly navigating along the palm-lined canals and enjoying dinner on deck.
