How to Plan a Kid-Friendly Trip to Vietnam

Vietnam is an amazing destination for a family with children. The fascinating cities have plenty to entertain children. Beach hubs and urban locales are places where families with children can engage in several activities or urban adventures. Looking to know more about how to plan a kid friendly holiday trip in Vietnam from the UK? We are here to guide you. 

Best Time to Visit Vietnam with Kids

The months between June to August are the peak travel time to Vietnam due to consistently pleasant weather across these months. A type of weather comfortable for children. In this period, the country would offer proper services, convenient for a family. 

However, in the peak time, most of the places for tourists to visit can be crowded, something that can be difficult for children to navigate. A kid friendly holiday cannot be validated if the children face difficulties. Visit the place with children in summer to steer clear of the peak tourist season. The weather around this time can be warm and humid, but it can also be ideal for beach visits. 

Vietnam has warm weather all year round, making the summer a suitable time to visit the country to avoid crowds. It is only Northern Vietnam, where it can get cold and dry in the colder seasons. So, plan your eVisa to Vietnam based on which time you deem to be the most suitable for your family. 

Choosing Kid-Friendly Destinations in Vietnam

You may be considering planning what places to visit as you decide on applying for a Vietnam Visa in the UK. Different cities offer various attractions that can cater to the entertainment of children. They range from shows, parks, amusement parks, to museums and so on.  Here are some of the locations in Vietnam that your kids are sure to enjoy.

Hanoi

At a glance, the best places you can take your children to in Hanoi are water puppet shows, a picnic in Lenin Park, or boating in Hoan Kiem Lake.

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater  is home to a centuries-old Vietnamese water puppet show. These water puppets represent both expert craftsmanship as well as talented puppeteering. It is considered an activity that can entertain kids the best in the capital city.

The Vietnam Museum of Nature is a perfect activity for a kid friendly holiday. The interactive exhibits can captivate the children’s attention, with the added bonus of a learning experience. 

Another place to visit with kids in the country is the Hoan Kiem Lake, which is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the bustling Hanoi city. Here, you can enjoy picnics on the grounds with your family or go boating on the glassy lake surface. 

Lenin Park is also the perfect spot for some outdoor activity for the whole family. It can be a picnic spot, a walking path, and it has playgrounds for kids.

Halong Bay

The best activity to participate in at Halong Bay as a family with kids is taking part in a cruise along the crystal blue waters. Several cruise companies are actively catering to families. 

However, it can be a challenging proposition to choose the ideal kid friendly cruises. You have to ensure the children’s safety as well as keep them away from congestion, excessive crowding or chaos. The best choice here is the cruises that are specially catering to larger families with kids. 

The crew of these cruises are aware of the additional safety precautions needed for kids and even come with life jackets for toddlers. The cruises also travel on the quieter sides of the bay and also travel at lower speeds, being a calming experience. Thus, if you are looking to apply for a Vietnam Visa from the UK for a family trip, careful selection of the cruise company is important. 

Da Nang & Hoi An

Hoi An and Da Nang are the most promising places to visit in Vietnam if you are visiting as a family with children. Da Nang is especially well-known for amusement parks such as the Sun World in Ba Na Hills. The Alpine Coaster Ride and the Fantasy Park are two great amusement park activities that you can take your children to. It is also a place with many kid friendly hotel accommodations such as the Hilton and the Pavilion. 

Even the journey to the Ba Na Hills can be exciting for children due to a 10-15-minute cable car ride offering extensive panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. The treat does not end there, as after getting off the cable car, you will be taking a walk across the picturesque Golden Bridge.

Da Nang also boasts elegant beaches, such as the My Khe Beach and the Non Nuoc Beach, known for their pristine white sands and clear blue waters, ideal for kid friendly holidays. 

On the other hand, the magical city of Hoi An is a treat for families. The Ancient Town in Hoi An is an ideal family destination. There, you will get to experience ancient Pan-Asian architecture and a traditional art performance house. 

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

You can enjoy different activities in Ho Chi Minh City when travelling with kids. You can have a picnic in Tao Dan Park, a road trip to Can Gio, or visit the tunnel in Cu Chi. Plus, placed centrally across the city, are some of the most well-known family-friendly and kid-friendly hotels in the country, such as Equatorial, Eastin Grand and the Le Méridien Saigon.

There are a variety of free activities in the city, such as cooling off in the Dam Sen Water Park or visiting the Thien Hau Pagoda.

Another suitable location in this city is the Dam Sen Water Park, an amazing summer spot. It is an amusement park with a variety of thrilling activities, which are suited to people of all ages. Thus, perfect to take your kids to. 

You can also take your kids to a cruise ride along the Saigon river. However, this is a consideration keeping in mind that when you plan the cruise, you look for extensively kid friendly cruise options. 

Accommodation Tips for Families

If you are travelling with kids to Vietnam, you must consider the available amenities based on how kid-friendly they are. But if the hotel is fun for kids and not for the parents, it will not be a suitable option either.

The best options for kid friendly hotels might include suites for more space, a bathtub, shallow pools, casual restaurants or any specific kid-friendly activities such as games or playgrounds. 

A Central location is also preferable. The Lotte Hotel in Saigon and the La Siesta Classic Ma May Hotel in Hanoi are two reputed family hotels that are centrally located. A centrally located hotel increases the accessibility of stores, medical facilities and transport. Things that are very important when travelling with kids. 

Planning for accommodations is important when travelling with family. Therefore, you should make sure that the living arrangements are made ahead of time, especially before applying for the eVisa to Vietnam. 

Transportation in Vietnam with Kids

When you are travelling with kids, it would be preferable that you consider air travel between cities instead of availing of train or bus travel. While adults can adjust easily to the public transportation systems in a foreign country, the process would be more difficult for children. 

Thus, travelling between cities by aeroplane is a safer bet. While travelling from one location to another within the city, the best option would be to get a rented car or download ride-hailing apps specific to Vietnam. Grab and Be are the most popular options, while you can also download the apps for local taxi services, like Mai Linh Taxi and Vinasun Taxi. 

It is best that you try to consult the locals, such as shop owners or hotel clerks, on the road and traffic rules. The systems in Vietnam will likely not be the same as in the UK. Thus, staying informed can be critical when travelling with kids. Since kid friendly hotels are usually centrally placed, sources for information would likely not be hard to come by. 

What to Eat (and Avoid) With Kids in Vietnam

Vietnam has a variety of options for eating out with kids. However, if you are a first-time traveller to the country or are unsure of the correct choice, reputed chain restaurants such as Pho 24 or Wrap & Roll are options that are safe. They serve the Pho Noodle Soup and Spring Rolls in clean environments, which are generally kid-friendly meals. Even in street food stalls, food in Vietnam is generally prepared hygienically. The food is also usually prepared wearing disposable gloves.

While planning a kid friendly holiday, an important consideration would be that kids can be fussy eaters. If that is the case, do not worry as all the major fast food chains are present in Vietnam, such as McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Jollibee and so on. Even if it is more expensive than local food, these may be the best choices for fussy eaters. 

Ready for a Smooth Vietnam Trip With Your Kids?

Here are a few final tips to consider when planning for a family trip to Vietnam. If you are travelling in peak season, getting your evisa to Vietnam and booking flights and hotels ahead of time can be the most ideal.

Try not to keep a busy itinerary. So that you can plan for downtime to let your children rest. You can also let the kids participate in small planning activities. It will help cater the trip to their needs as well. 

With thoughtful planning, a trip to Vietnam can be a fun and exciting prospect for your family, including the kids.