Top Ten Things to Do in Vietnam for Family Holiday with Children

Vietnam wouldn’t pop out in typical searches as a holiday destination with kids. Against places like Dubai, Singapore, London, Florida, Bali, Spain, Greece, and the likes – who would think of going to Vietnam? But what you don’t know could potentially be the best adventure for you and your children! Here are the best things to do in Vietnam with kids. 

Top Ten Things to Do in Vietnam for Family Holiday with Children

1. Water Puppet Theatre (Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City)

 The lights, the sounds (a live orchestra playing traditional Vietnamese instruments), and the sights are going to be magical, you wouldn’t even realize it has been an hour or so. And they are on the water, yes. This water puppet theatre tradition is more popular in Northern Vietnam, especially in Hanoi and Hoi An. An entrance fee of around VND100,000 ($4.4) is to be paid, and an additional for filming. 

2. Ha Long Bay Cruise

To get some downtime from probably one adventure to the next, bring your children in Ha Long Bay. The cruise will be a refreshing reminder of the wonders of nature and it can calm and relax them, even in the scorching heat. Not to mention seeing the Hang Thien Cung cave, the children will feel like they are in a movie. And if they do get bored, kayaking is offered and some even have karaoke onboard. 

3. Lantern Making (Hoi An)

 Instead of buying a lantern from Hoi An, the city of lanterns, why not attend a workshop and make one? The children will get a kick out of it, and it’s also a souvenir at the same time. You pay almost the same price for buying a ready-made lantern and if the kids make their own. If your kids are too young to do it on their own, it can become a child and parent activity, more ways to bond then!

4. Farming and Fishing Adventure (Hoi An)

One of the great things about having holidays with your kids in Vietnam is that you get to do summer activities in countries with four seasons all year round! And that includes a farming and fishing eco-tour on the Cua Dai River. Just think of how cute the kids will be on a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat. Not only will they do actual farming and fishing, but they’d also learn that different people in different parts of the world do different things for a living and that not everyone sits behind a desk. 

5. Bask in the glory of Sun World (Ba Na Hills)

Mountains and a theme park – what other combination can you ask for? It’s one of the best things to do in Vietnam with kids, and you can never go wrong with a theme park on a hill. You’d need more than a day to completely explore this place. And don’t forget to take pictures on the golden bridge (after all, it’s made for your Instagram). Just come on a clear, sunny day to be able to enjoy it, as it gets foggy when it’s cold. 

6. Crazy House (Da Lat)

Ah, don’t you just love seeing things from the perspective of a child? The Crazy House in Da Lat is already in that form, with it’s funky and eye-boggling design, and bringing in your kids to see this is going to be one of the highlights of this trip. If you only have a few vacation days, this should be in your top ten things to do in Vietnam for family holiday with children. You wouldn’t regret it. 

7. Cu Chi Tunnel Crawl

One of the top ten things to do in Vietnam for family holiday with children is a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. While it’s true that the history surrounding the area could be a bit horrifying (you could skip this part if your children are too young), but the experience of going underground is something the kids wouldn’t forget. After all, it’s all about forts, tents, tunnels, and caves when it comes to a child’s imagination.

8 Mekong Delta & the Floating Market

You are opening a world of a thousand possibilities by bringing your children along the Mekong Delta. Imagine, it’s quite an adventure riding a wooden boat that is being paddled, wearing the non la, and seeing their surroundings from this perspective. And it’s not just the floating market that will capture the kid’s senses, there are a couple of other things that they can observe, like the vegetable gardens alongside the river. It is indeed one of the best things to do in Vietnam with kids. 

9. Phu Quoc Cable Car Ride

The Phu Quoc Cable Car ride to Pineapple Island is one of the longest in the world, with no stops at 8 km. Imagine having a bird’s eye view of the turquoise waters, the coral reefs, and the splattered islands. The ticket price is around VND150,000 (US$6.40). Not to mention having some chill time at the beach when in Phu Quoc. 

10. Inspire The Foodie in Them

Vietnam’s cuisine is a must-try for any age. Imagine the explosion of flavors that your child will experience with cuisine that’s influenced by the French and still very Southeast Asian with noodles and all. You can go on a food tour with them, you don’t have to give them street food unless they have strong stomachs or have eaten street food in Asia before. They can also try a cooking class! For sure, they’d be so curious how to make pho. 

These are just a few of the best things to do in Vietnam with kids. There are a lot more adventures that await you and your children in Vietnam. Run in the fields, bike on rough roads leading to ethnic villages, meet the locals and explore their palates, shop at Ben Thant, to name a few. But these top ten things to do in Vietnam for family holiday with children are what we feel that could enlighten your family about Vietnam’s culture by experiencing it.