Perfect Destinations in Vietnam for a Family Travelling with Kids - Part 2

Hoi An, Vietnam [Image source]

Part two.

Part two out of two in a series detailing the best places to travel in Vietnam with children. Features locations and activities your family will enjoy when travelling through Vietnam.

Select here to read part 1

Hoi An – The alluring Eastern Oriental Town

Possessing a romantic ambience, Hoi An Ancient Town has become a favourite destination for families completing Vietnam Tours or Asia Tours in general. Many have chosen Hoi An as the location they stay the longest during their trip to Vietnam, this includes myself. Once visiting Hoi An, can't help but fall in love with the old town because of its awe-inspiring beauty on every street corner.

Hoi An is attractive throughout the year with a fairly high temperature (29°C). However, there is still a distinction between the dry season (February to September) and the rainy season (October to January). The recommended time to visit Hoi An is during the dry season when the weather is favourable for tourist and leisure activities.

Colourful lanters at the Night Market, Hoi An.

Here is the list of experiences in Hoi An that your family will love:

Shopping in Hoi An Ancient Town

There are countless shops along the mango-coloured streets in Hoi An that offer a wide range of souvenirs and local products. You can drop by several stores to get yourselves lovely gifts, or organise some tailor-made clothes for your family while strolling or cycling around the Old Town.

 Join a traditional class in Old Town 

Traditional classes in Hoi An always attract tourists, especially children due to the friendliness and the cosy atmosphere that locals bring to their sessions. You can let the kids freely explore Vietnam’s cuisine through cooking classes or learn more about Vietnam’s culture by lantern-crafting workshops.

Explore another side of Hoi An by biking to the surrounding peaceful villages

​Not only claiming its reputation from ancient architectures, but Hoi An also occupies the image of Vietnam’s tranquil countryside with lush green fields, quiet paths as well as warm-hearted locals. A biking trip to the rural villages surrounding Hoi An will offer your family a great chance to experience Vietnamese’s daily life, enjoy the fresh air and taste delicious local cuisine.

Activities in Hoi An.

Hoi An Notes:

• Although Hoi An is known to be a friendly ancient town, when purchasing items still confirm price beforehand to avoid any confusion afterwards.
• It would be fine if you plan to visit the rural villages by yourself. However, to help your kids get a close insight into the local life, it is best to book day trips through agencies that include outstanding activities there.

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Nha Trang – Beach and Island PARADISE

​Locating along the south central coast of Vietnam, Nha Trang is a superb coastal city which is famous for its seductive sandy beaches and wonderful sun-sand-sea activities. Considered as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Nha Trang is a dreamlike destination where your family can enjoy various leisure and active experiences. 
 
Nha Trang has two separate seasons in the year, the rainy season (September to December) and the dry season (January to August). The best time for beach activities and soaking up with the seawater and warm sunlight in Nha Trang is between February and May when the weather is temperate, dry and has little chance of rainfall.

The beaches of Nha Trang.

Heading to Nha Trang? your family can not miss these exciting experiences:

FREELY RELAX ON THE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES

Many entertaining activities are happening on Nha Trang Beaches from relaxation to beach sports. Your family can lie idly in the sunbeds, freely play with sandcastle-building, or enjoy the cool crystal water and other beach activities together.​

EXPLORE MARINE LIFE IN NHA TRANG WITH DIVING SCUBA OR SNORKELLING

Nha Trang is considered as one of the best places in Vietnam for underwater discoveries. Thus planning an excursion to witness the colourful aquatic life here would be an enthralling experience to both yourselves and your kids.​

VINPEARL Land AMUSEMENT PARK

Vinpearl is a complex of recreations, hotels, and resorts located on Hon Tre Island, the biggest island in Nha Trang Bay. Children find it very funny and exciting with various games and activities here. Vinpearl Land Amusement Park is a favourite stop for families when travelling to Nha Trang as it has a lot to offer for tourists. 

Activities in Nha Trang.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Hustle and Bustle

Embracing an incredibly vibrant and modern lifestyle, Ho Chi Minh is the busiest and most populous city in Vietnam. Often well-known by its beloved name Saigon, the city is famous for many attractive cultural tourist spots, history, and recreational activities.
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The weather in Ho Chi Minh City is a tropical climate with two seasons in the year. To avoid unexpected rainfalls, you should travel to the city during the dry season, which starts from November to April. Especially from December to February is the festive time in Ho Chi Minh City when many cheerful festivals are celebrated here.

Ho Chi Min City (Saigon).

Ho Chi Minh City HIGHLIGHTS that your family could enjoy together:

Join a Saigon city tour on a motorbike

If you’re not familiar with riding motorbikes within Southeast Asian cities, you will never get a more realistic feeling of joining the busy and hectic traffic than booking an exciting motorbike tour in Vietnam. Hopping on the back, the driver who is also your local guide, will take you to explore many attractive spots in the city and taste delicious Vietnam dishes. 

Get a lesson about Vietnam history with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels

​Being a historical site, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a favourite stop of many families when in Ho Chi Minh City. Going deeper into the dark paths underground, each member of your family will find it not only curious but also very exhilarating. This is an eye-opening lesson for your kids about Vietnam history in the past, especially during wartime.

AO Show – the most impressive performance in Saigon

Inspired by Vietnam’s traditions and local life, “AO Show”, which is performed in Saigon Opera House, is a great combination of music, art, acrobatics, and creativity. The price is not cheap compared to other shows in Vietnam, however, it’s a traditional show that is well-worth seeing when in Ho Chi Minh City.

Activities in Ho Chi Min City.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Notes:

• Be aware of your belongings while exploring Ho Chi Minh City. Pickpockets operate in most areas of the city. For women, be particularily careful of your handbags as it is common for people to ride past on motorbikes and steal them off you. On my last trip to Saigon I stayed for 5 days and 4 girls at my accomodation had their bags stolen in this way.

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Mekong Delta – The land of rustic experiences

Well-known for the authentic floating homes on the legendary Mekong River, the Mekong Delta is a charming landscape that enchants tourists by its rustic and idyllic beauties. This Southernmost destination features an amazing opportunity for your family to capture the most ultimate memories of regional Vietnam’s countryside before leaving.

There is not much difference in the weather between dry season (November to April) and wet season (May to October) in the Mekong Delta except chances of rainfall. Both times of year attract tourists, thus your family might visit here almost year-round. 

Mekong Delta.

Best things-to-do in Mekong Delta with kids:

 Visit lively floating markets

Floating lives, especially floating markets are the distinctive speciality of Mekong Delta. Staying on the boat and going deeper into the bustling markets with many vendors on each boat, your kids will get a closer insight into the local life here. 

Experience the local life

Have you ever thought about experiencing how to be a local in the Mekong Delta with kids? Coming to the fertile land, your family will get a chance to become a real local through cycling around the rural paths and visiting fruitful orchards for harvesting, learning how to make local specialities, try catching fish by local net or bamboo traps, or trying to cross on the monkey bridge etc.

Take a local sampan ride through the narrow canals of the Mekong Delta

Experiencing a ride on a local sampan, admiring the rustic beauty on the both sides of the shady canals and Mekong tributaries with water coconut forests, flower and vegetable farms, flat paddy fields, rice factories, fruit orchards, etc, and catching a glimpse of Mekong’s local life will be an unforgettable memory to both yourselves and the kids.​

Mekong Delta activities.

With a diverse range of activities in each destination, your Vietnam family holiday will be filled with so much fun and great experiences. Of course there will be pros and cons just like any other destination, but either way, a Vietnam tour with kids still comes highly recommended by many parents.

Select here to read part 1