Travelling To Ho Chi Minh City With Kids

With its dazzling skyscrapers set against the more traditional backdrop of Vietnamese pagodas, temples and colonial architecture, you and your family will get a taste of both modern and ancient when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Also known as Saigon, the rich culture, aromatic foods and hustle and bustle of the city will make this a memorable stop you and the kids won’t soon forget.

Choose a family-friendly hotel

If it’s in your budget, find a hotel with a pool, as it will give you and the kids something to do when you’re ready for some down time away from the activity of the city. Tourist hotels abound in the area around Ben Thanh Market, including Saigon Village and Somerset, both popular among foreign tourists and tourists with families. Anywhere you stay though, expect to get special attention -- mostly because you’re traveling with kids. Your Vietnamese hosts will be delighted to show your kids around and spoil them a little -- it’s part of the culture. Before you book though, ask how many people the rooms can accommodate, as not every room is suitable for a family larger than three people. If not, book two adjoining rooms or ask for an extra bed.

Shop for the kids and for the folks at home

Ho Chi Minh offers no shortage of things to do; even people watching is an activity you should reserve time for. Don’t miss the Ben Thanh Market, where you and the kids can pick up souvenirs for your family back home, sample some of the more off-the-wall foods that Vietnam has to offer, or get supplies you need for your time on the road. In short, Ben Thanh Market has it all. Do bargain for the best deals.

Mekong Delta - Get close to nature

For a more idyllic look into Ho Chi Minh city, book a tour to the iconic Mekong Delta just outside of Ho Chi Minh, where you will enjoy a lesiurely broat cruise across the vast Mekong river. What's more, you will have the opportunity to explore the local villages, and to interact with the locals, who are just bursting to share their lives as river dwellers.

Amusement parks and kids entertainment

For entertainment geared specifically for children, be sure to visit Bing Quoi Tourist Village, where there’s nightly entertainment, puppet shows, water cruises and buffet-style meals. While we’re on the topic of amusement parks, also worth a visit is the Dam Sen Water Park, filled with waterslides, a kids’ pool and a playground.

For kids who love animals -- and what small child doesn’t like animals -- you have a number of options. The Saigon Zoo is a refreshing expanse of green space set only a short distance from the city’s center. You and the kids can also check out Dai Nam Van Hiem -- part amusement park, part traditional Vietnamese temple located just outside the city proper. In addition to games, roller coasters and rides, there’s also a zoo, a movie theater, trains and bike rentals. Suoi Tien cultural park also offers a small zoo, a water park and rides. Also worth an early-morning visit is Tao Dan Park, where songbird keepers meet most mornings to allow their birds a chance to meet and greet other birds. [Note: As at Nov 2014, the Dai Nam amusement park is temporarily under renovation. It is unclear when the park will re-open.]

If you are travelling with older kids

Also not to be missed is a tour into the Cu Chi tunnels -- the thoroughfares for Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam war. Inside these tunnels you’ll get a taste of recent history. If you have history buffs or lovers of all things military among your family, also check out  the War Remnants Museum -- though as a word of warning, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Eating in Vietnam

Eating in Vietnam is a treat to the senses, with a host of new flavors and exotic fruits and vegetables. The adults and older kids in your family may be ready for the culinary adventure, but if your little ones aren’t quite ready for all the changes, you’ll find supermarkets that stock items you’re used to back home. In addition, it’s not difficult to find fresh fruits, ice cream and delicious breads that will feed the more picky eaters among you. Start them off slowly and soon you may find them delighting in Pho, the delicious local soup, like the rest of the family.