Spotlight on Ho Chi Minh City with kids
Things to do and where to stay
Considering my usual distaste for large cities, I was not expecting to like visiting Ho Chi Minh city with the kids, let alone love it. For the first time in my life, I found myself wanting to stay longer than two days in a large city. In fact, I could easily have stayed a week!
Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. These days, the name Saigon is often used to refer to the city’s central business districts and Ho Chi Minh City is used when talking about the whole city. Either way, it’s an amazing city and unlike any other in South East Asia.
Visiting Ho Chi Minh city with kids is an incredibly easy and enjoyable experience. This city has a lot to offer families of all budgets and I’ve been keeping an eye on flight specials to get back here ever since we left.
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City with kids
Head out on a self walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City
Quite a few of the lovely historical buildings are within walking distance of each other in District one. If you are lucky like we were, you might see a bride and groom having their wedding photos taken in front of some of the buildings.
If strollers are your jam, you’ll be pleased to know that Ho Chi Minh City is one of the few places in Vietnam where the pavement is decent and large enough to maneuver one. In addition, there are plenty of places to stop for snacks in Ho Chi Minh City with kids so there is no need to weigh your day bag down with food.
Visit the War Remnants Museum
I really enjoyed this museum, even if it did make me ashamed to be human. Our young kids loved the warplanes and tanks on the grounds outside, and we found a decent kids’ room on level three with heaps of toys to occupy the kids. There is a gruesome display on chemical warfare in one of the rooms which may be jarring for kids who are old enough to read and understand the atrocities.
The cafe on the grounds outside does fantastic cookies and cream smoothies.
Go shopping at Ben Than Markets
The Ben Than Markets are located centrally in District One and have a bit of everything, and then some more. I’ve been to quite a few haggling type markets in Asian cities but this one was one of my favourites. It’s large, hot and fun.
Consider buying a handheld fan on the way in to keep the kids cool. If you don’t like haggling, the stalls around the outer ring of the building seem to be of fixed price.
Enjoy a traditional water puppet show with dinner
The Vietnamese have been performing water puppet shows for more than 1000 years. The show takes place on a water stage and the puppeteers are hidden behind a bamboo screen. Puppets are controlled by long poles and are intricate, bright, and usually wooden. Don’t worry, the show is still enjoyable even if you don’t understand the language.
Tickets can be booked here.
People watch at a cafe
We sat down at one of the great cafes near our hotel and ordered monkey bread. OH. MY. GOD. Monkey Bread is wonderfully unhealthy and I put on 3kg just looking at it. The kids were distracted enough by their huge smoothies to let us watch all the people walk by out of the big glass windows.
Scoot around on a motorbike tour
What kid is going to say no to a motorbike? Younger kids are allowed to sit between the driver and yourself. Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds and they don’t travel over 40km per hour. It’s a really fun way to see the city sights!
Book your tour of the city by motorbike here.
Try out the famous beef noodle soup at Pho24
This is a fantastic place to cheaply try out the famous beef noodle soup. They do both take away and dine in. As a fast food chain, it’s not as ‘authentic’ as eating beef pho from a street vendor but it’s easy and accessible way to try it out in Ho Chi Minh City with kids.
Don’t miss the famous Cu Chi Tunnels
The well known Cu Chi Tunnels are about an hours drive from the city. Book your tour here, or ask your hotel about a private driver. The Cu Chi Tunnels are a fascinating look into the elaborate network of tunnels created by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. They include living quarters, kitchens, weapons etc and stretch all the way to the Cambodian border.
My young kids got a bit frightened in the dark so it’s worth bringing along a small torch. Even though the tunnels are touristy, they are also incredibly interesting and well worth a visit.
Watch an amazing acrobatics show at the Saigon Opera House
Teh Dar is a family-friendly show at the Saigon Opera House that features acrobatics, circus arts, and tribal music. The show doesn’t go for longer than an hour so it’s not too long for younger kids who have short attention spans.
If you get there a bit earlier, you can walk around the Opera House before you take your seat.
Visit the Saigon Botanical Gardens and Zoo
I try to visit botanical gardens in every place we travel. It was an awesome bonus that this one has a zoo as well! The Saigon Zoo and Botanical gardens is one of the oldest zoos in the world, opening in 1865. This place is great to while away a morning or afternoon and is enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike.
Explore the city by cyclo
Discovering Ho Chi Minh City by Cyclo is a lot of fun. Young kids can share your seat and older kids can be a passenger in their own cyclo. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do any work! The cyclo rider does all the work for you. Bookings can be made here.
Experience the Mekong Delta on a day trip
If you have a day to spare, it’s worth devoting it to a Mekong Delta Day Trip. Kids and adults of all ages will enjoy cruising along the Mekong in a private boat. Bookings can be made here. Expect to see jungle lined canals, fishing villages, fruit farms, and the daily life of the people that live on and alongside the river. Tours are varied and longer tours can be organised if you have more time up your sleeve.
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City with kids
We stayed in District 1 at the upmarket Grand Hotel Saigon. We loved it!
The room wasn’t huge, but it was adequate and the bathroom was big for a hotel bathroom with a decent sized bath for the kids. The highlight for us was the pool and the breakfast buffet. The breakfast buffet was one of the largest we have ever experienced and there was a great blend of Eastern and Western food.
Looking for more awesome family holiday destinations?
For more information on visiting Vietnam, make sure to visit our Vietnam page. Alternatively, head back to the home page for inspiration on more destinations worldwide.
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Resources for booking a family holiday to Vietnam
Flights
Most international flights will land in either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Search Trip.com for a great deal on flights to Vietnam.
Accommodation
We have stayed at and loved the following hotels and resorts in Vietnam:
- HOI AN – The Hoi An Beach Resort
- NINH BINH – The Legend Hotel
- PHU QUOC Island – Long Beach Resort
- HO CHI MINH CITY – The Grand Hotel Saigon
Unfortunately, I can’t recommend the hotel we stayed at in Hanoi as it was less than ideal!
Activities and tours
Viator is a great choice when it comes to selecting activities and tours. Just click on the banner below!
