BEST THINGS TO DO IN HO CHI MINH CITY WITH KIDS

Located in southeastern Vietnam and surrounded by the Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon city) is the financial center of Vietnam. If travelling to Ho Chi Minh city with your family, you surely consider that whether a hectic, bustling city like this city would have much to offer young families and children? Don’t worry! There is a wide range of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City with kids. Let’s explore what are they by reading through this post.

I. EXPLORE TOP ATTRACTIONS IN HO CHI MINH CITY WITH KIDS 

1. Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is the most famous one among all markets in Vietnam, not only in Saigon. Being one of the earliest surviving structures of the city, this architectural masterpiece is a must-visit destination in Saigon for numerous reasons. It is emblematic of Saigonese culture, and is listed as number one on virtually every tourist guide book and also the first recommendation on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Moreover, this market shows up in lots of videos and articles. 

The market has been the focus of Saigon’s commercial life since it was completed under French rule nearly a century ago, and it continues to play a key role in the life of the city. Although temptations to buy are myriad, the market is a vibrant place for commitment-free browsing and kids will love the lively atmosphere. There are some seriously tempting items such as bags, Vietnamese coffee, silk and other handcrafted products to be found amidst the flotsam and jetsam. Here is also the paradise for your family to enjoy Vietnamese flavors such as banh mi, noodles, fresh fruits, Salted (sugared) dry fruits, etc.

You should consider buying a handheld fan on the way to keep the kids cool since it’s quite hot in this bustling market; and don’t forget to make some bargains. Your family can also have a dinner at Ben Thanh Night Market.

2. Ho Chi Minh Book Street

Boasting a length of over 100 meters along Dang Van Binh Street (Ben Nghe Ward, District 1), Saigon’s Book Street (Ho Chi Minh’s Book Street) has been considered as a “paradise” for book lovers. With various kiosks, book shops, stalls and coffee shops, your family can find all genres of books such as fiction, non-fiction, travelogues, poetry, children’s literature, comics, in many languages (mainly in English, Chinese and French). Some of the shops even sell postcards, toys for kids as well as second-hand books at reasonable price.

It’s so easy to reach this book street because it faces to the Notre Dame Cathedral and stretches to the Saigon Central Post Office. Your family can take a rickshaw tour and then stop here to find an interesting book. Near the end of the street, there is a reading area with many chairs and sofas; therefore, you and your kids can sit back and enjoy your book after purchasing it. Moreover, many interesting activities occasionally happen in this reading area such as art and cultural workshops, calligraphy workshop, inspirational figures or book talks by experts.

If your family is keen on reading, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is something that you should not miss. While you are visiting the Book Street, don’t forget to pick a couple of postcards as souvenirs to gift your friends back home.

3. Cu Chi Tunnels

Located in Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City (about 40 kilometers from the center of the city), Cu Chi Tunnels are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels. This 250-kilometer-tunnel were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. Therefore, the tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and helped to counter the growing American military effort.

American soldiers describe the conditions inside the tunnels as “Black Echo”. Actually, the life in the tunnels was very difficult for Viet Cong, too. Air, water and food were scarce and the tunnels were very wet, so they were infested with snakes, scorpions, spiders, venomous centipedes, rodents and ants. Under that condition, sickness was rampant among the soldiers, especially malaria – the second largest cause of death after the cause of battle wounds.

The soldiers spent most of their time on working or resting in the tunnels and just came out at night to scavenge for suppliers, tend their crops, or fight the enemy. Sometimes, due to the heavy bombing or American troop movement, they would be forced to remain underground for many days at a time.

It takes about 1 hour for your family to transfer to this attraction. Coming here, your family has to crawl through the tunnel systems and explore the clever booby traps. Young kids might get a bit frightened in the dark, thus, you should bring a small torch along them. Although the tunnels are touristy, they are also incredibly interesting and well worth a visit.

4. Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station

On the way back from Cu Chi Tunnels to Ho Chi Minh City, let’s take a stop at Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station – the first multi-species rescue station in the South of Vietnam that can take care of several endangered wild species. This center is home to many Vietnamese and rare species including bears, pangolins, gibbons, otters, some kinds of turtles, lizards, pythons, etc. It also rescues animals that are confiscated from the illegal animal trade in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces nearby. 

Coming here, your kids will acknowledge the importance of caring about animals and learn how to take care of many species of animals and how to respect the natural habitat. The entrance fee for Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station is $8.5 per person to support the caring and feeding of all animals in the station.

RECOMMENDED HO CHI MINH FAMILY TOURS 

5. War Remnants Museum Coming to War Remnants Museum, your family will learn something about the Vietnam war. In the outside area of the museum, there are authentic war planes and bomb shells. Kids may be fond of taking pictures with aircrafts, helicopters, tanks, etc. Inside of the museum, lots of brilliant old graphics show what happened during the war. However, some photos are fairly violent and should be restricted for young kids. They can be shocked when seeing the photo of dead babies on a glass box, or the displays of what Agent Orange did to the Vietnamese people, especially Vietnamese kids.
6. Reunification Palace  Located in N.135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Reunification Palace was the base of Vietnamese General Ngo Dinh Diem until his death in 1963. It made its name in global history in 1975. This building has 5 floors – the basement featuring tunnels, a war room and telecommunications center; the second floor is  war command room, the third floor includes a card playing room while the fourth houses a casino. Reunification Palace’s rooftop terrace is fitted with a heliport.
7. Saigon Central Post Office The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh was constructed between 1886 and 1891 and once inside, the looping arches, intricately designed marble floors and antiquated telephone boxes all serve as a reminder of the importance the post office played in days before email and mobile phones. The building was designed by Alfred Foulhoux and features arched windows and wooden shutters, just as it would have in its heyday in the late 19th Century.
8. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Built in the late 1880s by French colonists, this is one of the few remaining strongholds of Catholicism in the largely Buddhist Vietnam. The total length of the cathedral is 93m. The width of the widest place is 35 m. The height of the cathedral dome is 21 m. The church’s capacity can reach up to 1,200 people.

9. Saigon Botanical Gardens and Zoo

Located on Nguyen Binh Khiem Street (Ben Nghe Ward, District 1),  the Saigon Zoo and Botanical gardens is one of the oldest zoos in the world, founded in 1865 by French botanist Louis Pierre. There are currently more than 1830 trees and 260 plant species (including orchid, cactus, bonsai) in the botanical gardens and more than 550 animal species in the zoo such as elephants, turtles, snakes, tigers, hippos, birds, lions, tigers, monkeys, giraffes, rhinos, crocodiles, etc. The zoo aims to help animal conservation of rare and endangered species through a breeding-in-captivity program. Recently, this place successfully bred the crested argus pheasant and becomes the only zoo in the world to do so. Your kids will be excited when getting up close and personal to some of the animals and feeding them.

Moreover, Saigon Botanical Gardens and Zoo comprises Saigon National Museum and the World War I monument within its vicinity. The museum shows the entire history of Vietnam and your family can see the war weapons from the French colonial era and thousand of important documents within its walls. This is a fantastic place to while away a morning or afternoon for both locals and tourists. 

10. Suoi Tien Theme Park

Located in District 9, it takes your family about 40 minutes to travel from the center of the city to Suoi Tien Theme Park. The name “Suoi Tien” (Fairy Stream) was derived from a story about 7 sacred girls died and became fairies in this land. The theme for the whole park is the Buddhism fitted with many colorful statues of mythical creatures such as dragons, tortoises, phoenixes, edifices and shrines of Buddha. All of them are symbols of the wish for peace, happiness and wealth. Some are constructed according to long-standing Vietnamese legends like Thanh Giong, Lac Long Quan – Au Co, and Chu Dong Tu – Tien Dung. This architecture makes Suoi Tien Amusement Park become unique and stand-out.

With the massive grounds, a waterpark with slides, amusement rides, beautiful gardens and temples, kids of all ages can have a full funny day here. On the lazy river in the waterpark area, you can ride on animal-shape boats like turtles and dogs, as well as join water slides that emerge from the mouths of gigantic Buddhist sages. After swimming, take a rest or visit a big farm of 1000 crocodiles. Your family member can feed them with raw meat attached to fishing poles.

As an amusement park, Suoi Tien offers lots of activities and interesting things that kids can enjoy. Moreover, there are numerous kinds of game, from scary, thrilling to adventurous ones such as: Mystery of the Forest, 4D Theatre, Roller Coaster and Air Bycicle. These games are attractive but some of them may frighten young children, thus, it’s important for you to be aware of them. But don’t be disappointed as there is a specific area called the children kingdom for the younger kids to play some funny games like superman electric car, ball house and children train.

The most famous theme park in Ho Chi Minh City opens from 7am to 5pm on Monday to Friday and 7am to 6pm on weekends; and the entrance fee is $5 for adults and $2.5 for children.

11. Dam Sen Waterpark

If your family love the water park but does not want to transfer for a long time, Dam Sen Water Park is one of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh with kids. With 31 aquatic equipment and a wave pool of 3000 m2, a wide range of water slides, several thrilling rides, it is one of the most amazing sites for kids to enjoy a wide range of water slides, several thrilling rides and a wave pool.

There are lots of games for all ages from calm games such as Wandering River, Wave Pool, Massage Pool, Aqua dance, action pool to thrilled games such as Boomerang, Multi silde, Twister space bowl, love storm, giant slide, Tornado, etc. Especially, if your family are keen on thrilling feel, let’s try Kamikaze rides – a fast-paced water slide measuring 19 meters in height, and Flying Fox theme water ride, where you get to hang from a 10 meter-long cable over a massive swimming pool. Moreover, young children can enjoy at a children paradise including water palace, colorful slides, massive statues of elephant and hippopotamus families spouting water jets.In the sunbathing area, parents can take some relaxation with complimentary lockers, newspapers and magazines while the kids are playing.

Next to the water park is the Dam Sen Cultural Park – a great oasis in the heart of the city, creating a harmonious tourist complex between human and nature. With the square area of 50 ha including ornamental plants, lots of botanical garden, roller coasters, mini zoos, monorail train, butterfly farm and miniature lakes, this is one of the most impressive tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City daily alluring the number of tourists.

Your family can go to Dam Sen Water Park every day except Tuesdays (from 9am to 6:30 pm). The entrance fee is about $4 for children from 0.8 to 1.4 meters in height and $6.5 for those who are over 1.4 meters in height (not include admission to Dam Sen Cultural Park).

RECOMMENDED HO CHI MINH FAMILY TOURS 

II. OVERNIGHT AT TOP BEST HOTELS IN HO CHI MINH CITY WITH KIDS

1. 3-STAR HOTELS IN HO CHI MINH CITY

a. Chez Mimosa Boutique Created as a combination between Hotel and Home, Chez Mimosa’s luxury designed and decorated as French colonial style will give you an cozy atmosphere. Address: N.71, Co Giang street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Services: Free Wifi. Family Non-smoking Room.  Tripadvisor Reviews
		b. Alagon City Hotel & Spa Located in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City and close to Ben Thanh Market, Opera House, War Museum, Independence Palace… the hotel is at the heart of this buzzing city. Address: 56-58 Pham Hong Thai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 Services: Free Wifi. Family Room. Swimming Pool. Tripadvisor Reviews
c. Sunland Hotel Boasting a swimming pool offering sweeping city views and sauna room in the rooftop, as well as a kids’ pool with slide, Sunland Hotel offers great accommodations for your family. Address: 302-304 Vo Van Kiet Str, Co Giang Ward, District 1 Services: Free Wifi. Swimming Pool. Family Room Tripadvisor Reviews
		d. Silverland Central Hotel & Spa Silverland Central Hotel is located in central Ho Chi Minh City opposite Central Park. It houses a rooftop bar and restaurant.  Address: 14 – 16 Le Lai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Services: Free Wifi. Family Room. Swimming Pool. Spa & Relaxation. Tripadvisor Reviews

2. 4-STAR HOTELS IN HO CHI MINH CITY

a. Grand Silverland Featuring a rooftop swimming pool, Grand Silverland Hotel & Spa offers you breathtaking panorama city views Address: 125 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1 Services: Free Wifi. Swimming Pool. Fitness Center. Sauna. Family Rooms. Bar Tripadvisor Reviews
		b. Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Overlooking the Saigon River, Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel features modern rooms and suites with city or river views Address: N.17 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1. Services: Free Wifi. Swimming Pool on the rooftop. Fitness Center. Tripadvisor Reviews
c. Orchids Saigon Hotel From Orchids Saigon Hotel, it’s easy to access to major consulates, tourist attractions and shopping centers. Address: N. 192, Pasteur Street, Ward 6, District 3 Services: Swimming Pool. Fitness. Family Room. Tripadvisor Reviews
		d. Eden Star Saigon Hotel EdenStar Saigon Hotel & Spa provides a fitness center, sauna and meeting or banqueting facilities.  Address: N.38, Bui Thi Xuan Street, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist. 1 Services: Family Room. Free-Wifi. Outdoor swimming pool.  Tripadvisor Reviews

3. 5-STAR HOTELS IN HO CHI MINH CITY

a. Nikko Saigon Hotel Offering city views from over-sized windows, the spacious rooms feature warm lighting and calming earth tones. Adress: 235 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1. Services: Swimming pool. Free WiFi. Fitness center. Non-smoking rooms. Bar. Tripadvisor Reviews
		b. Majestic Saigon Hotel Hotel Majestic Saigon offers 175 deluxe rooms and spacious suites with the classical French colonial design with private balconies and equipped with top of line guests amenities. Address: N.01, Dong Khoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist. 1 Services: Swimming pool. Free WiFi. Fitness center. Non-smoking rooms. Bar. Tripadvisor Reviews
c. Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel Chic contemporary design and pure French style artfully blend to engender an atmosphere of refined elegance. Sofitel can organize the space for kids. Address: N.17, Le Duan Street, District 1 Services: Swimming pool. Free WiFi. Family rooms. Tea/Coffee Maker in Every Room. Tripadvisor Reviews
		d. The Myst Dong Khoi The well-appointed rooms feature soft, neutral palettes with classic furnishing. Some rooms also come with a seating area. Address: No.6-8, Ho Huan Nghiep Street, District 1. Services: Rooftop Pool. Non smoking Rooms. Restaurant. Tripadvisor Reviews

III. INTERESTING ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILY IN HO CHI MINH CITY

1. Enjoy Traditional Water Puppet Show

This traditional water puppet show is a must-see show surely bringing you and your kids a lot of fun and offering an insight into Vietnamese culture. 

Created in the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225) in the Red River Delta in Northern Vietnam, this form of art stems from a time when rice paddy fields were flooded and farmers made entertainment by standing in the waist-deep water and controlling the puppets performing over the water. Until now, this fantastic show have been preserved for more than 1000 years not only in Northern part, but also in Southern part of the country and it’s considered a unique intangible cultural value of Vietnam. 

The show takes place on a water stage (about four metres square) with highly skilled puppeteers who are hidden behind a painted bamboo screen. The colorful wooden carved puppets are manipulated by the puppeteers through the long rods. The people-styled puppets, dragons, fairies and other ornamental figures dance across the stage accompanied by live old-fashioned music played on authentic instruments such as drums, wooden bells, horns, bamboo flutes, and cymbals. The musicians are often positioned to one side of the stage adding in sound effects and songs.

Even though all the shows are presented in Vietnamese, language is not a barrier for your family at all and the show is still enjoyable. Your family can watch the water puppet show at Ho Chi Minh City in the two most popular places – the Villa Song Saigon (formerly Thao Dien Village) and The Golden Dragon Water Puppetry Theatre.

If you attend one of these theater shows, you will get to see the most amusing and rather confusing show of puppets jerking their way across shallow pools of water with the master puppeteers well hidden behind curtains and stages.

2. Take a Street Food Tour on Motorbike with Kids

Coming to Vietnam, you will see that motorbike or scooter is the most popular mean of transportation in Vietnam, in all cities and rural area in Vietnam. Therefore, riding on the back of motorbikes is a super fun thing to kids of all ages. Younger children can sit between the driver and mom or dad. The drivers are very careful and don’t ride over 40 kilometres per hour, therefore, don’t worry.

In this 3.5-hour tour, your family has a chance of experiencing the day life or nightlife of Saigon and taste the Vietnamese cuisine. Ride through the busy streets, beautiful boulevards, and down back alleys, then stop at street food vendors to sample Ho Chi Minh dishes such as Vietnamese pancakes (Banh Xeo), spring rolls (Pho Cuon), bread (Banh Mi), Banh Khot, Vietnamese Pizza (Banh Trang Nuong), Bun Bo Hue, Bun Mam, Grilled meat and seafood, etc. While enjoying the local food and drink, your family members will gain the background knowledge of the food from your guide. Then, you and your kids will be taken around the city to admire the residential buildings built along ago. Sit down for a taste and learn how to make a cup of hand-poured coffee at a hidden coffee shop. To finish the street food tour, let’s try some sweet desserts.

If you are wandering where to book a Saigon motorbike tour, you can consider to book from local agency like Viet Prestige Travel, or book from a specialized motorbike tour such as XO Tours or Vespa Adventures. Booking with these trustworthy companies, your family will have an awesome memories with them.

3. Have a Ride on a Traditional Rickshaw (Cyclo)

A rickshaw (or a cyclo) is a traditional ‘taxi’ vehicle driven by peddle power with a seat in the front for the passenger. Your family can book a rickshaw tour through the tour desk at the hotel or book from the local tour operators. This is the most reliable way of booking, the price is set and paid before hand, moreover, you can avoid being scammed.

The cyclo tour takes about 2 hours around Ho Chi Minh city through the main landmarks and fantastic attractions of the city such as Saigon Post Office, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Pet Market, Ben Thanh Market, China Town Old Market. However, nowadays, rickshaws are banned on a number of roads, particularly the bigger, busier ones because of the traffic jam. Sitting in the front seat, your family will experience the life of the local people.

4. Participate in Saigon Cooking Class

One of the best ways to explore a new country is trying local dishes. Let’s join a cooking class in Ho Chi Minh City to learn how to make local authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Some classes will begin by a visit to a local market to choose and buy the ingredients for the dishes. Other cooking classes offer you to take your class in an agricultural village to source fresh vegetables and harvest fruits from a local farm. Your children have a chance of being a Vietnamese farmer for one day. After that, a professional chef teaches you to create some incredible contemporary Vietnamese cuisine for lunch. The average price for a cooking demonstration class in Saigon is about $40 per person.

5. Dine at Saigon River Cruise

About five minutes from the center of District 1, Saigon Port is the place that all the dinner cruises gather.  The dinning journey begins at 19:15 and usually lasts for more than 2 hours. Being on the cruise, your family will have chances of admiring the architectural spotlight construction of Saigon from District 1 to District 2 like Landmark 81, Bitexco Building, Vinhome Central Park urban area. Moreover, enjoy the lively night scenery on the Saigon River.

Are There More Fun Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City with kids? Yes, of course! If your family loves exploring the history of Vietnam, new and old architectures and museums, your family should take a visit to Vietnam History Museum. Moreover, to enjoy the panorama view of Saigon by day and night, consider to go to the highest floor of Bitexco Financial Tower and Landmark 81 Tower. Some other interesting workshops and activities for younger kids in Saigon are Handicrafts Workshop at Vin Space Art Studio, Tipsy Art Workshop, Vàng Pottery Workshop, Floral Workshop at Ted & Anna Flower Shop, Bowling Game at Superbowl Vietnam in Diamond Plaza Mall, Wall Climbing at the Bee Bee Land, Playing in TinyWorld or Kizcity Center, etc.