Should I visit Vietnam with kids? YES, you should and we will tell you why. Southeast Asia and Vietnam may seem like a different universe. There are plenty of aliens called backpackers and vast spaces in nature as well as crowded city galaxies full of people whose language you do not understand.
Concerned about getting lost in planning your holiday in Vietnam with kids? Worry no more, we have got you covered.
So, what might be the biggest differences between Vietnam and your home country for you and your kids?
Vietnam with kids – Top 12 things to count on
1. Stock up
Carry water, tissues, snacks, sanitizer. You do not want to be stuck on a 3 hours bus to Halong Bay with hungry or even worse, sticky kids. But don’t overpack. Convenience stores are on every corner and shopping for clothes is cheap too.
2. Different toilets
There is a bum-hose and toilet paper is sometimes absent. Depending on a level of accommodation or restaurant, or in public places and out in the countryside, squat toilets can still be found. In general, if there’s a basket next to the toilet, it means that sewage systems cannot handle toilet paper, so throw it there.
3. Language
Learn easy phrases that open doors and hearts. Some letters and pronunciation might be tricky. Simple phrases we recommend are:
4. Different queuing system (aka no queuing)
There is a lack of queueing culture in Vietnam. The transparency and justice you are used to from your country are missing. Just smile and go with it. People will skip you in line and it is sometimes messy. No worries, children are respected and no one will push them.
5. People will try to sell you things (constantly)
Prepare to bargain and learn how to say no.
6. You may feel like a star
And light-haired children and babies are the biggest stars. And men with hairy arms or legs. The more rural the area, the more exotic you might be.
7. Different food
You might think “hygiene” but it is also spices and ingredients that might shock your stomach at first until it gets used to it and you will eat Pho for breakfast like a local. It is fairly easy to buy medicine here but pack a few as first aid. We also recommend taking probiotics as a precaution.
8. Scams
It is not an Asian thing. It happens everywhere. So do not take taxis off the street, rather install Grab (local UBER). Take care of your belongings. Haggle the prices on markets. And learn the difference in banknotes! 10.000 VND and 100.000 VND look a lot alike.
Discover free useful apps for your Android or iPhone that will make your trip even more hassle-free.
9. Challenge for vegans
But doable for vegeterians!
Vietnamese people love meat, you can find chicken, beef, goat, fish and also more exotic pigeon or frog. However, we love steamed veggies too, rice and anything made from it (rice cakes, rice wine) and tofu.
If you are worried, why don’t you download our handy translation of what you do not want or can not eat and show it to the food stall owner? Applies to allergies too, since a lot of dishes contain sesame or nuts.
If you are no lover of chili sauce, mention it when ordering too. Coffee or iced drinks are sweetened, you can ask for no sugar or swap it for honey. Life is already sweet if you find yourself visiting beautiful Vietnam with kids, isn’t it?
10. Traffic
Bikes are the N°1 travel choice for locals and brave expats/tourists.
If you need to cross the street as a pedestrian in the city, step off the curb into the traffic (do not wait for a gap, take a leap of faith) and walk around the bikes, keeping in mind they do not slow down or stop, just drive around you. The bigger the vehicle is the more difficult it is to manoeuvre. A hoard of bikes is safer than a car or a bus. Never walk in front of the approaching bus!
However, if you take a tour with Hanoi Voyages, our driver will safely transfer you everywhere. And you can also do a bicycle tour. Imagine biking through rice paddy fields!
11. Dresscode
You might want to visit religious places, pagodas or temples. Usually, you can borrow the kind of a long scarf and wrap it around if you wear short shorts or have the sleeveless shirt but we recommend to pack it. Oh and do not be surprised by seeing people wearing pyjamas on the street. Sorry to say, your kids might want to adopt this custom and do it back at home. 🙂
12. Difference in daily regimen
People wake up soon to hustle. Older people have a healthy morning routine; doing exercises in parks. Lunch break at offices lasts around 1,5 hour because people like to take a nap after having a nib. Kids also stay up late and you can see them running around or hanging out/helping at their parent’s food stalls.
What are the top 10 benefits of travelling to Vietnam with kids?
1. Kids are loved and family has high value in Vietnam. You do not have to worry about security and even the last granny selling veggies on the street will love your little ones curiously and courageously wandering around her stall. Also, rowdy or loud kids are tolerated. Yours will love it here! You, on the other hand, might have a problem taming them when back at home.
2. Vietnam is relatively cheap – you can buy a popsicle for your kids for 5000 VND (0.22 dollars). Cool, right?
3. A good combination of big cities, wild nature, and pristine beaches. You can hike, bike, climb, kayak, swim… whatever your hearts desire. Check out this sample family itinerary for a bespoke one.
4. Variation in climate. Do you prefer hot sunbeams on your skin or colder fresh mountain air in your lungs? From South to North, you can find both.
5. Food is great in Vietnam and you can challenge your taste buds and skills when eating noodles or rice with chopsticks or sharing a hot pot and kind of “cooking your own dish” right at the table. Fathers or lovers of beer can also enjoy a variety of Vietnamese brands like Saigon or Hanoi. Oh, and if you go for street food instead of a restaurant you do all of these sitting on teeny-tiny plastic chairs surrounded by locals, expats, tourists, and city vibes.
6. Tropical fruits – Always had a problem of getting some vitamins into your little ones? Here, they will be intrigued by all the shapes, colours and smells of fruits and veggies.
7. Mekong Delta – Floating villages, markets, boat trips, observing local life and nature. Enjoy views from the boat.
8. Are you into beaches, snorkelling, and diving? Vietnam is a paradise for divers and non-divers alike.
9. Ok, now you maybe think history, food, culture, nature, it is all nice, but my kids have tons of energy and even tasty and strong Vietnamese coffee would not help me keep up with them. No worries, Vietnam has many water and amusement parks, aquariums, hills with cable cars and caves. Adventure awaits!
10. Riding scooter, bicycle or a tuk-tuk. Roads go over mountains, along the coastline, through cities, villages, different climates… We can even arrange a bike or a motorbike tour for you where you will enjoy the city as a passenger, riding pillion. Safe for kids too!
Well, long story short, Vietnam has it all.
And you and your family should definitely give it a shot!
