{"id":1235,"date":"2017-03-28T11:59:03","date_gmt":"2017-03-28T04:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/?p=1235"},"modified":"2019-06-17T13:56:40","modified_gmt":"2019-06-17T06:56:40","slug":"top-5-tips-for-traveling-with-children-in-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-tips-for-traveling-with-children-in-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Tips for Traveling Vietnam with Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_3538\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3538\" style=\"width: 945px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3538 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Traveling-with-children-in-Vietnam.jpg\" alt=\"Traveling with children in Vietnam\" width=\"945\" height=\"556\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Traveling-with-children-in-Vietnam.jpg 945w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Traveling-with-children-in-Vietnam-300x177.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Traveling-with-children-in-Vietnam-768x452.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3538\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Traveling with children in Vietnam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The tourism industry in Vietnam has grown tremendously since the mid-90s.\u00a0 Previously thought of as a war-torn and inaccessible country, it is now a thriving tourist destination in Southeast Asia.\u00a0 When traveling in a large group of people with varying ages, interests, and tastes, it can be difficult to plan a cohesive <a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/vietnam-itinerary-how-long-to-stay-in-ho-chi-minh-city-hanoi-hoi-an-halong-nha-trang\/\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">Vietnam trip<\/a>\u00a0that suits everyone.\u00a0 In Vietnam, you have the opportunity to create a family trip that suits everyone\u2019s needs because it is still relatively cheap to travel here and easy to find activities that the whole family will enjoy.\u00a0 Here are our top 5 specific travel tips for those of you traveling with children in Vietnam.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-tips-for-traveling-with-children-in-vietnam\/#THINGS_TO_DO_WHEN_TRAVELING_WITH_CHILDREN_IN_VIETNAM\" >THINGS TO DO WHEN TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN IN VIETNAM&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-tips-for-traveling-with-children-in-vietnam\/#1_PLAN_AN_ACTIVITIES_BASED_TRIP\" >1. PLAN AN ACTIVITIES BASED TRIP&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-tips-for-traveling-with-children-in-vietnam\/#2_Avoid_Dangerous_Situatons\" >2. \u00a0Avoid Dangerous Situatons&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-tips-for-traveling-with-children-in-vietnam\/#3_BE_ORGANIZED_AND_TRAVEL_WITH_A_PLAN\" >3. \u00a0BE ORGANIZED AND TRAVEL WITH A PLAN&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-tips-for-traveling-with-children-in-vietnam\/#4_Avoid_Unnecessary_Health_Risks\" >4. Avoid Unnecessary Health Risks &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-tips-for-traveling-with-children-in-vietnam\/#5_BRING_PROTECTION\" >5. BRING PROTECTION&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"THINGS_TO_DO_WHEN_TRAVELING_WITH_CHILDREN_IN_VIETNAM\"><\/span><strong>THINGS TO DO WHEN TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN IN VIETNAM<\/strong><span id=\"kid-content\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>(Please click on the link below to jump directly to the activities)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#kid-planactivities\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">Plan activities based trip:\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#kid-staysafe\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">Avoid Dangerous Situations:<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#kid-organized\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">Be organized and travel with a plan:<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#kid-stayhealthy\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">Avoid Unnecessary Health Risks:<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#kid-protection\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">Bring protection:<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_PLAN_AN_ACTIVITIES_BASED_TRIP\"><\/span><strong>1. <\/strong><strong>PLAN AN ACTIVITIES BASED TRIP<span id=\"kid-planactivites\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An easy way to keep you and the kids happy during a trip to Vietnam is to plan activities that are \u2018hands-on\u2019 but still appeal to both the younger and older crowd.\u00a0 Vietnam has many opportunities to do just that.\u00a0 Here are specific places that the whole family can enjoy doing activities while still relaxing and enjoying the surroundings:<\/p>\n<p>Northern Vietnam &#8211; Halong Bay is a great spot for family-friendly adventure in Vietnam.\u00a0 During most cruises in Halong Bay, there are plenty of opportunities to kayak in the bay, swim in the ocean, lay on the beach, go squid fishing or take cooking classes.\u00a0 Some cruise lines are more family-friendly than others.\u00a0 Bhaya, Au Co, and Indochina Sails have some of the biggest decks, giving your kids plenty of space to run around.\u00a0 Paloma cruises offers the Paloma Family Cruise, which is a private cruise with a 6-person capacity.\u00a0 <a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/the-best-tours-in-vietnam\/\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">The tour<\/a> can be more catered to your family\u2019s individual needs if the standard activities don\u2019t appeal to you.\u00a0 Some cruises also have adjoining cabins with a connecting door so you can stay accessible to your kids &#8211; Jasmine cruises, Paloma cruises, and Starlight cruises are some of the companies that offer adjoining cabins.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1250\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1250\" style=\"width: 844px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1250 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kids-in-halong-bay.jpg\" alt=\"Kayaking and squid fishing are just two activities in Halong Bay that are a lot of fun for kids.\" width=\"844\" height=\"310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kids-in-halong-bay.jpg 844w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kids-in-halong-bay-300x110.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kids-in-halong-bay-150x55.jpg 150w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kids-in-halong-bay-400x146.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 844px) 100vw, 844px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1250\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kayaking and squid fishing are just two activities in Halong Bay that are a lot of fun for kids.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/how-to-spend-two-days-in-hanoi-custom-itineraries-for-vietnam\/\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">Hanoi, being the capital of Vietnam<\/a>, has many museums and landmarks that you can visit.\u00a0 If that gets a bit dry for some members of your family, you can take a trip to the Bat Trang pottery village where everyone in the family can paint a piece to take home.\u00a0 Your kids might also like \u201ctoy street\u201d in Hanoi, located on Luong Van Can street.\u00a0 If you want to enjoy some open space, the parks near Hoan Kiem lake are usually not too crowded and there is plenty of room for kids to run around.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1251\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1251\" style=\"width: 827px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1251 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/toy-street-hanoi.jpg\" alt=\"Toy Street in Hanoi \" width=\"827\" height=\"297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/toy-street-hanoi.jpg 827w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/toy-street-hanoi-300x107.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/toy-street-hanoi-150x53.jpg 150w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/toy-street-hanoi-400x143.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 827px) 100vw, 827px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1251\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Toy Street in Hanoi is an interesting place to see with kids&#8230; kind of like a Southeast Asian version of Toys&#8217;R&#8217;Us!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Central Vietnam &#8211; The culture and environment of central Vietnam can be quite diverse from city to city.\u00a0 Along <a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/cruising-the-coast-the-top-5-best-beach-destinations-in-vietnam\/\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">the Vietnam coast<\/a>, you will have many opportunities to enjoy water sports.\u00a0 Nha Trang is famous for scuba diving and Mui Ne is known for windsurfing and parasailing.\u00a0 If your family enjoys water sports, we recommend visiting these destinations.\u00a0 Nha Trang also has the Vinpearl amusement park which can be a fun activity to enjoy as a family.\u00a0 To get to the park, you take an impressive gondola ride, which is one of the longest gondola rides over water in the world.\u00a0 In contrast to Nha Trang and Mui Ne, Hoi An is a much more relaxed town and is a place to experience a different city vibe in Vietnam.\u00a0 That being said, it is a very historically rich town (and therefore, very tourist friendly) so if you and your family need a break from the hustle and bustle of life in Vietnam, Hoi An is a great place to visit.\u00a0 Visiting the countryside near Hoi An is also a great option and many tours offer the opportunity to float down canals in small bamboo fishing boats.\u00a0 You can also engage in some cultural activities like taking lantern making classes or taking a bike tour to the surrounding villages.<\/p>\n<p>Southern Vietnam &#8211; One of the biggest appeals of Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling and chaotic nature of the city.\u00a0 If you want to take some time away from the chaos, we recommend visiting Dam Sen Water Park or Suoi Tien Amusement Park.\u00a0 Both places have plenty of rides, attractions, and activities geared towards children and is a great way to keep them active during your vacation. \u00a0Dam Sen Water Park is, as the name states, an aquatic themed park with lots of themed water slides and pools for kids to play. \u00a0It is not too far away from the centre of town and the admission to the park is based on height. \u00a0Suoi Tien Amusement Park is a Buddha themed amusement park which may seem strange but is a lot of fun for kids. \u00a0Besides the rides and activities, they have shows, go kart rides and boat rides. \u00a0This amusement park is about 30 minutes outside of town.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1247\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1247\" style=\"width: 999px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1247\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/amusement-parks-saigon.jpg\" alt=\"The Dam Sen Water Park and Suoi Tien Amusement Park in Saigon are a fun way to spend an afternoon with kids. (The elephants are not real).\" width=\"999\" height=\"311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/amusement-parks-saigon.jpg 999w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/amusement-parks-saigon-300x93.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/amusement-parks-saigon-150x46.jpg 150w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/amusement-parks-saigon-400x124.jpg 400w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/amusement-parks-saigon-900x280.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1247\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Dam Sen Water Park and Suoi Tien Amusement Park in Saigon are a fun way to spend an afternoon with kids. (The elephants are not real).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Mekong Delta is also a nice family friendly destination.\u00a0 Most tours in the delta are hands-on and engaging for young kids because they entail canoe trips down the backwaters, visits to rice paper factories, and visits to fruit candy manufacturing shops.\u00a0 Large tour companies with multiple groups of people on the same tour can get very ho-hum for kids. \u00a0The itinerary is more rigid and not all activities may appeal to your children. \u00a0Instead, there are some <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/the-best-tours-in-vietnam\/\">recommended private tours<\/a> through Water Buffalo Tours. \u00a0Or, you can even go to Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels through Saigon River Express, where you travel by speedboat, which can be a fun experience for your kids.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#kid-content\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">BACK TO CONTENT<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Avoid_Dangerous_Situatons\"><\/span><strong>2. \u00a0Avoid Dangerous Situatons<span id=\"kid-staysafe\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It is well known that the lifestyle in many parts of Vietnam is chaotic, to say the least.\u00a0 Here are some tips on how to <a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/how-to-stay-safe-and-avoid-scams-in-vietnam-part-2-south-vietnam\/\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">stay safe<\/a> with young children in the city:<\/p>\n<p>Transportation &#8211; There are many transportation choices available to you in Vietnam. \u00a0When you&#8217;re traveling as a family, we highly recommend taking planes or trains from city to city rather than a bus. \u00a0Often times, roads in remote stretches are not very developed and can be treacherous. \u00a0Also, the journey by bus can be very long because buses tend to travel quite slow, and the long and bumpy ride can be very frustrating for children.\u00a0 Fortunately, most cities, even small ones, have airports so very few places in Vietnam are inaccessible by plane. \u00a0As for overnight trains, they are also quite safe. \u00a0If you are a family of more than 4, you will have to split between two cabins as one cabin only holds 4 people. \u00a0Within cities, we recommend taking taxis or cars for longer distances rather than bikes or cyclos. \u00a0You should especially exercise caution when deciding whether to hire a <a title=\"SAIGON TAXI AND CYCLO SCAMS \u2013 a comprehensive guide to avoiding taxi and cyclo scams in Ho Chi Minh City\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/faces-of-vietnam-edition-3-meet-the-person-who\/\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">cyclo in Saigon<\/a>, though there are safe to hire in Hoi An and other cities in the North.\u00a0 It seems like a very quaint way to see the downtown area of Saigon, but cyclos have been confined to smaller areas of the city recently and that has made many drivers more desperate and aggressive. \u00a0In fact, there have been reports of cyclo drivers threatening the safety of tourists and this is not a situation that you want to be in, especially traveling with children.<\/p>\n<p>Crossing the Road &#8211; Crossing the road in Vietnam is a bit of an art.\u00a0 It may be alarming at first, but the best thing you can do is prepare your kids.\u00a0 They may be used to wandering around on the side of the road at home, but many roads here don\u2019t have sidewalks and wandering can have grave consequences.\u00a0 Make sure that they walk between the adults, and all of you<strong> cross in a straight line<\/strong> like ducks in a row.\u00a0 It is usually easier for drivers to navigate that way.\u00a0 Be alert and cautious, yet definitive, in your movements and you all should be just fine.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1249\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1249\" style=\"width: 811px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1249 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kids-crossing-the-road-saigon.jpg\" alt=\"Local children crossing the road in Saigon, although we recommend that they have adults on either side of them.\" width=\"811\" height=\"403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kids-crossing-the-road-saigon.jpg 811w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kids-crossing-the-road-saigon-300x149.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kids-crossing-the-road-saigon-150x74.jpg 150w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kids-crossing-the-road-saigon-400x198.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1249\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Local children crossing the road in Saigon, although we recommend that they have adults on either side of them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Interacting with Locals &#8211; Vietnamese people are fascinated by kids, foreign kids in particular.\u00a0 They show their affection towards kids very freely so your kids will not only get treated really well here, they will also be touched, prodded, hugged, played with, and generally be adored.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be alarmed if this happens to you as it is very innocent on the locals&#8217; part.\u00a0 With babies and very young children, you do have to be careful that you carry wipes and clean their hands if too many strangers play with them.\u00a0 And, make sure that they are not wearing anything valuable that may be easy to snatch. \u00a0Even if they are wearing something inexpensive which could mistakenly be taken as a valuable item, leave it off them so they don&#8217;t become a target of theft.<\/p>\n<p>Getting Lost &#8211; Losing your children in a sea of traffic and people is a parent\u2019s worst nightmare.\u00a0 Take every precaution to avoid this predicament and keep a piece of paper with them with all the necessary information for them to find their way back to you.\u00a0 Here are some important phrases you can print out, fill in, and keep with them:<\/p>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1237 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/instructions-1024x399.jpg\" alt=\"traveling with childrens in vietnam\" width=\"1024\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/instructions-1024x399.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/instructions-300x117.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/instructions-150x58.jpg 150w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/instructions-400x156.jpg 400w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/instructions-900x351.jpg 900w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/instructions.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#kid-content\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">BACK TO CONTENT<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_BE_ORGANIZED_AND_TRAVEL_WITH_A_PLAN\"><\/span><strong>3. \u00a0BE ORGANIZED AND TRAVEL WITH A PLAN<span id=\"kid-organized\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When traveling with kids to Vietnam, it is important to travel with a plan.\u00a0 It\u2019s very easy to travel here with a relaxed, non-scheduled pace, but that requires a certain amount of flexibility, which is sometimes difficult to have with kids.<\/p>\n<p>Hotels &#8211; Definitely book your hotels beforehand, as accommodations fill up quickly, especially during busy season.\u00a0 Even if you find last minute hotels, be aware that you may not get the amenities that you want.\u00a0 For instance, if your kids are young enough and you want them in the same room as you, many hotels here only have double beds and little room to put another cot or bed in the room.\u00a0 Or, if you need a microwave or fridge to store perishable food, that is often difficult to find in hotels here. \u00a0Some hotels in busy tourist areas have also have swimming pools, but if these hotels are booked up or outside of your budget, many of them allow outside guests to use their pools for a fee. \u00a0In Saigon, The Grand hotel and The Renaissance hotel, both in District 1, allow public access to their pools if your kids want to go for a quick swim to get away from the heat!<\/p>\n<p>Pre-arrange Transport &#8211; The standard car taxis in Vietnam are big enough to fit 4 people (but 3 comfortably).\u00a0 Van taxis can fit more, but it can sometimes be a struggle to find vans.\u00a0 They are also more expensive.\u00a0 In any case, with a family, it\u2019s best to arrange transport beforehand through the hotels so that you can be more certain that it will be safe, will fit all of you, and will take you to the right destination without long detours or go-arounds.\u00a0 The less time you spend sitting in traffic in a stuffy car in Vietnam, the happier you and your family will be.\u00a0 The rates are usually competitive and you can check online for average taxi rates for whichever city you will be in to compare.\u00a0 On top of that, <a title=\"SAIGON TAXI AND CYCLO SCAMS \u2013 a comprehensive guide to avoiding taxi and cyclo scams in Ho Chi Minh City\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/2013\/01\/23\/saigon-taxi-and-cyclo-scams-a-comprehensive-guide-to-avoiding-taxi-and-cyclo-scams-in-saigon\/\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">taxi scams<\/a> run amuck in Vietnam so it\u2019s best to avoid the situation altogether.<\/p>\n<p>Check the Weather &#8211; The <a title=\"The best time to visit Vietnam\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/2014\/01\/04\/the-best-time-to-visit-vietnam\/\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">weather in Vietnam<\/a> is incredibly varied not just by latitude but also by time of year.\u00a0 It can get quite miserable at certain times of year depending on the time of the year and the last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere that is blazing hot or currently in typhoon season.\u00a0 Please note that many parts of Vietnam are consistently hot so prepare your kids for what to expect because children can be less resilient to weather that they are not accustomed to.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#kid-content\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">BACK TO CONTENT<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Avoid_Unnecessary_Health_Risks\"><\/span><strong>4. Avoid Unnecessary Health Risks <span id=\"kid-stayhealthy\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Short vacations can be easily ruined when children get sick, and changing plans is often difficult when you have less flexibility.\u00a0 Use these tips to keep your kids happy and healthy during your time in Vietnam:<\/p>\n<p>Include Down Time:\u00a0 As we mentioned earlier, Vietnam can be a very hectic place.\u00a0 That, combined with the heat and pollution, can really wear you and your family down.\u00a0 Vietnam has so many amazing places to see and explore that it can be easy to go overboard and plan every activity imaginable.\u00a0 But be sure to include some rest periods so that you and your family don\u2019t fall ill.<\/p>\n<p>Food Safety &#8211; When traveling with kids to a new country, eating healthy is a big issue.\u00a0 Check out our previous blog on <a title=\"How to avoid getting sick while eating and traveling in Vietnam\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/2013\/03\/16\/how-to-avoid-getting-sick-while-eating-and-traveling-in-vietnam\/\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">how to travel in Vietnam without getting sick<\/a>.\u00a0 We encourage you to be smart when <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/how-to-avoid-getting-sick-while-eating-and-traveling-in-vietnam\/\">eating in Vietnam<\/a>.\u00a0 Children can be more susceptible to foodborne illnesses so being careful is all the more important when traveling with kids.\u00a0 Street food can be safe to eat, but you need to be careful where.\u00a0 <a title=\"Breaking Down the Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich)\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/2013\/04\/26\/breaking-down-the-banh-mi\/\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">Banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich)<\/a> is usually a safe item that kids can try because it\u2019s mostly bread with whatever fillings you like.\u00a0 It\u2019s also very hearty so it keeps them full for a longer period of time.\u00a0 If your child is not too fond of strange fillings, many Banh Mi stands also have processed cheese &#8211; you can\u2019t go wrong with bread and cheese!\u00a0 It may be a good idea to bring non-perishable food items that your kids are familiar with if they decide not to eat local food.\u00a0 Be careful not to bring anything that will melt because it will turn to mush in the heat here.\u00a0 In any case, if your kids need a break from Vietnamese food, there are plenty of fast food options like McDonalds, Burger King and Lotteria where you can find familiar food.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1248\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1248\" style=\"width: 793px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1248 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kid-eating-banh-mi.jpg\" alt=\"Kids usually love the Vietnamese sandwich (Banh Mi).\" width=\"793\" height=\"376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kid-eating-banh-mi.jpg 793w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kid-eating-banh-mi-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kid-eating-banh-mi-150x71.jpg 150w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kid-eating-banh-mi-400x189.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 793px) 100vw, 793px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1248\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kids usually love the Vietnamese sandwich (Banh Mi).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Water Safety:\u00a0 This is another big concern when traveling with children.\u00a0 First of all, please ensure that your family, and kids especially, have received all their recommended shots before coming to Vietnam.\u00a0 If you have travelled substantially before or have been exposed to this kind of climate, there is a chance that contaminated water may not bother you.\u00a0 But children often have lower immune defenses so getting vaccinated for diseases that are transmitted by contaminated water are a must.\u00a0 Once you are here, be sure to drink bottled water only and even brush teeth with bottled water.\u00a0 Brushing teeth with tap water may not do a lot of damage if your kids do it accidentally but it\u2019s best not to take the risk.\u00a0 Ice is also usually safe in Vietnam but use your best judgment when ordering cold drinks.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#kid-content\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">BACK TO CONTENT<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_BRING_PROTECTION\"><\/span><strong>5. BRING PROTECTION<span id=\"kid-protection\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The elements can be just as big a factor in children becoming ill as food and water and require just as much attention.\u00a0 Vietnam can have an extreme climate which can be bothersome without proper preparation. \u00a0For a more comprehensive list of <a title=\"TOP 10 THINGS TO BRING TO VIETNAM!\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/2013\/01\/31\/top-10-things-to-bring-to-vietnam\/\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">what to bring<\/a> and <a title=\"What NOT to bring to Vietnam\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/2013\/04\/01\/what-not-to-bring-to-vietnam\/\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">what not bring to Vietnam<\/a>, check out our previous blog entry.<\/p>\n<p>Insect Repellent:\u00a0 We have mentioned before that dengue fever is fairly common in Vietnam, and though it can affect anyone, immunocompromised people and children are more likely to contract this disease.\u00a0 What\u2019s more, children are less likely to show restraint when scratching mosquito bites so even if they don\u2019t contract dengue, those bites can become infected easily in the hot climate in Vietnam.\u00a0 Some areas in Vietnam like the Mekong Delta are quite swampy and mosquito-ridden, so use strong insect repellent with DEET to avoid any issues and bring anti-itch cream with you.<\/p>\n<p>Hats and Long Sleeves:\u00a0 Both heat and pollution can cause a lot of body stress for children so keep hydrated, bring a hat and breathable material long sleeves if you plan on spending a lot of time outside such as significant beach time or hiking in the hills.<\/p>\n<p>Medicines:\u00a0 Vietnam has many long and windy roads and even short distances can be nauseating.\u00a0 Some foods and smells may also give you nausea, even if they are perfectly safe to eat.\u00a0 Many people comment that the wafting smell of fish sauce or strange meat is too different for children to handle.\u00a0 Because of this, we recommend that you pack anti-nausea medication and Pepto Bismol.\u00a0 Note that although you can find these medications here, they are often marked up significantly and special versions specifically for children can be hard to find.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#kid-content\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">BACK TO CONTENT<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Good luck on your travels in Vietnam. \u00a0Our scooter tours allow\u00a0you and your children to <a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/hoi-an\/hoi-an-motorbike-tour.html\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">discover Saigon or Hoi An safely.<\/a> To learn more about us and how we can accommodate you on our tours, read our <a title=\"XO Tours FAQ\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/faq.html\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">FAQ section<\/a>.<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The tourism industry in Vietnam has grown tremendously since the mid-90s.\u00a0 Previously thought of as a war-torn and inaccessible country, it is now a thriving tourist destination in Southeast Asia.\u00a0 When traveling in a large group of people with varying ages, interests, and tastes, it can be difficult to plan a cohesive Vietnam trip\u00a0that suits [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":1251,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Top 5 Tips for your holiday when Traveling with Children in Vietnam","_seopress_titles_desc":"The most useful Vietnam Travel tips for families traveling with children in Vietnam. What to do when you travel with kids? Safety advice for parents.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[141,142,204,224],"class_list":{"0":"post-1235","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-vietnam-travel-tips","8":"tag-food-safety","9":"tag-safety","10":"tag-health-care-vietnam","11":"tag-family-friendly-travel"},"acf":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1235","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1235"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1235\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5313,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1235\/revisions\/5313"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1235"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1235"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1235"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}