Where Kids Go

In Hanoi, the Waterpuppets are an absolute must for any kid, whether you are 6 or 16 (or 66). The colourful puppets magically move criss-cross a small pond and make a lot of noise. Bet your parents find this cool too.

The Cuc Phuong National Park is a great jungle, but visit the 'Endangered Primate Rescue Centre' at the entrance first. This mini-zoo is home to a number of extremely rare monkeys. You may find the tropical showers during the rainy season exciting, but be aware that leeches (bloodsuckers) will be a problem at that time of the year.

Undoubtedly your parents want to show you all the old stuff in Hoi An. Remind them that the beach is nearby, about half an hour by bicycle. Another fun thing to do is a river boat trip in one of those very narrow sampans, step in carrrrrefulllly.

A snorkelling trip to the islands near Nha Trang is unforgettable. Bring your own snorkel set or buy one before you hop on the boat. Nha Trang also has the best beach in Vietnam, but mind the current, which can be particularly strong in the autumn. Never swim alone. For yet another great experience in Nha Trang get up at five o'clock in the morning, watch the sunrise plus a few thousand Vietnamese play badminton and do exercise.

Fancy sleeping in the Crazy House in Dalat? For a fairy-tale experience, ask your parents to book you in the Tiger room or any other theme-rooms of this weird mini-hotel. After waking up, visit the dusty summer palace of Vietnam’s last emperor Bao Dai and have your picture taken behind his desk (don’t smile).

To experience a Vietnamese amusement park, call on Dam Sen in Ho Chi Minh City, which has everything from old-fashioned merry-go-rounds to brand-new water slides. Outside of the city, there are also two big water parks, great on a sizzling-hot day. Bring lots of waterproof suntan lotion!

The underground Cu Chi Tunnels, close to Ho Chi Minh City, are a bit scary to some children, although most find them a real thrill. You’re lucky if you’re small, because so are the tunnels. Bring old clothes, for you’ll get dusty, and mosquito repellent.

What Kids Do

Food When it's warm, you often don't feel hungry, but to stay fit it is wise to regularly eat small amounts of food. Vietnamese children mainly eat rice and soup. Fast-food restaurants exist, but there aren't many of them yet. As things look now, you will also visit Vietnam in the pre-McDonald's era. Western food is like French fries and pizzas are availabe but may look and taste a bit different than at home. But don't worry, there is a lot in between this and exotic treats like dried squid or fried frog legs! Vietnam is also a great country for fruit and sweets lovers, with new kinds to discover every day.

Drinks It goes without saying that in a warm country drinking is important. Fresh fruit shakes are delicious, or try a lemon juice. Green tea (without or without ice) tastes bitter but quenches your thirst best. Lipton tea, soft drinks and milk are often available. You could also make your own milk from milk powder, something Vietnamese children love too. Only drink bottled water and refrain from ice-cubes. Packed ice cream is fine, never buy ice cream from a street vendor.

Presents Without doubt you will meet many Vietnamese children during your trip and it's fun to bring some small gifts for them. Young Vietnamese children love balloons, so that's certainly a good bet. In the countryside, some people are so poor that they can hardly afford notebooks, pens and pencils, so such gifts also make their children happy. (Used) clothes are welcome, T-shirts with Western printing seem to be preferred. Bringing sweets is not a good idea, they get sticky while travelling. Moreover, most Vietnamese children never go to the dentist. With some postcards from your hometown or country your popularity will grow by the day. Photos from your house, your school, or your grandparents will also get much attention. Why your grandparents? In the Vietnamese society, these have a very important position -- and Vietnamese kids are always very polite to them!

Illness and medicine Because of the tropical weather or because you ate something wrong, you might get diarrhoea. If so, it is important to keep drinking (tea, thin soup, or so-called Oral Rehydration Salts, or ORS). To stop diarrhoea, you can take a medicine named Diacure (loperamide), which you best bring from home. Note: this is normally not for children under eight years old. As soon as you feel like it, you should eat some rice or biscuits as well. However, you can also get or keep stomach problems from eating too much rice since rice absorbs liquids.

If at home you have (had) problems with carsickness, you should bring pills for this. Roads in Vietnam are not as smooth as at home and sometimes the driver will suddenly have to turn the steering wheel to avoid a buffalo or a chicken.

Anti-malaria pills are only required in a handful of places. Most likely, you can do without. Your parents can check this with us when planning your tour.