Vietnam may not be your first choice when it comes to a family vacation, especially with young kids. The country is not teeming with amusement parks and other attractions that are meant for kids. But every family holiday should not just include visiting play areas, shopping malls, and theme parks. Sometimes, it is important to give children experiences that they may not receive in their own country. If you are planning a unique holiday for your family, Hanoi in Vietnam would be a good choice. Hanoi may not have many typical kid-friendly attractions, but it has enough for your kids to get interested in new culture, customs, and traditions. Plus, the city also has numerous outdoor spaces for the kids to have a good time. With this note, let us look at the activities great for families with kids. Most of these attractions are a part of popular Hanoi tour packages.
Explore the Old Quarter on a Cyclo
The Old Quarter is where the heart of Hanoi lies. This is a place you must visit to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city. Also known as 36 Old Streets, the Old Quarter is packed with numerous streets, some of which have been in existence since the 15th century. A walk or a ride on a cyclo through the swarming streets would give you the chance to explore the different streets and their offerings. The streets are filled with shops, restaurants, and more. You can try local snacks and explore the ancient buildings and colonial architecture in the area. If you are taking the cyclo for a tour of the Old Quarter, one of the safety tips would be to always use a helmet.
Take a Walk Along Hoan Kiem Lake
While the Old Quarter is interesting, the chaotic sights and sounds can be overwhelming, especially for children. This is why visiting the serene Hoan Kiem Lake would be a good idea. It is one the picturesque locations in Hanoi with lush greenery all around the lake, although there are bustling streets full of shops and food stalls nearby. Apart from walking along the lake and relaxing under one of the numerous trees, you can also buy handicrafts made by local artisans, watch people practicing Tai Chi, and try out a local snack. One must-visit place here is the Ngoc Son Temple, an 18th century temple located on Jade Island in the middle of the lake, which is connected to the city by Cau The Huc or the Rising Sun Bridge. So, do include this place in your travel itineraries.
Watch the Water Puppet Show
Hanoi offers several cultural experiences for families, but nothing compares to the Water Puppet Show. A traditional Vietnamese art form, the best show is done by the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater. As the name suggests, the wooden puppets are in the water the entire duration of the show. The settings are vibrant and ever-changing, while the characters are quirky and are inspired by the famous personalities of Vietnam. The best part is that each show will tell you about the culture, traditions, and festivals of Vietnam in a unique way. Every show lasts around 50 minutes and includes live music and musicians. Rather than dialogues, the story is narrated through songs. The Water Puppet Show in Vietnam is a one-of-a-kind attraction and something you should not miss, especially if you are visiting with children.
Have Fun at the Hanoi Night Market
If you do not mind pushing your kids’ sleep time for one evening, visiting the Hanoi Night Market is one of the most amazing things to do in Hanoi. While there are several night markets happening in Hanoi, the one at the Old Quarter is the most popular. This is a weekend night market that happens from Friday to Sunday. The market, which is a 3-km stretch from Hang Doa Street to Dong Xuan Market, starts at 6 in the evening and goes on till midnight. As you walk along the street, you will find thousands of stalls selling a variety of things, right from toys to craft items. It is the best place to buy some souvenirs. If you are visiting on Saturday, you will get to see traditional performances happening here. An important thing to note is that this market is extremely crowded and may be an ideal place to bring infants and toddlers.
Visit the Temple of Literature
If your kids are missing open spaces to run around freely, the Temple of Literature is a must-visit place in Hanoi. Founded in 1070, this is Vietnam’s first university and had been in function for several centuries. Today, it remains a symbol of cultural and architectural beauty. Spread around an area of 54,000 square meters, the Temple of Literature has five courtyards, namely the Great Middle Gate, The Pavillion of Constellation, The Well of Heavenly Clarity, The Gate of Great Success, and The Grounds of Imperial Academy. There is also a shrine that students visit to seek blessings before their examinations. Visiting The Temple of Literature is one of the family activities Hanoi, where you can get to know about the educational history of Vietnam.
Spend Time with Wildlife at Thu Le Park
Children are usually fascinated with animals, especially wild animals. When your kids get bored of sightseeing, take them to Thu Le Park, which is home to Hanoi Zoo and several other interesting activities and attractions. Opened in 1977, the park is spread around an area of 29-hectare area with a beautiful 6-hectare lake inside it. The Hanoi Zoo is the prime attraction of the park and is home to more than 100 species of animals, including 40 species of Vietnam’s rare and endangered species. Some of the animals you will find here are Clouded Leopards, Indo-Chinese tigers, Hoa Mai leopards, Vieng Chan deer, Binturong, pythons, etc. This is one of the Hanoi parks that has a children’s playground with several interactive rides and activities and a water game area where you can indulge in water ball rolling and swan boat riding.
Enjoy a Picnic at Hanoi Botanical Garden
Hanoi is mostly known as a noisy, chaotic, and crowded city. But this capital of Vietnam has been able to preserve numerous pockets of greenery, and the Hanoi Botanical Garden is one of them. Also known as Back Thao Park, this garden is spread around an area of 10 hectares. The botanical garden has lush greenery, with a variety of trees like banyan, canopy, tropical orchid, palm, and more adorning it. You will also find several rare species of trees and plants here. Apart from trees, this botanical garden has hills, gardens, and lakes, offering you the perfect ambience to pack your lunch and enjoy a picnic with your family and friends. The Hanoi Botanical Garden is also a great place to go for a walk, run, and cycle.
Go on a Vespa Adventure Tour
Sightseeing in Hanoi on foot or using the public transportation system is fun but can also be tiring. Moreover, you will be stuck with just the popular attractions in the city. However, if you want to explore the nooks and crannies of the city in a unique way, a Vespa Adventure Tour is one for you. This is one of the outdoor adventures where you get to ride a pillion on a Vespa (a two-wheeler) with a local guide, who will take you to all the important landmarks as well as the hidden gems of the city. Moreover, zigzagging through the traffic, crowded places, and cramped lanes is an adventure in itself. Along with the places, you will also get to enjoy the local Vietnamese cuisine during this tour.
Learn about Different Cultures at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
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To learn about the traditional culture of Vietnam, a visit to the Museum of Ethnology is a must. Involving both indoor and outdoor attractions, this is one of the museums for children that give you information about the 54 ethnic groups of the country. A visit to this place will give you a glimpse of the traditional ways of life of the Vietnamese people. The outdoor exhibits are home to authentic homes and gardens of the ethnic groups in the country. The indoor exhibits hold more than 15000 artifacts, including clothes, jewelry, etc., used by the people in earlier times. You will also get to learn about religious events, symbolic rituals, and more that were an integral part of the life and culture of the Vietnamese people.
Try Vietnamese Cuisine on a Food Tour
Vietnamese cuisine is known for its healthy, warm, and delicious dishes. It would be an injustice if you returned from your holiday without trying some of the best dishes of this cuisine. To make it easier for you to choose the must-try dishes, joining a food tour would be a good idea. Different types of food tours are available in Hanoi, lasting from 45 minutes to several hours. The best part is that many of them are kid friendly, ensuring you the chance to have a good family dining experience. A local guide would take you to different street food stalls and restaurants where you can enjoy authentic food. Banh Mi, Pho, Bun Cha, Cao Lau, Goi Cuon, Mi Quang, etc., are some of the most popular dishes to try here.
Hanoi is a city bursting with attractions and activities meant for families to enjoy together. The city also offers plenty of educational experiences in a fun way as well. So, are you ready to take your kids to a place that is different from the norm but is sure to give them a rich experience?
