5 Essential Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City with Kids

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam at its most cosmopolitan and intense. It’s younger, bigger and worldlier than its northern cousin Hanoi, an endless sprawl of neon-lit skyscrapers, whizzing motorbikes and glitzy commercial areas interlaced with humble market streets and ancient temples. Most locals still call it by its old name, Saigon, and that fiercely independent regional spirit is part of what gives this town of almost 9 million its vibrance and vitality. Exploring the many things to do in Ho Chi Minh City with kids is an exercise in picking and choosing from a long list of options.

Many families who visit Ho Chi Minh City use it only as a point of entry or a transport hub for the Mekong Delta and southern islands — and they’re missing out on one of Southeast Asia’s underrated gems. Build at least two full days into your itinerary to experience Ho Chi Minh City proper; add a third day if you want to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels (see below).

Note: The War Remnants Museum is usually cited as a Ho Chi Minh City must-see, but it is gruesome and not appropriate for children. Water puppet shows are another popular pastime; if you’ll be heading to northern Vietnam, save the water puppets until you get there, as the traditional Vietnamese art originated in this region and the best shows are found in Hanoi and surrounds.

5 Essential Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City with Kids

Reunification Palace

Built in the 1960s as a home for South Vietnam’s then-president, Nguyen Van Thieu, the Reunification Palace (also called Independence Palace) has come to represent Saigon’s fall from power. It was an architectural tour de force for its time, its unimposing facade laden with symbols of Eastern culture and its interior a marvel of light and space. A North Vietnamese tank crashed through the palace’s gates in the spring of 1975; moments later, Viet Cong soldiers dashed in to hang their flag from the balcony — a symbolic takeover that became official months later. The tank remains parked on the grounds.

You’ll need a guide to tour the state rooms, which takes about an hour and a half, but you can explore the rest of the complex at your leisure. Modernist design fans will be in heaven: The rooms are a time capsule of 1970s style broken up by touches of traditional Asian artistry here and there. Red-carpeted stairways at the heart of the vast structure lead to meeting rooms, reception rooms, banquet halls, the president’s private quarters and more, including a mod movie theater and a game room with a deliciously retro vibe. For kids, the most intriguing section will likely be the war command center in the basement, its bulky telecom equipment and military maps still intact.

TIP: A video of the palace’s history plays on a loop in the war rooms, concluding with the Vietnamese national anthem. Those who watch it are expected to stand up during the anthem to signal respect.

Thien Hau Pagoda

If the Reunification Palace symbolizes Vietnam’s march toward the future, Thien Hau Pagoda is a lovely window into the past. It was constructed in the 18th century by Vietnam’s Chinese community to honor a goddess of the sea, largely using materials imported from China, and it is stunning outside and in, from the elaborate porcelain figurines on the facade to the interior courtyard dotted with incense burners. Large coils of incense hang from the ceilings; visitors can purchase one, write their name on a slip of paper to attach to the coil, and set it aflame in hopes that the smoke drifting upward will carry that person’s prayers to the deity.

Thien Hau is an active place of worship, so be considerate of locals who have come to pray and make offerings. It is rarely crowded, but early morning is an especially tranquil time to visit. Another option is the Jade Emperor Pagoda, an active Taoist temple made famous by a visit from then-President Obama. And to show children the influence of French control of Vietnam, stop by Notre Dame Cathedral, built entirely with materials imported from France. Even younger kids can easily spot the difference in styles among these religious structures.

Saigon Central Post Office

A post office on a list of can’t-miss sights? Yes! This isn’t just a place to send a package or pick up stamps. The canary-yellow 1880s building, right in the center of town, is among Ho Chi Minh City’s premier landmarks. Its colonial-style design is beautiful, with a barrel ceiling crisscrossed by green metal arches and walls bearing original oil paintings and period maps. Kids who have never known life without smartphones will love stepping inside the old-fashioned wooden telephone booths and checking out the vintage clocks that show local time in zones all over the world.

The Central Post Office is very much a working facility, so it’s the perfect place to dash off a few postcards or ship home a batch of souvenirs you don’t want to tote around. It’s also one of the best spots in town to stock up on inexpensive trinkets like fans and paper goods.

Market shopping and cooking class

The food of southern Vietnam is wonderfully spicy-sweet and bursting with fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, thanks to the area’s fertile farmland. While exploring Ho Chi Minh City’s restaurant scene is a must, it’s even more fun to take a kid-friendly class from a local cook. Shopping for ingredients, then preparing and enjoying a meal together in a private home connects kids to Vietnam’s customs and culture like few other experiences can.

It’s common for Vietnamese to make daily trips to a neighborhood food market to gather what they need for the day’s fare. The markets are loud, chaotic and absolutely fascinating — a tightly packed maze of sellers and makeshift restaurant stalls with bins of fish and poultry, tropical produce, multicolored rices, sauces, noodles and much more. Children will be entranced, if possibly a bit squeamish about the live seafood and exotic meats. Most cooks will agree upon the menu with you in advance so that you’re comfortable with what you will be making and tasting, i.e. you can choose one or more dishes to accommodate pickier travelers and the rest for adventurous eaters.

TIP: Culinary classes are a dime a dozen, but finding one that’s truly geared toward families takes a little effort. Our Family Travel Advisor team maintains a short list of vetted partners who fit the bill, offered as part of our vacation planning service. If a cooking class isn’t your thing, consider taking a food tour with one of our kid-friendly guides, who can recommend the best street food options. Regardless of how you structure it, Vietnamese food is not to be missed.

Cu Chi Tunnels excursion

The famous Cu Chi Tunnels, about an hour and a half by car from central Ho Chi Minh City, are a feat of wartime ingenuity. During the American War (as the Vietnam War is known here), Viet Cong guerrillas dug this 75-mile network of subterranean passages as a bomb shelter, a way to transport supplies in secret, a place to store guns and ammunition, and planning headquarters for major operations like the Tet Offensive. So comprehensive was the tunnel system that it included schools, hospitals and living quarters complete with kitchens.

There’s lots to explore onsite, including military vehicles, displays of Viet Cong uniforms and weaponry, and samples of the foods on which the guerrillas lived, but the tunnels themselves are the highlight. Small, removable panels carefully covered with leaves mask entrance and exit holes (guides will demonstrate), and you can examine the types of crude booby traps used to fend off enemy soldiers. There are also a couple of tunnel sections that visitors can enter and crawl through; skip this part if you’re claustrophobic.

The Cu Chi Tunnels are not frightening for most kids, but they are sobering. Be aware that there is also a gun range where visitors 16 and up can pay a surcharge to fire assault rifles, unfortunately positioned next to a rest area and snack bar — the noise is quite loud and unsettling.

TIP: Bring plenty of drinkable water, sunscreen and bug repellent, as you’ll be in the woods with patchy shade. Handheld fans are nice to have too.

Tips for Visiting Ho Chi Minh City with Kids

• Although English is more prevalent in Ho Chi Minh City than in many other parts of Vietnam, don’t count on locals speaking it. English signage is sparse and the Vietnamese language is difficult to grasp. We strongly recommend hiring a private guide to make the logistics stress-free and to give you a fuller understanding of the complexities of Vietnamese history and culture. Our Family Travel Advisor team can help you choose one who knows how to engage children of varying ages.
• The city is vast and spread out, divided into 24 separate districts. Most families will want to base in central District 1 — it’s the main commercial area and offers easy access to most major tourist attractions, with a concentration of luxury hotels. Booking a driver is by far the best way to get around with kids. Don’t try to self-drive amid the constant river of traffic!
• Despite the modern infrastructure, the tap water isn’t potable, so avoid drinking it or using it to brush your teeth. Hotels and guides will typically supply ample bottled water, or you can bring your own bottles with built-in filters. Similarly, do not eat produce that hasn’t been cooked or peeled — be careful when sampling street food without a local guide.
• Ho Chi Minh City is quite safe for families, but petty theft is a perennial problem. Leave fine jewelry at home and don’t flash expensive electronics and camera equipment. Keep a tight hold on your bags to deter motorbike snatch-and-runs.
• The climate in southern Vietnam is hot and sticky all year round; winter and early spring (late December through April) are most comfortable. The rainy season, roughly May through November, is less optimal.
• If you have more time to explore the area, consider day trips like Suoi Tien, a theme park. It’ll be a kid-pleasing option after such a large dose of culture and history.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly accommodations and activities in Vietnam with kids

Top 5 reasons to visit Vietnam with kids

Found: A kid-friendly Halong Bay junk cruise in Vietnam

Introducing kids to Vietnam’s complex and colorful past in Hue

Postcard from Vietnam: Exploring the Mekong Delta waterways

History comes to life at Sofitel’s Legend Metropole Hanoi in Vietnam

Editor’s Note: Photos by Lisa Frederick.