Travel: Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh

[tree nymph]

Hi!

Anyone been to Ho Chi Minh with kids? Any good recommendations? I have about 3.5 days there…

[Eagle-Ladybird]

How old is your kid ? All 3.5 days in HCMC ? It would be a challenge.


HCMC is not really a city for younger children. But if you have not been, then you should go for the experience. Timing of your trip is also important - don’t coincide with the rainy season.

Most tourists in HCMC end up visiting the war muzeum (relatively small), art galleries (plentiful), cruise along the river. And shopping (not fantastic either). If you know where to go, you can find interesting Vietnamese products.

Outside of HCMC, would be places like Cu Ci tunnels (during the War), Vung Tau beach resort and etc. Check them out with your travel agents/website.

You should really do your research first.

[penglee]

Eating or shopping wise, Bangkok more variety and cheaper than HoChiMinh.

My kids join me because I got business trip.

Cultural and sightseeing--> Hanoi.
Our blogtrip --> http://sengkangbabies.blogspot.com/2007/04/hochiminh.html

To go or not, really depend on your appetite for adventure

[hquek]

errr, be careful hor. My friend went there last/year before. She was robbed whilst waiting for lights to change. A passing motorcyclist grabbed her bag. Exercise precaution lah.

[tree nymph]

thanks for the advise.


I think we will take it easy. We will be going to a theme park, about 1 hours away from hichiminh city - its like a combination of the snow city, wet wet wild and chinese gardens… then we will go for mekong delta cruise, water puppet show, china town, wholesale market and the old central market. May skip the war museum and the cuchi tunnels… see how.

weather maybe hot, so if it gets too warm, may just chill out at the swimming pool…

[yqyq]

We never been to Vietnam before and plan for family trip this Dec. Hanoi better or HCM better?


About 4 - 5 days trip there. Possible to be free and easy or group tour more advisable?

Thank you for sharing

[hsm]

I went in Aug with my 2 kids. Our purpose is just go there shop and eat! hehe! Went on Sat morning & back on Sun. We stayed @ Rex hotel, district 1. 5mins walk to Ben Thahn market.. Good break for us.. and no need to take leave..


The hotel and location are great! at night, we went to the roof top garden for the live band music.. my kids had ice cream.. we also had the popular coconut ice cream which is good! most importantly, our purpose is to eat our favorite pho!!

The hotel can arrange for 1/2 day Cu Chi tunnel tour if you are interested.

[yqyq]

hsm:

I went in Aug with my 2 kids. Our purpose is just go there shop and eat! hehe! Went on Sat morning & back on Sun. We stayed @ Rex hotel, district 1. 5mins walk to Ben Thahn market.. Good break for us.. and no need to take leave..


The hotel and location are great! at night, we went to the roof top garden for the live band music.. my kids had ice cream.. we also had the popular coconut ice cream which is good! most importantly, our purpose is to eat our favorite pho!!

The hotel can arrange for 1/2 day Cu Chi tunnel tour if you are interested.

Thank you so much for sharing

By the way, any interesting places must give a visit?

[hsm]

I think the Mekong river and Cu Chi tunnel will be the usual places of interest. If you stay @ Rex, here are some tours that u can checkout:

http://www.rexhotelvietnam.com/en/Tour-rex-cat.aspx?pg=Tour&cat=6

For shopping, must go Ben Thanh market! it's very similar to Chatuchak market @ BKK.

[aubrey]

yqyq:

We never been to Vietnam before and plan for family trip this Dec. Hanoi better or HCM better?


About 4 - 5 days trip there. Possible to be free and easy or group tour more advisable?

Thank you for sharing

I would prefer HCMC. The city is more walkable especially if you stay in the center. People in both cities are friendly, but somehow I found the Saigonese friendlier.

I stayed at Park Hyatt Saigon and was happy with the selection as most tourist attractions are withing walking distance.

If you travel from airport by taxi, do buy coupon at the transportation desk. The rate is fixed, so no chance of being 'driven' around.