The capital and largest city of Vietnam is Hanoi, which also happens to be the second largest metropolis in all of Southeast Asia. In spite of the crowds, there is a lot to see and do there. Motorbikes, some with as many as four people on board, will speed by you on the streets of Hanoi. It serves as a great introduction to Hanoian culture.
Hanoi is one of the most exciting places to take children because there are so many attractions and activities for children to enjoy as well as cultural experiences for the whole family to partake in.
Hanoi is a city in northern Vietnam on the western bank of the Red River. Even though Hanoi is a thriving agricultural and industrial hub, the city’s environs are still largely rural. Noi Bai International Airport is the destination for all flights, and it takes around 40 minutes to drive into the heart of the city.
Hanoi, being in Northern Vietnam, experiences all four seasons. In the winter, temperatures might drop significantly, but the air stays rather dry. Humidity and temperatures both increase during the summer.
In addition, summer is a season that frequently experiences rainfall. The months of February through April and September through October offer the most pleasant weather and the fewest chances of precipitation.
Culturally, Vietnam is a fantastic place for families to visit. It’s highly recommended as a family vacation spot. Find out from us how to make the most of your time in Hanoi with young children.
Take A Hanoi Food Tour And Treat Yourself
Eating is a popular pastime for both children and adults. Taking a culinary tour is a great way to get to know the culture of the place you’re visiting.
The best way to sample authentic Vietnamese cuisine is to hire a local guide who can take you to restaurants serving it that aren’t on the typical tourist itinerary. Restaurants, street vendors, and bakeries are just some of the common stops on a food tour.
Hanoi is home to a wide variety of delicious cuisines, including the famous Pho (a beef noodle soup). Ca Phe Trung (beef noodle soup), Bun Cha (grilled pork with noodles), Banh Khuc (sticky rice cakes), and more (egg coffee). This is also a great strategy for getting finicky eaters to try something new. Local culinary excursions typically cost between $25 and $35 USD per person.
One of the best cultural things in Hanoi to do with kids is to visit a local village and take part in some of the many different kinds of games and shows that are available.
If you really want to get to know a people and their customs, joining up on one of their cultural activities is a great place to start. Numerous farming communities can be found on the outskirts of Hanoi. Yen Duc is a picturesque village around 2.5 hours away from Hanoi where most people work in the rice fields.
An Exciting Hanoi Basket Fishing Adventure
You can also go basket fishing there. You can try your hand at the traditional Vietnamese method of fishing in Yen Duc, even if your only experience with fishing has been with a rod and bait.
You will don waders, boots, and gloves and begin wading into the water with a bamboo basket in one hand. In the hopes of catching a fish, you will slowly lower the basket into the water.
If a fish manages to swim inside the basket, all you have to do is grab it and pull it out with your hands. Learning a new method of fishing requires time and talent, but it’s exciting for kids to try something different.
The Water Puppet Show
One of the best things to do in Hanoi is to catch a water puppet play, an entertaining tradition that dates back to the 11th century in rural Vietnam. After the harvest was over, families of rice farmers would gather around and watch these puppet shows.
Hanoi is now home to several different types of water puppet shows. As the puppets dance on the water to the accompaniment of music and singing, the audience is taken on a journey through Vietnamese history and culture by the unseen puppeteers.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and Lotus Water Puppet Theatre are two of the most well-attended performance venues in town. Each ticket is priced at roughly $6 US.
Free Walking Tours of Hanoi’s Historic Center
The chaos of the Old Quarter must be experienced by all visitors to Hanoi. There is still a remnant of the days when each street was identified by the goods and services it provided. Visit a store or a food stand and treat yourself.
Hanoi Free Walking Tours offers free walking tours around Hanoi. To get around the confusing streets, you might walk, rent a bike, or use the bus. You’ll go by traditional homes and historic temples. Stop by Hoan Kiem Lake, one of Hanoi’s top attractions, on your way out of the Old Quarter for a tranquil finale to your day.
Discover Hanoi’s Ancient Citadel And Old Town
Families with children of all ages will find a wealth of cultural activities to enjoy in Hanoi. To experience Hanoi is to be immersed in a rich culture and have your senses satiated.
Contribution from a Special Guest Travel 80 by 80 is Laura Cox’s brainchild, and it’s a site devoted to encouraging and assisting families in taking their first steps into the world of foreign travel. She and her family of six have visited 48 different countries, with the goal of experiencing local life and learning about other cultures.