Welcome back to Team Tala Travels, and in this article, we will travel with you to Hanoi!
Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city, and while it may be a great place for tourists, Hanoi does not usually rank at the top places to visit in Vietnam with your kids.
But, are there really limited activities that you can do with your kids in Hanoi?
Travel with us and let’s find out together the top 10 things that you can do in Hanoi with kids!
Let’s begin!
1. Explore the Old Quarter
The Old Quarter in Hanoi is an intriguing neighborhood filled with narrow streets, shops, food vendors, and cultural sites. Wander through the streets with your kids and you will see lots of shops, cafes, and massage spas!
Enjoy walking through each street, trying cafes that catch your fancy, or buying street food that looks appetizing! And of course, try having a foot massage after a tiring day!
Just be mindful about the busyness of the Old Quarter. Hold your little kids tight while crossing the streets as there are motorcycles and cyclos and cars everywhere!
Just a tip! Don’t ever go back when crossing the street. Approaching vehicles will adjust their way when they see pedestrians crossing the street!
- Address: Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Fee: Free
2. Visit Ngoc Son Temple
Ngoc Son Temple is located on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake. You can easily spot it through a red bridge leading to the temple. Visiting this temple will help children learn about a local legend that talks about how a sea turtle lent its claws to a soldier in order to make a magic sword. This sword was used by the king to defend Vietnam, which led to the country’s independence. There are two preserved sea turtles in this temple that kids will surely enjoy seeing.
Dress Code
Remember to dress appropriately when coming here as a sign of respect. There is a guide at the entrance of the bridge that gives out a special robe for ladies with bare shoulders to wear. This is free of charge.
- Address: Hoan Kiem Lake, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Fee: 30,000 VND for temple entry per adult; free for kids
3. Watch the Water Puppet Show
The Water Puppet Show is a traditional art show that involves puppets dancing on water. This fascinating water puppet show will truly excite both kids and adults alike because of its engaging puppet moves and live Vietnamese band that uses traditional musical instruments. The puppet show showcases Vietnamese traditions, its history, and animals that are considered sacred in the country.
All the music and script are in Vietnamese. If you want to understand the show, we recommend that you take an audio guide of at least one per group, which can be set to any of the available languages, such as English and French. We used an audio guide and Tala had an amazing experience watching the show and understanding the explanations of each scene in English.
- Address: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Fee: 100,000 – 200,000 VND per person (ticket) and 50,000 VND for 1 audio guide
4. Ride a cyclo
One of the modes of transportation for people in Hanoi is the cyclo. It is a three-wheeled ride that serves as a taxi in Hanoi. Riding the cyclo is an exhilarating adventure as you get to have an unhindered view of the city’s busy streets.
Just be wary of cyclo drivers overpricing tourists. Also, you might need sun protection if you opt to take a cyclo during sunny days, especially at noon.
- Address: Various locations in the Old Quarter
- Fee: 100,000 – 150,000 VND per 3 kilometres
5. Eat Vietnamese Food
There are so many restaurants and cafes in Hanoi that offer authentic Vietnamese dishes. Do not miss the chance of trying their famous banh mi, bun cha, pho, spring rolls, and banh xeo while you are in Hanoi! Your kids will surely love the exciting flavors of these dishes!
Also, if you are a coffee drinker, try Vietnam’s famous egg coffee! Do you know that this egg coffee recipe originated in a cafe in Hanoi?
Check out this famous cafe together with our restaurant recommendations in this video!
6. Go to Train Street
Hanoi Train Street runs between Kham Thien and Le Duan Street. It is lined with houses and cafes on either side, which leaves just enough space for a train to pass through. Many travelers go to this area to experience the fascinating experience of having trains weave in front of them while drinking their coffee.
Kids will definitely enjoy seeing the train in action! Just make sure that your kids are safely in their seats as the train approaches.
Tips to Enjoy Your Time on Train Street
- Check out the train schedule. Try to arrive at least 30 minutes before the train’s arrival so you can look for a good spot to view the train. You can see the train schedule in this video!
- Keep waiting time for your kids fun by bringing notepads, markers, and coloring pages. Waiting may be tough for some kids so make sure they have anti-boredom kits prepared while waiting for the train.
- Stay on the designated walking paths. Be attentive of your surroundings to keep yourself safe before, during, and after train operations.
- Listen to waiters and follow their instructions. Once warning signs are heard, waiters will automatically usher tables away from the railway as a safety procedure. Follow their orders if you do not want to get hit by the oncoming train.
- Wear footwear that is sturdy enough for the outdoors. Avoid wearing high heeled shoes to prevent your footwear from getting stuck on the ground. Walking shoes or sandals are ideal to wear to protect your feet from the train tracks.
Address: between Kham Thien and Le Duan Street
Fee: varies per cafe
7. Go to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of the most famous attractions in Hanoi. Coming here will expand your knowledge about Ho Chi Minh’s life and his importance in the history of Vietnam? If you are not yet aware, Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s visionary leader who shaped the course of Vietnam’s history. He is a revered figure in Vietnam because of his unwavering determination to bring independence to the country. Inside, you will see Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body resting inside a glass coffin.
Strictly No Photos and Videos
Photos and videos are strictly prohibited inside the compound. Before entering the compound, there is a bag check where bottled water and photography paraphernalia such as cameras and selfie sticks are bagged. You will then bring the bag in the baggage counter nearby for safekeeping. Don’t forget to get the bag before you leave!
Dress Code
The dress code is strictly implemented in the area. Visitors, both men and women, should cover their shoulders and knees.
There are vendors also selling sarongs outside the mausoleum at a hefty price. Do not buy from them as they sell these for twice the price of sarongs in the market. Also, if you come in shorts, guards will give you a sarong to wear before you enter the compound.
Other attractions around Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum include the Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh used to live, as well as the One Pillar Pagoda.
Address: 2 Hung Vuong Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Fee: Free
8. Walk along Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is a natural freshwater lake in Hanoi. This has been one of the national symbols in the country because here sits the famous sea turtle legend that led to the independence of the country.
Walking around the lake is one of the activities that you can do with your kids. It is lined with trees that make the walk breezy and fun.
There are also benches around the lake where you can rest and sit on while savoring the magnificent view ahead. Just across the lake are cafes and ice cream shops that you can go to for refreshments.
Address: Hoan Kiem District
Fee: free
9. Eat ice cream
Ice cream, or kem, is a popular dessert in Vietnam. There are many ice cream parlors around Hanoi, perfect to eat during the hot weather and on humid days.
One of our favorite ice cream places is Kem Trang Tien. It is a big place that serves different kinds of ice creams, such as popsicles, ice cream cones, and mochi ice creams. They also offer many unique flavors, such as black sesame, durian, pink guava, and rice flakes! Your kids will surely enjoy eating ice cream here!
Address: Hoan Kiem District
Fee: 15,000 to 17,000 VND per ice cream
10. Enjoy a massage
There are so many massage spas in Hanoi, particularly in the Old Quarter. Streets are lined up with spas offering different types of massages, like foot massage and full body massage. Try it, especially after doing a lot of touristy walking around the city!
We all had a 30-minute foot massage after walking 17,000 steps around the Old Quarter! Much-deserved, right?
Address: different locations
Fee: 150,000 VND for a 30-minute foot massage
What’s Next?
Traveling to Hanoi is such a wonderful experience! Just remember to plan ahead, book tours in advance, and involve your kids in planning places that all of you want to visit! Think win-win, right?
That’s it for our travel blog in Hanoi! Tell us your experiences after going to one or all of these places in Hanoi!
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