3 Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary With Kids
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Ho Chi Minh City is loud, busy, chaotic — and absolutely fascinating.
We spent several weeks in Vietnam as part of our family gap year, and Ho Chi Minh City (still often called Saigon) was one of the places we were most unsure about visiting with kids. It’s big, hectic, and intense in a way that can feel overwhelming when you’re travelling as a family.
But it’s also one of the most important cities in Vietnam for understanding the country’s history, resilience, and modern identity.
The hardest part isn’t finding things to do — it’s choosing what’s actually worth doing with kids, how to pace it, and how not to overload everyone. It is very busy, it can be overwhelming, and it is HOT if you are wandering the city streets. But beneath that we found so much to explore as a family.
This Ho Chi Minh City itinerary is based entirely on our own experience travelling here with children. Every activity is something we genuinely did, and it’s designed to balance education, culture, fun, and downtime over three realistic days.
If you’re looking for a 3 day Ho Chi Minh itinerary that works for families — especially those travelling longer-term or on a family gap year — this is exactly how we’d do it again.
Day 1: History, Markets & Street Food Adventures
Morning: War Remnants Museum
This is a heavy start — but an important one.
The War Remnants Museum is, in our opinion, essential for understanding Vietnam’s history and the impact of the Vietnam War. It’s confronting at times, emotional, and incredibly powerful.
We spent around 2 hours here, which felt like the right amount of time with kids. We were selective about which sections we visited and took plenty of breaks to talk through what we were seeing.
For older kids and teens, this museum provides invaluable context for everything else you’ll see in Vietnam. If you need to duck out for a bit of a breather, there’s a little open air cafe in the grounds that sells cold drinks and ice creams. Our boys were interested but came away from the experience a bit shaken up and shocked by some of the info they’d absorbed. The ice cream breaks definitely helped pace it a bit.
Parent tip:
Some exhibits are graphic. We found it helpful to preview rooms, skip certain sections, and talk things through as we went.
🏨 Check current admission prices and further details on visiting the War Remnants Museum here
Lunch: Ben Nghe Street Food Market
After such an intense morning, we definitely all needed something low-pressure and chilled when it came to lunch.
We’d wandered past Ben Nghe Street Food Market a couple of times and decided to give it a try. We all LOVED the street food markets in Southeast Asia – where everyone could choose what they wanted, there’s loads of different flavours and fusions and they are incredible value. They’re also a great chance for the kids to try the local food in a relaxed way.
Ben Nghe Market is under cover so a good escape from the sun (or the rain!). There’s excellent seafood, noodles, rice dishes and even cold beers for the grown-ups. Each stall will give you a buzzer for collection so you can relax and chat while your food is being prepped.
🍜 See the exact location of Ben Nghe Street Food Market here
Afternoon: Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is chaotic, colourful, and full of energy — exactly what you expect from Ho Chi Minh City.
We spent around an hour wandering, buying small souvenirs, and soaking up the atmosphere. It’s not somewhere you want to linger too long with kids, but it’s a fun snapshot of city life and a good place to practice polite bargaining.
Parent tip:
Set expectations before you go. It’s hot, busy, and loud — but short visits work well with kids.
🛍️ Find Ben Thanh Market on Google Maps here
Evening: Street Food Tour by Motorbike
This was a highlight — for all of us.
Exploring Ho Chi Minh City by motorbike is an experience in itself, and doing it as part of a guided street food tour made it feel safe, exciting, and incredibly fun.
Over around 4 hours, we zipped through the city, tried a huge variety of local dishes, and saw neighbourhoods we’d never have found on our own. The kids loved the adventure of riding pillion (even if I was a bit terrified at the start!), and we loved not having to plan a thing.
👉 You can read our comprehensive review on the street food tour we took with the kids here.
Parent tip:
You won’t need anything else for dinner on this day – trust me!
🛵 Book the exact street food tour we took here – family-friendly, fun and full of delicious food
Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels & A Slower Evening
Full Day: Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
A visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels is one of the most educational experiences you can have in Vietnam — and it’s surprisingly engaging for kids.
This half- to full-day trip (around 6 hours) offers immersive insight into how the Vietnam War was fought and how people lived underground for years. Walking through the jungle, seeing hidden trapdoors, and crawling through sections of tunnel made history feel very real for our children.
You can choose how much to participate — crawling through tunnels is optional, and sections have been widened for visitors.
👉 You can read our full, in-depth review of the Cu Chi Tunnels tour we took here.
Parent tip:
Bring water, hats, and talk through the context beforehand — it helps kids understand what they’re seeing.
Evening: Pho in District 1
After a long, intense day, we kept the evening simple.
A bowl of pho at a relaxed restaurant in District 1 was exactly what we needed. It’s quick, affordable, comforting, and perfect after a day of sightseeing. We ate a LOT of pho during our time in HCMC and kept coming back to Phở Phú Vương time and time again. It’s simple (they literally only offer pho, in a variety of flavours), it’s relaxed and it’s incredibly good value for the sheer tastiness of everything.
🍜 Find Phở Phú Vương on Google Maps here
Day 3: Waterpark Fun & City Views
Daytime: Dam Sen Waterpark
After two emotionally and mentally heavy days, Dam Sen Waterpark was the perfect reset.
This is a full day of fun, cooling off, and letting kids just be kids. It’s around 20 minutes by Grab from District 1, very affordable, and far less touristy than you might expect.
There are slides for all ages, lazy rivers, wave pools, and plenty of shaded areas. For the price, it’s exceptional value — especially for families travelling long-term.
Parent tip:
Arrive early, bring sunscreen, and plan to spend most of the day here.
💦 You can book your tickets for Dam Sen Waterpark here for a day of fun in the sun
Evening: Landmark 81 SkyDeck
To end your 3 day Ho Chi Minh itinerary on a high note, head to Landmark 81.
The SkyDeck offers sweeping views across the city at sunset, helping kids visualise just how vast Ho Chi Minh City really is. There’s also a VR experience, which was a big hit with our kids and added something extra beyond just the view.
There are plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby, making it an easy place to have dinner and reflect on the trip. We always prefer somewhere more casual when we’re eating out with the kids, and we found that Taste of Saigon fitted the bill here. It’s only a 15min walk from Landmark 81 and the portions are tasty and huge.
🌃 Book your tickets for Landmark 81 here and finish your time in HCMC with a spectacular sunset view
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City With Kids
For this itinerary, District 1 works best.
It’s central, walkable, and close to major attractions (including all the day tours, which usually offer free pick up/drop off within District 1).
On a budget?
If you’re on a tight budget, book in to the 1967 Homestay apartments. Not only are they FANTASTIC value at around £25/US$35 per night, you also get to experience staying in a traditional HCMC apartment block. Don’t let the entrance put you off – it might be a bit scruffy on the outside but the apartments themselves are lovely little gems, with plenty of space, and even a free laundry service.
Got a bit more cash to spend?
For a bit more you can treat yourself to a smidge more luxury. Having a pool is a massive bonus in HCMC when you’re travelling with kids. The days here can be hot and chaotic, so having somewhere to retreat to and cool off is very helpful.
The two-bed apartments at City by Night Ben Thanh Apartments have tons of space, great city views AND a rooftop pool. Plus they come in at around £70/US$95 per night, which is great value for a family of four still.
🏨 Include a swimming pool with your HCMC stay and cool off in style
How Much to Budget for This 3 Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
Here’s a rough guide for a family of four (excluding flights):
- Accommodation (mid-range): £50-70/US$68–US$95 per night
- Food & drinks: £40-45/US$55-61 per day (3 meals per day for four people, plus drinks and snacks)
- Entry to War Remnants Museum: £1.10/US$1.50 per adult, £0.55/US$0.75 per child
- Street food tour: £25/US$35 per person
- Cu Chi Tunnels tour: £10-15/US$14-20 per person
- Dam Sen Waterpark: £6.20/US$8.50 per person
- Transport (Grabs): minimal and affordable – budget around £5-10/US$7-14 per day
So if you stayed in a place with a pool at the top end of this budget, did all the activities listed and spent the full whack per day of the food/drinks budget, this would come in at £635/US$868 for a family of four.
If you’re on a tighter budget (like we were!) you could easily opt for a wallet-friendly £25 per night stay, rein in the food spend and take a few less Grab taxis. In which case you’d be looking at around £400/US$550 for EVERYTHING for a family of four.
Overall, Ho Chi Minh City is pretty excellent value for families, especially compared to many major cities around the world.
Final Thoughts: Is Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting With Kids?
Yes — absolutely, if you approach it with the right mindset.
Ho Chi Minh City is certainly NOT gentle or quiet, but it’s honest, educational, and unforgettable. For our kids, it sparked meaningful conversations, deepened their understanding of history, and showed them a side of the world very different from our home in the UK. There’s some excellent sights, activities and day tours for the whole family.
This Ho Chi Minh City itinerary balances heavy history with fun, food, and downtime — and that balance is key when travelling with kids.
Download the Free PDF: 3 Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
Want to take this itinerary with you?
I’ve created a free, printable PDF version of this 3 day Ho Chi Minh itinerary, perfect for saving offline, sharing, or using while you travel.
👉 Download the free itinerary PDF here and take the stress out of planning your time in Ho Chi Minh City with kids.
If you’re travelling Vietnam as a family or planning a longer adventure, this city is challenging — but incredibly rewarding — and I hope this guide helps you experience it with confidence.
FAQs: Ho Chi Minh City with Kids
Yes — Ho Chi Minh City can be a great destination for families if you plan carefully. While it’s busy and chaotic, there are plenty of educational attractions, affordable food, and fun activities that work well for kids, especially those aged 7+.
Three days is ideal for families. A 3 day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary allows time to explore the city, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, and include a fun day like a waterpark without feeling rushed.
The War Remnants Museum is educational but can be confronting. It’s best suited to older children and teens. Parents should preview exhibits, skip graphic sections if needed, and talk through the history together.
Yes, many families visit the Cu Chi Tunnels with kids. Crawling through the tunnels is optional, and guides explain the history in an engaging way. It’s particularly impactful for school-age children learning about history.
No — Ho Chi Minh City offers excellent value. Food, transport, and attractions are very affordable compared to many major cities, making it a good choice for budget and mid-range family travellers.
District 1 is the most convenient base for families. It’s central, close to attractions, and has a good range of family-friendly hotels and apartments.
Looking for even more Vietnam inspiration?
Check out some of our other posts on Vietnam for more helpful advice, reviews and tips for visiting this fascinating country.
