We had low expectations for Saigon but were surprised. The south is more relaxed than the north, and if you pick your tour operators carefully, the experience is excellent. Our route: fly into Ho Chi Minh City, take a 2-day Mekong Delta trip, then travel by train to Mui Ne.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) With Kids
- One or two days is enough for most families — use it as a base, not a destination.
- The free walking tours (Saigon Free Walking Tours) are excellent and genuinely free — a great way to orient yourselves on day one.
- Do the street food tour in the evening if energy allows; it doubles as dinner.
- The city is hectic with kids; build in quiet time back at the guesthouse.
Mekong Delta (2-Day Trip)
- We booked through TNK Travel — 1,500,000 Dong (around $67 USD) for all four of us, including one night’s accommodation.
- Tour company quality in Vietnam varies hugely; research the operator before booking, unlike Thailand where most boats are roughly equivalent.
- The delta is genuinely unlike anywhere else — boat life, floating markets, and rice paddies are fascinating for kids.
Mui Ne by Train
- We originally planned to fly to Hoi An but switched to the train to Mui Ne after one of our kids had an ear condition. The 4-hour train ride from Saigon worked well.
- Mui Ne is a kite-surfing and wind-sports hub on a long windswept beach. It is quieter than Saigon but more resort strip than family beach — the surf and wind make it unsuitable for swimming with small children. The appeal is the Fairy Streams walk, the sand dunes, and the nearby Ta Cu mountain day trip, not beach time.
- Ta Cu mountain (near Phan Thiet) makes an easy half-day trip by local bus from Mui Ne.
What We Would Do Differently
- Arrive with a pre-booked tour operator recommendation; don’t just walk in somewhere.
- Consider basing in Mui Ne for a longer stay — it is calm, affordable, and genuinely pleasant for families.
- The south is much more family-friendly than our first trip to Vietnam convinced us. Don’t write it off.
Related Reads
- Vietnam destination hub
- Saigon with kids
- Saigon free walking tours
- 2-day Mekong Delta trip
- Mui Ne with children
FAQ
Is Vietnam safe for families with young children?
Yes — the south in particular is very welcoming to families. Traffic in Saigon takes some getting used to but it’s manageable with sensible street-crossing habits.
How long do you need in southern Vietnam?
Two weeks gives you a comfortable pace: a couple of days in Saigon, 2 days on the Mekong Delta, and around a week in Mui Ne.
Is it expensive?
Southern Vietnam is excellent value. Food and transport are very cheap by European or Australian standards.