Hoi An is a cute town along the coast of Central Vietnam. It is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a great destination for a memorable vacation with kids. In this article you can find our top five things to do in Hoi An with kids, ensuring a fun-filled experience for the whole family.
Table of Contents
- Explore the Old Town
- Watch a Show at the Lune Centre
- Take a Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River
- Join a Lantern-Making Workshop
- Take a Ride to An Bang Beach
- Hoi An with Kids Conclusion
Explore the Old Town
Hoi An’s Old Town is a beautiful assortment of narrow streets lined with colourful buildings. Since these streets are car free, Hoi An is one of the safest cities in Vietnam for kids.
Take a stroll through the lantern filled streets and eye the beautiful architecture. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, a symbol of Hoi An, and stop by the Hoi An Museum to learn about the town’s history. It’s always a good idea to join a walking tour on one of your first days in Hoi An. Your tour guide will advise of the history and let you know of any good places to see once your tour is over.
Be sure to stop for a bowl of cao lầu (a delicious noodle dish) or enjoy an ice cream from one of the many dessert parlours.
Watch a Show at the Lune Centre
The Lune Centre, or the Hoi An Centre for Performing Arts, is a great pace to catch a local production. The Lune Centre is a bamboo theatre, and the first of its kind in Vietnam. This theatre is home to the Bamboo Circus, a story of Vietnamese culture from across the country with live music, acrobatics and bamboo props. Both our five year old and our seven month old loves the show.
Tickets can be purchased from the box office on site. It’s well worth a look and it’s a great time for the whole family.
To note: The Bamboo Circus does have loud music and drums. We did have headphones on our baby and there were no issues while there. If your baby does cry during the show, you will be asked to leave. Be aware of this when you purchase your tickets.
Take a Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River
Hop on a boat that will take you along the Thu Bon River. Enjoy stunning views of Hoi An’s countryside. You could also take a sunset cruise to watch the sky change colours in the evening. At night the lanterns of Hoi An are all lit up and make for a beautiful backdrop.
You can choose the length of time your cruise is, or just opt to take a small boat ride along the canal to enjoy the bright colours of the lanterns in the evening.
Join a Lantern-Making Workshop
Hoi An is well known for its beautiful lanterns that light up the town at night. Enroll your kids in a lantern-making workshop, where they can create their own custom lanterns from scratch. Not only will making the lantern be a fun memory, they will also have a memento to take home as a reminder of their time in Hoi An or as a gift for a family member.
There are a few shops to choose from that offer classes. They all seemed to be the same price and we were able to book a class on the spot. No need to make advanced reservations if you were not able to.
Take a Ride to An Bang Beach
Located a short distance from Hoi An, An Bang Beach is a stretch of yellow sand and clear waters. Spend a day building sandcastles, swimming, and soaking up some sun. The kids are sure to have a blast on the beach. There are many shops where beach toys can be purchased for a low price, so no need to pack your own.
There are many beachside restaurants serving seafood and local dishes where you can also enjoy the ocean views. If you are looking for more American style food like hamburgers and french fries, take a short walk away from the beach and you will find some excellent restaurants.
We did find the beach to be fullof pushy restaurant owners all trying to sell you their loungers. If you do want a lounge chair to sit on, be aware that you will have to pay. Each restaurant has a set of chairs in front of their business. You can negotiate the price you want to pay but most seem on par with each other. The deal is, you pay for each chair and if you order food from them at some point, the chair is free. We found most of the on beach restaurant reviews to be sub par and opted to walk in a block. We found some very well reviewed restaurants a bit farther from the beach.
Hoi An with Kids Conclusion
Hoi An is a very family-friendly destination. The Old Town, boat rides on the Thu Bon River, lantern-making workshops, a bamboo circus and relaxing days at An Bang Beach are just some of the top activities that will create memories and stories for both parents and kids.
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, be sure to add Hoi An to your itinerary. Travelling to Hoi An with kids you are sure to bring home stories and photos you will remember forever.
