{"id":29838,"date":"2024-11-08T16:29:20","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T05:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/?p=29838"},"modified":"2025-05-29T16:13:34","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T06:13:34","slug":"family-friendly-things-to-do-hanoi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/family-friendly-things-to-do-hanoi\/","title":{"rendered":"Family-Friendly Things to Do in Hanoi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Make your family holiday to Vietnam\u2019s captivating capital unforgettable with these exciting activities.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With wonderous markets, lakeside adventures and zipping trains, Hanoi<\/a>\u00a0is home to a multitude of unexpected delights for curious kids and eager explorers of all ages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to discover our pick of the best family-friendly things to do in Hanoi.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step back in time in the Old Quarter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hanoi’s ancient heart is a maze of 36 streets, sure to enchant both kids and adults. Kickstart your family adventure<\/a> early to beat the heat as you wander through the narrow lanes, each named after its traditional trade. Watch as artisans craft everything from tin toys to paper lanterns, and don\u2019t miss a stop at Dong Xuan Market, where the sights, sounds and smells create an unforgettable sensory experience. Fun tip: make wandering the Old Quarter even more exciting for the kids by turning it into a treasure hunt \u2013 can they spot the street signs named after bamboo, silk and silver?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience puppet masters and water magic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No family trip to Hanoi is complete without a visit to Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre by Hoan Kiem Lake. This unique Vietnamese art form, which dates back to the 11th century, originated as entertainment for villagers in flooded rice paddies. Today, talented puppeteers stand waist-deep in water behind a bamboo screen, skillfully bringing wooden puppets to life as they dance and leap across the surface. Performances are held multiple times daily and tickets cost less than A$10, making this cultural experience appealing to kids and<\/em> your holiday budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Splash into lakeside adventures and local life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t miss Ngoc Son Temple while you\u2019re at Hoan Kiem Lake. This19th-century attraction sits on Jade Island, a small piece of land nestled within the lake. Connected to the shore by the scarlet Cau The Huc (Rising Sun Bridge), the temple welcomes visitors with a beautifully decorated gate featuring carvings of tigers, fish and turtles. Inside, you\u2019ll find two preserved Swinhoe softshell turtles, both of which once lived in the lake. The turtles were a critically endangered species and only two remaining alive today, one in China and one in Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Delight tiny tastebuds with tasty discoveries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don’t let Hanoi’s street food scene<\/a> intimidate you \u2013 it’s perfect for families! Start with kid-approved favourites like pho<\/em> (Vietnamese noodle soup) and banh<\/em> mi<\/em> (crusty baguettes packed with fresh ingredients). For adventurous little foodies, join a guided street food tour where experts can lead you to the best family-friendly spots. The cafes along what is colloquially known as \u2018Train Street\u2019 offer an unforgettable dining experience where you can sip fresh fruit smoothies while watching trains squeeze past narrow homes. Be sure to stop by Trang Tien Ice Cream, a local spot serving unique flavours since the 1960s.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Get stuck into Vietnam\u2019s living history<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Turn learning into adventure at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where interactive exhibits and traditional games keep young minds engaged on an insightful journey about Vietnam\u2019s 54 diverse ethnic groups. In the outdoor section, life-sized traditional houses invite kids to step inside and imagine life centuries ago. Head over to the Temple of Literature, the nation\u2019s first university, where little ones can stretch their legs in lush gardens while parents soak up the ancient architecture.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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