Family Adventures in Hoi An: Kid-Friendly Experiences in Vietnam's Ancient City

Hoi An's UNESCO-listed Ancient Town is basically a giant playground disguised as a historical site. The car-free streets make it perfect for families trying to avoid the typical 'please stop running into traffic' vacation mantra.

Dave's kids, Emma (7) and Liam (10), were initially skeptical about 'another old town,' but the moment we stepped onto those yellow-walled streets, their tune changed. The Ancient Town entrance ticket (120,000 VND for adults, free for kids under 6) gives access to five historical sites—perfect for quick visits before the inevitable 'I'm bored' kicks in.

We played a game where the kids had to spot different animals carved into the Japanese Covered Bridge, which bought us a solid 20 minutes of engaged historical appreciation. That's basically a parenting win from what I understand.

For getting around with younger kids, I'd recommend bringing a lightweight stroller that can handle the occasional uneven streets but folds easily when you encounter steps.

If there's one activity that's guaranteed to be a hit with kids in Hoi An, it's making their own silk lanterns. We booked a workshop at a family-run shop in the Ancient Town, and it turned out to be everyone's trip highlight.

For around 100,000 VND per person (about $4 USD), the kids got to choose their lantern shapes and colors, then learn the traditional bamboo-bending techniques from artisans who've been crafting lanterns for generations. The look of pure concentration on Liam's face as he carefully glued his silk panels was worth the price alone.

The workshop lasted about 90 minutes—perfect for kid attention spans—and they got to take home their creations as the ultimate souvenir. Dave's been sending me photos of those lanterns proudly displayed in their bedrooms back home for months now.

If you're planning to do this activity, I'd suggest bringing a waterproof phone pouch to protect your device while still allowing you to snap photos. The combination of glue, dye, and excited kids can get messy!

As the resident cycling enthusiast of our group, I insisted we rent bikes for at least one day. Hoi An's flat terrain and network of quiet rural roads make it perfect for family cycling, even with younger kids.

We rented bikes from a shop near our homestay (40,000 VND/day for adults, 30,000 VND for kids' bikes) and headed out to Tra Que Vegetable Village, about 3km from the Ancient Town. The route takes you through brilliant green rice paddies and over small bridges where water buffalo cool off in the shallows.

Liam and Emma rode their own bikes while Dave's youngest, 4-year-old Mia, rode in a child seat attached to her mom's bike. The pace was leisurely, with plenty of stops for photos and water breaks.

For families with younger kids, I'd recommend bringing a kids hydration backpack to keep them drinking water throughout the ride. The Vietnam sun is no joke, even in winter.

At Tra Que, the kids got to try their hand at farming, learning how to plant herbs and vegetables using traditional methods. The look on Emma's face when she successfully planted her first row of morning glory was priceless—pure agricultural triumph!

After a few days of cultural immersion, the kids were itching for some beach time. An Bang Beach, just 5km from Hoi An's center, became our go-to spot for afternoon cool-downs.

Unlike the more developed beaches in Vietnam, An Bang retains a laid-back vibe that's perfect for families. We'd grab a couple of beach loungers under thatched umbrellas (around 50,000 VND for the day) at one of the many beach restaurants, order some fresh juice for the kids and cold Larue beers for the adults, and let the afternoon slip away.

The gentle slope of the beach makes it relatively safe for supervised swimming, though keep an eye on the flags for current conditions. Emma and Liam spent hours building elaborate sand fortresses while Mia practiced her budding swimming skills in the shallows.

One item that proved invaluable was our portable beach tent, which gave us a shaded home base and a spot for the youngest to nap. Another essential was a sand-resistant beach blanket that kept our belongings relatively sand-free—a small victory in the world of beach parenting.

Many beach restaurants will let you use their loungers for free if you order food and drinks. Soul Kitchen became our favorite spot, with a menu that satisfied both the adults (fresh seafood) and kids (simple pasta and rice dishes).

Feeding kids in a foreign country can be challenging, but Hoi An makes it surprisingly easy. The local specialty, cao lầu noodles, was an unexpected hit with Liam, who declared it 'better than spaghetti'—high praise from a 10-year-old pasta enthusiast.

The Central Market food stalls became our lunchtime staple, where we could each choose different dishes for around 30,000-50,000 VND per plate. The kids gradually expanded their comfort zones from plain rice to trying bánh xèo (crispy pancakes) and white rose dumplings.

For breakfast, we'd often stop by Rosie's Café, which offers both Western options for less adventurous eaters and Vietnamese classics for the rest of us. Their banana pancakes became Emma's morning ritual.

One sanity-saving item I recommend for parents is a collapsible silicone food container set. These let us save leftovers from restaurant meals for snacks later, avoiding the hangry meltdowns that can derail sightseeing plans.

Street food was initially intimidating for the kids, but we created a game where they'd earn 'bravery points' for trying new foods. By the end of the week, even cautious Emma was confidently ordering her own bánh mì from street vendors. The look of pride on her face as she handed over her dong and received her sandwich was worth every potential tummy upset (which, thankfully, never materialized).