How to spend a vacation in Hoi An with children

If you are looking to end the year with a fun family holiday or even planning for 2021, then Hoi An in Vietnam is an ideal choice. It offers an enriching adventure for young and old alike with much to discover from enthralling culture to a picturesque countryside where life moves along at its own pace. Be it captivating things to do or fascinating attractions, Hoi An will not disappoint and this guide will give you an idea of what to expect on a visit with your loved ones.

Find Out More About the Destination

Before heading off to any destination, it always helps to get to know more about it. While Hoi An may not be large it is one of the most well-known cities in central Vietnam. It is famed for its Old Town while also being an ideal place from which to head off on countryside tours. Keep in mind to share some of the fun things you plan on doing here; get the children excited about what is in store and make it a family adventure which all will look forward to.

Pick Suitable Accommodation

Finding the right place to stay at is key and when it comes to accommodation in Hoi An there is plenty to choose from. When selecting a suitable resort or hotel, do keep in mind the location because you do want easy access to local attractions as well as to cut down on travel time. Properties the likes of Anantara Hoi An Resort are amongst the options one can consider which also offer facilities, activities and excursions for families too.

Explore Ancient Town

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Town (or Ancient Town) is a charming place to explore in Hoi An. Things to do here include heading to the distinctive Japanese Bridge and Chinese temples as well as wandering the streets and alleys; you will come across French-colonial houses, traditional shophouses, canals and more. Each lunar month, on the 1st and 14th night, the Full Moon Lantern Festival is held and children are bound to love seeing this area lit up with thousands of lanterns.

Visit the Hoi An Night Market

Another place children will be captivated by is the Hoi An Night Market which has a lively atmosphere and plenty to see, buy and savour! Located across from the Old Town, this market comes to life each day from 5:00pm on a street where one will find vendors offering all manner of items; these include handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing, shoes, jewellery, hats, bags, toys, paintings, silk products and more.

Of course, one of the other allures of this market is the delectable food on offer be it spicy, savoury or sweet. Apart from traditional local dishes like mi quang (a noodle dish) and com ga (chicken rice), other options such as Vietnamese pizza, potato and sausage rolls, various grilled meats and coconut cake are worth trying on a family foodie night.

Head Off on Countryside Tours

For some outdoor escapades, you can plan to take the family on a countryside adventure where you can learn more about local culture too. An easy way to do this would be to go cycling on short trips where you will pass idyllic paddy fields and can even head to An Bang Beach.

Depending on the resort, there will be different excursions in Hoi An to explore the countryside; you could go on a ride in a cart pulled by a buffalo, enjoy a morning or sunset river cruise on the Thu Bon River or embark on open jeep or unique sidecar tours; some outings will give you the chance to ride a buffalo too!