For the kids · Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
10 Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City with Kids
Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens leads the list. The rest of family-friendly Ho Chi Minh City follows, ranked by real visits.
Chosen by venue type (family-oriented categories), ordered by real review volume. Updated monthly.
Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Park & natureSaigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens, established in 1864, is one of the world's oldest continuously operating zoos.
Read our full guide →Dam Sen Cultural Park
Park & natureDam Sen Cultural Park is a large entertainment complex in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City, combining a theme park, botanical gardens, and a water park.
Read our full guide →Suoi Tien Theme Park
Park & natureSuoi Tien Theme Park is a sprawling cultural and water-themed amusement park located in District 9, Ho Chi Minh City.
Read our full guide →Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater
EntertainmentThe Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater is a popular cultural attraction in Ho Chi Minh City, located in District 1.
Read our full guide →Tao Đàn Park
Park & natureTao Đàn Park is one of the city's oldest and largest parks, offering a lush retreat amid downtown skyscrapers.
Read our full guide →Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Park & natureSaigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, established in 1865, is one of the oldest continuously operating zoos in the world.
Read our full guide →Ho Chi Minh City Opera House
EntertainmentHo Chi Minh City Opera House, also known as the Municipal Theatre, is a graceful French colonial building from 1900 with ornate rococo details.
Read our full guide →Water puppet show at Thao Dien Village
EntertainmentWater puppet shows at Thao Dien Village offer a unique glimpse into a centuries-old Vietnamese art form that originated in the rice paddies of the Red River Delta.
Read our full guide →Chi Lang Park
Park & natureFree entryChi Lang Park is a well-maintained public park located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, near the historic center.
Read our full guide →Cong Vien 23 Thang 9
Park & natureFree entryLocated in the heart of District 1 on Pham Ngu Lao Street, Cong Vien 23 Thang 9 (September 23 Park) is a lively urban green space that serves as a gathering point for locals and tourists…
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
We keep only child-appropriate venue types — parks, zoos, hands-on museums, theme parks — then rank them by how many families actually review them well, out of the 121 Ho Chi Minh City places we track. Refreshed monthly, with no paid placement.
Good to know
Most picks suit ages 2 to 10; a few also work for older kids and teens.
Popular museums and parks in Ho Chi Minh City are calmest right at opening or after 3pm.
Keep one indoor pick in your back pocket in case the forecast turns.
Common questions
Is Ho Chi Minh City good to visit with kids?+
Yes. Parks, boat rides and hands-on museums make it easy to break up sightseeing with things children enjoy, and every spot on this list is one families rate highly.
What can you do for free with kids in Ho Chi Minh City?+
Plenty of parks and playgrounds cost nothing. See our free things to do in Ho Chi Minh City for the full set.
How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City with children?+
Two to three days is enough to cover the highlights at a relaxed, kid-friendly pace.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.