Photo Essay: Family Fun in Northern Vietnam

Take the kids to Vietnam? Absolutely! Like most of Asia, Vietnam is quite safe and the people love children (although not quite with the same Thai enthusiasm). There are plenty of places to explore that will appeal to both those born during the Vietnam War and those too young to understand the concept of war.

Here are some of the top spots to take the family in Northern Vietnam:

HANOI: One of Southeast Asia’s most interesting cities and the political and cultural center of Vietnam. A fusion of French colonial architecture and Southeast Asian hullabaloo.

Traveling by cyclo (like a bicycle with a two seated carriage attached to the front) is a great attraction for children. Motorbikes outnumber cars on Hanoi’s streets about ten to one and they tend to drive whichever direction they please. For a real adventure, take a cyclo. Prices are cheap but you must negotiate.

Depending on how old your children are, they might enjoy seeing the embalmed remains of Ho Chi Min or it might give them nightmares for a week. Ho Chi Min Mausoleum has varied opening days and hours so check with your hotel before venturing out.

The younger crowd will surely enjoy the Water Puppet Theatre. Wooden puppets suspended over water play out traditional Vietnamese stories. Try to get a seat in one of the first rows as the theatre is poorly designed and small children will have a hard time seeing from rows further back.

When the chaos of the city gets to be too much, head for Ho Tay (West Lake) or Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of the Restored Sword). Both offer trees, pagodas and a break from the crowds and noise.

SAPA: Close to the Chinese border, Sapa is a picturesque town surrounded by mountains, hill tribe villages and rice terraces. An overnight train ride is a big adventure for most children and that is really the only way to get to Sapa. Local hotels can arrange treks to see the outlying hilltribe villages. Treks vary in length from a few hours to overnight.

One warning: An entourage of Hill Tribe women will follow you during your trek, trying to sell you their trinkets. The women are generally not aggressive and will even help entertain the kids. The woman that walked with us caught a frog for my son to his great delight.

In Sapa there is an interesting market (although vegetarians and squeamish children might want to avoid the meat section). The hill tribe town of Cat Cat is a relatively easy walk from Sapa.

If you want to splurge, stay at the beautiful Victoria Sapa Hotel (www.victoriahotels-asia.com). The Victoria transfers their guests from Hanoi on their private Victoria Express Train (which is actually just the last few carriages of the normal train), but it is very nice indeed. My daughter felt like a princess when she saw the red carpet in front of our carriage. The faux wood paneling and beautifully appointed dining car will make you feel like you have stepped back in time.

HALONG BAY: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is undoubtedly Vietnam’s most famous natural wonder. Some 3,000 limestone outcrops protrude from the emerald green bay. The best way to experience the awesome beauty of Halong Bay is by a one or two night cruise. If you are traveling with young children, one night will be plenty for them.

There are numerous boat operators, all of which can be booked directly in Hanoi. The tour cost will usually include transportation to and from Hanoi. Handspan (www.handspan.com) operates several Chinese junks with spacious accommodations and good food. It is a mid-priced and reliable operator and recommended for families. They offer optional kayak and caving excursions on their cruises. You can also jump right off the boat for a swim in Halong Bay once the boat anchors for the evening.