Living in Vietnam with Kids: 5 Useful Tips for Expats

Why Living in Vietnam with Kids is a Unique Adventure

If you’re living in Vietnam with kids, you’re stepping into a vibrant, colorful world full of exciting new experiences. Vietnam, especially cities like Ho Chi Minh City (living in Saigon), Hanoi, and Da Nang, is rapidly growing as a hotspot for expat families seeking a rich cultural experience combined with modern conveniences.

Did you know Vietnam’s expat population grew to over 100,000 people by 2022? That means you’re not alone in discovering how to balance work, family life, and adventure here.

But transitioning isn’t always smooth sailing. The bustling streets, the local languages, and the new daily routines can overwhelm even the most adventurous parents. The good news? With some practical strategies, your family can thrive, feel truly at home, and enjoy all that daily life in Vietnam offers.

Choose Your Location: North, Central, or South?

Your choice of where to settle in Vietnam will deeply influence your family’s experience. Vietnam is geographically and culturally diverse, and each region offers distinct lifestyles and cultural flavors.

Northern Vietnam (Hanoi and Surrounding Areas)

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is renowned for its centuries-old architecture, tranquil lakes, and rich cultural heritage. Unlike the tropical south, Hanoi experiences four distinct seasons, including cooler winters – which some expat families find refreshing, especially if they come from temperate weather.

• Cultural Richness: Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Temple of Literature offer your kids immersive history lessons beyond textbooks. Seasonal festivals like Tet (Lunar New Year) and Mid-Autumn Festival fill the city with vibrant traditions, lantern parades, and delicious treats.
• Work Opportunities: This area hosts numerous embassies, international organizations, and NGOs, making it ideal for expat families in diplomatic or development sectors. 
• Community Support: A growing expat network organizes cultural events and family-friendly activities that help newcomers feel welcomed.

Central Vietnam (Da Nang, Hue)

Central Vietnam offers a slower, coastal lifestyle that’s perfect for families seeking a balance between urban comfort and nature.

• Lifestyle: Da Nang is one of Vietnam’s most livable cities according to local surveys, with clean beaches and affordable housing. Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage town of Da Nang, charms people with its lantern-lit streets and small-town vibe. Or Hue offers a peaceful lifestyle rich in history, traditional culture, and serene riverside living, as the former imperial capital of Vietnam.

• Community and Culture: While expat numbers are smaller here compared to the major cities, this provides an authentic Vietnamese experience. Traditional festivals are celebrated widely, and your kids will have unique opportunities to engage directly with local culture.
  
• Limitations: Fewer international schools and specialized healthcare centers may mean longer commutes or compromises for some families.

Southern Vietnam (mostly chosen Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon)

Saigon is Vietnam’s economic powerhouse, bustling with energy and opportunity.

• Facilities and Convenience: The city boasts the largest variety of international schools, hospitals, and family-friendly neighborhoods, such as former Districts 1, 2 (Thao Dien), and 7 (Phu My Hung). With its tropical climate, outdoor activities are possible year-round.
  
• Job Market: Ho Chi Minh City attracts one-third of Vietnam’s foreign direct investment, making it the ideal location for professionals in finance, tech, and startups.
  
• Expat Community: The city hosts the largest expat population, ensuring your children can find friends from around the globe and you can connect with support groups easily.
• Connecting with Nature: Beyond the city’s energy while living in Saigon, families can also enjoy peaceful escapes to nature just a short drive away. For example, Lành Farm offers a serene eco-friendly space where parents and kids can reconnect with nature. Here, your family can try paddle-boarding (SUP) on the scenic Trị An Lake, explore the surrounding green landscapes. Also, your family can enjoy fresh, organic meals grown and prepared right on the farm and spend quiet weekends away from the city buzz. These are the experiences that you can never forget.

Adapt to Daily Life in Vietnam

Living daily life in Vietnam is a sensory-rich adventure but requires some adjustment.

• Navigating Traffic Safely: With over 50 million motorbikes on the roads (Vietnam News), the streets can seem chaotic. But locals have developed an almost instinctive ability to weave through traffic safely. As a parent, teaching your kids to be cautious and observant early on is essential. Many expats recommend using pedestrian bridges and crossing with confidence once you learn the rhythm.
  

• Shopping and Food Markets: Vietnam’s wet markets are a feast for the senses – fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and local snacks fill the stalls. Unlike big supermarkets, these markets offer daily chances to practice Vietnamese phrases like “bao nhiêu tiền?” (How much is it?). Kids love the vibrant colors and can be encouraged to pick ingredients for family meals, turning shopping into a learning experience.
  
• Finding Kid-Friendly Spaces: Adapting to life in a new country is easier when your kids have places to play, learn, and socialize. In many urban areas across Vietnam, especially where expat families live, you’ll find a growing number of cafés and community centers that offer kid-friendly amenities. These often include play areas, indoor playgrounds, and bilingual storytime events designed to engage children while giving parents a chance to connect with others.
  

If you’re living in Saigon, these family-friendly facilities and community gatherings are particularly abundant. The city’s large and diverse expat population means there are many organized groups and events where families come together to share experiences, exchange tips, and support each other.

Joining local parenting networks or community groups can be a great way to discover activities for your kids and build a social circle for yourself, making the transition smoother and more enjoyable for the whole family.

Make Language Learning Part of Family Life

Language is the key to cultural integration and making daily life in Vietnam easier.

Benefits of Bilingualism

While living in Vietnam with kids, learning Vietnamese alongside their native language helps kids develop stronger problem-solving skills and creativity. Studies show that juggling two languages improves attention, memory, and mental flexibility, making children better learners and thinkers.

Bilingual children also gain greater cultural awareness and empathy by experiencing different ways of communication. This not only helps them connect with others but may also boost brain health later in life, making bilingualism a valuable lifelong advantage.

Enroll in Family-Oriented Classes

Programs like those at Vietnamese Language Studies offer a variety of courses designed specifically for both parents and kids. Whether it’s beginner Vietnamese for adults or fun, interactive Vietnamese classes for children, these tailored programs ensure everyone learns at their own pace and style.

What makes learning even better? When families study together, it creates a shared experience that’s both motivating and enjoyable. Parents and kids can practice new words at home, encourage each other, and celebrate progress as a team. This family approach not only boosts language skills but also strengthens bonds – turning language learning into a fun, meaningful part of living in Vietnam.

Use Apps and Media

Digital apps like Duolingo and LingoDeer gamify language learning, which helps keep kids engaged. Watching local cartoons in Vietnamese for kids like “Xin Chào Bút Chì” (YouTube Channel) can improve listening and pronunciation.

Explore Local Culture & Community

Immersing your family in Vietnam’s rich culture transforms everyday life into an exciting adventure filled with learning and connection. Engaging with local traditions, visiting cultural landmarks, and building community ties help your kids appreciate their new home while feeling rooted and welcomed.

Experience Traditional Festivals

Vietnam’s calendar is full of vibrant festivals that bring families together, wherever you’re living in Vietnam – in the North, Central, or South. Two of the most beloved celebrations are the Mid-Autumn Festival (tết Trung thu) and Vietnamese Lunar New Year (tết Nguyên đán), both celebrated across the entire country with unique local touches.

At the heart of Vietnamese culture lies a deep respect for children as the “mầm non của đất nước” (young shoots of the nation). This makes the Mid-Autumn Festival especially meaningful: unlike in some other cultures where it centers mainly on the moon, in Vietnam it’s truly a children’s festival. Streets everywhere fill with colorful lantern parades, lion dances, and laughter, while families share mooncakes – symbols of reunion and prosperity. 

Meanwhile, the Lunar New Year (tết Nguyên đán) is the biggest celebration nationwide, marking a fresh start and honoring ancestors. No matter which region you call home, your family can experience vibrant flower markets, dragon dances, and traditional foods like “bánh chưng” (Vietnamese square sticky rice cake)  or “bánh tét” (Vietnamese round sticky rice cake). This is a time when the whole country slows down to focus on family, community, and hope for the year ahead, making daily life in Vietnam feel rich with meaning and connection.

Beyond tradition, modern Vietnamese society also increasingly celebrates International Children’s Day (1/6) with school events, concerts, and community activities, reflecting how much children are valued and connecting perfectly with interesting activities.

Participating in these festivals not only creates joyful family memories but also helps children develop a deeper cultural understanding, bridging the gap between “outsider” and local.

Visit Museums and Cultural Centers

Vietnam offers a variety of museums and cultural centers tailored for families who want to dive deeper into the country’s heritage:

• In Hanoi, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology presents interactive exhibits and outdoor displays about the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam, giving kids a hands-on way to learn about diversity and tradition.
  
• In Da Nang, the Cham Museum displays artifacts from the ancient Cham civilization, sparking curiosity about Vietnam’s long history beyond the well-known.
  
• Ho Chi Minh City features the Ao Dai Museum, where children can explore the history of Vietnam’s iconic traditional dress through colorful exhibits, workshops, and even costume try-ons. If you are living in Saigon, don’t miss the chance to explore these places.

These venues offer engaging learning experiences that bring Vietnamese culture to life, making history and tradition accessible and fun for children.

Connect with Other Families

Building a social network is key to feeling at home in a new country. Joining expat communities and attending family-oriented events helps both parents and kids find support and friendship.

These connections create a sense of belonging and provide a platform for sharing tips on navigating daily life, schooling, and language learning.

Create Family Routines to Feel at Home

Blend Traditions

Establishing regular family rituals – like weekly dinners at a favorite Vietnamese restaurant – allows your kids to explore local flavors in a fun and familiar setting. Introducing them to iconic dishes such as “phở” (Vietnamese noodle soup) or “bánh mì” (Vietnamese sandwich) not only broadens their palate but also creates positive associations with the culture.

At home, setting aside time for “Vietnamese storytime” using children’s books or cartoons can make language learning natural and enjoyable. These moments foster curiosity, improve vocabulary, and help your children feel connected to their new environment.

Use Media for Learning and Fun

Incorporating Vietnamese media into family activities is another great way to make cultural immersion entertaining.

Movie nights featuring some films in Vietnamese for kids or animated shows provide both fun and education. They expose your kids to authentic language, everyday conversations, and cultural values, all while strengthening their listening skills.

Sharing these experiences also gives your family topics to discuss together, reinforcing learning and connection.

Prioritize Emotional Well-being

Big changes like moving abroad can cause uncertainty and stress, especially for children who thrive on stability. Consistent daily routines – such as mealtimes, bedtime rituals, and designated play or study times – offer a comforting structure that helps kids feel safe and secure.

By thoughtfully blending your family’s traditions with elements of Vietnamese culture in these routines, you create a warm, nurturing environment that supports your children’s emotional well-being and fosters a true sense of belonging of their daily life in Vietnam.

Conclusion

Living in Vietnam with kids can be a wonderful chapter full of discovery, growth, and joy. By choosing the right location, adapting to daily life in Vietnam, embracing language learning, diving into culture, and establishing family routines, you and your children will not only survive but thrive here.

If you’re living in Saigon, you’re in one of the best places for expat families – with access to top international schools, Vietnamese classes for kids, and a vibrant community.

Ready to help your kids settle in? Explore family-friendly Vietnamese classes that make learning fun and easy for the whole family. Contact us today for more information!