Under Vietnamese law, the driver and the front-seat passenger of a car should wear a seatbelt. There is no requirement for back seat passengers to wear a seatbelt. That means the middle and back seat seatbelts are often missing or broken.

It’s just one more reason to leave the bulky car seat at home. Because it’s absolutely useless if there’s nothing to attach it to. You will have to hold your baby whilst in the vehicle. Don’t be frightened, the taxis drive very slowly and due to traffic you can’t get anywhere in a hurry.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Taxis may not be the cheapest way of getting places, but they’re not the most expensive either. They’re usually substantially cheaper than hiring a private car, which is what you’ll get if you ask any tour desk for information about cars. If you find a taxi driver with reasonable English, get his phone number so you can call and ask for a quote on the next leg of travel.

There are several fake taxi companies that prey on foreigners, so make sure your taxi is either Vinasun (white with red and green trim) or Mai Linh (green). You can travel by bus, but the buses in Vietnam are far less comfortable than the trains. Even the sleeper buses are cramped, and you have to arrange yourself around your bags/pram etc because there are no compartments for carry-on baggage.

There is only one train in Vietnam, the Reunification Express, which links Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It takes 33 hours to travel between the two cities by train, which is a long long time compared to the two-hour Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City flight. However, the train is much cheaper and you can stop at most of the big-name tourist places as well as many little-known places. It is baby friendly and you can cut up the journey and find accommodation along the route.

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THINGS TO DO

CU CHI TUNNELS

Used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a network of underground tunnels stretching more than 124 miles (200km). You can take your pram or/and baby carrier and choose how far into the tunnels you wish to go. The tunnels are huge and there is plenty of room.

We recommend the guided tour (all tour guides speak English) so you can learn more about the trap doors and how the tunnels were used. Morning tours are better to avoid being out in peak midday heat.

However, they are popular so book in advance. There is a pick up point and the bus is air conditioned and spacious. You can fit a pram on that folds down and then hold your baby on your lap.

£7 | Cu Chi Tunnels

WAR MUSEUM

Situated in the centre of the City, 500,000 visitors a year come to see how war has shaped modern Vietnam. The first thing you’ll notice is the military hardware outside the main building. As the northern troops pushed south, toward the end of the war, the ARVN (the southern army) fled in droves, leaving behind billions of dollars of American equipment. When Saigon finally fell, the government in Hanoi had plenty of display pieces to choose from.

Some displays within the museum are very raw and you may deem them unsuitable for small children (the 4th floor in particular, Agent Orange Room). It is a very informative museum and they do not hold back. There is a lift for your stroller and children under 2 go free. There are two cafes within the grounds and there is a nappy change facility. The museum is a popular tourist attraction so we recommend arriving early.

£37 | War Museum & Cu Chi Tunnels Day Tour

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SAIGON SKYDECK

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Bitexco Financial Tower is the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City. Standing at an impressive height 262 meters tall. Based on the shape of the Vietnamese national flower, the lotus bud, the building reflects growth in the country’s economy.

From the observation deck on the 49th floor, you can enjoy 360 degree views of Ho Chi Minh City and the Saigon River. On the 50th floor is the bar and food on the 4th floor, however both are pricey and average. Early morning is the quietest and at night time presents some spectacular views. Children under 3 are free.

£7 | Saigon Skydeck General Admission | BUY TICKETS NOW

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CENTRAL POST OFFICE

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The Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, or the Saigon Central Post Office is a post office in the downtown Ho Chi Minh City, near Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, the city’s cathedral. The building was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the late 19th century. The walls and ceiling are decorated with historic maps of South Vietnam, Saigon and Cholon.

The tiled floor is impressive and it is popular with tourists. Send a postcard to a relative or purchase a unique gift from one of the shops situated in the wings of the post office. Suitable for a stroller inside, a few steps you have to overcome to get inside the building. Plenty of seating areas to sit and feed if you need to.

Free | Central Post Office | CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

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BENTHANTH MARKETS

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Ben Thanh Market is the most famous among all markets in Vietnam. From designer handbags, jewellery, childrens clothes, footware, backpacks – anything you can imagine you will find under one roof. For many tourists the crowded, smelly and incessantly loud square is a right of passage. The market has four main entrances and 12 gates.

The deeper you submerge yourself into the maze of the market, the better deals you will find. Stall holders expect you to barter and can be rather fierce in the selling techniques. Any food stall in the back of the market is worth eating at,  as international travel magazines have recognised Ben Thanh as one of the world’s top street food destinations.

You can take your pram through (we did) but expect a lot of attention from stall holders which some parents may find uncomfortable. If it starts getting too much, there a few western cafes situated at every exit of the market. Take a break, enjoy some air con before re-entering the maze.

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GOLDEN DRAGON WATER PUPPET THEATRE

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An authentic puppet show, where Vietnamese puppeteers keep tradition alive. Originally it was performed for rural communities as a source of entertainment. The puppeteers deliver their show in waist deep water, sharing legends and stories from their region.

This fun, cheap and family friendly show is a fantastic way for young children to experience traditional Vietnamese culture. The puppets depict the story of life in the Vietnamese countryside, accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese. Get there early to secure seats near the front. Prams will be given space on the side and you can either hold your baby or keep your baby in their pram.

£12 | VIP Golden Dragon Puppet Show

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THE INDEPENDENCE PALACE

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The 1960s architecture of this government building is spectacular. Stroll through the abandoned corridors and explore rooms where history was made. The first Communist tanks to enter Saigon arrived on 30 April 1975 and the building has remained the same since then.

Made famous when journalists captured the dramatic moment a soldier, ran into the building and hung a VC flag from a balcony. The city fell in 1975 and the building pays testament to the style and taste from that time. Prams are allowed and you can take your time strolling around the grounds.

£20 | Small Group Saigon City Tour

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HO CHI MINH SQUARES

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A wide open space surrounded by French colonial style buildings, that comes alive at night. The square is the home the statue of Uncle Ho, erected to honour the 100^th birthday of City Hall. The hall is a symbol of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s committee and is especially beautiful around dusk  due to the lighting.

No City is complete without stare of the art malls and there a now a handful, which reflects the economic growth of Vietnam. Along with some luxury hotel brands and fashion houses. Take a stroll and let the children run free.

Restaurants and cafes litter the streets surrounding the square, or pluck up your courage to purchase street food from one of the hundred street vendors. Free of charge. Visit in the day and at night for two completely different experiences.

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MEKONG DELTA

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With its stilted villages and scenic farms, the Mekong Delta offers a unique experience. Not pram friendly, so you will need to use your baby carrier and be comfortable going on a little boat/canoe.

An air conditioned minibus will collect you from your accommodation and drive the 2 hour trip to the river. After boarding a small rowing boat, you will pass rice paddies, fish cages and stilted houses. Purchase goods from the floating market and if your tour includes it, park up and take a look inside one of the infamous houses.

£12 | Mekong Delta Guided Tour 

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EXPLORE MORE VIETNAM

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