Ho Chi Minh City Attractions for Children

(Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon, Vietnam)

Although Ho Chi Minh City may be known for its pagodas and historical landmarks, the city does offer some very decent attractions for children if you look hard enough. There are a number of parks and large open spaces, as well as amusement parks, water parks and landscaped gardens.

Ten-pin bowling, swimming pools and rock climbing are just some of the attractions available around Ho Chi Minh City, while close by is the Dai Nam Theme Park and the Chu Wildlife Rescue Centre. Families holidaying in the city often pay a visit to the Dam Sen Park, the Dai The Gioi Water Park and the city's very own Botanic Gardens and Zoo.

Dam Sen Park

Address: 3 D Hoa Binh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, VN
Tel: +84 08 8858 7826
The principal family attraction in Ho Chi Minh City, Dam Sen Park is a must for those visiting with children and features an array of amusements, rides and themed areas. This popular park is filled with plazas and mature trees, and features a good choice of eateries and ice creak kiosks. However, it is the funfair rides that draw the biggest crowds, with the exciting roller coaster and Ferris wheel often having large queues. To get your bearings of Dam Sen Park, take a ride on the monorail train. Other highlights appealing to all ages include orchid gardens, life-size replicas of dinosaurs, and an aviary filled with exotic birds. There is also a large boating lake, with paddleboats and dragons dotted around the edge. At the weekend, various events are staged around the bandstand, while there is also a very decent water park onsite.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to 21:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Water Parks

Address: Dam Sen Water Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, VN
Tel: +84 08 3858 8418
Address: Dai The Gioi Water Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, VN
Tel: +84 08 3853 7867
Located just outside of the city centre are no less than two water parks, which provide the ideal place for children to cool off in the sweltering hot sunshine and expend some energy, and also the opportunity to socialise with local Vietnamese families. However, do be aware that these parks can become extremely busy, and so if you would like to steer clear of the biggest crowds, consider avoiding the weekends and any public Vietnamese holidays, which are known to be especially hectic. The Dam Sen Water Park features a good selection of water slides, slow meandering rivers and rapids, while at the Dai The Gioi Water Park in the Cholon area, expect a large swimming pool and further slides.
Open hours: Dam Sen Water Park, daily - 09:00 to 18:00; Dai The Gioi Water Park, Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 21:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 21:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Botanic Gardens and Zoo (Thao Cam Vien)

Address: 2 D Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, VN
Tel: +84 08 3829 3901
Dating back some 150 years, the Botanic Gardens of Ho Chi Minh City were once rated amongst the finest of their kind in the whole of Asia, although today serve more as a pleasant place to hang out. Many mature tropical trees and plants are spread around the gardens, often shading seating areas. There is also a funfair within the gardens, with miniature train rides and a fun house. Children will also enjoy the zoo, which has greatly improved in recent years and is today called home by lions, tigers, hippos, monkeys and countless other creatures.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to 22:00
Admission: charge