[2026 Latest] The Best Way to Travel Vietnam with Kids? A Local Mom's Must-Have Packing List and Survival Tips
Hello, this is Meg from ít ít Việt Nam.
"Our next holiday is to Vietnam with the family!" Many mothers, after deciding this, start preparing and find themselves overwhelmed with worries: "I'm so anxious about so many things that I can't pack..." or "What if my child gets sick while we're there?"
Vietnam, while a vibrant and fun country, has a completely different climate and sanitary environment than Japan.
I've lived in Ho Chi Minh City for seven years and am currently raising two boisterous boys, aged 4 and 7. I've traveled solo with my kids to various Southeast Asian countries many times, but I've also had a dramatic experience where my younger son was hospitalized for 10 days due to a single insect bite, incurring medical expenses of over USD3,000 (!!).
From these numerous failures and the realities of living here, I've concluded that the "right way to travel to Vietnam with children" isn't just about packing the right items.
"It's about reducing the mother's burden, fostering the child's independence, and preparing for unforeseen circumstances."
This time, I will share, without reservation, a 2026 updated packing list and survival tips that you absolutely won't find in guidebooks, but which will "180-degree change the quality of your trip" based on my real-life experiences!
1. To avoid getting stuck at the airport! "Pre-booked transfer" is better than Grab.
"Grab" is the standard app for getting around Vietnam. It's convenient, of course, but it's a different story when arriving at the airport with children. The Grab pick-up point at Tan Son Nhat Airport is incredibly hard to find! Wandering through that chaos with heavy luggage and tired children after a flight is like a trial. Furthermore, beware of men approaching you saying "Grab?"—they are 100% scammers.
So...
I recommend pre-booking an "airport transfer" through Klook or Booking.com from the airport. For a small additional fee compared to Grab, you can reserve your own private car.
The sense of relief when you meet your driver holding a sign with your name at the exit is essential for a successful trip♡ You want to avoid trouble right from the start of your vacation, don't you?
2. The USD 3,000 Lesson. Get the "strongest" insect repellent locally.
The medical cost for my second son's 10-day hospitalization due to an infection from an insect bite was about USD 3,000. When you hear "Vietnamese insects," dengue fever might be the first thing that comes to mind. Indeed, dengue fever is a terrifying illness with no specific cure, causing high fever and severe pain, and constant vigilance is required in Vietnam.
However, in our case, it wasn't dengue fever. The cause was "bacteria entering and causing inflammation from just one insect bite."
⚠️ A "mere insect bite" can turn dangerous
Beyond viruses like dengue fever, in Vietnam's hot and humid environment, there's a risk of bacteria entering through scratches from insect bites, rapidly leading to severe conditions. In our family's case, my son had a high fever for almost a week and had to receive strong antibiotic IVs the entire time.
It would be terrible if your child had to be hospitalized during your trip!
Japanese insect repellents are good, but the strongest repellent for Vietnamese insects is a local Vietnamese spray. As soon as you arrive, get some at a pharmacy (like Pharmacity) or supermarket. I recommend the one from local Rohto Pharmaceutical shown in the photo; it's affordable and there's also a baby-friendly version.
3. [Important] What's inside the "strongest medicine pouch" that serves as a charm
Health management is the biggest concern when traveling in Southeast Asia.
I always make sure to bring a "medicine pouch."
[For illness or poor health...]
- Thermometer
- Antipyretics/Antibiotics (adult and child): Ones you are used to.
- Smecta (anti-diarrhea): A strong ally when unfamiliar food upsets your stomach.
- Oronine & Steroid cream: For skin troubles.
- Disposable antibacterial eye drops: For after swimming or when dust is a concern.
- Seawater-based nasal saline spray: French-style care. For stuffy noses.
- Motion sickness medicine: Added recently as my eldest son started getting carsick.
- Band-aids: Handy to keep some in your wallet too.
By the way, in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, you can buy antibiotics at pharmacies without a doctor's prescription, so it's possible to get them locally.
[For Mom's health management]
- Vitamin C: For damage from strong sunlight and fatigue recovery.
- Calcium & Magnesium: To relieve muscle fatigue and reduce stress in an unfamiliar environment.
Don't forget Vitamin C, Calcium, and Magnesium supplements to protect your own physical strength. If Mom collapses, the trip is over!
4. Instant noodles, a "lifesaver" for moms, are worth more than a meal.
Ho Chi Minh City has many Japanese restaurants, but a box of cup ramen or instant noodles can sometimes save a desperate mom.
On nights when parents are exhausted and "don't want to step out at all..." or when children won't eat a single bite at a local restaurant. The familiar taste of Japanese food that you can quickly dish out, saying "This is good enough!", is less a meal and more a tranquilizer.
5. Meg's Hacks to Make a Hotel Feel Like a "Second Home"
The trick to making solo parenting or family travel easier is to "give the children control" the moment you arrive at the hotel.
- Set up a drink & snack bar: Gather Milo, boxed milk, and snacks in one place and set a rule: "You can choose one a day at any time you like."
- Self-unpacking choice: Arrange children's clothes at a height they can reach and tell them, "Choose your own clothes for today."
- Set up a "dirty clothes bag": Place a large bag in the shower room and agree, "Put your dirty clothes in here." This alone keeps the room tidy and packing becomes instant.
[Complete Version] Latest 2026 Packing Checklist for Vietnam with Kids
Clothing & Heat Protection
- Clothes/Underwear: Minimal if there's a washing machine. But boys get dirty, so bring plenty of spares!
- Hats/Sunglasses: Don't underestimate Vietnam's direct sunlight.
- Thin outerwear (long sleeves): Scorching outside, freezing inside. "Air conditioning対策" is key to health management.
- Swimwear/Rashguard: Strong sun, so long sleeves are recommended for the beach or pool.
- Pajamas: Most overseas hotels don't provide them for adults or children.
- Sandals & comfortable shoes: Both sandals for squalls and sneakers for uneven roads are best.
- Socks: Sometimes required at local kids' cafes and indoor play areas. You can buy them locally, but it's good to have them.
Food & Kitchen Related
- Children's cutlery: For when local forks and spoons are too big.
- Empty water bottle: To refill with purchased water or use at airport water fountains.
- Instant noodles/Pre-cooked rice: A few as "Mom's tranquilizer."
- Ziploc bags/Bags: For half-eaten snacks, garbage, or wet clothes. Having plenty is a godsend!
- Familiar snacks: For ear equalization on the plane, or as a fallback if local food isn't to their liking.
Hygiene & Health
- Insect repellent spray: Recommended to get local ones.
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste: Especially for children, bringing your own is safer.
- Wet wipes: Easily available at local convenience stores!
- Pocket tissues: Because toilets sometimes lack paper.
- Hand sanitizer: Reassuring to sanitize before eating.
- Medicine pouch: Antipyretics, antibiotics, anti-diarrhea medicine, nasal saline spray, etc.
- Sunscreen: Essential due to strong sunlight.
Useful to have
- Large bag: For "tossing dirty clothes." This keeps the room tidy and makes packing smooth!
Thank you for reading this far! I hope my survival tips, battling (lol) with my 4 and 7-year-old sons, can be of some help to your travels.
Traveling with children truly requires a lot of energy. That's why I want moms to be able to enjoy some shopping during their trip...
With that in mind, our shop "ít ít Việt Nam" provides tables and chairs where children can sit and wait.
No need to worry about "not being able to browse properly because the kids get bored and fussy!" While your children take a break, feel free to browse our traditional Southern Vietnamese pottery, Son Be ware, and upcycled accessories.
If you're tired from exploring Ho Chi Minh City, please feel free to stop by with your children for a "break." We hope your trip to Vietnam is wonderfully happy!
Directions to ít ít Việt Nam 📍
You can find detailed shop locations and our latest product lineup through the links below.
- Check location on Google Maps
- Ho Chi Minh City store here
📍3rd floor, 14 Đ. Nguyễn An Ninh, Bến Thành, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
⏰10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🚶2 minutes walk from Ben Thanh Market
💳Cash & Credit Card accepted - Hoi An store here
📍567 Đ. Hai Bà Trưng, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam
⏰10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🚶Approx. 10 minutes walk from Hoi An Japanese Bridge
💳Cash & Credit Card accepted
- Ho Chi Minh City store here
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Our entire staff looks forward to seeing you in Vietnam♡
