Vietnam family-travel checklist (printable)

Travelling Vietnam with children requires more preparation than a solo or couple trip. Paperwork is stricter, medical needs are different, and planning transport around small people takes extra thought. Print this checklist and work through it section by section before you leave.

For a broader overview see our guide to family travel with kids.

Documents for kids

• Valid passport for each child — check expiry; Vietnam requires at least 6 months validity beyond your intended departure date
• E-visa or visa on arrival confirmed for each child — children do not travel on a parent passport entry
• If travelling with one parent: carry a notarised letter of consent from the absent parent; immigration officers can and do ask for this
• If travelling as a grandparent or guardian: carry certified proof of guardianship or parental authorisation
• Printed copies of all visas and passports stored separately from originals
• Digital copies saved offline on your phone (not only cloud-dependent)
• Vaccination certificates — required for some entry situations and useful at clinics

Insurance — kid-specific

• Check that your travel insurance policy explicitly covers children and lists their names
• Confirm medical evacuation cover — this matters in rural Vietnam where hospital quality varies
• Note the 24-hour emergency assistance number and save it in your phone before departure
• Check whether your policy covers adventure activities if you plan any (boat trips, cycling, etc.)
• Confirm cover for trip cancellation due to a child falling ill

Vaccinations

Consult a travel health clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Most clinics recommend:

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Routine childhood vaccinations up to date (MMR, DTP, polio)
• Japanese encephalitis — usually recommended for trips over 4 weeks or rural stays
• Rabies pre-exposure — recommended if children will be near animals; kids are higher risk because they are more likely to approach dogs and monkeys
• Dengue — ask your clinician; guidance changes; not universally recommended
• Malaria prophylaxis — only for specific northern highland areas; most tourist routes do not require it; confirm with a clinician based on your exact itinerary

Kid-medical supplies

• Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — stomach upsets are common; this is your most important item
• Children-dose paracetamol and ibuprofen in forms your child will actually take
• Antihistamine — both for allergic reactions and for helping with sleep on long travel days
• Insect repellent rated safe for children — DEET concentrations above 30% are not recommended for young children; picaridin is a common alternative
• Sun cream rated SPF 50 or above; harder to find in correct strengths in smaller towns
• Antiseptic wipes and cream for cuts and scrapes
• Motion sickness remedy if your child is susceptible — mountain roads and boat trips will test this
• Any prescription medications in original packaging with a doctor letter
• A list of your child health clinic or GP contact details and your child blood type

Packing kid clothing

Vietnam covers a wide climate range. Check the season for each region on your itinerary.

• Lightweight long sleeves and trousers for evenings and mosquito protection
• Rain jacket or packable poncho — wet season can arrive fast
• Sturdy sandals that can get wet (water parks, boat trips, wet streets)
• Closed-toe shoes for temple visits and uneven paths
• Swimwear — beaches and hotel pools are a big part of family itineraries
• Hat with neck coverage
• Spare change of clothes in carry-on or day bag

Booking kid-friendly hotels

• Confirm whether the hotel charges for children sharing a room — policies vary widely
• Check bed configuration; a double bed for two adults and a child is cramped; request a rollaway or interconnecting room in advance
• Look for a pool with a shallow section or kids area — this makes a significant difference on hot days
• Check that the hotel has a restaurant or is within easy walking distance of food; late-night searches for a restaurant that will feed a tired child are stressful
• If booking in Hội An, Huế, or the highlands, confirm the hotel has a lift if you have a pushchair
• Read recent reviews specifically mentioning families or kids

For destination ideas, see our guide to best places for families in Vietnam.

Transport with kids

• Book train tickets well in advance — soft sleeper berths fill up; families usually need a 4-berth cabin rather than a 6-berth open sleeper
• For domestic flights, check baggage allowances for child tickets; they are sometimes lower than adult allowances
• Hire car with driver — more practical than self-drive for most families; budget roughly 1,200,000 to 1,800,000 VND per day for a car with driver on standard routes
• Confirm car seats when hiring a car; most hire companies do not provide them by default; consider bringing a lightweight travel booster
• Avoid overnight buses with young children unless necessary — hard to manage sleep, luggage, and toilet stops
• Hạ Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay overnight cruises: confirm the boat has a life jacket sized for children before booking

Kid food strategy

• Stick to cooked food for the first few days while digestive systems adjust
• Pho, rice dishes, and spring rolls are generally mild and accepted by children
• Carry snacks from home for the first day or two; familiar foods help with jet lag and settling in
• Bottled water only — tap water is not safe for drinking in Vietnam; confirm ice in restaurants comes from sealed bags not tap water
• Check for nut allergies in sauces; peanuts are common in Vietnamese cooking
• Most mid-range restaurants in tourist areas will prepare plain rice or noodles on request
• Street food is generally fine from busy stalls with high turnover; avoid food that has been sitting out

Emergency contacts

• Save the nearest international-standard clinic to each destination on your phone before you arrive; SOS International and Family Medical Practice have clinics in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
• Note your country embassy or consulate number in Vietnam
• Save your accommodation address in Vietnamese — useful to show a taxi driver if a child becomes unwell away from the hotel
• Know the local emergency number: 113 (police), 114 (fire), 115 (ambulance) — note that English-speaking operators are not guaranteed outside major cities
• Share your full itinerary with a trusted contact at home

For a day-by-day plan built around these points, see our family-with-kids itinerary.

Related

• Family travel with kids — full guide
• Best places for families in Vietnam
• Family-with-kids itinerary
• Vietnam packing checklist
• Vietnam health and vaccinations