Exploring Ho Chi Minh City with autistic children could be very intimidating – especially with the chaotic travel situation. We really enjoyed Ho Chi Minh City, and I would be happy to return even with three children now. There are certainly more planning and tools I’d make use of this time around! Here’s a detailed guide based on our experiences, including transportation tips, family-friendly activities, and accommodations.
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Getting from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the City
Traveling from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the city offers several transportation options:
- Taxi: This should cost approximately VND 150,000-200,000 (€6-8) for a one-way trip to the city centre and take approximately 20-30 minutes. Taxis are readily available outside the airport. We opted for a taxi for convenience and comfort, especially useful when traveling with strollers and luggage.
- Grab (Ride-Hailing App): Approximately VND 120,000-200,000 (€5-8) for a one-way trip. This should also take between 20-30 minutes. Using the Grab app is a convenient and safe way to get to your destination. It’s similar to Uber and allows you to book a ride directly from your phone. Grab is popular in Asia, and when we travelled we used is in almost every country while we were there. We booked our airport transfer to the hotel with Grab and it is one of the only times in Ho Chi Minh City that we used any type of transport other than our feet.
- Airport Shuttle: The cost is approximately VND 40,000 (€2) per person for a one-way trip and it should take between 30-45 minutes. Airport shuttle buses are a budget-friendly option, connecting the airport to various points in the city. They are less convenient for families with young children or lots of luggage.
- Private Car Service: Approximately VND 400,000-600,000 (€16-24) for a one-way trip. It should take between 20-30 minutes. Private car services offer door-to-door convenience and are ideal for larger families or those with specific needs.
Where To Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
We spent two weeks in Ho Chi Minh City in 2018. We stayed at what is now part of the OYO group of hotels and is called OYO Phuc Khanh Hotel. We booked a standard room but they gave us a triple which we thought was so kind! It literally cost about £11 a night for two adults and a toddler. We initially booked 5 days but kept extending the stay and spent the entire two weeks here.
As I was working remotely during our trip to Asia, some of the days in Ho Chi Minh City were work days, and on the final morning on Vietnam I found out I lost my job due to an ongoing problem I had with my manager (I believe he was sexist, and I was contacted by so many women after me for him doing some of the same creepy stuff to them. One of them took him to court in the US for it).
It is worth knowing that Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is broken up into districts and when you book or choose a hotel or accommodation you’ll likely picked it based on a certain district. There are handy district maps online you can use to figure out where you’d like to be placed. We stayed in district 1, but you should research what you want to do and what you’d like to near to and take it from there.
Family-Friendly Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City offers numerous family-friendly activities that cater to different interests and sensory needs. Here are some highlights:
War Remnants Museum:
A museum showcasing exhibits related to the Vietnam War. It’s educational, though some displays might be intense for younger children. We thoroughly enjoyed the War Remnants Museum. This place was a little more stressful with an autistic child – outside it is okay, there is space and noise. But inside there is a lot of graphic war history and it felt a bit disrespectful that Travis was so hyper and chatty and we got quite stressed out with him running off or speaking loudly.
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens:
A large zoo with various animals and beautiful botanical gardens. It’s a great place for a relaxing family day out.
Ben Thanh Market:
A bustling market offering local goods, souvenirs, and street food. It’s a vibrant place to explore and shop. When we visited it was extremely busy and very tight to move about. We struggled to get through the narrow market streets with Travis in a stroller. If you enjoy trinkets, new clothes, bags and the likes then you will love this place. Unfortunately, we all get easily overwhelmed with crowds and bargaining with people so we just had a look about but did not buy anything.
Inside was very busy!
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon:
A historic cathedral with beautiful architecture and a serene atmosphere. It’s a peaceful spot for a short visit. We visited the outside of the cathedral but did not go inside. It was very busy that day and crossing over just to check it out seemed like a big hassle when there was so much more to see that we could walk safely to.
Saigon Skydeck at Bitexco Financial Tower:
An observation deck offering panoramic views of the city. It’s an exciting experience for children and adults alike. Unfortunately, David downright refused to go here with me as he is afraid of heights!
Independence Palace (Reunification Palace):
A historic building with beautiful gardens and educational exhibits. It’s an interesting place to learn about Vietnam’s history.
Ho Chi Minh City Museum:
A museum showcasing the history and culture of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s educational and engaging for families. We really enjoyed this museum too! We thought it was nice and quiet, very relaxed and fantastic for autistic children like Travis. When we went there was a professional photoshoot happening and Travis kept getting in between the models.
Backpacker Street (Bui Vien Street):
A lively street filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It’s a vibrant area to explore, though it can be crowded.
Vinh Trang Pagoda:
A beautiful Buddhist temple with impressive architecture and serene gardens. There are three giant and impressive statues – my favourite was the jolly Buddha. It’s a peaceful and culturally enriching visit. You do need to go on a tour or organise transport for this one but it is worth it! It is also often included as a stop for some of the Mekong Delta tours.
Old Saigon Post Office:
A historic post office with beautiful architecture and a small museum. It’s a great place for a quick visit and some photos. What we loved was that inside there are also stalls, we fell in love with some metal artwork created from old bicycle chains and screws. Despite them being SO heavy we picked up a few of them determined to carry them around for the rest of our backpacking trip (little did I know I would soon love my remote working contract, break my foot and end up going home anyway)! These metal statues still have pride of place in our living room to this day.
Inside is spacious but still a little busy. It is definitely somewhere I would go back with autistic children in Ho Chi Minh City.
Tour to the Mekong Delta:
A day tour to the Mekong Delta, including boat rides, local markets, and visiting Vinh Trang Pagoda. It’s a fascinating and relaxing experience. This is my favourite thing we did in Ho Chi Minh City, and one of my all-time favourite things from the entire five months in Asia.
There were so many aspects to this tour, and although I can’t remember the exact cost I remember thing it was so cheap for what we got to experience. We met at a meeting point in the morning and the bus took us out to a coconut farm. We got to see coconut candy being made and tried so many coconut concoctions. Travis enjoyed playing among the empty coconut shells. We then enjoyed some traditional Vietnamese music and we were able to buy any coconut treats and CDs of the music if we wanted. Then we were taken to small canals on the Mekong Delta where we slowly floated down in small wooden boats. When we met a bigger, stronger part of the river we transferred to a bigger boat to sail for a while. I remember being amazed how choppy and strong the river was – I was actually quite scared by the force of the water. After leaving the Mekong area we went to Vinh Trang Pagoda and then we were taken back to the meeting point in Ho Chi Minh City. It was a full day tour but it was so cheap and it was broken into different sections which often had little drives on the bus between them – giving us and Travis time to refresh and have a little break before starting exploring again.
Tao Dan Park:
A large park with playgrounds, gardens, and sculptures. It’s a great place for kids to play and explore.
Dam Sen Water Park:
A water park with various slides, pools, and attractions. It’s perfect for a fun and refreshing day out.
Vincom Center:
A large shopping mall with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. It’s a convenient place for family outings.
Artinus 3D Art Museum:
An interactive 3D art museum where visitors can become part of the artwork. It’s a creative and engaging activity for kids.
Suoi Tien Theme Park:
A large theme park with rides, attractions, and cultural exhibits. It’s a great day out for families.
Vinpearl Land South Hoi An:
An amusement park with rides, a water park, and cultural shows. It’s a fun and entertaining destination for families.
Our Favourite Sensory-Friendly Activity in Ho Chi Minh City
September 23rd Park:
This is an open green space with a play park for young children. We spent our final morning in Vietnam here before we had to go to the airport. I had just lost my job and I remember feeling really scared and sad – and in such a beautiful place. It was a fantastic spot for Travis to run around and let out some energy before we needed to fly, but it was so hot that day. I remember being so hot in a way I hadn’t experienced before and I was really overwhelmed by that feeling.
Getting Around Ho Chi Minh City With Autistic Children
We took a Grab car from the airport to our hotel when we arrived, and did the same back to the airport on our final day in Vietnam. We booked a couple of tours while we were in Ho Chi Minh City and those included bus transport to and from the places. Other than that, we walked everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City. We mostly stuck to our district or nearby to it, but we did a lot of walking here and I think that is exactly what I would do again if I went back.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Autism-Friendly?
Ho Chi Minh City presents a mixed environment in terms of autism-friendliness. While the city is making progress in raising awareness and providing services, it is still developing in terms of specialized care and inclusive facilities. The bustling and often chaotic nature of the city may pose challenges for individuals with autism, particularly those sensitive to sensory overload. However, with careful planning, choosing the right environments, and leveraging the available resources, families can navigate the city more comfortably.
Things That Make Ho Chi Minh City Stand Out
Tips for a Smooth Experience
- Plan Ahead: Research each location and contact them to discuss any special accommodations your child might need. If you can plan to arrive after check-in time you should, or try to arrange an early check-in.
- Sensory Tools: Bring along sensory tools and comfort items that help manage sensory needs, such as noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys, and a sensory toolkit.
- Clear Communication: Ensure that everyone involved in the trip understands the needs and preferences of the neurodiverse individual. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and enhance the travel experience. Consider using PECS or an AAC. We have a free pack of travel PECS available for download. Consider using our Spain PECS to add to your experience.
- Safety: Consider getting an autism card for your child, or even better – use our emergency passport for medical information and important contacts. Our absolute must have safety item for travelling with an autistic child is a TinyTags wristband or tag that can be tapped or scanned by a mobile phone – giving the person who tapped it all of the information they need to get your child back to you. TinyTags also feature a location alert to help you find your child.
Our trip to Ho Chi Minh City with autistic children was filled with exploration, culture and history. We visited many places – both quiet and busy and found that our autistic child handled all of it really well. Travis was quite obviously a sensory eater at the time, though we just thought he was a little fussy, so we often opted for McDonald’s or simple noodle pots that we cooked and ate at our hotel most days.
After Ho Chi Minh City, we flew back into Bangkok where we would spend a few days at the Khao San Road area before hitting Pattaya, Kuala Lumpur, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and then back to Bangkok.
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