Top Hanoi Tours for Families: What to Do in Hanoi This Weekend

12 Family-Friendly Activities to Try This Weekend in Hanoi 

Morning Walk and Puppet Show at Hoan Kiem Lake

Listen: For an age-old thing to do in Hanoi, one that kids and parents won’t forget, pop down to the lake for a bit of a walk and a bit of a show, with a traditional puppet show right in the heart of the capital to start your day.

The shady paths, calm water, and early-morning bustle of Hoan Kiem Lake are a great place to relax as a family and get into the local swing of things. Right next door is the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, where, for centuries, wooden puppets have danced and splashed across water in a centuries-old show set to live Vietnamese music. 

• Address: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Ticket Price (Water Puppet Show): 100,000–200,000 VND ($4–$8) per person
• Show Times: Multiple shows daily, including weekends (booking recommended)

A walk by the lake before catching a puppet show is a popular combination on many tours in Hanoi Vietnam, and an addition to any good Hanoi vacation package. One of the best things to do in Ha Noi city, this cool cultural combo is a great way to spend a memorable weekend morning.

Discovering Creatures at Vietnam Museum of Nature

If you are looking for things to do in Hanoi that engage your child’s curiosity and don’t drain your vacation budget, the Vietnam Museum of Nature is a hidden gem.

Within this off-the-radar but enriching space are interactive exhibits, life-size dinosaur skeletons, preserved specimens, and exhibits on the natural progression of life in Vietnam. It has air-conditioning, it’s a manageable size, and perfect for kids 4 to 12.

• Address: Building A20, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
• Ticket Price: Free entrance
• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 08:30-11:30 & 13:30-16:30 (closed Mondays)

For families planning tours to Hanoi Vietnam, and experimenting do it yourself tours, this is one of the coolest things to do in Ha Noi Vietnam that combines curiosity and adventure in one visit. 

Visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Families looking to experience the cultural diversity of Vietnam can at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where the whole family will be engaged and entertained.

Inside galleries display everything from tribal costumes to everyday life, while an open-air garden hosts a collection of life-sized ethnic homes and huts that kids are encouraged to touch, enter, and explore. It’s one of those rare things to do in Hanoi where cultural appreciation and physical play are the same.

• Address: Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
• Ticket Price:
  • Adults: 40,000 VND (~$1.5)
  • Children (under 6): Free
  • Students: 20,000 VND with ID
• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 08:30–17:30 (closed Mondays)

Weekend craft classes, as well as outside picnic areas, make this a popular stopping place on any Hanoi vacation package. It’s also a great response to the question of what to see and do in Hanoi for families who are looking for a little depth, some fun, and insight, too.

Family Cycling around West Lake

If you are in search of some refreshing things to do in Hanoi that include nature, physical activities, and family time, you may love West Lake, the main lake in Hanoi, and a popular area for recreation. 

Biking on its well-paved lakeside paths is a great way for families to take in the quieter side of the capital. This breezy, leafy spot with terrific views appeals equally to teenagers and parents. The loop is 15 km but can be tackled in sections if you don’t have the energy or time.

Bike rentals are readily available along Thanh Nien Road, or near Trinh Cong Son walking street; some rental places also have kid-sized bikes and helmets. For little ones or lazy days, rent a swan boat by the lakefront for a gentle paddle through still waters, a low-impact treat on a sunny afternoon.

• Address (starting point): Thanh Nien Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
• Bike Rental Price: 30,000–50,000 VND/hour ($1–$2)
• Swan Boat Rental: ~100,000 VND/30 minutes per boat

This is the kind of top things to do in Hanoi Vietnam place where you can take it slow, enjoy the scenery, and let your kids burn off some energy in a safe, clean environment. It’s a great inclusion again in many customized tours in Hanoi Vietnam, or an extra in your Hanoi vacation package. 

Explore Bat Trang Pottery Village

For some hands-on fun with a side of culture, take a trip southeast of the city to Bat Trang Pottery Village, a worthwhile and educational choice for things to do in Ha Noi with kids. 

The centuries-old craft village where tradition meets imagination. For its part, the kids can sit at a potter’s wheel and be guided by skilled local potters as they shape bowls or vases. Painting workshops are also available, so kids can add their colorful touch before their ceramic creation heads to the kiln.

Outside the studios, families can explore cobblestone alleys, visit small craft shops, and unwind at cafes lining the red brick riverbank by the Red River. The village is friendly, walkable, and an ideal setting to mix learning with hands-on discovery. 

• Address: Bat Trang Commune, Gia Lam District, ~13 km from central Hanoi
• Ceramic Workshop Fee: 50,000–100,000 VND per item ($2–$4)
• How to Get There: Taxi (~25 mins), or join a guided tour

Picnic at Hanoi Botanical Garden — a Relaxing Thing to do in Hanoi

Here are just a few suggestions for Hanoi points of interest that you and your family may want to sink your teeth into: Find Zen at the Botanical Garden. Sometimes, the most enjoyable things to do in Hanoi are the easiest, and there’s no substitute for a lazy family picnic nestled in the foliage of the Hanoi Botanical Garden.

Situated just a few minutes from the city, the lush sanctuary is home to meandering paths, open lawns, rare plant species, and chirping fowl. Most just bring a light lunch, a mat, and hang out for an hour or two: a siesta under the shady oaks whilst the little ones race around.

The garden also has a serene pond, little bridges, and lots of benches, perfect for a leisurely walk or a midday break. Easy to pair with other nearby sites, such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or Thang Long Imperial Citadel, it’s a shrewd addition to any brief itinerary.

• Address: 3 Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
• Entrance Fee: 10,000 VND (~$0.40) per person
• Opening Hours: Daily from 06:00–19:00

Whether you’re arranging your itinerary for a full weekend tour or only some laid-back hours, here’s one of the best things to do in Ha Noi city with toddlers, school children, or teenagers. The families who have packed up a picnic and drive past on the Hanoi vacation package all now acknowledge this garden for its location and tranquility. 

Watch Trains at Hanoi Train Street — a Unique Thing to do in Hanoi

Very things to do in Hanoi that will shock and bewilder, like taking a trip down the infamous Hanoi Train Street. Here, inches away from people’s homes, a train roars through a narrow alley in the Old Quarter, truly a unique sight.

For families, the experience is a fascinating and rare glimpse of local life, though it must be undertaken with caution. Only local cafes with permits to host visitors are allowed to enter the area, or through guided group tours organized by official safety restrictions. Never think of going down to the tracks by yourself; it’s dangerous and usually prohibited.

That said, positioned properly, kids will delight in the thrill of waiting for the train and watching how locals have to live so close to the tracks. For families, it’s such a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else.

• Address: Alleyway of Tran Phu or Phung Hung Streets, Hoan Kiem District
• Entrance: Free if visiting cafés, but a tour guide is highly advised
• Train Schedule: Varies; best viewed between 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM on weekends (check current schedule)

With a booking made through a reputable provider such as Impress Travel, this unforgettable stop frequently secures a spot on themed tours in Hanoi Vietnam, or can safely be incorporated on a Hanoi vacation package. One of the most controversial and provocative Ha Noi city activities, this is simply about getting down and dirty with local life and witnessing it firsthand, in a responsible way, that is. 

Spend Time at VinKE Edutainment — a Fun Thing to do in Hanoi

Seeking fun indoor things to do in Hanoi for kids to play, learn, and explore their dreams? Meet VinKE, an edutainment treasure trove inside the enormous Times City Mega Mall.

Education meets fun in this lively area, where members can experience simulated careers in several hands-on activities. Whether your child dreams of being a doctor, a firefighter, a chef, or a pilot for the day, they’ll find it in one of many themed zones throughout the center. All activities are hands-on, staff-led, and cater to kids ages 4 to 12.

VinKE also has science games, arcade rides, and a small soft play area for toddlers, making it the place to head on rainy weekends or hot afternoons.

• Address: B1-R3, Times City, 458 Minh Khai Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
• Ticket Price:
  • Adults: 100,000 VND ($4)
  • Children: 150,000–180,000 VND ($6–$7)
• Opening Hours: Daily, 09:30–22:00

One of the most fun things to do in Ha Noi Vietnam, for families who are looking for indoor activities is the VinKE is a joy to visit, with lots of innovation and format. You don’t need more than a few hours at the War Museum, and it’s an easy stop to squeeze into your own customized Hanoi vacation package, particularly if you have weekend plans in Hai Ba Trung. And if you don’t know what to see and do in Hanoi when the weather gets dicey, here is your answer. 

Water Fun at West Lake Water Park — a Cool Thing to do in Hanoi

If you’re in Hanoi in the warmer months, water play is a must, and there’s no place more lively than the West Lake Water Park. It’s one of the most high-energy and family-oriented things to do in Hanoi in the summer.

The park offers a complete aqua zone with a huge slide, lazy river, water playground, a splash zone, and a variety of swimming areas for children of different ages. But there are also brightly colored water playgrounds and shallow pools with gentle fountains for younger children to play in safely under parental watch.

Adrenaline-pumping rides and huge open pools for the teens, while the parents can soak up the sun on the pool beds or float next to you in the quiet zones. It is perfect for cooling down, and if you can play as a family, it is a pretty active family time.

• Address: 614 Lac Long Quan Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
• Entrance Fees (Summer season only):
  • Children under 1.35m: ~120,000 VND
  • Adults: ~150,000 VND
• Opening Hours: Daily (March–October), 08:30–19:00

This is much requested in tours in Hanoi Vietnam, who plan for family fun or weekend relaxation. One of the top things to do in Hanoi Vietnam, with kids 3-16, West Lake Water Park mixes planned activities with the unexpected, no wonder it’s one of our favourite weekend highlights. 

TiniWorld Play Center (Indoors) — a Fun Thing to do in Hanoi for Kids

For indoor things to do in Hanoi that entertain the little ones and give parents some much-needed respite, TiniWorld is the place to go.

This new-age play center caters to children ages 0-12 and offers a dozen safe, luxe, color-packed zones separated by age. Activities vary from indoor slides and ball pits for toddlers to creative areas with painting, building blocks, and role-play stations for older kids.

Clean, air-conditioned, and well-staffed, it’s perfect for rainy afternoons or when you want to let the kids run wild, in a fun and contained way. There are branches in many of the top malls too, Vincom Ba Trieu, Royal City, Lotte Center, so you can easily combine a play session with shopping or a meal.

• Address: Multiple locations (Royal City, Lotte Center, Times City…)
• Ticket Price: 100,000–200,000 VND per child ($4–$8)
• Opening Hours: Daily from 09:30–21:30

It is in the list of one of the best things to do in Ha Noi city with little kids for parents and their kids. It’s safe, organized, and quite accessible, the very sort of thing many families seek when assembling their own Hanoi vacation package. And best of all, it offers parents a guilt-free moment to sit back and relax. 

Street Food Stroll with Kid-Friendly Picks — a Fun Thing to do in Hanoi

Top things to do in Hanoi Vietnam, include tasting street food in the Old Quarter. You haven’t experienced the best things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam, until you have walked around the Old Quarter and snacked on some of the favourite street foods of the city. But with kids, the struggle is always in what to find that is safe, family-friendly, and still flavorful, and yes, Hanoi delivers.

Begin a walk with a serving of xoi (sticky rice), a hearty yet mild dish favored by the locals. Throw in some nem ran (crispy spring rolls), and banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) doused in herbs and fish sauce. Wash it down with sua ngo (sweet corn milk), a fun, refreshing drink that most kids will love.

Select food stalls that appear clean and have lots of turnover and locals eating there. Or, better yet, take a guided street food tour, in which health and quality are already vetted. Local guides will also typically tone down spices for kids and translate ingredients into English on the fly. 

• Suggested Areas: Hang Buom, Ta Hien, Nguyen Huu Huan Streets (Old Quarter)
• Average Cost: 25,000–50,000 VND per dish ($1–$2)
• Time to Go: Early evening (17:00–20:00) is ideal

Family safe, yummy, and educational, a proper food stroll is without question one of the most fun things to do in Ha Noi Vietnam with family. And be sure to inquire about mild choices, and keep hand wipes at the ready for sticky fingers and big, grateful smiles. 

Weekend Family Itinerary: 2 Days in Hanoi 

Day 1: Culture – Nature – Street Food

Morning: Walk Around Hoan Kiem Lake & Watch a Water Puppet Show

• Begin your day with a stroll to the placid Hoan Kiem Lake, and children can run around as you marvel at the historic Ngoc Son Temple.
• Stop next door at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater for a vivid and colorful show that thrills children and adults.

Afternoon: Museum Visit & Pottery Workshop

• At the Vietnam Museum of Nature, kids can check out dinosaurs, insects, and fossils in this free, fun, and informative environment.
• Then head to Bat Trang Pottery Village for a ceramics workshop, and for the whole family, or individually, make and paint your own pottery.

Evening: Street Food Walk in the Old Quarter

• Explore Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter on foot and sample the street food the city is famous for. Consider family-friendly dishes, like sticky rice (xoi), crispy spring rolls (nem ran), steamed rice rolls (banh cuon), and sweet corn milk (sua ngo).
• Get back to your hotel early for a sound sleep after an action-filled day.

Day 2: Cooking – Green Spaces – Indoor Play

Morning: Family Cooking Class with Market Tour

• Start your day off with a visit to a local market with a chef, where you can familiarize yourself with Vietnamese items. 
• Take a family cooking class in which children assist in preparing dishes like spring rolls and noodle salads, then eat the meal you’ve cooked together.

Afternoon: Hanoi Botanical Garden & Train Street Visit

• Unwind amidst the lush greens of Hanoi Botanical Garden, a great place to take an easy stroll or mini picnic. 
• Experience something like no other by visiting Hanoi Train Street (Safely from a café or with guided access only), where the unusual phenomenon of trains passing through narrow alleyways can be seen.

Evening: Fun at TiniWorld Indoor Playground

• Finish your day with a stop at TiniWorld, an indoor playground that is home to games, creative zones, and padded areas where kids can explore while their parents relax.
• A great way to relax before the trip home.

Plan Your Hanoi Journey with the Local Experts at Impress Travel

“What is there to do in Hanoi?” you might ask. We are here for you, our local experts. With more than 15 years of customizing tours for travelers, we have created many fascinating itineraries with powerful experiences of Vietnam from traveling, living and working and we are a sure bet for your travel plan, but also it is a bet with good odds on you seeing the exact real Vietnam, that we have spent many years falling in love with. So whether you are looking for cultural attractions, things to make with your hands, or just the top things to do in Hanoi Vietnam for a weekend away, we’ve got you with a list designed with love, originality, and local knowledge.

Browse here tours in Hanoi Vietnam, our entire range of Hanoi tours, or submit a Hanoi vacation package designed exactly to your requirements. Our friendly travel advisors are available to guide you to what to see and do in Hanoi and ensure an enjoyable, safe travel experience.

Contact Impress Travel

• Hanoi Office: 125 Hoang Ngan, 3rd Floor, Trung Hoa, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Phone: (+84) 912 379 189
• Email: info@impresstravel.com

Conclusion

Spending a weekend in Hanoi with your family can be so much fun as well as informative. From getting your hands dirty in the kitchen to water puppet shows and green escapes, there are countless things to do in Hanoi, but with the right preparations and guidance, your trip can be smooth, safe, and full of joy. Whether you are looking at the top things to do in Hanoi Vietnam, or you are designing your plan, Impress Travel is there to assist.