April
21
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Essential Tips for Traveling with Neurodivergent Children in Vietnam
By the time we landed in Ho Chi Minh City, I already knew this trip would require more than just passports and packing lists. Travelling as a solo parent with a neurodivergent child means constantly reading the room, anticipating overwhelm before it arrives, and being ready to pivot at any moment.
Vietnam, vibrant and exhilarating, would test that instinct from the very beginning.
The airport was exactly as expected, busy, loud, and relentless, with long immigration queues stretching across the hall. I could feel the tension building, the kind that comes before a potential meltdown. Instead of pushing through, I approached a member of staff and quietly explained our situation. Within moments, we were guided to the front of the queue. It was a small act of kindness, but one that set the tone for everything that followed.
That same understanding met us again during a long layover in China, where, despite a cancelled hotel booking, we were able to regroup and reset. A simple room at an Ibis Hotel, a warm meal, and a familiar bowl of pho brought everything back into balance. When you travel this way, you learn quickly that comfort does not have to be complicated.
From the intensity of the city, we escaped to the coast. Ho Tram, just a few hours away, offered a completely different rhythm, slower, softer, and exactly what we needed. Our base, Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort, became more than just a place to stay, it became a sanctuary.
Here, days unfolded gently. Mornings by the warm, child friendly pool, afternoons on a stretch of white sand beach lined with palm trees, and evenings spent around marshmallow fire pits or watching films under the stars. The resort’s all inclusive offering made everything effortless, and the kindness of the staff never went unnoticed.
There were compromises, of course. The children’s club required parental supervision, and the gym remained off limits for little ones. But in many ways, that only reinforced what the trip became about, shared experiences. We swapped solo time for connection, joining water aerobics together and finding joy in the simplest routines.
Wanting to go beyond the resort, we booked a cultural day trip through the hotel, a decision that would become one of the most memorable parts of our journey. The Vietnamese countryside unfolded in vivid greens as we passed rice fields and stopped at a small waterfall, more a gentle cascade than a dramatic fall, but peaceful nonetheless.
At a local cacao farm, we learned how chocolate is made, a hands on sensory experience that held my son’s attention in a way few things do. Food, too, became a bridge, fresh, flavourful, and surprisingly accessible. And throughout it all, a photographer quietly documented the day, allowing me to stay present in moments I might otherwise have missed.
Back in Ho Chi Minh City for our final stop, the pace shifted once again. The city’s energy is undeniable, motorbikes weaving endlessly through the streets, often carrying entire families, a mesmerising, if overwhelming, sight.
I had planned a dinner cruise along the river, imagining a calm and memorable end to our trip. But almost immediately, I could see it was too much. So we left. No hesitation, no pressure to stay. Instead, we found a local restaurant, simple, welcoming, and exactly right. My son relaxed, enjoyed his food, and in that moment, I was reminded that the best decisions are not always the ones you plan.
We wandered through Ben Thanh Market, where bartering became part of the experience, and later retreated to GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon. Its rooftop pool offered a quiet contrast to the city below, a final pause before heading home.
Travelling with a neurodivergent child is not about ticking off destinations or following an itinerary. It is about flexibility, awareness, and knowing when to step forward and when to step back. It is about advocating when needed, letting go when plans change, and finding beauty in the unexpected.
Vietnam, with all its energy and warmth, gave us space to do exactly that.
Not everything went to plan, but that was never the point. What we found instead was connection, resilience, and a collection of moments that will stay with us long after the journey ends.
Tips for Travelling Vietnam with a Neurodivergent Child
Travelling through Vietnam with a neurodivergent child is incredibly rewarding with the right preparation:
- Advocate for your child, staff are often understanding if you explain your needs
- Be flexible, not every plan will work, and that is okay
- Choose calmer environments, beach resorts can be a great balance to busy cities
- Plan downtime, rest is just as important as exploring
- Bring familiar comforts, snacks, toys, or devices can help regulate
- Use private transport, affordable and far less overwhelming
- Prepare for busy cities, places like Ho Chi Minh City can be intense, so plan breaks
- Focus on connection, the simple moments often matter most
Useful Info
Ho Chi Minh City Car Service +84 92 553 53 63
Anna Beauty Ho Tram 0336 399 995
Heart London Magazine 