Toddlers are adored in Vietnam. If you want to be treated like a Hollywood celebrity just take your toddler and go, or borrow one. Arjun riding in his carrier guaranteed us smiles and approving nods everywhere we went. The curious thing was some of them would request to take selfies with him. If you have ever seen a toddler you already know they aren’t always in the mood to be lifted up by friendly strangers. Still it was uplifting to see how just the mere sight of a child could cheer up people and want them to desperately try to communicate with him in whatever way they could.

In Dalat, Thanh our host (at Vivian Inn) would shower him with snacks every morning. Her youngest sister( she had at least five from what we could count) would trade treats for hugs with Arjun. Not a great lesson for learning body autonomy but it is so common in Asia that no one blinks an eye. We also don’t insist that Arjun respond to any attempts at intimacy if he doesn’t feel like it himself.

Getting back to the candy, most days we were left with a small bag given by the whole family (it was a large family, probably twelve people at least). Of course, we weren’t going to let our first born eat bagfuls of sweet candy everyday, so we tactfully made some of it “disappear”. 

It is important to say that in Vietnam children are usually quiet. The culture is such that maintaining an unruffled countenance is considered paramount. People are wonderfully kind and helpful but displays of angst or noise seem to make them uncomfortable. If you have children you already know that there are times when nothing can stop a loud melt down in its tracks. Long over night flights, tiresomeness due to the heat and many more factors can make toddlers edgy. A few times when Arjun was tired, hungry and crying he was ‘Shush’ed by strangers (this was outdoors in a public area).

It is absolutely easy to travel with a toddler in Vietnam. There is much to see for a child. The TukTuk auto rickshaws, mopeds laden to the top with plastic buckets or fruits were easy attractions everywhere.

Saigon has a zoo and even in the grim war museum there is enough space to run around outside. People always stop by and say hello and ask the child’s name and age.

In Dalat we were spoilt for choice. There were beautiful vistas to be seen from cable cars, monastery gardens to run in and dogs to be played with in puppy farms (that is the given name).

The night markets are full of excellent kind friendly, healthy snacks like roast sweet potatoes, eggs and fresh cut fruits. The pastries in Vietnam are also amazing. No dearth of options for food.

In Hoi An large parts of the old town are closed to traffic and only for walking and biking. Rickshaw rides are fun and in the evening the river gets transformed with lit boats that you can take a ride in.