Boat Trips These are particularly popular in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's southernmost region, which consists of an intricate network of rice paddies, swamps and forests interlaced with canals and rivers. River cruises also operate on the Saigon River (a good way to see Saigon) or the Perfume River (near Hue). Children love being out on the water and this is one activity the whole family can partake in.

Bowling (Ho Chi Minh City) Saigon Superbowl located at 43A Truong Son, Tan Binh District is the place to go for this excellent family entertainment Give them a call on: 84+8+885 0188 ext 20 or go there or visit the Bowling Centre located at 285B Cach Mang Thang Tam, District 10. Their telephone number is: Tel : 84+8+864 3784

Cycling is ideal for sightseeing in much of the country as it is flat in most areas and the shortage of vehicles makes for light traffic in most outlying areas and some of the smaller villages. Caution is needed, however, especially on busier roads, as traffic can be very undisciplined. Bicycle hire is widely available and you'll find they come in all shapes and sizes so you are sure to find one even for the youngest bike rider in the family. Trainer wheels are not supplied so if you plan on partaking in this activity with the smaller family members it's advisable that you bring some with you.

Elephant Riding can be done in Dalat at Tuyen Lake and is a wonderful way to view the surrounding scenery. This is definitely an activity that the whole family can enjoy and if the real littlies are a little wary of these grey giants, buying a few bananas before you visit will always be welcomed by the elephants and feeding them by hand is usually one activity ALL kids enjoy.

Go Karting can be done in most of the larger cities and one of the better ones is located in Hanoi at Super Karting located in Thanh Nhan Youth Park. Give them a call on 9712873 for more information.

Horse Riding is a perfect activity for the entire family and even the youngest will enjoy being led around while sitting astride one of these animals. In fact the country has its own special breed called the Vietnamese Hmong Horse which is interesting enough even if you don't fancy getting onto one of them and going for a leisurely stroll (or a rapid gallop). There are many places that rent out animals either to go on short out-rides along a beach or through the local countryside or on long treks through rugged mountain ranges.

Kayaking can be done in many spots throughout the country. Some of the better-known areas are to be found in the picturesque Halong Bay area though some other coastal and riverine areas also offer this gentle waterborne activity. It's a great way to see coastal fauna and flora and all but the smallest family members will enjoy a day out on the water in a canoe.

Roller Skating can be done in a number of the larger cities where this sport is increasing in popularity. Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Dalat have skating venues as does Nam Ninh. Ask your hotel's concierge for more information on arrival.

Swimming If you aren't near a beach there are a number of public swimming pools located in most of the bigger towns or at the hotels and resorts. If your hotel doesn't have one, ask at a hotel nearby as some let the general public in for a nominal fee or ask the concierge at your hotel where a public pool is.

Ten Pin Bowling can be done at many establishments in Vietnam. Saigon has a huge one with 32 lanes called the Saigon Superbowl, but there are many others scattered around the country such as in Hanoi. Ask at your hotel or the local information centre for more details.

Water Puppets are not only entertaining for children but those that are young at heart will also enjoy watching the performances put on by skilled puppeteers. Most cities and even some of the smaller villages have water-puppet shows that the whole family can enjoy.

Water Slide Parks are generally found in the bigger cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat. The one in Ho Chi Minh City is called Saigon Water Park and it can be found on Kha Van Can, Thu Duc District. For more information give them a call on 8970456.

Zoos can be found in many towns and even some of the smaller villages in Vietnam. Not all are of a high standard but if you are prepared to turn a blind eye in some instances and are aware that improvements are being made (as hard as it may be to believe) you can still have a reasonably enjoyable outing. It will also be a good 'learning adventure' for your children as you can teach them a little bit about animal care while you are about it. Do be aware that some cages in the smaller less well run establishments leave much to be desired and it's advised that one doesn't get too close. Hanoi Zoo is probably one of the better zoos in the country though and it is here that some of the best improvements are already underway. The Hanoi zoo is trying its best to breed animals such as the rare Owston's Palm Civet and so far has been successful.