Starting world travel with a baby
Are you hesitating to start world travel with a baby?
Hello! We are a family from Korea embarking on a journey around the world with our 26-month-old daughter.
Come join us on our adventure!
Table of Contents
Main Journey
The big day finally arrived! After months of planning and preparing, Julie, Sweetie, and I set off for our first stop: Vietnam. For over a year, we dreamed of traveling the world with our 26-month-old daughter. Now, with passports and tickets ready, our world journey officially begins.
Surprisingly, the excitement kept me awake most of the night before, and even this morning, I found it hard to believe we were really doing it. My mother-in-law kindly came along to the airport with us, making the whole departure feel a bit like any ordinary trip rather than the start of an adventure around the world.
Airport Arrival and Flight to Vietnam
We left home bright and early, arriving at Incheon Airport well before our 11:40 a.m. VietJet flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Since we were aiming for a full “scan” of Vietnam, we planned an itinerary that starts in the south and ends in the north, flying into Ho Chi Minh City and eventually making our way out from Hanoi. Sweetie clutched her little companion, “Strawberry Sister,” tightly, already showing her excitement.
Checking in went smoothly—until the airline staff asked if we had a ticket proving our exit from Vietnam within the 15-day visa-free period. We had plans to take a bus from Hanoi to Laos, but since that ticket could only be bought locally, we hadn’t reserved anything in advance. We tried showing them our onward flight from Laos to Myanmar, but since that was outside the 15-day window, it didn’t satisfy the requirements.
After some discussions, the airline finally issued our tickets, but only after we signed a waiver accepting any issues if we were denied entry. Once our bags were checked, we hurriedly reserved a ticket from Hanoi to Luang Prabang online, printed it at a nearby café, and hoped for the best.
Farewell to Family
After resolving the ticket issue, we moved toward the East Fast Track area to meet a fellow travel blogger, who had generously come to see us off. Meeting someone with a shared passion for travel made the journey feel even more real. Despite the rush, they treated us to coffee and carrot juice for Sweetie, a thoughtful boost before our long flight.
Pre-flight Fun at the Airport
Julie took Sweetie to the kid’s zone while I sorted out some last-minute duty-free shopping. Sweetie was thrilled to play with “big brothers” from different countries, though coaxing her to leave took a while. Our “secret weapon”—a coloring doll—finally convinced her to come along.
First Long-haul Flight with Sweetie
As we boarded the plane, the exhaustion from the sleepless night hit me. Sweetie, too, was starting to show signs of weariness. She insisted on eating by herself, a challenge when dealing with a meal unfamiliar to her—fried rice with fragrant Vietnamese herbs. Each puff she blew to cool down the rice scattered grains everywhere!
Eventually, Sweetie fell asleep, giving Julie and me a chance to catch our breath. I jotted down a few notes, reflecting, “Traveling with a toddler isn’t always tough, so why does today feel particularly challenging?” Julie reminded me with a smile, “She’s just tired.”
Events
A Memorable Send-off
Meeting a fellow travel blogger at the airport was an unexpected and heartwarming moment. As a fellow mom and travel enthusiast, she shared words of encouragement, and the little coffee break she treated us to felt like a warm send-off from our travel community. It added a personal touch to the start of our adventure.
First In-flight Nap and Snack Breaks
Sweetie napped for part of the flight, but when she woke up, she was still adjusting. She found comfort in her strawberry milk and even pointed at an emergency exit illustration, humorously imagining her dad crying and getting hurt. It’s amazing how children interpret what they see, bringing a lighthearted moment to the journey.
Tips for starting world travel with a baby
1. Prepare for Ticket Requirements
For countries with visa-free entry, make sure you have proof of onward travel within the allowed time frame. We learned the hard way that even a vague plan might not suffice—having a concrete ticket, even for a bus, saved us a lot of potential issues.
2. Bring Comforting Toys
Sweetie’s “Strawberry Sister” doll was her constant companion, giving her a sense of security. Bringing a familiar toy or comfort object can make all the difference when traveling with a young child.
3. Snacks and Drinks Are Lifesavers
Kids often crave familiar snacks, especially when adjusting to foreign foods. Carrot juice, strawberry milk, and a few jellies kept Sweetie content and distracted throughout the trip.
4. Have a Secret Toy
We packed a small, novel toy for moments when Sweetie grew restless. In this case, a coloring doll was a big hit. Having a “surprise” toy can help manage difficult transitions.
Local Travel Tips
1. Early Arrival at the Airport
Arriving early not only allowed us to handle unforeseen issues with the tickets but also gave Sweetie a chance to enjoy the airport’s kids’ area. Many airports have kid-friendly zones, and taking advantage of them can make the waiting time less stressful.
2. Familiarize Yourself with Local Food
Vietnamese food can be a bit of an acquired taste for young children, especially due to unfamiliar spices and herbs. Having a mix of familiar snacks and patience with in-flight meals is key.
3. Print Your Onward Travel Proof
While some onward tickets can be shown digitally, having a printed copy saved us time and stress, especially when dealing with immigration or airline staff.
Travel Reflections
As we started our world travel with a baby, it hit me how different travel feels with Sweetie. On past trips, the “little challenges” never seemed as daunting. Now, each moment—whether it’s navigating an airport, packing snacks, or finding kid-friendly play areas—takes on new significance. It’s a learning curve, but I know these shared memories will be worth every bit of effort.
Watching Sweetie adapt to new experiences and seeing the world through her eyes is already adding depth to our travels. Despite the early bumps, this journey feels like an incredible opportunity to bond as a family. Here’s to more adventures, with all the ups and downs that come along.
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