ACTN Tennis Academy
- Where
- Thảo Điền · Thủ Đức
- Ages
- 4 years and up
- Taught in
- English
Waiting for provider to claim
Once you move to a new city, one of the easiest ways for children to start feeling comfortable is to find activities they enjoy. But Ho Chi Minh City has an enormous number of children’s classes, clubs, sports, creative programmes and weekend activities. The challenge isn’t finding something — it’s finding something that suits your child, your schedule and your family.
Start with your child, not the activity
It’s tempting to sign up for the activities that look most impressive. Instead, start by thinking about what your child naturally enjoys. Do they like:
- Running and climbing?
- Music?
- Drawing and making things?
- Pretend play?
- Animals and nature?
- Building and problem-solving?
- Languages?
- Dancing?
- Water?
- Playing with other children?
You don’t need to know the answer immediately. Trying different activities is part of finding out.
Don’t over-schedule
Children don’t necessarily need an activity every day. If your child is already spending most of the day at school, one or two regular activities may be plenty. Leave room for free play, family time, rest, exploring your neighbourhood and unplanned afternoons. Sometimes the best activity is simply going to the park or meeting another family.
Consider your location
Traffic can turn a short activity into a long weekly commitment. When comparing classes, consider:
- Distance from home
- Distance from school
- Travel time during the actual class time
- Parking or drop-off
- Whether parents need to stay
- Whether the location is practical in rainy weather
A class that takes 15 minutes to reach on a quiet afternoon may take much longer during peak traffic. For young children, convenience can make the difference between continuing an activity and giving up after a few weeks.
Try before committing
If the provider offers a trial class, use it. A trial can help you see:
- Whether your child enjoys the activity
- How the teacher interacts with children
- Whether the class is the right level
- Whether the group size feels comfortable
- Whether your child feels included
- Whether the teaching style suits your child
Don’t worry if your child doesn’t love the first class. Sometimes it takes a few sessions to become comfortable in a new environment.
Ask about the class size
Two classes with the same activity can feel completely different. Ask:
- How many children are in the class?
- How many teachers are present?
- Are children grouped by age or ability?
- What happens if the class is full?
- How much individual attention does each child receive?
For activities such as swimming, sports, music or language learning, the group size can have a noticeable effect on the experience.
Consider your child’s age and stage
An activity that works beautifully for a six-year-old may not be suitable for a three-year-old. Ask whether the programme is designed for your child’s age and development. Some providers may also offer different levels within the same activity. If your child is new to an activity, don’t assume they should start with children who already have experience.
Ask about the teacher
The teacher can matter as much as the activity itself. Notice:
- How the teacher speaks to children
- Whether instructions are clear
- Whether children are encouraged
- How mistakes are handled
- Whether shy children are supported
- Whether the teacher seems attentive to the whole group
A great activity with the wrong teaching style may not be a great fit for your child.
Think about language
For international families, language can be an important part of choosing an activity. Ask:
- Is the class taught in English, Vietnamese or both?
- Can the teacher communicate with parents in English?
- How are children supported if they don’t understand?
- Are children expected to speak a particular language?
- Is the language environment part of the programme?
For some activities, language may not matter much. For others, such as tutoring or language classes, it may be one of the most important factors.
Check what is included
Before paying, ask what the fee covers. Depending on the activity, you may need to pay separately for registration, equipment, uniforms, materials, performances, competitions, exams, special events or make-up classes. Also ask about missed classes and cancellation policies.
What if your child doesn’t like it?
This is normal. A child may love an activity for three weeks and then suddenly decide they never want to go again. Before committing to a long package, ask:
- Can we try one class first?
- Can we switch levels?
- Can we pause the programme?
- Are missed classes replaceable?
- Is there a refund policy?
Flexibility can be especially useful when your family is new to Vietnam and your schedule is still changing.
Look beyond the most popular activities
You don’t have to choose football, ballet or swimming simply because everyone else does. Ho Chi Minh City has many types of activities, including art and crafts, music, dance, swimming, martial arts, football, tennis, gymnastics, coding and STEM, cooking, language classes, nature activities, drama and academic enrichment. The goal isn’t to build the most impressive weekly schedule — it’s to help your child find something they enjoy.
Activities can also help children settle in
For families who have recently moved countries, activities can provide more than entertainment. A regular class can help children meet other children, build confidence, develop a routine, practise a new language, explore a new interest and feel more connected to their neighbourhood. For parents, activities can also be an easy way to meet other families.
When an activity isn’t the right fit
It’s okay to stop. Maybe the location is too difficult, the class is too large, the teacher isn’t a good match, or your child simply doesn’t enjoy it. You don’t need to turn every activity into a long-term commitment. Try, observe and adjust.
A simple way to choose
Before enrolling, ask yourself five questions:
- Does my child actually want to try it?
- Is the location realistic for our weekly routine?
- Does the teacher seem like a good fit?
- Is the class appropriate for my child’s age and level?
- Are the cost and commitment comfortable for our family?
If the answer to most of these is yes, it’s probably worth trying.