Cat Ba Island with Kids
Everything You Need to Know + Tips & Experiences
We are a travel-loving family with two children—a 6-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son—and we love exploring the world together. During our round-the-world trip, we visited the beautiful Cat Ba Island with our kids, and it quickly became one of our favorite places to relax and unwind in northern Vietnam.
In late January and February 2026, we spent five weeks traveling through Vietnam as a family. It’s an incredible country that still feels authentic in many ways, yet is developed enough to make traveling with children easy and comfortable. Accommodation is affordable and often surprisingly well-equipped, with amenities such as a swimming pool, pool table, and breakfast included.
One thing that stood out to us immediately was how kind the Vietnamese people are to children. Our kids were often greeted with extra attention, a sweet treat, or a gentle pat on the head.
This blog was written by @gerdienwijngaard.
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Why Visit Cat Ba Island with Kids?
After our time in Ninh Binh, we were ready for something different: an island with beaches, the sea, and a lush green interior. Cat Ba Island turned out to be the perfect next stop on our Vietnam itinerary.
One of the biggest advantages of Cat Ba is that it feels much quieter than the famous Ha Long Bay. You’ll find the same stunning limestone karsts and breathtaking views over the water, but with fewer crowds and a much more relaxed atmosphere. That’s exactly what made Cat Ba such a wonderful place to visit with kids, giving us a chance to unwind while exploring the island at our own pace.
Things to Do on Cat Ba Island with Kids
Cat Ba Island is a fantastic destination for families. You’ll find beaches, beautiful nature, impressive caves, boat trips, and plenty of opportunities for adventure. We stayed on Cat Ba for four nights, which gave us enough time to explore the island at a relaxed pace.
Exploring Cat Ba Island by Scooter
We rented scooters directly from our accommodation and set off to explore the island. Traffic on Cat Ba is incredibly quiet, making it a fun and easy way to get around. Traveling by scooter with kids gave us the freedom to visit several places in one day. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views and ride through the island’s lush green countryside.
Visiting the Military Hospital Cave
Our first stop was the Military Hospital Cave. During the Vietnam War, this cave served as a secret underground hospital. Our 6-year-old daughter was quite fascinated, especially because some of the rooms contain life-sized mannequins that show what life inside the cave was like. They really help bring the cave’s remarkable history to life.
If you’re visiting with younger children, it’s a good idea to bring a baby carrier or let them walk at their own pace. The cave isn’t very large, but some sections are quite dark and may feel a little spooky for younger kids.
Playing and Relaxing at Cat Co Beach
We spent the afternoon at Cat Co 1 Beach. Cat Ba Island is also home to Cat Co 2 Beach and Cat Co 3 Beach. It’s a wonderful place for families to relax while the kids play. Our oldest even managed to play football on the beach, as there are two football goals and plenty of other families around. You can also rent sun loungers if the hotel isn’t too busy, but we chose to relax on the sand instead.
Walking the Rock Trail
From Cat Co Beach, you can also hike the Rock Trail. If you’re traveling with younger children, we recommend bringing a baby carrier, as the trail starts with a long flight of stairs. After that, the path follows the coastline toward Cat Co 3 Beach, offering beautiful sea views along the way. Our kids were excited to discover a geocache on the route, which is always a great way to keep them motivated while hiking!
Sunset at Cat Ba Sea Garden and the New Town
Before sunset, I took a walk to the artificial beach at Cat Ba Sea Garden. This is another lovely spot to enjoy the beach with children. The area is part of Cat Ba’s “new town,” a newly developed district that is intended to turn the island into an even bigger tourist destination.
Here you’ll find a beach, a promenade, shops, an indoor playground (Happy Play Cat Ba), and even a fountain with a light show. During our visit, the area still felt quite empty and unfinished, creating a striking contrast with the lively old town. The highlight for our kids was renting a glowing electric toy car and driving it around the streets for twenty minutes.
Boat Tour Through Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay
A boat tour is an absolute must when visiting Cat Ba Island with kids. In the morning, we were picked up by bus and joined a one-day boat trip we had booked with Cat Ba Eco Tourist. During the tour, we explored the stunning Lan Ha Bay and the famous Ha Long Bay.
It all felt very well organized, and we were accompanied by an enthusiastic English-speaking guide. On board, we also met several Dutch backpackers, who happily chatted and played with our children. The boat even had a small swimming pool, and a generous lunch was included. With beautiful sunny weather, it turned into one of the highlights of our trip.
We stopped for a swim, where a huge inflatable slide was set up, allowing everyone to jump straight from the boat into the water. Afterwards, we spent about an hour kayaking before visiting a floating fishing village. Here, we saw enormous fish and learned more about what daily life on the water is like. Our final stop was Monkey Beach Island, where you can swim ashore, take a short hike, or simply relax on the beach.
If you’d like to make the experience even more special, it’s also possible to book an overnight cruise from Cat Ba Island. We paid a total of €68 for the full-day tour, excluding drinks, including lunch and return transportation.
Hiking in Cat Ba National Park
On our third day, we explored the island by scooter once again. We followed the road toward the ferry and continued through a small village into the island’s lush interior, heading for Cat Ba National Park.
Here, we set off on an adventurous hike to the top of one of the hills. The trail takes about 50 minutes and is mostly uphill. The final section involves a bit of scrambling over rocks, making it a fun challenge for adventurous families.
At the start of the hike, our kids couldn’t resist saying, “Mom is definitely going to love this!” But they kept going like champions! Take your time, bring plenty of water and snacks, and start early if a hot day is expected. As a reward, you can grab an ice cream at the bottom after finishing the hike. The breathtaking views from the top make every step worth it.
Your entrance ticket also includes free access to a cave located about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) further down the road. We decided to skip it due to time constraints. Admission to the national park cost us a total of €12 for our family. Before starting the hike, it’s a good idea to take a photo of the trail map, as the route isn’t always clearly marked.
A Quiet Beach: Tung Thu Beach
After our hike, we returned to Cat Co 1 Beach because we had enjoyed it so much. If you’re looking for a quieter beach, Tung Thu Beach is another excellent option. There’s also a nice restaurant nearby called Say Bistro & Bar.
Where to Stay on Cat Ba Island with Kids
Love House
We stayed at Love House for four nights and would definitely recommend it to families looking for a quiet and affordable place to stay on Cat Ba Island. We asked our bus driver to stop along the way so we could be dropped off directly at the accommodation. It was incredibly convenient, as we didn’t have to search for our hotel after the journey.
For around €30 per night, including breakfast, we stayed in a cozy bungalow with two double beds. The property also has a swimming pool (it was closed during our visit in February, but it’s likely open during the warmer months) and a pool table. Unsurprisingly, the pool table was a big hit with our kids! Love House is run by an incredibly kind family, and their warm hospitality and personal approach made our stay even more enjoyable.
Other Family-Friendly Accommodations on Cat Ba Island
Another great option is Tran Chau Garden Home. If you’re looking for a more luxurious stay and would like to be right on the beach, Flamingo Hotel & Resort is also worth considering.
Where to Eat on Cat Ba Island with Kids
We found plenty of family-friendly places to eat on Cat Ba Island. From cozy restaurants serving Western dishes to local eateries and spots where children can have fun too, there was something for everyone. These are the restaurants and cafés we visited during our stay or would happily recommend.
Like Coffee
For lunch, we headed to Like Coffee in Cat Ba Town. The restaurant was packed, mainly with Western travelers, which is usually a good sign. The food was delicious, and the menu offered plenty of variety. It’s a great place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, making it an ideal choice for families when everyone is in the mood for something different. There are plenty of options to satisfy both kids and adults.
Banh Mi Domik
For a delicious banh mi, head to Banh Mi Domik. These traditional Vietnamese sandwiches are perfect for a quick lunch or a snack while exploring the island. They’re also a great option for children—easy to take on the go and often a safe choice when they’re in the mood for something familiar.
Mixue
For an ice cream treat, we stopped by Mixue, a popular chain across Asia. Here you can enjoy affordable soft serve ice cream or refreshing drinks like lemon iced tea. Our kids absolutely loved this place. It’s the perfect stop for a sweet treat after an active day exploring Cat Ba Island.
Love House
You can also enjoy a good meal at our accommodation, Love House. If you’ve spent the day exploring and don’t feel like heading back into town for dinner, it’s a convenient and relaxing option.
Little Leaf Restaurant
Little Leaf Restaurant is another excellent choice for families. It offers a relaxed atmosphere and a varied menu, making it a great place to enjoy dinner together after a day of adventure.
Dinner on the Beach at Flamingo Hotel Resort
A wonderful way to end the day is with dinner on the beach at Cat Co 1 Beach, next to the Flamingo Hotel Resort. While you enjoy your meal, the kids can continue playing on the sand. It’s an especially lovely spot in the evening, when you can relax and soak up the peaceful atmosphere by the sea.
Sunset Drinks at Sky Chill Rooftop
For sunset drinks with a view, head to Sky Chill – Coffee & Tea – Rooftop. Another great option is to bring your own drinks and relax on the beach at Cat Ba Sea Garden. We found this to be a peaceful and family-friendly way to end the day with our children.
How to Get to Cat Ba Island with Kids
Traveling from Ninh Binh to Cat Ba Island is easy by combining a bus and ferry. The journey takes around five hours in total. We booked our transfer two days in advance through the 12Go Asia app. The combination of bus and ferry was smooth and hassle-free, making it a convenient way to continue our journey through northern Vietnam.
Practical Tips for Visiting Cat Ba Island with Kids
How long to stay?
We recommend staying on Cat Ba Island for at least three to four days. This gives you enough time to truly experience the island without feeling rushed. During your stay, you can take a boat tour through Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay, relax on beaches such as Cat Co Beach, and explore the island by scooter or taxi. We also highly recommend visiting Cat Ba National Park and fitting in a short hike.
Best Time to Visit Cat Ba Island with Kids
The best time to visit Cat Ba Island depends largely on what you want to do during your stay. We visited in February and were fortunate to have great weather. Temperatures were pleasantly warm, making it perfect for playing on the beach, hiking in Cat Ba National Park, and swimming during our boat tour through Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay.
Since there are relatively few indoor activities on Cat Ba Island for families, it’s a good idea to visit during a period when the chance of rain is lower. According to local recommendations, the best months to visit are April, May, and September through November.
If you’re traveling during the summer holidays, it’s wise to book accommodation with free cancellation. This is the hottest time of year, and there’s also a higher chance of rainfall.
Other tips for Cat Ba with Kids
- Don’t want to ride a scooter yourself? Choose accommodation in the town center instead. From there, many places can be reached on foot, or you can easily use a taxi or Grab.
- Through GetYourGuide or your hotel, you can easily book a guide or a tour.
- The center of Cat Ba is fairly stroller-friendly thanks to the wide sidewalks. For hikes and nature activities, however, a baby carrier is much more convenient.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks when heading out, especially if you plan to go hiking or visit Cat Ba National Park.
Our Experience on Cat Ba Island
After four nights on Cat Ba Island, we were picked up by bus and traveled to Hanoi in about three hours. For us, Cat Ba was the perfect break during our journey through northern Vietnam. With its beautiful beaches, spectacular bays, and lush green interior, it’s a destination where you can easily spend several relaxing days.
Vietnam was part of our eight-month journey around the world. If you’d like to follow more of our adventures, you can find us on Instagram at @gerdienwijngaard.
Our Vietnam Itinerary
We flew from Phnom Penh to Hoi An, where our journey through Vietnam began. After Hoi An, we traveled north, visiting Hue (2 nights), Phong Nha (4 nights), Ninh Binh (5 nights), Cat Ba Island (4 nights), Hanoi (3 nights), the mountains of Sapa (3 nights), and Ta Van (3 nights). To finish our trip, we spent four unforgettable days riding motorbikes through the spectacular Ha Giang Loop before continuing our travels from Hanoi.
It truly was a dream itinerary for our family. Vietnam turned out to be an incredible destination to explore with children—diverse, adventurous, and surprisingly easy to travel through. From the beaches and limestone karsts in the south to the rice terraces and mountain landscapes in the north, we were constantly amazed by the country’s natural beauty.
Wil je je rondreis naar Vietnam meteen gaan plannen?
Bij het plannen van je reis naar Vietnam zijn er verschillende manieren om je verblijf en activiteiten te boeken. Als je graag zelf alles regelt, kun je via Booking.com eenvoudig accommodaties vinden die passen bij jouw wensen. Voor unieke excursies en tours is GetYourGuide een uitstekende keuze. Wil je liever alles in één keer geregeld hebben? Dan biedt TUI complete pakketten aan voor een zorgeloze vakantie. Ben je op zoek naar meer flexibiliteit en wil je je reis op maat samenstellen? Kijk dan eens bij Riksja, waar je met bouwstenen je eigen ideale reis kunt samenstellen.
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