Monkey Island Resort

Cat Ba Island


Although the wood-and-thatch standard bungalows are tiny for the asking price, and could do with some TLC, the island location and strip of beach are truly lovely. There’s a nice social vibe, and a nightly seafood buffet and kayaking and hiking activities are offered. Free 10-minute boat transfers from Ben Beo Harbour are provided.

Discounts of 60% are common outside of May to August.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Cat Ba Island attractions

1. Cannon Fort

1.55 MILES

For one of the best views in Vietnam, head to Cannon Fort, where there are astounding panoramas of Cat Ba Island's jungle-clad hills, the harbour and the…

2. Cat Co 2

1.68 MILES

By far the nicest beach in Cat Co Cove is Cat Co 2 with a pretty swathe of white sand.

3. Ho Chi Minh Monument

1.7 MILES

This monument stands up on imaginatively named Mountain No 1, the hillock opposite the pier in Cat Ba Town.

4. Cat Co 1

1.85 MILES

Cat Co 1 has a decent stretch of beach but is dominated by a rather ugly resort. Don't expect much peace and quiet here during the summer months as it's…

5. Cat Co Cove

1.9 MILES

A 10-minute walk southeast from Cat Ba Town, the three Cat Co Cove beaches boast the nearest sand to town, though all are being developed with hotel…

6. Cat Ba Market

2.01 MILES

The market at the northern end of Cat Ba Town's harbour is a scruffy local affair with twitching crabs, jumbo shrimp and pyramids of fresh fruit.

7. Cat Co 3

2.09 MILES

Cat Co 3 is the closest beach to Cat Ba Town but its blink-and-you-miss-it sliver of sand isn't really worth stopping for. Head here just to take the…

8. Lan Ha Bay

2.36 MILES

Lying to the south of Halong Bay off the north-eastern coast of Vietnam, the 300-or-so karst islands and limestone outcrops of Lan Ha are just as…