By the time we reached Flamingo, the limestone cliffs had given way to color. A thicket of mist, sea air, and jungle green still clung to the island, but now it was broken up by a hotel that looked like it had dropped in from another timeline.
Flamingo’s three high-rise towers curve along the coastline, rising straight from the rock in a kind of vertical garden-meets-retro-fantasy. The palette is unapologetically loud—Miami pastels, rainbow-striped balconies, bright pink pillars—and at sunset, it glows.
The resort is tucked into a private cove on Cat Ba Island, the largest island in Lan Ha Bay. This stretch of northern Vietnam was once mostly known to backpackers, but over the past decade, it’s seen a slow bloom of development—some of it tasteful, some of it not. Flamingo sits somewhere in between.
It’s branded as five-star, and in some ways it is—but it also feels like the kind of place that hasn’t quite decided what story it wants to tell. And maybe that’s part of the charm.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Flamingo
When did The Flamingo open?
Flamingo Cat Ba officially opened in 2020, though parts of the resort still feel like they’re waiting for their final touches.
It’s possible some of the construction delays were due to the pandemic—or the major typhoon that hit the island not long ago.
Either way, the resort is operational, scenic, and mostly finished (with a few chandeliers still waiting to be hung).
Is Flamingo part of a hotel group?
Yes. It’s part of the larger Flamingo Holdings Group, a Vietnamese brand with several resort properties throughout the country.
Is the property pet friendly?
No pets allowed, at least officially. We didn’t see any during our stay, and the resort doesn’t advertise itself as accommodating animals.
Is the property accessible?
Somewhat. There are elevators in the main towers and ramps in the public areas, but because parts of the resort are still in progress, not everything is streamlined.
If accessibility is a major concern, it’s worth contacting the hotel directly to confirm specific needs.
In three words…
scenic, surreal, quirky
Location of Flamingo Cat Ba
Flamingo Cat Ba sits at the quieter end of town, where the buildings start to thin out and the cliffs take over. From the road, its glass towers rise against the limestone—suspension bridges strung between them, jungle backing it all.
It’s a five-minute walk down the hill into the heart of Cat Ba Town—close enough for dinner, far enough to fall asleep to nothing but the waves.
The hotel overlooks a small semicircle cove, almost like a private beach, with the cliffs forming a natural amphitheater around the water. Guests arriving by motorbike get free parking, and the ride from the ferry terminal is easy enough.
Amenities at Flamingo Cat Ba
Flamingo is the kind of place that seems almost purpose-built for a rainy day as much as a perfectly sunny one. There’s no shortage of things to do — especially if you lean into the slightly surreal, all-ages resort vibe. While not everything was operating at full capacity during our stay, there was still plenty to enjoy (and most of it was complimentary).
Japanese Baths
Easily one of the highlights of our stay. After a wet hike through the jungle or a cloudy morning on the beach, soaking in the Japanese baths was an absolute treat. Warm, steamy, and quiet, they were the perfect antidote to Vietnam’s colder coastal weather. Entry is free for guests — just grab a robe and head down.
Pool & Beach Access
There’s a sandy beach tucked just below the hotel, with loungers set up on the terrace above and steps that lead you straight to the water. It’s not huge, but it feels private thanks to the cove-like shape of the bay. There are also a couple of pools on-site — one indoor, one outdoor — which felt like a nice bonus even though we didn’t use them.
Watersports
The hotel offers complimentary use of kayaks and paddleboards for guests. We saw a few people paddling out into the bay between rainstorms — if we’d had a clearer day, we would’ve been out there too. Still a great option for those luckier with weather.
VR Arcade & Karaoke Lounge
One of the weirdest, most delightful surprises: a VR arcade tucked into one of the buildings. It’s definitely aimed at kids, but we made good use of the complimentary game tokens included with our stay. There’s also karaoke available — we didn’t try it, but it felt very on brand for Flamingo’s all-in experience.
Dining
The rooftop breakfast buffet was better than expected — a wide mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Western options served alongside panoramic sea views.
There’s something very satisfying about sipping coffee on a misty morning, watching the waves roll in from a wall of windows.
Dinner options, while perfect for a rooftop sunset drink, were a little more hit-or-miss, so we tended to eat in town instead.
The Rooms at Flamingo Cat Ba
We stayed in one of the beach-facing rooms in the main tower—and honestly, I’d book it again in a heartbeat.
The room itself was simple but spacious, with soft linens, a big bed, and sliding doors that opened all the way to the sea. We left them wide open every night. Between the ocean breeze and the sound of waves echoing off the limestone cliffs, it felt like we were sleeping right on the water.
There was a small balcony with two slightly weathered wicker chairs—nothing particularly stylish, but charming in that coastal, unfussy way. We spent mornings there with tea and misty views, and evenings listening to the surf.
The en suite bathroom had a little porthole window that peeked out toward the cliffs. It wasn’t luxurious, exactly, but it had everything we needed—and that view more than made up for the lack of polish.
The main building felt lived-in. The other towers, though, were still eerily empty. One afternoon we wandered through them and found unopened chandeliers, echoey corridors, and unfinished finishes. Whether due to the recent typhoon or just slow development, the resort still seems like it’s figuring itself out.
That said, none of it really detracted from our experience. The room was peaceful, the view was stunning, and it ended up being one of the most relaxing parts of our entire Vietnam trip.
If you go, ask for a room in the main building, facing the cove. That view is the whole reason to stay.
Sustainability at Flamingo Cat Ba
Flamingo isn’t marketed as an eco-resort—but for a property of its size, there are a few thoughtful efforts happening behind the scenes.
The biggest one is the limited use of motor vehicles on-site. You won’t see staff zipping around in golf carts or hear the hum of engines around the resort.
Most of the hotel is walkable via footbridges and landscaped paths, which not only keeps noise down but helps preserve the stillness of the bay.
Our room, like the rest of the hotel, was naturally ventilated with sliding doors and sea breezes—no need for blasting AC, even during muggy March afternoons. The Japanese baths are heated, but the rest of the water use feels relatively modest and balanced for a place of this size.
Towels and linens were only changed upon request, and we didn’t encounter single-use plastics in the room, which felt like a small but good sign. Dining options leaned heavily on local ingredients—especially seafood—and the kitchen seemed mindful of waste.
That said, this is a huge development, and it’s hard to ignore the larger impact. There’s still a sense of overbuilding along the island’s coastlines, and it’s not clear how sustainable the pace of tourism growth will be here long-term.
Still, Flamingo seems to be trying in a few key ways—and in a region where large-scale resorts are still finding their footing, that effort counts for something.
Overall
Flamingo Cat Ba is a little surreal, a little unfinished, and—somehow—still entirely worth it.
It’s not the kind of place that fits neatly into a box. The design is flashy and modern, but the setting is deeply peaceful. The vibe is family-friendly and resort-forward, but the experience still feels personal and calm. And while it doesn’t quite meet global five-star standards, it delivers plenty of small moments that make you feel lucky to be there: the curve of the waves crashing into the cove at night, the steam rising from the Japanese baths on a misty day, the sound of kids screaming in delight at the VR arcade while the grown-ups sip coffee on the rooftop.
It probably wouldn’t be for everyone. If you’re hoping for refined luxury or attentive service, there are other places in Vietnam that do that better. But if you want somewhere scenic, spacious, and a little offbeat—with enough comfort to feel pampered and enough strangeness to keep things interesting—Flamingo just might hit the mark.
I’d stay again.
If you’re mapping your own route, you can read more about my Ha Long Bay cruise or dip into my Cat Ba guide.
