Ho Tram isn’t the first place most people think of for a family beach trip in Vietnam. Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Nha Trang — those get the headlines. But here’s the thing: Ho Tram is closer to Saigon than all of them, the water’s cleaner than Vung Tau, and the resorts here were basically built for families.
The catch? Not every resort in Ho Tram is family-friendly. Book the wrong one and you’re stuck at a couples-oriented boutique with no kids’ club, a lagoon pool that’s too deep for toddlers, and a restaurant that doesn’t do chicken nuggets. Been there. Watched parents suffer.
If you’re still figuring out how to get there, we’ve got a full transfer guide from Ho Chi Minh Airport. And if you haven’t heard — a new expressway just broke ground that’ll cut the drive to 45 minutes when it opens. But for now, let’s talk about where to stay.
At a Glance
| Melia Ho Tram | Grand Ho Tram (Holiday Inn) | Angsana Ho Tram | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kids’ club | Yes — proper one with activities | Yes — at Holiday Inn Resort | Limited / none |
| Pool | Massive main pool, shallow zones | Multiple pools across properties | Lagoon-style, deeper, less kid-friendly |
| Beach | Wide, clean, calm water | Long stretch, can get busy | Best beach, quietest |
| Family rooms | Connecting rooms + 88 pool villas | Family rooms at Holiday Inn | Standard rooms, fewer connecting |
| Dining | 3 restaurants, kids’ menu | 10+ restaurants, food court | 2 restaurants, more adult |
| Best for | Families with young kids | Families who want activities | Couples (skip if you have kids) |
| Vibe | Resort that happens to be kid-friendly | Entertainment complex | Quiet, romantic, adult-focused |
Melia Ho Tram — The No-Brainer
If you’ve got kids and you’re reading this in bed at 11pm trying to just book something already: pick Melia. It’s the one we send families to most, and for good reason.
The main pool is huge — the kind where kids spend six hours straight and you actually get to read your book. There are shallow zones for toddlers, deeper sections for older kids, and poolside service so you don’t have to pack up and move everyone for lunch. The 88 private pool villas are the real upgrade though — put the kids to bed, close the door, and you’ve still got your own pool to float in with a beer.
The kids’ club isn’t just a corner with some crayons. They run actual activities — crafts, games, sometimes mini cooking classes. The beach is wide and the water is usually calm enough for swimming. No big waves, no rip currents. Not zero risk (no lifeguards — this is Vietnam, not Bondi), but as safe as beach swimming gets around here.
Downside: weekends get busy with HCMC families driving down. Book a villa if you want breathing room. And if your kids are teenagers who need constant stimulation, they might get bored by day 4 — Ho Tram isn’t exactly bursting with attractions outside the resort gates. (Though we do have a list of things to do beyond the pool if you need it.)
Grand Ho Tram — Best for Families Who Want Options
The Grand Ho Tram Strip is basically its own small city. Casino, golf course, convention center, a dozen restaurants — and three different hotels. For families, the one you want is the Holiday Inn Resort (not the InterContinental, and definitely not Ixora unless you need a kitchenette).
Why Holiday Inn over InterContinental? Kids’ club. Pool that’s actually designed for splashing, not posing. More casual dining. And it’s usually cheaper. The InterContinental is nicer — but it’s geared toward business travelers and casino guests, not families with a 4-year-old who wants chicken fingers.
The big advantage over Melia: way more food options. Ten-plus restaurants including a food court means nobody has to eat the same thing twice. Picky eater? There’s pizza, burgers, pho, Korean BBQ, you name it. Melia has three restaurants and they’re all good, but by day 4 the menu starts looking very familiar.
The trade-off: it’s busy. Thousands of guests across the complex. The beach is shared across all hotels. The pool scene is more chaotic. If you want peaceful and intimate, this ain’t it. If you want the kids to be entertained while you hit the casino after dinner, it’s perfect.
Angsana — Don’t Book This If You Have Kids
I’m gonna be blunt: Angsana is not a family resort. It’s great — beautiful rooms, best beach of the three, Banyan Tree-level service. But it was designed for couples on honeymoons and adults who want to read novels by an infinity pool in total silence.
No real kids’ club. The lagoon pool is beautiful but deeper and less child-friendly. The two restaurants are excellent but don’t have dedicated kids’ menus. If you bring kids here, you’ll spend the whole time apologizing to other guests. Not because your kids are badly behaved — because the resort just isn’t built for them.
If your kids are teenagers who want to lounge and scroll TikTok by the pool? Maybe. But if they’re under 10, go to Melia or the Grand.
What to Pack (Stuff You Wouldn’t Think Of)
- Water shoes. Some stretches of Ho Tram beach have small shells and pebbles near the waterline. Not a dealbreaker but kids with sensitive feet will complain.
- Mosquito repellent. Resort grounds are well maintained but this is coastal Vietnam. Dusk = mosquitoes. Bring the strong stuff.
- Snacks from Saigon. Resort convenience stores exist but the selection is limited and marked up 3x. If your kid has a specific cereal or snack they won’t eat without, bring it.
- Floaties / pool toys. The resort shops sell them but at resort prices. Pack a deflated inflatable in your luggage.
- Entertainment for the drive. It’s about 2 hours from the airport. Download shows before you fly — cellular data on the coastal road is patchy.
The Short Version
Melia Ho Tram is the best all-around family resort in Ho Tram, full stop. Grand Ho Tram (Holiday Inn) is the move if you want more dining options and don’t mind crowds. Angsana is for couples — skip it with kids.
All three require a private transfer to get there — contact us with your resort, flight details, and how many people (plus ages if you need car seats). WhatsApp: +84 70 6666 520.
More Ho Tram reads: Melia vs Angsana vs Grand comparison | New expressway just broke ground | How to get from the airport.
