Hong Kong Adventure: A Family Trip with a Toddler
Transportation Tips
For flights, we chose Vietnam Airlines because the timing worked well for our little one. The 1 hour 30 minute flight meant minimal fuss. Getting from the airport to our hotel and back was a breeze using the bus system. A quick Google Maps search revealed the correct bus numbers. This cost about $40 HKD each way.
The Ding Ding tram on Hong Kong Island is super convenient and cheap, only $3 HKD per ride. However, it's slow, so I recommend buses or the MTR for longer distances.
The MTR is the fastest way to travel from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon, avoiding the bus's circuitous routes. Prices depend on your destination, but it's generally affordable.
Taxis are relatively expensive, around $15 USD per kilometer. If your child is tired and you're traveling less than 5 km, a taxi is the quickest option.
Hotel Highlights
Many suggested staying in Tsim Sha Tsui (TST), but after considering our itinerary, we opted for a hotel on Hong Kong Island near Time Square in Causeway Bay – and it was the perfect choice! This area boasts numerous brands, shops, delicious restaurants, and charming streets. Some brands were out of stock in smaller sizes in TST, but we found them here, perhaps because TST is busier. 😂
We booked a room at Best Western Causeway Bay via Trip.com for 1300k/night without breakfast. It had a great view of the bay! As you might expect in Hong Kong, the room was small but clean, with friendly staff and daily housekeeping.
Payment Methods
Bring some cash for smaller vendors that only accept cash. Otherwise, use credit cards and the Octopus card. Download the Octopus for Tourist app, add your bank card, and top up anytime. You can even get a refund to your card when you leave. It's fast and convenient. The two of us only exchanged $100 USD for the entire trip.
Staying Connected
I purchased an eSIM from Hico on Shopee, a 5GB plan that lasted us the entire 5 days. It cost 110k VND.
Food Adventures
Hong Kong food is undeniably delicious but can be pricey! 😝
Goose
Of the three goose restaurants we tried, two on the island stood out: Yat Lok and Kam's Roast Goose. The one in TST was just okay, so I wouldn't recommend it. Many complain about Yat Lok, but I suggest ordering a portion of 1/4, 1/2 or a whole bird, not just the rice plate. The goose here is flavorful and juicy, especially with the plum sauce. Kam's, near our hotel, also offers crispy-skinned roast pork. While my husband loved the goose, I was obsessed with the BBQ pork (char siu) – that flavor is unique to Hong Kong! I ordered it at every restaurant.
Dim Sum
We only visited Lin Heung Tea House, which is open until 4 PM. The service is unique: they push food carts around, and you choose what you want. They mark your selections on a sheet on your table for billing. Delicious choices include shrimp dumplings, xiaolongbao, custard buns, braised beef ribs, coconut jelly, and tea. A perfect light meal before moving on to the next culinary adventure! 😜
Bubble Tea
I tried several bubble tea shops, including Lan Fong Yuen (too bland), Tenren, and Heytea, but none impressed me. However, My Cup of Tea, an award-winning establishment, was exceptional. Their hot, creamy bubble tea and amazing English breakfast options are a must-try!
Noodles
I wasn't particularly impressed with the wonton noodles and other noodle dishes in Hong Kong, but I loved Lan Zhou beef noodles (Wu Zhi Jian). They make the noodles fresh in the kitchen, and I ate there every day, which helped with missing phở from home! The restaurant has many locations, including one near our hotel.
Seafood
SingKee Dai Pai Dong on Stanley Street is a traditional, open-air Hong Kong-style eatery. The seafood is decent and worth trying for the experience, but it doesn't compare to the seafood in Vietnam. 😆
Also, Yee Shun Milk Company, Kau Kee Restaurant (for brisket noodles), and other local eateries were tasty and more affordable than the popular, crowded spots. As many say, you can find delicious food by randomly choosing a place in Hong Kong. 🥰
Bakehouse, near our hotel, has amazing egg tarts. I even brought sourdough bread back to Vietnam because every pastry was memorable. I bought Jenny Bakery cookies as souvenirs, but they tasted similar to Danisa butter cookies, so consider Elegant Tang Dynasty magnets for gifts instead. 😅
Things to do in Hong Kong
Because we traveled with a small child, we only went to TST and Mong Kok twice for meals, souvenir shopping, the Avenue of Stars, and a few shopping centers. The rest of the time, we explored Central, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay near our hotel.
Kennedy Town is beautiful, but I don't think it's ideal with a young child. If you go, take the MTR for a faster trip.
For Ying Fat Building, ask locals for directions; Hong Kong people are incredibly helpful. I visited in the early morning and enjoyed delicious % Arabica coffee. I love % Arabica!
We booked Peak Tram and Victoria Peak tickets through Trip.com at the best price. Purchasing tickets in advance saves time skipping the lines. There are many great lunch spots, including Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., famous from the movie Forest Gump.
One day, we took our child to Ocean Park to see dolphin and panda shows, and many other interesting animals. I booked a combo ticket for 2 adults through Trip.com. There's a decent, reasonably priced fried chicken restaurant in the park.
In conclusion, the total cost was approximately 20 million VND per adult. Our 2-year-old didn't require tickets for attractions or transportation, and we shared food or brought separate snacks.
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