The Cat Ba archipelago consists of 367 islands located south of Ha Long Bay. In which, Cat Ba Island is a tourist attraction. This place has the typical landscape of Ha Long Bay with limestone mountains and calm blue sea.
When is the best time to go to Cat Ba Island?
The most ideal summer to go to Cat Ba. From April to October, the weather is cool, suitable for relaxation and swimming. High season is from May to July.
If you plan to visit the island between July and August, you should be careful to check the weather forecast three to five days in advance to make sure there are no storms. From November to March, the island is quite deserted. But this time is ideal for exploring nature and relaxing.
How to get to Cat Ba Island?
From Hanoi, visitors can take a private car to Hai Phong, crossing the Tan Vu sea bridge to the Got Ferry. The ferry docks at Cai Vieng pier in Cat Hai district, traveling about 20 km more, it will arrive at the center of the island – Cat Ba town.
If you take a bus, a ticket from Hanoi to Got Ferry costs around 150,000 VND, then to the island by ferry for 12,000 VND per person. Additionally, visitors can choose car companies to go directly to the center of the island, costing 250,000 VND per person.
The Cat Hai – Phu Long cable car saves the island time, only 10 minutes, instead of 20-30 minutes by ferry. Crossing Tan Vu Bridge towards Got Ferry, visitors enter Cat Hai Cable Car Station.
The price of the round-trip cable car ticket is 200,000 VND per person. There is parking at the station. The cable car operates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
There is a motorbike rental service on the island, around 40,000 VND per hour and 200,000 VND per day. Taxis from central Cat Ba have services along the tourist route, costing between 200,000 and 500,000 VND each way.
What to see on Cat Ba Island?
1. Lan Ha Bay
The bay, located to the east, is a member of the Association of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World (MBBW).
At Cai Beo Pier, you can buy entrance tickets for 30,000 VND per person, then take a boat or canoe to Lan Ha. The price for renting a private boat is 2.2-3.8 and 5.7 million VND for 2.5-4 and 6 hours, respectively, the ship can carry 25 people. Motorboats cost between 500,000 and 1 million VND, corresponding to the type that can carry 5 to 10 people.
You can purchase a tour to save around 200,000-350,000 VND per person with lunch. Popular tours include visiting the bay and ancient fishing villages, swimming and snorkeling on unspoilt beaches, and kayaking.
2. Ancient fishing village of Cai Beo
The village is also called Vung O, which is considered the oldest fishing village in Vietnam. Coming here, visitors can learn about the activities of people for thousands of years. Walking on a house on the water, rowing a kayak between floating rafts, buying seafood… are experiences not to be missed.
It is the destination for a popular one-day discovery tour from Cat Ba Island.
3. Monkey Island
Previously, She was also known as Cat Dua because it grew many wild pineapples. There are more than 20 monkeys on the island. When tourists come, they become more daring, going to the beach to play and beg for food.
There are two arc-shaped beaches, Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2, where visitors can avoid the crowded scene. The beaches have a catering service, resort bungalows, swimsuit rentals, life jackets, kayaks.
Lan Ha Bay day trip includes a visit here.
4. Cat Ba National Park
It is also a world biosphere reserve. Visitors can choose to climb the mountain for 4 to 8 hours, or choose the short route lasting more than 2 hours. Walking, cycling, or motorcycling for 2-3 hours is also the choice of many people.
Visitors can pass through the lush green forest of Kim Giao, climb to the top of Ngu Lam to enjoy the panoramic view of the national park, see wild animals at night, explore the caves…
The entrance ticket is 40,000 VND per adult, 20,000 VND for children.
5. The cave of the Cat Ba Military Hospital
It is a unique destination, approximately 8.5 km from the city center, on the way to the national park. The cave is a field hospital, built between 1963 and 1965.
Upon entering the cave, many visitors are surprised to see a system of 17 chambers spread over three floors; there is a treatment room, a rehabilitation room, a cinema room…; The cave has a bomb-proof door design, born during the war.
Tickets to visit the cave cost 80,000 VND per person.
You can find my article dedicated to this cave
6. Trung Trang Cave
The cave’s system of stalactites and stalagmites is large, multifaceted, sparkling, about 6 million years old, still formed by water drops. It also contains archaeological remains of the ancient Vietnamese.
The entrance ticket is 80,000 VND per person.
7. Cannon fort
For sightseeing and rest, visitors can go to the relics of Than Cong Fortress, also known as Peak 177. Two large cannons and a trench system on the top of the mountain were built in the 1940s, still quite intact.
What attracts many visitors is its elevated position, from where one can enjoy the panoramic view of the bay. This place is good for watching the sunrise and sunset on the island.
The entrance ticket is 80,000 VND per person.
8. Beautiful beaches on Cat Ba Island
If you don’t have time to explore the bay islands, head to the central beaches. In which, Cat Co and Tung Thu beach group is visited by many people. These beaches are spacious, calm, blue and easy to navigate.
Where to sleep in Cat Ba?
In Cat Ba, there are many affordable to upscale hotels and motels for tourists. Hotels with sea view, located along Tung Dinh Street… the average price is 500,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND per night.
Some resorts like Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort, Nam Cat Island Resort CatbaBay, Monkey Island Resort… The average price of 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 VND per night.
With a more economical cost, visitors can refer to homestays such as Santorini Homestay, Lepont Bungalow… at a price of around 300,000 VND per night.
Overnight cruise in the middle of Lan Ha Bay is also a different option, with a price of around 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 VND per person per night.
