1. Halong Bay. Halong Bay is a beautiful, natural UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Vietnam. Halong Bay means â descending dragonâ, is one of Vietnam's most popular. . Manta sports some amazing places to sun and swim, including Tarqui beach and El Mucielago beach. It has is a modern boardwalk with an array of restaurants that serve
One is Ha Long Bay â the World Natural Heritage and the other One is Cat Ba island area. Which including Lan Ha Bay â a famous landscape complex with the title of a biosphere reserve in the World. Top Tailored Made Cat Ba Island Halong Bay Tour All of our Cat Ba Tour Halong Bay can be CUSTOMIZED to suit! TRAVEL WITH YOUR LOVED ONE
However, Cat Ba is also very beautiful with unspoiled beaches and stunning landscapes. If coming Cat Ba, you may visit Lan Ha bay, Monkey island. 3. Re: Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba: where to start. A cruise seems to be suitable with traveling Halong bay. If you want to travel with a motorbike, you can visit Cat Ba island.
Halong Bay boat tour from Cat Ba. The next day, we set off for the tour of the famous limestone cliffs of Halong Bay standing in the middle of the ocean, which are the scenery of enchanted dreams. It is a sweeping landscape! I appreciate every second, some with eyes closed to try to absorb even more of what this place gives.
Recommended days to visit Cat Ba Island. Four days should be more than enough to do everything. One or two to do the boat tour around Halong Bay, which is the minimum, another day to visit around the island, the national park and the hospital cave, and another if you want to visit the beaches or the monkey island.
Cat Ba 9. Da Lat 8. Da Nang 7. Phu Quoc Island 6. 5. Ho Chi Minh City 4. The Mekong Delta 3. Ha Long Bay 2. Sa Pa (Sapa) 1. Hoi An 10. Cat Ba Dropdown content. "/>
Cat Ba is the largest island. There are around 387 islets or islands in the archipelago. Once a big fishing port with surrounding villages, the island is mostly natural and remains untouched. The island is now one departure point for cruises and trips around Lan Ha and Ha Long Bay.
Cat Ba is the place between the forest and the sea blend , creating a one of a kind landscapes . Come to this beautiful island , visitors are not only bathed in cool blue beaches , but also can discover mysterious nature through primitive forests on the island . Cat Ba National Park is extensive 15,200 ha of tropical forests with system wide
Vay Tiá»n Nhanh Chá» Cáș§n Cmnd. ï»żCat Ba Island is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam in my opinion, but itâs also a spot many travellers miss off their itinerary in this country⊠and what a shame. 1 Because Cat Ba Island has a lovely national park at its heart â a great place to enjoy some nature time and day hiking And⊠2 Because itâs from Cat Ba Island that you can score the best deals for the perfect Halong Bay alternative! As Iâm sure you know, Halong Bay is the UNESCO-listed, insta-famous, jaw-dropping landscape everyone has on their Vietnam bucket list But did you know that it costs hundreds of dollars to enjoy a boat trip here? I know, crazy! If, like me, this mad price tag has you baulking at the idea of Halong Bay, then donât despair! Read on to learn how you can experience this magnificent scenery for a fraction of the usual price care of a trip to neighbouring Cat Ba Island. Related Posts 15 Things to Do in Vietnam You Canât Miss Top 17 Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City Your Complete Southeast Asia Packing List This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you. Why Visit Cat Ba Island? I think Iâve spelt it out pretty clearly in the title and the intro of this article but, in case you need a recap, the main reason to visit Cat Ba Island is that it makes for the perfect budget alternative to Halong Bay. If, like me, youâre horrified by the idea of paying hundreds of dollars for a crowded cruise in this part of Vietnam, then listen up, because you really need to start researching Cat Ba Island boat trips instead. Located right next to Halong Bay â itâs the next province along â Cat Ba essentially looks exactly the same as the UNESCO-listed version but just isnât as famous. If you want to kayak this countryâs most famous landscape without the crowds and half the trash, then you need to visit Cat Ba Island. If you want to tick a Halong Bay landscape off your bucket list, but donât want to pay hundreds of dollars, then you need to visit Cat Ba Island. And if youâre getting a bit tired of the hectic cities of Vietnam and want to escape the pollution and noise of Hanoi, then you need to visit Cat Ba Island. Because Cat Ba Island really is the spot to do all of those things and more, which certainly makes it one of the top places to visit in Vietnam! Where is Cat Ba Island? So letâs start with the obvious, where is Cat Ba Island? Essentially on the coastline closest to Hanoi â the capital of Vietnam â Cat Ba Island lies in the northeast of this country, in a province called Hai Phong, where it sits within Lan Ha Bay. Halong Bay is located in Quang Ninh province, which is just south of Hai Phong. Why Iâm explaining this is because, geographically, Lan Ha Bay which surrounds Cat Ba Island, is the same as Halong Bay â itâs just not called Halong Bay because of an arbitrary provincial border! But letâs be clear, the landscape looks exactly the same⊠because it is! The same dramatic limestone islands and aqua-turquoise waters. The same misty, ephemeral beauty. The same snap-tastic, dramatic, magical, spellbinding charm. Lan Ha Bay just happens to have a different name! And because of this, the price of trips to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island are less than half, actually make that less than a quarter, of what they are to Halong Bay. âWhatâs in a name?â, you might ask. Turns out, quite a lot! Because not only are trips to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba a mere fraction of the cost, they also boast a mere fraction of the crowds and a mere fraction of the chaos compared to Halong Bay too! An absolute win in my book! How to Get to Cat Ba Island? So, if this sounds like good news to you, then the first key bit of info youâll need to know, is how to get to Cat Ba Island. And the main thing to be aware of here is that the launch point for all transport to Cat Ba Island is Hanoi. So first, get yourself to Hanoi, either via international or domestic flight, or via local bus, which is a more economical and better environmental option and no hardship, because the buses in Vietnam are excellent. As always, I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals and the excellent 12Go to book my buses in Southeast Asia, because you can directly compare services, journey times, prices and pay securely for your tickets all at once â simples! So once you get to Hanoi and I recommend Little Charm Hostel there if you need to spend the night FYI, I strongly suggest you use Cat Ba Express to get to Cat Ba Island. There are 2 companies that run the bus / boat service from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay, but the Cat Ba Express is by far the better option. With better buses and organisation and no this isnât sponsored! Iâd definitely recommend going with them and not their competitors. A return journey from the Cat Ba Express office in Hanoi, via a bus, a boat and then another bus to Cat Ba island AND back cost me just $28 USD. Learn more including Cat Ba Expressâ departure times and how to reserve a place via their website here. Otherwise, if you want to compare journeys from Hanoi, check out the great travel site Bookaway, who will handily give you tons of options and times to get to Cat Ba Island, so you can make the best choice. Where to Stay on Cat Ba? I highly recommend basing yourself in Cat Ba Town when you stay on this island, especially if you are a solo or budget traveller. Thatâs because this town is where most amenities are, and where most other travellers stay, so you might feel a little isolated staying anywhere else. Plus, Cat Ba Express will ferry you straight to Cat Ba Town when you reach the island and then drop you off at the door of your accommodation â so it was a no brainer in my opinion! For budget travellers, Secret Garden Hostel is a great option here and I love their veggie cafĂ© and family dinner vibes. However, you canât book ahead and just have to turn up, so it can be a bit risky. As such, you may want to stay at Lunaâs House Hostel instead, which is just up the road and which you can book in advance â pretty essential during high season here. Lunaâs is where I stayed during my time on Cat Ba Island and the location, plus rooftop cafĂ©, made it a good solid option. Dorms are pretty cosy, but have privacy curtains and individual fans which are a blessing in the humidity let me tell you! Things to Do on Cat Ba So the main thing to do from Cat Ba Island, and why most travellers head there, is to cruise Lan Ha Bay⊠obviously! But first I want to tell you about the other things there are to do on Cat Ba Island, including the great national park that lies at its centre. I highly recommend spending at least 2 nights on the island if you can, 3 would be even better, because this will give you enough time to experience a day trip to Lan Ha Bay and a day in the national park here. I recommend the following itinerary as a good starting point⊠Day 1 Arrive on Cat Ba Island from Hanoi and prepare trips for the following days Day 2 Hike in Cat Ba National Park Day 3 Take a Lan Ha Bay day trip Day 4 Return to Hanoi When it comes to hiking in Cat Baâs National Park, you can either enjoy a self-guided day trip or take an organised excursion. The basic premise is the same, you take an early bus from Cat Ba Town to the western edge of the national park, walk across it, stop to enjoy the high lookout point in the middle, and then continue onto the coastal edge of it. From here you can pick up a boat, which will take you back to Cat Ba Town and give you a mini glimpse into the sort of scenery you can enjoy the next day of your boat trip. As always, I recommend you download the local resource onto your phone before setting off on any independent hikes. How to Score a Budget Halong Bay Trip? And now we come to the crux of it all, because thereâs no question that the best thing to do in Cat Ba Island â the reason most people come here and the whole reason I wanted to write this article â is to experience the ideal Halong Bay alternative! And I achieved it, hereâs how⊠Ok, ok, as weâve discovered, the offshore landscape here isnât technically Halong Bay, itâs Lan Ha Bay. But honestly, I challenge you to see a photo from both and to be able to tell the difference, aka you wonât be able! So now itâs time to call upon the services of good old Cat Ba Express again, who have a handily-located office right along the waterfront road in Cat Ba Town. Here you can book your day trip to Lan Ha Bay. Costing just $23 USD, yes you heard right, thatâs just $23 USD, you can spend an entire day in this famous landscape for an absolute steal of a price. Tours take place on local junk boats, which are a bit like large barges, and normally include a trip to see how locals live out here on their boats, as well as snorkelling opps, photo stops aplenty and, best of all, a chance to kayak in a part of the bay that forms a sort of lagoon and had not another tourist in sight. Thatâs right, not another tourist. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Halong! Thereâs also lunch and morning tea included in your Lan Ha day trip too. Sound like a bargain? I think so friends! And even more so, when I heard horror stories about the insane boat crowding, horrendous amounts of trash and generally awful experiences from everyone I spoke to who had sailed Halong Bay instead. Annnnnd, letâs not forget, paid ridiculous amounts for! In contrast, day trips to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island are relaxed, affordable, accessible and short. You get to see and snap those amazing limestone islands without the hordes of people, or the tragic trash levels, and you even get to kayak and snorkel in and around them too. What a result! If you want to know more about how I budgeted, and how much I spent on my trip to Vietnam, then check out this post I wrote that details all my costs and expenses over 2 weeks. Things to Know About Your Trip⊠Itâs important to know that in this tropical country of Vietnam it can be cloudy and rainy at almost any time of the year. I visited Cat Ba Island and Hanoi during April â technically one of the few months in which it is meant to be dry weather in both the north and south of Vietnam â but let me tell you, it was not dry in Cat Ba Island or Hanoi! In fact, it rained heavily most days I was there and, from what I could tell, this actually seems to be pretty common! Dry season tch! As such, youâll def want to come prepared when you visit Cat Ba Island with a thin light rainjacket and some warm layers and long-legged pants. Sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent would also be good things to pack, as would some swimwear, towel and a dry bag. There are ATMs on Cat Ba island, but itâs probably not a bad idea to bring what you need money-wise with you from Hanoi too. Book your transport to the island with Cat Ba Express at least one day in advance and reserve your accommodation and boat trips in advance too during the high season. Finally, bring a big smile safe in the knowledge you will have saved yourself a fortune on visiting and seeing one of the worldâs most iconic landscapes! Youâre welcome! Get Your FREE Checklist Now!ULTIMATE FEMALE SOUTH EAST ASIA PACKING LISTJust enter your details below and I'll email it you - simple!Information will be sent to the email provided above Mini Travel Guide to North Vietnam When to Visit North Vietnam? Vietnam is a pretty tricky country to get right climate-wise! For a start, it has several of them! And the north is an especially precarious one to nail! The spring months of March and April are meant to be the best ones to visit north Vietnam but, as I mentioned in this article, when I visited at this time of year it rained every day, so yâknow⊠The other best time to visit this part of the country is during the autumn season between September and October, so thatâs worth giving a go! The months Iâd avoid heading to the north of Vietnam in would be the mega-humid summer from May to August, and the cold wet winters from November through February â donât think theyâd be very fun at all! Best Travel Insurance for North Vietnam Iâd never even consider travelling to Vietnam without proper coverage and always recommend travel insurance from World Nomads who Iâve used throughout my time in this country and beyond. I love that they cover a wide range of adventure activities â which is definitely needed for a country like Vietnam â as well as their great customer service and the fact that you can easily claim or extend your coverage while youâre still abroad, online. Alternatively, if youâre a remote worker or digital nomad seeking travel health insurance, look no further than Safetywingâs great Nomad Insurance policies. These guys will cover you at some seriously great prices. 5 Packing Essentials for North Vietnam 1 Lonely Planet Guidebook â The Vietnam Lonely Planet is excellent and very helpful for any trip to this country with lots of top tips and recommended places to eat. 2 Walking Shoes â Thereâs likely to be a lot of walking in Vietnam, especially around those temples and cities. As such, I advise packing a pair of good runners, like these New Balance trainers, which were perfect for my time here. 3 European & British Power Adapters â Vietnam has a mix of power outlets, but generally opts for a mix of the European and British ones, so make sure you come prepared with a Skross world adapter. 4 Camera and Lens â I love my Sony A6000 mirrorless, which was ideal for capturing the colour, chaos and cuisine and charm of Vietnam. 5 Travel Scarf â A great multi-purpose travel item that can be used to safely store valuables, as well as cover your shoulders while you explore many of Vietnamâs top sights, a travel scarf is a must for me! How to Save When you Spend in North Vietnam When it comes to paying for things in Vietnam, you want to ensure youâre not being charged overseas transaction fees or getting poor exchange rates when using your card abroad, which is why I always take my Wise Card away with me wherever I travel. The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups and no sneaky transaction fees, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card in Vietnam⊠and it links easily with Google and Apple pay â sold! Get yours here. SAVE IT TO PINTEREST! And there you have it, my full travel guide to Cat Ba Island â the spot to head to if you want to experience Halong Bay for a fraction of the price. Is this great budget travel alternative now on your list? Tell me all in the comments belowâŠ
Level Contributor 91 posts 22 reviews 4 helpful votes Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 6 years ago Any thoughts or reccomendations as to which option I should go with on the next few days? Either an overnight junk in Halong Bay or stay at Cat Ba and organise Lan Ha cruise from there. I like the sound of Cat Ba but am torn as have always wanted to see the famous Halong Bay. Is Lan Ha Bay just the same in terms of scenery/activities to do as Halong Bay? Is Halong Bay still busier at this time of year compared to Lan Ha? Many Thanks Level Contributor 2,494 posts 120 reviews 48 helpful votes 1. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 6 years ago If you do overnight on boat some cruise still pass through Lan Ha Bay, it is small Bay. Overnight on boat is quite interesting, they do offer some activities as visiting famous caves, cooking class and kayaking. Cat Ba Island is worth to visit too, only crowed in summer holiday. If you stay in Cat Ba hotel, you can rent daily boat to Lan Ha Bay and do kayaking there. You can choose overnight on boat or stay at Cat Ba island, both are worth to visit 2. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 6 years ago This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Level Contributor 9 posts 28 reviews 10 helpful votes 3. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 5 years ago SelinaAlison Hello.....which cruise did you choose - and how was it? Lorraine 4. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 5 years ago Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum posting guidelines with prohibiting self-promotional advertising or are forum guidelines? Level Contributor 9 posts 28 reviews 10 helpful votes 5. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 5 years ago Level Contributor 13 posts 3 reviews 29 helpful votes 6. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 5 years ago If you would like to have the peace of mind and stay away from touristic Halong, it's much more better to start your trip in Catba island. Most cruises here include the visit to both Lan Ha and Halong bays as well Level Contributor 167 posts 175 reviews 168 helpful votes 7. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 4 years ago To have the peace of mind and stay away from the very crowded area, Lan Ha bay and Catba island are the best choice for now. All the best 8. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 4 years ago Hello Travelers, I am travelling to halong Bay for one night. I cannot decide if I should stay in CAT BA Island for Halong City? Level Contributor 15,919 posts 40 reviews 32 helpful votes 9. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 4 years ago Ankit, That would depend on what you plan/want to do, and also the time of your travel. Cat Ba is better off avoided during major holidays and summer weekends. Cheers, John 10. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 4 years ago Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guideline limiting each user to a single forums screen are forum guidelines? Get answers to your questions about Halong Bay Recent Conversations Peony cruises 2156 Halong Bay - Full Day Cruise or Less? 07 June 2023 Does anyone know the site ' 05 June 2023 Hanoi & halong bay 02 June 2023 Nostalgia Cruises 01 June 2023 Best 8 hours day cruise halong 31 May 2023 Real 3 Days - 2 Night Cruises 30 May 2023 Halong Bay / Lan Ha 1 nt/2d cruise 28 May 2023 Halong bay cruise full day trip or more? 25 May 2023 1N cruise 20 May 2023 Day Tour Halong Bay - Day trip from Hanoi 19 May 2023 Sun world tips/ reviews pls 18 May 2023 Small boat tour in Cat Ba 16 May 2023 hanoi to Halong 16 May 2023 More Halong Bay Topics Taxi fare between Hanoi and Halong Bay? When is the best time to visit Hanoi and Sapa? Ha Long Bay - Ginger Cruise Booking with Indochina Legend Travel online Halong Bay late September, early October, weather condition Looking into cruise. Anyone done V spirit? Pelican Junk Cruise, Halong Bay Pricing for Dragon's Pearl Indochina Junk Halong Bay to Hanoi Airport ???? sea sickness on halong bay cruise?
Cat Ba is one of the largest and most beautiful islands among nearly two thousand islands in the World Natural Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. The island was honored to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve in December 2004. About 40km away from Hai Phong City or 23km from Halong City, Cat Ba Island is blessed with a pristine beauty forests, sea, mountains, hills, beaches, pine trees, cave caves alternating with each other, creating many beautiful scenes. In few recent years, the new route of cruise passing Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay is less crowded alternative to access Halong Bay and it become the greater choice of traveler on overnight cruise. Go with Vietnam Travel to get more information of this beautiful island. Table of Contents1. History of Cat Ba Island2. Weather of Cat Ba Island3. Best time to go to Cat Ba Island4. What to see & do around Cat Ba Cat Ba National Viet Hai Cat Co Beach, Cat Ba Monkey Island Cat Dua Island Local seafood, nightlife & Getting around5. Where to stay?6. How to get to Cat Ba Island? From Hanoi ~ 124 kma. Bus + Speedboatb. Bus + Cable From Halong City ~ 20 km From Hai Phong City ~ 40 km 1. History of Cat Ba Island Cat Ba Island means âWomenâs Islandâ as its historical name âCac Baâ âCacâ meaning all and âBaâ meaning women. Legend has it that many centuries ago, three women of the Tran Dynasty were passed away in the fighting against the evaders from the sea. Their remains were found at the beach and local people built a temple to worship them on the island. Later, local fisherman named the island to thanks these female heroes Archeological evidence suggests that people have lived on Cat Ba Island for almost 6,000 years, with the earliest settlements being found on the southeastern tip of the island close to the area where Ben Beo Harbor located today. In 1938, a group of French archeologists discovered human remains belonging âto the Cai Beo people of the Ha Long culture, which lived between 4,000 and 6,500 years ago⊠considered to be perhaps the first population group occupying the North-Eastern territorial waters of Vietnam⊠the Cai Beo people may be an intermediary link between the population strata at the end of the Neolithic Age, some 4,000 years agoâ. In more recent history, Cat Ba Island was inhabited mostly by Viet-Chinese fisherman and was largely influenced by both the French and American wars. The island was a strategic look-out point and bombing during the wars often forced local residents to hide among the Islandâs many caves. It consists of 367 islands, off the coast of Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh Province, and approximately half of its area is covered by a National Park, which is home to the highly endangered Cat Ba Langur. Administratively, it is the islands of Cat Hai District, Hai Phong City. Since 1997, Cat Ba Town has grown rapidly and has become a tourist hub for both the island and greater Ha Long Bay. Related Article Best Tourist Islands In Vietnam 2. Weather of Cat Ba Island During the month of February, March, November you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20 â 25 degrees Celsius 68°F â 77°F. The hottest season / summer is in May, June, July, August, September and October with an average high-temperature of 33°C 91°F and an average low-temperature of 25°C 77°F. A lot of rain rainy season falls in the month of June, July, August and September from 240mm to over 300mm. The warmest month is July with an average maximum temperature of 33°C 91°F. The coldest month is January with average temperature varying between 15°C 59°F and 19°C 66°F. August is the most wet month with the rainfalls of over 300mm and more than 15 rainy days per month. If you are not a big fan of rain, this month is not for you. For more information about Cat Ba weather, check this link 3. Best time to go to Cat Ba Island The best time to visit Cat Ba Island all depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy the heat of tropical summers, June to August is probably the best time to go. If you enjoy milder weather, October till March is a better time to go. Be mindful of the fact that even though Cat Ba has four seasons, thereâs still a rainy and dry season. Rainy season is from May to September and the dry season is from November to March. Every season has up- and downsides to it but the consensus is that the best months to visit are February, March, October and November. 4. What to see & do around Cat Ba Island Cat Ba National Park Cat Ba National Park was established in 1986, it covers some 17, ha, of which 10, ha are terrestrial ecosystems islands and 6, ha are marine ecosystems. Cat Ba National Park is at the heart of the UNESCO Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve and it shares the distinctive scenic beauty of the Ha Long Bay Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park is also home to diverse range of terrestrial and marine life. Ngu Lam, Cat Ba National Park Cat Ba National Park is a tourist attraction to millions of domestic and overseas visitors. Coming to the Park, travelers can enjoy the beauty of the vast landscapes and seascapes. Visitors can choose to relax on isolated beaches in Lan Ha Bay, trek through primeval tropical rain forest or mangrove forest, discover many unique animal and plant species, and immerse themselves in the local culture. Viet Hai Village You can book a boat from Cat Ba to Viet Hai Harbor, then go by motorbike, bicycle, trekking to Viet Hai Village passing a forest road 6 km to the village. In the village, you can visit old houses, take pictures of forest trees or see people, buffalo working on the green fields. When you travel from Cat Ba Town or Monkey Island Resort to Viet Hai Harbor, you will have time to enjoy the beauty of Lan Ha Bay with hundreds of small islets, natural sandy beaches, floating housesâŠ. When you ride from Viet Hai Harbor to the village, you can stop on the way to take pictures of green lake or the beautiful trees on the water. There is a road on the left where you will go through a cave. It is fantastic road to come to Viet Hai Village. Cat Co Beach, Cat Ba Island The white-sand Cat Co Beaches simply called Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2 and 3 make a great place to lounge around for the day. They are about 1 km southeast from Cat Ba Town over a steep headland; and can be reached on foot or by motorbike or taxi. The two beaches are separated by a small hillock that can be climbed over in about 20 minutes. Most; however; take the easier route along a new; 700m; wooden seaside walkway around the mountain. Cat Co 2 is the less busy and more attractive of the two; and also offers simple accommodation and camping. On weekends the beaches fill up with local tourists. The main beaches; apart from those at Cat Ba Town itself; are Cai Vieng; Hong Xoai Be and Hong Xoai Lon. Monkey Island Cat Dua Island Location about 5km from Cat Ba town center. Monkey Island is one of the most attractive addresses tourists shouldnât miss in Cat Ba Island. To get to this beautiful island there is only one way by boat. It can take about ten minutes from Beo dock throughout Cai Beo Fishing Village along with a few tiny islands. Almost tourist boats have stop here in order that tourists have a chance admire the masterpieces that nature has bestowed on Cat Ba. The island was previously known as Cat Dua Island. At Cat Dua since you will find a large amount of wild pineapple shading around. The fruits of the pineapple here look good, however itâs not able to eat. The local people use them to make traditional medicine. Monkey Island is also an ideal for swimming in the blue water and white sandy beaches. Thanks to the existence of many dozens of monkeys that why they name for this island as Monkey Island. Virtually all of monkeys in Cat Dua are attracted here for dwelling by the rangers. Theyâre very adventurous with the locals and tourists. They grab food right from touristâs palms and may bite if provoked. But, itâs the untouched uniqueness which makes the island become renowned appealing a large number of tourists to this island. Local seafood, nightlife & Getting around Being right by the sea itâs an island, sea food is very popular on Cat Ba Island. Nightlife on Cat Ba Island is understandably limited due to its reputation as a place for rest and relaxation. However, there are several expat-owned bars and bistros in the main town, where you can enjoy drinks and live music until late. Once youâre in your hotel on the harbor, everything is accessible on foot, including the beaches. You can tour the island by motorbike taxi â rates are very negotiable, but think in terms of 100,000 VND per hour. You can also rent a motorbike yourself for 80,000 to 100,000 VND a day from numerous places in Cat Ba Town. Mountain bikes are also available. 5. Where to stay? There are plenty of hotels and hostels available on Cat Ba Island. You will find most of them on the waterfront even though some hotels have recently opened a bit more inland. Generally, you pay a bit more for a room with sea view. When youâre less abled or not in great physical condition, make sure that you book a hotel with an elevator as a lot of hotels wonât have any. Some names for your reference such as Sea Pearl Hotel rated as 3 star as you wonât find many mid-range hotels in Cat Ba, this can be good one. Price from US$ 35 â US$ 50/room/night. 3 star Cat Ba Princess as mid-range from 40$/room/night up. Cat Ba Eco-Lodge around 13 kilometers from Cat Ba Harbor Price from US$ 35 â US$ 50/room/night Monkey Island Resort Cat Dua Island Price from US$ 50/room/night Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort Flamingo Cat Ba Condotel HĂŽtel Perle DâOrient â Mgallery at Cat Co 3 a boutique hotel with personality for a remarkable travel experience. Rooms range from 110 USD/room/night * Prices are just approximated, and can be a bit higher during the weekends. Monkey Island Resort Cat Dua Island 6. How to get to Cat Ba Island? From Hanoi ~ 124 km Hopping on a Hanoi-Haiphong highway bus will take you from Hanoi to Cat Ba island in around 3-5 hours 4 hours on average. There are various operators, but try Cat Ba Express, Good Morning Cat Ba for reasonable price and good service. Another way is to take the private car/van from Hanoi to Cat Ba. There is a ferry but when you have a private car to this island, you could be able to discover Cat Ba National Park and get around on the island by your own vehicle. Donât forget that you can also get to Cat Ba Island by taking an overnight cruise 2 nights option through Lan Ha Bay. Almost Lan Ha Bay cruises offer an excursion with cycling through Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island. You can choose one of following ways for your experience a. Bus + Speedboat Starting from Hanoi to Got Pier through Sea Bridge Tan Vu â Lach Huyen *. Then speedboat to Phu Long Pier where you meet another bus for transfer to the centre of the town. * At the beginning of September 2017, in Hai Phong City, the longest bridge crossing the sea in Vietnam, but also in South East Asia, Tan Vu â Lach Huyen TĂąn VĆ© LáșĄch Huyá»n was opened. The bridge begins in Hai Phong City on the highway leading from Hanoi ends up on Cat Hai Island. The length of the bridge cross the sea is Cat Hai Island is about from the largest island in Halong Bay â Cat Ba Island. This project has also helped promote the strategic partnership and friendship between Vietnam and Japan. Tan Vu â Lach Huyen Bridge b. Bus + Cable Car Starting from Hanoi to Cable car station * at Cat Hai through Sea Bridge Tan Vu â Lach Huyen to Phu Long Station where you meet another bus for transfer to the center of the town * Cat Ba Cable Car â the largest cable car in the world. This project is owned by Sun Group, connects 4km Cat Hai â Phu Long operation on 6/6/2020 with a capacity of 4500 passengers / hour. There are 60 cabins and maximum 30 passengers can accommodate in one cabin. Operation hours everyday, except Tuesdays Morning â Afternoon â weekdays or â Saturday, Sunday. Ticket price 150,000VND / person. Child policy 100,000VND / child from Free for child under 1m. May you concern Book Car in Vietnam From Halong City ~ 20 km Once in Halong, the best way to get to the island is to take a ferry. There is Tuan Chau Ferry to Gia Luan Harbour â Cat Ba Island. From there itâs about a 40-minute drive to Cat Ba Town. Thereâs a bus that costs around There are taxis as well but be mindful about prices. The daily ferry so easily as it is operated every 1 hour from AM till PM. It takes only 45- 50 minutes per ferry journey. In the high season it departs in every 30 minutes. However, please be aware that the ferry operation sometimes depends on the minimum number of passengers to start running. From Hai Phong City ~ 40 km There are multiple ways to travel to Cat Ba Island from Hai Phong Speedboat Mekong Hoang Yen from Ben Binh to Cat Ba Pier ~45 minutes. Bus Good Morning Cat Ba Tan Vu Lach Huyen Bridge to Cat Ba 1h40âČ. Private Car/Van To make your best experience to Cat Ba Island, a senior travel guide go along with private car/ van would be a great combination and which could ensure you a great trip. Vietnam Travel will be more than happy to communicate with you and help you design your perfect Cat Ba trip.
Cat Ba IslandCat Ba Island VietnamRugged, craggy and jungle-clad Cat Ba, the largest island in Halong Bay, has experienced a tourism surge in recent years. The central hub of Cat Ba Town is now framed by a chain of low-rise concrete hotels along its once-lovely bay, but the rest of the island is largely untouched and as wild as ever. With idyllic Lan Ha Bay just offshore, you'll soon overlook Cat Ba Town's more sightsGuidebooksPurchase our award-winning guidebooks Get to the heart of Cat Ba Island with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.
1. Explore Cat Ba National Park Visitors trekking in the dense jungle of Cat Ba National Park 15km from Cat Ba Town to the northwest, Cat Ba National Park covers almost half of the island. The park is regarded as one of the most famous tourist attractions in Cat Ba Island, comprising a variety of stunning landscapes and marine ecosystems. To be found there are enormous tropical rain forests, freshwater lakes, secluded sandy beaches, coral reefs, and an abundance of rare enter the park, you need to buy an entrance ticket of VND/person at the main gate. There are a couple of things to do in Cat Ba National Park. Amongst those, youâre highly recommended to take a short hike to the top of Ngu Lam Mountain for a panoramic island view. From Cat Ba Town, it is easy to rent a car, a motorbike or even a bicycle from your hotel to get to Cat Ba National Park. A motorbike rental fee is priced at around VND and you need to fuel the vehicle you travel from Halong Bay, get on a boat or Tuan Chau ferry to Gia Luan Harbor and from there take a taxi to the Cat Ba National Park about 10km. 2. Visit caves Hospital Cave Entrance Caves in Cat Ba Island are renowned for primitive beauty and multi-shaped stalactites and stalagmites. Some of the most famous names are Hospital Cave, Trung Trang Cave, Hoa Cuong Cave, and Phu Luong youâre in Cat Ba National Park already, donât skip a chance to explore the 300-hectare Trung Trang Cave, one of the largest caves on the island. The cave houses a number of stalactites in various shapes, more than a dozen of standing stones, and dense history buffs are advised to visit Hospital Cave, a bomb-proof hospital built inside a cave during the Vietnam War. The cave is located about 13km from Cat Ba Town Center and it takes a short drive to the cave. The cost is around VND/round trip. The cave entrance fee is VND/person. 3. Bike ride around Viet Hai Village Travelers are biking to Viet Hai Village Photo Shutterstock Located in the center of Cat Ba National Park, Viet Hai Village is the largest floating village in Viet Nam. The village attracts throngs of tourists for its pristine landscapes and friendly locals. The best way to explore Viet Hai Village is taking a bike ride around the village to see floating houseboats, spectacular surroundings, and know more about the peaceful life of people Cat Ba Town, you can rent a private boat in Cai Beo Port or a 45-minute boat VND/person to reach the village. If you are in Cat Ba National Park, you can join a 6-km trekking tour through jungles, valley, and Ao Ech area to Viet Hai Village. The hard trek requires endurance and several gears such as shoes and insect best time to visit Viet Hai Village is from April to September with the sunny and favorable weather conditions. 4. Visit Cai Beo floating village Cai Beo floating village from above A must visit if you want to see the real local life! Cai Beo Fishing Village is only 2 km from Cat Ba Town, in the proximity of Ben Beo Port a 10-minute drive. You can easily get there by taxi or a motorbike. Upon arrival, options available to explore the village are renting a small fishing boat or in the early 19th century, Cai Beo boats Vietnamâs oldest ancient village, which is home to about 300 floating houses and 600 inhabitants. Local people here are very hospitable and hardworking. They mostly make a living by fishing and raising fish. Apart from a rich history and friendly locals, Cai Beo floating village appeals to visitors for picturesque sceneries and rustic ambiance. 5. Admire sunset at Cannon Fort Cannon Fort One of the most popular attractions in Cat Ba Island Perched atop a hill, Canon Fort, another name of High Point 177, is the most famous historic relic of Cat Ba Island. The site was built in the 20th century and consists of a battle of two big guns and a tunnel meters high above the sea, Canon Fort is the best spot to admire sweeping views of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay, and especially the sunset. Only 2 km from Cat Ba Town, you can easily go to the place by motorbike in about 15 time 800 AM â 1700 PM dailyEntrance fee VND/adult and VND/childSightseeing by the observatory costs an extra of 5000 VND/person. 6. See langurs on Monkey Island Monkey sitting on tree on Monkey Island! Monkey Island is located in the Nam Cat area of Lan Ha Bay, only 1km from Cat Ba Town. The tiny 5-km-round island is covered by green trees and sandy beaches in the front. However, what attracts visitors the most when visiting Monkey Island is a flock of more than 20 species of monkeys. You can not only come and see those monkeys but also feed Island is accessible by a 15-minute boat ride from Beo Harbor passing the natural beauty of the island. 7. Visit Lan Ha Bay Lan Ha bay from above! In the south of Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay spreads across an area of more than 7000 ha. Picture-postcard sceneries, limestone grottoes, and crystal clear beaches make Lan Ha Bay a must-visit destination for any tourists to Halong Bay area. Lan Ha Bay is home to a lot of famous tourist spots namely Cat Ba Island, Tung Gau area, Cat Dua also called Monkey Island, Dark & Bright cave, and Ba Trai Dao Beach. As you reach the bay, you can enjoy a variety of fun-filled activities such as kayaking, swimming, rock climbing, and visit floating Cat Ba Island, you need to rent a boat at Ben Beo Port to go around Lan Ha Bay. The price is about â VND/boat for six people. 8. Go rock climbing in Cat Ba Island Cat Ba island as some of the best spots for rock climbing in Vietnam! Rather than ordinary activities, venture lovers will find Lan Ha Bay more appealing with rock climbing tours that allow them to conquer some of the hardest crags. You can join this sport at several spots in Halong Bay including Offenheimerâs Creation and Slo Pony Wall at Tiger Beach â the first area to develop rock climbing activity, Butterfly Valley, and Ben Beo Wall. All the walls have climbing features such as tufas, pockets, and water-sculpted rock formations. See our detailed guide on rock climbing in Halong bay and Cat Ba entrance fee normally costs US$ VND or is sponsored by Asia Outdoor. 9. Kayak through Dark & Bright Cave Most cruises in Lan Ha Bay offer kayaking service at no extra charge! Dark and Bright Cave belongs to the bordering area of Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay. This is one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay area, featuring a lot of stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes and clear waters. While Dark Cave is long and dark, the Bright Cave is much shorter and brighter. Both create a perfect getaway for any adventure seekers to travelers are recommended to rent a boat to kayak through the tunnel as well as take a photo hunt around the cave. Alternatively, it is also possible to row a bamboo cave is accessible all year round. However, the best time to visit is in spring and autumn when the sky is clear, full of sunshine, the temperature is mild, and there are fewer rains. 10. Go swimming at Cat Co beach Crystal clear water at Cat Co beach. With an array of secluded and untouched beaches, swimming is a can-not-miss experience when visiting Cat Ba Island. Unlike other touristy beach areas, Cat Ba beaches are very clean and quiet. TIP If you want to avoid the domestic tourist crowds, September and October are the best months to visit.Amongst those, 3 Cat Co beaches including Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, and Cat Co are the most attractive to beach bums. The beaches are next to each other and all have loungers for sunbath, umbrellas, and stalls for drinks. Especially, kayak is available at Cat Co 3 beach with a price of the center of Cat Ba Town, the beaches are easily reached on foot or by a motorbike taxi around VND. 11. Join a diving tour to see coral reefs Snorkel off the island Photo Shutterstock Visitors who love to discover the marine world are welcome to take a dive tour to enjoy various coral reefs in Cat Ba Island. The island is best known for red coral reefs that shelter a lot of sea creatures such as pearls, lobsters, and can book the diving tour at the Scuba Diving Center in Monkey Island Resort. It costs VND for a 30-minute scuba diving trip with an instructor. Using a snorkel costs VND extra. 12. Explore Cat Ba nightlife Rowdy and diverse nightlife in Cat Ba island Cat Ba nightlife is more tranquil and decent compared to other vibrant destinations. However, you can still get wonderful experience as Cat Ba Island is full of local specialties and exotic things to try at night. Donât miss a chance to savor Hai Phongâs rice noodle soup with crab meat, the special local food, at some food stalls on the sidewalk or rent a bike to ride around the quiet road of the town. The price is around VND/ can check out some pubs in Cat Ba Town namely Quiri Pub Cocktail & Restaurant and Oasis Bar 2.
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