What to Do in Cát Bà? Island Guide

Cát Bà Island is located approximately fifteen kilometers south of Ha Long Bay. With an area of 354 km², it is the largest island in the eponymous archipelago of the Ha Long Bay.

Isolated by its island nature, it is neither a refuge for castaways nor a beach resort that is too crowded. Cát Bà is a bit of all this, and it is precisely what makes it fascinating. You must leave noisy Hanoi, travel two hours by road or highway, take a ferry, a small winding road… and you find yourself in Cát Bà, the largest island of Ha Long Bay!
On the waterfront, restaurants, hotels and small boutiques seem to contemplate the sea and the harbor. Strolling between them is a true pleasure.

Beyond its magnificent karst landscapes typical of Ha Long Bay, Cát Bà is also famous for its natural park, adorned with splendid beaches and small fishing villages. The island is undergoing full tourism development but remains well preserved. It is an ideal beach and nature stopover for relaxation during a trip to Vietnam.

A space privileged by nature

The coastline is jagged with rocky cliffs, enriched by small inlets of white sand. The clear waters of the shoreline favor a very rich marine fauna. Sea turtles, lobsters, corals, oysters and over 200 species of fish, some of which are rare, populate the waters of Cát Bà.

Crustaceans are also abundant, with hundreds of species of mollusks and arthropods. Cát Bà is the perfect place to enjoy the finest seafood and fish dishes in Vietnam!

Furthermore, the limestone hills — the highest reaches 330 meters — host numerous lakes, waterfalls and caves. In about twenty sites on the island, weapons and human remains dating back 6,000-7,000 years ago have been found.

History and legend

The history of Cát Bà Island dates back 6,000 years. The name “Cát Bà” means “women’s island” and, as is often the case in Vietnam, there are many fascinating legends about it. It is said that, centuries ago, three women of the Trần dynasty were assassinated. Their bodies washed ashore on the shores of Cát Bà Island and were found by fishermen. The inhabitants built a temple for each of them, and the island later became known as “Cát Bà”.

How to get to the island?

Generally, the most common way to reach Cát Bà Island is to depart from Hanoi.

After the completion of the longest maritime bridge in Southeast Asia, the journey from Hanoi to Cát Bà has been significantly shortened.

The bus from Hanoi to Cát Bà is an excellent solution: a direct route with a short speedboat ride of about 10 minutes halfway. It takes just over two hours of travel from Hanoi to reach the eastern coast and cross the maritime bridge to the small island of Cát Hải.

Once you arrive, local buses take you to the main town, where you will find most of the accommodations. The Cát Bà Express company offers a service with good value for money.

When to visit Cát Bà

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best periods to visit the island: the climate is cooler and rain is rare. In winter, the weather is colder and foggy, but this gives the island an atmospheric quality — an ideal period for hiking enthusiasts rather than for those seeking the sea!

Map of Cát Bà

Where to stay?

On the island there are numerous accommodation options: from small hotels to luxury resorts, passing through many intermediate options, you will be spoiled for choice. If you travel through our services, know that we collaborate with trusted partners that allow us to guarantee you a pleasant and peaceful stay.

As for the location, we recommend the center of the small town of Cát Bà, located on the waterfront in the southern part of the island. Here most of the accommodations are concentrated and you have access to all the main services. It is also the area where you will find the widest variety of restaurants.

To not spoil anything, despite the hotels that alter the landscape a bit, the place still remains pleasant, with a magnificent sea view.

How many days to spend on Cát Bà Island?

Three days on the island are probably sufficient. You will have all the time to enjoy the wonders of Cát Bà at a leisurely pace: the lush vegetation, historical sites, Lan Ha Bay and beaches. The days will fly by.

10 best sites and activities in Cát Bà

Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay

The ideal thing during your visit to Cát Bà is to discover a wilder version of Ha Long Bay that’s off the beaten path: Lan Ha Bay. In fact, the surrounding waters belong to Lan Ha Bay, which has about 300 karst islands and limestone outcrops. The landscape of Lan Ha Bay is just as beautiful as that of Ha Long Bay, with the added appeal of numerous white sand beaches.

Since the bay is located far from Ha Long City, few tourist boats venture here, which makes Lan Ha a quieter and more secluded destination. You can choose to take a cruise with an overnight stay on a traditional junk, or sail for a few hours on a small fishing boat.

Here you can discover a magnificent video that flies over Lan Ha Bay. Video created by Lyle Such.

Hiking in Cát Bà National Park

The park includes subtropical forests of evergreen trees on the heights, while at the foot of the hills you find wetland areas and coastal mangroves. Furthermore, several freshwater ponds and coral reefs complete this extremely rich ecosystem.

Cát Bà National Park hosts incredible biodiversity. On one hand, the fauna includes 32 species of mammals, including macaques, wild boars, deer, squirrels and hedgehogs. There are also 70 species of birds, including the hawk and the hornbill. Finally, nearly 800 species of plants have been counted, including trees such as bang, goi nep, sang le and kim giao, as well as 160 medicinal plants.

If you love adventure, you can organize a hike to the summit of Ngu Lâm mountain by crossing the forest. This route of over 7 km will give you unforgettable memories and breathtaking natural and wild panoramas. The itinerary leads to the Viet Hai fishing village, where you can observe authentic local life.

Be careful however: the trail is challenging in places and includes some climbing sections to cross the forest and reach the village. The walking time between the park entrance and Viet Hai is approximately three and a half hours.

Once you arrive at the village, you can return by boat to the center of Cát Bà, where your hotel is located.

Visit to Viet Hai fishing village

From the center of Cát Bà you can take a boat to reach the Viet Hai village in about an hour. It is also possible to reach it after a hike through the National Park.

Here you will have the opportunity to admire the mountain and the sea, immersed in an authentic and peaceful environment. A visit to Viet Hai can also be done by bicycle, which is easily available for rental on the spot.

Caves

In addition to the hiking trails, two caves located along the Hà Sen mountain are open to visitors. Each of them is a true marvel, created jointly by nature and man. From Phù Long, visitors can reach the Thiên Long cave, nicknamed the “heavenly palace” of Cát Bà.

Furthermore, the Trung Trang cave has an important historical aspect: it actually served as a secret hospital during the Vietnam War.

Beaches

The sea around the peninsula is calm and clear blue, ideal for swimming. Not far from the center of Cát Bà you will find the white sand beaches of Cát Cò, located in two charming inlets. Connected by a catwalk fixed to the cliff and suspended above the corals, they represent a perfect place for swimming. Cát Cò is the least crowded, but also the most pleasant.

So if you want a beach vacation that combines relaxation and discovery, Cát Bà is the ideal destination. Consult our custom itineraries to travel in Vietnam.

Waterfront stroll

Another pleasant activity is to take a stroll along the waterfront. In fact, a path has been created that allows you to take a short hike while enjoying beautiful views of the sea and horizon. You can start from the center of Cát Bà town, heading left with the sea in front of you.

A pleasant 45-minute walk will take you to the first beach. From here you will notice a staircase that leads to a panoramic trail. This will allow you to walk safely along the cliffs, enjoying a breathtaking view.

During the walk you will cross two beautiful white sand inlets. We recommend this walk in the late afternoon, when you can enjoy the sunset while sipping a drink in the small venues with panoramic terraces overlooking the sea.

Visit to Cannon Fort

View from the fort (Photo by Thành Đỗ)

Not far from the center of Cát Bà, with a short climb, you can visit the Cannon Fort.

This fort has been a strategic element for the defense of Vietnamese territory several times throughout history. Built in 1942, it was used first by the French during colonization and then by the North Vietnamese Army. Immersed in a bucolic and rural setting, the historical site still preserves magnificent relics and remains from that era. You will be able to admire in particular the huge cannons that were used to hit ships in the distance!

Furthermore, the location of the site, situated on top of the island’s hilltop, offers a panoramic and unique view of the surroundings. From here you can enjoy a magnificent view of Ha Long Bay.

Sail to Monkey Island

If you set out on a boat excursion, you will have the opportunity to visit Monkey Island. This small island is located not far from the harbor and is reached in about an hour by small boat. Once you land, it will seem like you are on a deserted island. The beach is really wild and is inhabited only by numerous macaques! They are not dangerous and are very friendly, but a bit mischievous — so be careful with your personal belongings.

The place also deserves attention for the splendid view it offers from its summit. A short climb will give you a breathtaking panorama of Ha Long Bay.

The Hang Vem and Thinh Linh inlets

Northeast of Cát Bà are two splendid inlets called Hang Vem and Thinh Linh. They can be reached after a hiking expedition or by renting a motorbike. Ask locally or with our agency for the itinerary. Hidden in the heart of the island, among the mountains, Hang Vem is a large shallow lake where you can swim, dive or kayak. The natural atmosphere, surrounded by hills, is truly exceptional.

Not far from there, after a short but intense climb, you reach Thinh Linh, a second inlet that is even wilder, with crystal clear water.

Visit the fishermen’s harbor

Just a few steps from the center, you can pop by the harbor and watch the fishermen at work. You will be amazed to see the very basic vessels with which the crews face the sea!

In this place you will have the opportunity to discover the nuoc mam fish sauce factory, the boat repair shipyard, the ice production chain to keep the fish fresh in the hold… In short, a real story being told before your astonished eyes — not to be missed!

There is even an area that serves as a “jellyfish graveyard”, those that get in the fishermen’s way!

Conclusion

We hope that the advice and information provided in this article will be useful to you. If you are wondering how best to include this destination in your trip to Vietnam, consult our travel guides:

• Guide for a stay in Northern Vietnam
• Guide for a tour from North to South Vietnam

You can also send us your wishes and we will send you a program proposal with included rates.

Make your request here!

See you soon with Horizon Vietnam Travel!