Category Archives: Travelling Tips

One of the most fantastic and enjoyable parts of your trip is shopping, isn’t it? After spending several days in Ha Long and falling in love with its splendor, you definitely hope to get something to bring home, which may remind you of this amazingly spectacular bay with islets and caves. If you are wondering what to buy and where to shop at the most reasonable price in Ha Long Bay, check out this guide on shopping in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam below.

1. Squid

You may be wondering “Nah, squids are on every sea, nothing special here”. Let me tell you, Ha Long seawater is saltier than others, so squids here are popular for their special flavors. The two most famous forms are dried squid (Mực một nắng)  and grilled chopped squid (Chả mực), which are assumed as must-buy things for Vietnamese people when being in Ha Long.

Dried squids are cleaned with sea water first, then dried under the sunlight, just for one super sunny day. They are pinky, half-dry, fragrant and crispy. It would be best to have them grilled or fried with vegetables. What a great dish it makes!

If you want something more unique of Ha Long, it would be grilled chopped squid. Not because the squids themselves are good, it’s also the dedication of the makers. The whole process including chopping, pounding, and mixing with pepper and dill is made by hand, as a result, Ha Long Grilled Chopped Squid boasts its own flavor and tastes which cannot be mistaken with those from any other place. The price will be ranging from 330,000 VND – to 400,000 VND per kilogram. Buy it home, just deep-fry it and the breathtaking scenery and taste of Ha Long seem to display in front of you.

2. Dried Sipunculus Nudus

Sipunculus nudus, which is about 10-centimeter long, ivory-white and chubby,  is a kind of peanut worm living only in Ha Long. Despite their unattractive appearance, they are known to be extremely nutritious, fatty, aromatic, and delicious when fried garlic spikes or roasted, together with a cup of cold beer. Sipunculus are rare, so their price is comparatively high, about 4 million ($170) per kilogram.

Be cautious if the price is unbelievably low, and the sipunculid look pale, transparent-white or crumbled, they must have been either kept for a long time or fake.

3. Hoanh Bo Soaked Rice Wine

If you are a fan of wine, Hoanh Bo Soaked Rice Wine in Ha Long Bay is the one you should never miss. Hoanh Bo is the name of the forest whose specific leaves are taken to add smell to cooked and incubated glutinous rice without being pounded before. After a long enough time being carefully soaked in a jar, it turns into alcohol. Hoanh Bo homemade rice wine tastes marginally sour and sweet blended with extraordinary odor. It’s light, but might get you tipsy if you drink too much. Don’t worry, instead of getting a headache, your digestion is unexpectedly stimulated.

4. Seashell Jewelry

Besides seafood, what can take your heart away should possibly be seashell jewelry which looks simple but absolutely unique. When cruising on Ha Long Bay, you might see female vendors on umiaks or coracles with all kinds of little lovely items from seashells such as bracelets, key chains, or conch shapes. Ha Long area has an abundance of seashells, people just collect the most beautiful ones and use their creativity to make out these attractive nice accessories. The seashell with a variety of colors ranging from light orange to greenish and emerald will be a great gift for your relatives and friends.

 5. Handicraft Coal Statues

You might not know that Ha Long is located in Quang Ninh province, which is nationally famous for its bountiful coal sources. Is it a great idea to buy something really Vietnamese, from material to appearance?

Handicraft coal statues are made of Anthracite coal, one of the hardest and toughest forms. The coal must be qualified and suitable in terms of the sizes of the final products. After that, it is perforated and hewn. It looks a bit like on wood or softer material, but designing coal is much harder to adjust because it is crunchy and tough. Only a minor mistake can make the craftsmen try in vain. The last step would be to make it looking not dirty and raw, instead, sparkling and valuable by applying a layer of transparent polish.

You can order the shape you want if you have enough time in Ha Long Bay. If not, the most popular ones definitely will not disappoint you. The most bought statues are Fighting Cock Isle, cranes, water buffaloes, eagles, Buddha statues, bronze drums and ancient Vietnamese junk boats, which are typical symbols of Vietnam in general. They are sold at a cheap price compared to the special Vietnamese-symbolizing statues you will get.

 

II. Where to Shop in Ha Long?

1.1. Ha Long I Market

In terms of shopping, Ha Long I market is the first name to mention as it is among the biggest wholesale markets in Quang Ninh province and offers all kinds of things. This 16-year market impresses buyers by how clean it is and how logically and neatly the stalls are placed. The first floor displays spectacular souvenirs such as jewelry, handicrafts, toys, pottery, embroidery goods, house appliances, kitchenware, and coal statues. The second floor is for clothing and seafood.

Seafood is sold at a reasonable price in a whole different outside section of the market. The most famous place is Thoan Cha Muc located at kiosks 36-37. Besides squid, there are newly caught fish, shrimps, sipunculid nudus, and crabs also available and fresh. You can also get to the culinary part of the market to fill your stomach up with the most common and traditional food of Ha Long such as horseshoe crab.

Buying from Ha Long I market makes sure that you get high-quality products, instead of buying from a random vendor on the street, especially for high-priced things like seafood. Despite being undoubtedly crowded at the weekend, it is absolutely worth 3 hours of your trip.

Address: Van Xuan Street, Bach Dang Ward, Ha Long

Opening hours: 2 a.m– 9:15 p.m every day

 

1.2. Ha Long II Market

This market is about 1km away from Ha Long I Market but easily accessible thanks to its location nearby the outside of the National Road 18. The goods are diversifying from seafood to sourvenirs, but the most prominent is seafood, especially dry seafood. Structured similarly to Ha Long I Market, but Ha Long 2 Market has 2 storeys only and the seafood selling area is not as large as the first one.

Editor’s Tip: You should buy dry seafood here because the quality is good and price is cheap.

Address: 433 Le Loi street, Tran Hung Dao ward, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province

Opening hours: 8 a.m- 5 p.m

 

 2. Hon Gai Market

Hon Gai market boasts typical features of a fisherman’s village. It is located right by the sea where people on the fishing boats come back after a night of catching fish and carry them straight to the market’s dock on the foot of Bai Tho mountain. Therefore, it is said that nowhere offers fresher seafood at and cheaper price than this market.

Editor’s Tip: It’s highly recommended to buy oysters, fish, squids, and shrimp here if you want to cook right away before leaving.

Address: Hon Gai Street, Tran Hung Dao Ward, Ha Long

Opening hours: 7 a.m – 9 a.m every day

 

3. Ha Long Night Market

The night market is always a great place to go to after sunset because you not only can see how differently noisy and lively a city can be at night but can walk and get yourself some souvenirs looking sparkling and beautiful. The market is located on attractive Bai Chay beach with hundreds of stalls in order, each of which is full of items widely ranging from ordinary to top-notch. You will be appealed by clamshell key chains, “I love Ha Long” T-shirts with Ha Long, and “The Kissing Cocks of Ha Long Bay” magnets. What’s more, jewelry, handicrafts, bags and seafood are nice options before you head out to a food stall and enjoy your supper. Coming here, you can dig into a variety of Ha Long specialties which becomes incredibly unforgettable during your trip.

Address: Ha Long Marine Boulevard, Hung Thang ward, Ha Long (near Bai Chay Beach)

Opening hours: 6 p.m – 11 p.m every day

 

4. Bai Chay Shopping Center

If you are looking for somewhere that you can go shopping for high-end products, it must be Bai Chay Shopping center. Developed from a small local market on Vuon Dao street, it is enlarged and invested to become a modern commercial area which is the favorite place for thousands of shopaholics. You have an endless variety of choices for everything, from something common like clothes, house appliances, electronics and little souvenirs to high-end items like handbags, sports shoes and luxury clothes. It will be a pleasant experience to shop here.

Address: Vuon Dao Street, Bai Chay ward, Ha Long

Opening hours: 8 a.m – 10 p.m

 

5. Early Ha Long Seafood Market

The reason why this is called early Ha Long Seafood Market is that it just takes place in the early morning only. The market is located right at Hon Gai harbor and specializes in newly-caught seafood by local fishermen. Not only is it the biggest seafood focal point of Ha Long city, but it is also a cultural feature of Ha Long fishermen.

Prior to dawn, fishing boats rush to the port and present all types of seafood right at the anchor area.

Editor’s Tip: You should buy seafood like crabs, sentinels crabs, cuttlefish and Mantis shrimp, here since their prices are very reasonable.

Address: Hon Gai port, Tuan Chau island, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province.

Opening hours: 2 a.m 4 a.m

Shopping in Ha Long Bay is the last piece to complete your enjoyable and once-in-a-lifetime experience. Nothing can be more wonderful than after an amazing time you spend here, you can buy something as a souvenir that will remind you of this glorious bay and some gifts unique and Vietnamese to give your family and friends. If you have already done it, why not comment below and share it with others?

Your trip to Vietnam might not be completed if you are yet to visit Ha Long Bay – one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Let’s check out why it’s worth visiting this bay with these 29 best things to do in Ha Long Bay and city, Vietnam!

1. Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)

Sung Sot Cave should be on top must-visit destinations when you are in Ha Long Bay. It is the largest and also the most renowned, the most visited cave of all. The cave is around 1000 square meters consisting of thousands of stalagmites and stalactites. As the typical karst caves, Sung Sot has high scientific value as well. Located in Bo Hon Island, the center of Ha Long Bay, the cave is covered with a layer of countless “light beams” hung with glittering stalactites, “velvet carpet”, and stone statues. For such values, Sung Sot Cave is one of the favorite places to visit in Ha Long Bay.

 

2. Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba Island is the largest island in Ha Long Bay. It is home to plenty of hotels, restaurants, and bars. Located off the coast of Hai Phong City, it has clean beaches (named Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2) which are ideal for sunbathing and swimming during the summer. And if you are not a fan of crowds, you can go to Monkey Island where the beaches are cleaner and quieter, and you can rent a kayak or charter a speedboat there.

 

3. Dau Be Island and National Park

Dau Be Island is famous for Ba Ham Lake which is a system consisting of 3 big ocean basins.  Inside the cave, there are many stalactites on the ceiling which create odd shapes and dimensions. The island is home to many species of orchids, banyans, and palm trees. There are also many gold monkeys, bats, flying squirrels, birds, and flowers blooming throughout the year.

 

4. Me Cung Cave

Me Cung Cave (or Maze Cave), as fanciful and appealing as its name, is one of many famous attractions in Ha Long Bay. The entrance looks like a house roof that carves deep into the slopes of the island. Inside, you may get the feeling as if you are entering in a great palace of a Persian King.

With the light shining from the outer, the sparkling stalactites make the cave shimmer like in paradise. Besides, the blue waters of Me Cung lake inside the cave also create the picturesque beauty of nature.

5. Monkey Island

Monkey Island is a famous popular tourist attraction and most of the tours encourage visitors to visit this island. It is an ideal destination for swimming in the blue water. And, the existence of many monkeys is of course the highlight of Monkey Island. Here, the visitors will have chances to take photos or frisk with monkeys on boughs comfortably. Apart from the monkeys, the bungalows on the island will provide tourists with unforgettable moments.

 

6. Virgin Cave (Hang Trinh Nu)

Virgin Cave or Hang Trinh Nu has probably the most moving legend about love behind its name. Inside the cave, you can find a shrine which is dedicated to the woman who is a symbol of pure and eternal love. Legend apart, the cave is a beautiful and ideal stopover for any Ha Long luxury cruise. Entering the entrance located at the foot of a cliff, you will go through the tunnels of the cave which reaches the middle of the island about 2 km long.

 

7. Lan Ha Bay

Located to the south of Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha spreads over an area of more than 7000 ha. The bay reserves pristine scenery which has an intense concentration of limestone mountains. There are hundreds of beautiful, small beaches lying at the feet of mountains so there is no problem to find a good spot for an overnight camp or organizing a private beach BBQ. After a long day of exploration, Lan Ha Bay is truly a good place to relax.

 

8. Dau Go Island

Seemingly floating on the emerald water, Dau Go Island or Wooden Head Island, is a popular name among Ha Long tourist attractions which is famed for Dau Go Cave – a spectacular cave. The cave, from afar, looks like a jellyfish with a 90-step staircase. Discovering the inner beauty of the cave is a wonderful thing to do because it is extremely mysterious and surprising. You will feel like you are lost in a fairy-tale place that brings incredibly beautiful scenery.

 

 

9. Bai Tu Long Bay

Located in the East of Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay is an off-the-beaten-track destination that is outstanding with the beauty of karsts and limestone mountains. In Bai Tu Long Bay, you can kayak in Vung Vieng Fishing Village, snorkel in Ban Chan Beach, relax in Ang Du area, and learn the history of Thien Canh Son cave.

 

10. Poem Mountain (Nui Bai Tho)

Poem Mountain (Bai Tho Mountain) has got its name since 1268 when King Le Thanh Tong carved a poem on a cliff at the mountain. Thanks to the mountain side which overlooks the bay, Poem Mountain is the most ideal viewing spot in Ha Long Bay. Standing on the mountain and looking down, you will understand why the bay is called Ha Long. The air in this area is cool throughout the year so you can visit it whenever you want. It is where you can see hundreds of different plants growing on cliffs, enjoy melodious birdsong, and play with the goats grazing on the slopes.

 

11. Cua Van Floating Village

Cua Van is the largest fishing village in Ha Long bay which is situated at Hung Thang commune. The village lies in a calm bay surrounded by islets and limestone mountains. It is home to 733 people who mainly live by fishing. The fishing families all live on little floating houses which are anchored in the protected bay. Cua Van is voted as one of the most 15 beautiful fishing villages in the world. And it is an ideal place to get to know the daily life of fishermen who will teach you how to make fishing trap and fishing net.

 

12. Ti Top Island

Located about 14 kilometers from Bai Chay tourist harbor, Ti Top island is famous for a crescent moon shaped beach which has beautiful still blue waters and tranquility. Thanks to the calm waters and immaculate white sands, the beach is perfect for water-based activities like swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. There is also a bar where you can rent all kinds of swim gear or stop for a drink if you want.

 

13. Tuan Chau Island

Covered by pine forests, Tuan Chau Island consists of multiple sloping hills and two man-made beaches with white and fine sand. It is a memorial site as President Ho Chi Minh used to spend his holidays there. The island has many attractions like animal circus club, performing-seal club, cultural-sports center, a rural market, villas, and an ornamental fish lake,… It also offers plenty of activities for tourists such as Jet Ski, sea fishing, and canoe parachute,…

 

14. Quan Lan Island

In the 11th century, Quan Lan used to be in the middle of an important trade route between Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and China. Now it looks like a sleepy island more than a busy port. Despite being inhabited by locals, Quan Lan’s scenery remains mostly untouched with beautiful forest areas and 3 long white sandy beaches. It is also a great place for sampling local seafood thanks to the abundance of butterfish, mackerel, squid, and shrimp in the waters.

15 Activities & Things to Do in Ha Long Bay

1. Have Overnight on Board

Suggested for: those who want to get a brand new overnight experience

Why: An overnight on board is the best way to enjoy Ha Long Bay. You can look to experience the ordinary life of a fisherman at its purest. Friendly and hospitable locals will show you to cast a fishing net, paddle your own rowing boat, and go fishing like a real deal. Moreover, you can enjoy its famous seafood such as crabs, sea clams, and prawns.

2. Visit Cannon Fort

Suggested for: those who wish to take in the best of Cat Ba Island view

Why: From a place of vantage, you can see rolling hills, bobbing fishing boats, and karst formation which juts out of the sea. On the way to the cannon fort, you also have a chance to check out underground tunnels and a number of attractions such as gun emplacements.

3. Take a Cruise

Suggested for: those who truly want to see all of Ha Long Bay

Why: Signing up for a boat cruise is the best way to discover Ha Long Bay. With 2000 islands, you can choose where you want to go and what you want to see, from the most well-known to smaller islands. It is a memorable cruising experience for you to enjoy a buffet meal as part of the cruise or stay on the boat overnight as well.

 4. Jump a Seaplane

Suggested for: those who want to see Ha Long Bay in a different way.

Why: If you are wondering how Ha Long Bay looks from above, just get on a seaplane tour. It is a totally unique experience within 25 minutes. The Ha Long sightseeing flight will let you see some of the 1600 islands and islets which are scattered across the Gulf of Tonkin, along with beaches, lagoon, and towering sea cliffs. There are both morning and afternoon flights, so you can choose a convenient time for you. The aerial view of Ha Long Bay will surely blow your mind!

5. Go Scuba Diving

Suggested for: those who expect to explore marine life

Why: By scuba diving, visitors will have a chance to see the great underwater world of Ha Long by their own eyes. You can explore various kinds of fish and pristine coral reefs at the bottom of Ha Long bay and touch them. It must be an amazing experience for you, especially for visitors who love discovery. You don’t need to worry about your safety because all facilities are regularly checked and match safety standard.

6. Climb on Rocks

Suggested for: those who are fans of sports and have a good health

Why: Cat Ba National Park is a great spot for climbing on rocks in Ha Long Bay. You can find some amazing hiking trails including 18 km trail climbing to the summit of the main peak. Climbing gives you a chance to see all the flora and fauna as you trek around and  renting a guide for your trekking is better to get to know the history of the region.

 7. Swim at Bai Chay Beach

Suggested for: those who wants to enjoy clean, cool waters at Bai Chay beach

Why: Bai Chay is a large, beautiful, and artificial beach which is close to the coast of Ha Long bay. The beach is an ideal destination for swimming with 100-meter-wide sandy beach which spans over 500 meters. In summer days, Bai Chay beach attracts plenty of local and foreign people to visit. Significantly invested, it is rapidly transformed into one of the most captivating beaches in Ha Long bay.

8. Shop at Bai Chay Market

Suggested for: Bai Chay market

Why: In Bai Chay market, you can find huge heaps of fresh fruits and vegetables, and plenty of seafood. In addition, you also can buy other local items such as clothing and textiles. This is a really good spot to stock up on souvenirs and sample some of the local produce in Ha Long Bay as well.

9. Cycle around

Suggested for: who wants to enjoy quiet atmosphere

Why: Most people think of water activities when visiting Ha Long Bay. But it actually has a lot more to offer. Cycling around Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba is relaxing and romantic. The scenery along the coastal road will make your cycling a wonderful thing to do in Ha Long Bay. To experience the best coastal scenery, renting a bike is the perfect choice for you. You can rent a bike for VND 20.000/ hour.

10. Sunbathe on Beach

Suggested for: anyone who wants to get tanned skin

Why: Ha Long Bay is said to be one of the best places for sunbathing on the beach in Vietnam with numerous beaches. With dazzling sunlight, beautiful beaches with calm tides, clean, and green water, you will feel very comfortable when enjoying sunbathing. To name some beaches, they will be Tuan Chau, Ti Top, Ngoc Vung, and Trai Dao. They are the best ones with beautiful views of the bay.

11. Dine in the Caves

Suggested for: those seeking for a brand new dining experience

Why: Dining in a Ha Long Bay cave is a must if you haven’t done this before. Now, several cruises offer this service in everyday. You can contact some agency to ask whether they include this experience in their itinerary. The dinner doesn’t only come with a candlelit dining experience but also admiring the miracle work of Mother Nature. This is something that you may never find in other places.

12. Go Night Squid Fishing

Suggested for: anyone who is a night owl

Why: Night squid fishing is a popular night time activity in Ha Long Bay. When you sign up for this activity, you will be provided with a fishing rod. When darkness falls, you can take in large shoals of squid swimming around in these waters. If you have caught the fish, you can enjoy a barbecue with these delicious creatures and the staff will show you the way.

13. Go Kayaking

Suggested for: who want to get relax time

Why: Kayaking is listed as a must-try thing to do in Ha Long Bay. It is an exciting activity to sit on a tiny kayak, paddle in the blue water, wriggle into the cave, and touch the stalactites. You can go kayaking to visit fishing villages and learn works of fishermen on the sea, and admire the limestone islands as well.

14. Go Snorkeling

Suggested for: those who want to admire the fascinating underwater world.

Why: For nature and adventure lovers, your trip will not be complete without snorkeling. You will marvel at colorful coral reefs and diverse creatures in sparkling sea life. This can be a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to immerse into an aquatic world, swim with the cuttlefish, and dance with the octopus. Note that the best time of the year to go snorkeling in the bay is December. And good areas to see the coral reefs are Cong Do Island, Trai Cave, and Van Gio Island.

15. Sleep on a Board

Suggested for: anyone looking for a new experience of sleeping on a board.

Why: The best thing about sleeping on a board is the “escapism”. You can feel the freedom of your own space, the sense of peace, and being surrounded by water. Besides, you also can enjoy the lifestyle on the board which is without any stress. Staying on a board also gives you the chance to watch the sunset and wake up to the sound of the wind and sea waves in Ha Long bay.

 

With above interesting places and must-do activities, we hope that you can choose some of your favorite things to do when visiting Ha Long bay. If you have any questions, please let us know.

I. Cat Ba island’s general information

Cat Ba island is a complex of 367 islands in the Northeast of Vietnam, which belongs to Hai Phong city. The biggest island, Cat Ba, is only about 25 km from the famous Halong Bay. Cat Ba island was recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO on Dec 2nd, 2004. It is the 3rd Biosphere Reserve in Vietnam after Can Gio mangrove forest (Ho Chi Minh city) and Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai province). While Can Gio is a mangrove forest in the river mouth, Cat Tien is a dry-land forest; Cat Ba features a combination of tropical rainforest on Karst. It has mangrove forests, coral reefs, seagrass beds, especially a system of caves and lagoons. There are white-headed langurs that are endemic to Cat Ba national park. In other words, Cat Ba island fully converges the most typical ecosystems of Vietnam.

 

II. Best time to go to Cat Ba island

Generally, Cat Ba island’s weather is quite enjoyable all year round, making it an ideal place for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing.

Taking any month of the year to go to Cat Ba island is up to your choice. Summer is from May to August is high season with hot temperatures. It is also the season of showers but no worries, as the rain will cool you down. During June and August, which is also a school break, Cat Ba island becomes a favorite destination for a family vacation. It is more crowded than other months of the year.

The best time to travel to Cat Ba should be in Autumn (from September to November) and in Spring (from March to May). During the time, the weather is more tolerant, calm and there are not so many tourists in the island.

In order to plan your trip to Cat Ba, it is essential to check the weather forecast beforehand. There are now many weather-forecast websites with high accuracy that help you to plan your trip efficiently.

 

III. Best attractions to visit in Cat Ba island

Lan Ha bay

Located on the southeast coast of Cat Ba island, Lan Ha bay is adjacent to the famous Halong Bay, with approximately 400 islands and islets covered by plantation. There are also tranquil lagoons and caves with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Geologically, Lan Ha Bay is an extension of Halong bay but stretches in a different province of Hai Phong. As a result, Lan Ha bay is as beautiful as Halong Bay, but visitors will find it more isolated and untouched with the additional attraction of numerous small white-sand beaches. It is accessible to organized cruising and kayaking trips from Cat Ba town.

1. Cat Ba island’s biggest floating village of Cua Van

The floating village of Cua Van (or Van Gia) is in a tranquil area of the sea surrounded by rocks, which is ideal for boats to anchor, especially when storms come. Thanks to the advantage, it has attracted many fishers to go and stay, making the village one of the biggest floating villages in the bay. There used to be more than 300 households with over 700 people living in the fishing village whose houses are close to each other. The children are taught by their parents how to row a boat and swim at a quite young age.

Since 2014, due to the local committee’s decision, most of the fishermen in floating villages have moved to the mainland for a more stable and safer life. Therefore, Van Gia fishing village now consists of only 12 rafts, including classrooms, cultural houses, and some new rafts suitable for fishers. They want to protect the environment for the famous natural heritage Ha Long Bay in general and the oldest fishing village in the world in particular.

 

2. Viet Hai village

Viet Hai village has become an ecotourism place thanks to the village’s peaceful beauty and villagers’ friendliness. It is a small valley nestled in Cat Ba National Park in an isolated location, which keeps it a typical traditional village in the Northern countryside of Vietnam. It’s one of the most visited places on any Cat Ba tour or by cruises in Lan Ha Bay.

Cycling tours from a pier in Lan Ha Bay through the jungle to the center of the village is an incredible experience for any nature lover. You will go under the forest canopy with a fantastic view of this scenic island.

Another perfect activity is to go trekking in Cat Ba National Park. From Viet Hai village, it takes you an hour to reach the Viet Hai peak. The 1-hour hike is quite tough, but the reward is big. Being the second highest peak in Cat Ba National Park, Viet Hai peak offers a gorgeous panoramic view of both Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay. For trekking lovers, you can enjoy a 4-hour trekking route from Cat Ba National headquarter that is 20 minutes drive from Cat Ba town. The trek is strenuous as you go up and down several rocky hills through the primary forest.

 

3. Nam Cat island

Nam Cat island is a small island in Lan Ha Bay, about 5km southeast of Cat Ba wharf of Cat Ba town. It owns a beach about 500m long, wide and surrounded by many small islands creating a beautiful natural landscape of the islands. The island is under the management of Cat Ba National park. They offer overnight facilities for tourists, including six bungalows and three big dormitory sharing houses. From the Beo pier on the main island, it takes you 15 minutes to get to the island by boat, and then you can enjoy your time here.

 

4. Cat Ba’s Hospital Cave

Hospital Cave is located on Cat Ba island, next to the private road across the island, about 13 km from Cat Ba town. It was a secret bomb shelter hospital during the American War and a safe house for Viet Cong (VC) leaders on Cat Ba island. Built from 1963 to 1965 (with assistance from China), this incredibly well-constructed three-story engineering feat was actively used until 1975. This cave is about 10km north of Cat Ba Town, on the road to Cat Ba National Park entrance.

The cave traverses 17 rooms, including an old operating room (complete with patient mannequins) and a large natural cave used as a cinema (and even had its own small swimming pool).

 

5. Trung Trang cave

Located in Trung Trang valley, Trung Trang Cave is 15 km northwest of Cat Ba town. It is a narrow cave with a length of over 300 m. Over millions of years of geological tectonics, this cave owns thousands of natural stalactites with unique shapes, evoking visitors’ imagination. Throughout the cave, visitors will come to a cave cavity with stalactites glistening under the dim lights.

Trung Trang Cave has an ecosystem in the mysterious darkness inhabited by many creatures such as birds, bats, reptiles, and insects. The National Park uses a simple lighting system in the cave to preserve the characteristics of the ecological environment in the cave. The fuzzy virtual space has helped visitors to have an exciting experience.

At the end of the journey to explore more than 300 m of Trung Trang cave is a towering cave with many cubes as beautiful sculptures of nature. From here, visitors will enter a lush green space with many ancient trees and vines. Trung Trang Cave is often a highlight of the trekking journey in Cat Ba National Park. In general, it is also featured in the program of many cruises on Lan Ha Bay.

 

6. Cat Ba island’s Canon fort

Canon fort with two big canons was built in the 1920s by Vietnam Army on the island, which offers a beautiful view to Lan Ha Bay.

 

7. Ngu Lam peak

Another excellent viewpoint is the Ngu Lam peak, an ideal destination for adventurous travelers who want to see Cat Ba from above. At the altitude of 225m, it is one of the highest peaks in Cat Ba, giving you an overview of the island and island life. The whole picture of Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, is captured in your sight with the sea, islands, forests, and floating villages on the sea, gentle and peaceful. The steep trekking route from the mountain foot takes you about 1 hour to conquer, and you won’t feel regret.

 

8. Beaches in Cat Ba island

The sophisticated beaches Cat Co 1, 2, 3

Three famous beaches attract the most tourists when traveling to Cat Ba island. The common point of all three is not big and surrounded by green mountains, gentle waves, clear water, and little wind. They are connected by a small wooden bridge along the mountainside, which makes the scenery romantic. Cat Co 1 is the most bustling and fun atmosphere thanks to clear water, wide sandy beach. Those who like a quieter area will find Cat Co 2 beach more suitable. The beach of Cat Co 3 is less traveled than Cat Co 1 & 2 because it is quite deep and wavy, which is ideal for good swimmers. However, the tide will come up quickly around 6.30 PM, so you are not advised to swim here after the time.

 

Tung Thu beach

About 2km away from the center of Cat Ba town, visitors will reach Tung Thu beach, which has been opened since mid-2010. In Cat Ba island, Tung Thu beach is set up based on international standards with an outdoor stage on the beach, designed according to a unique concept. Tourists will find it more modern and fun once they come here.

 

Cat Dua beach on Monkey island

Cat Dua beach in Monkey island, which is about 1km long with clear water, could be found in the middle of the beautiful Lan Ha bay. To get here, tourists need to take a boat trip from Cat Ba town’s pier for about half an hour. There is also a small beach called “Cat Dua 2” which is smaller but more private and worth to visit thanks to its well-equipped facilities.

 

Van Boi beach

Located on a small island facing the island of Like Rua in Lan Ha Bay, Van Boi beach attracts summer tourists with all the beauty of a young girl in Spring. Unlike the bustle in Cat Co beach, Van Boi beach still retains its wild and natural charm. Small Van Boi Beach, enclosing a protruding part of a cliff, provides visitors with a quiet white sandy beach and shallow clear seawater. The water is so clear that you can see the bottom of the sand or bragging coral reefs and enjoy a few rays of sunlight shining down a large area in waves.

 

VI. What to do in Cat Ba island

1. Sight-seeing boat trip in Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay in Cat Ba also includes islands protruding from the sea and many cave systems that share similarities to Ha Long Bay. However, many tourists believe that visiting Lan Ha Bay is more interesting because the scenery here retains more wild features than in Ha Long Bay. You can arrange a half-day cruise for approximately 4 hours deep into Lan Ha bay to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. During the cruise, you can also combine visiting the fishing village or trying a kayaking trip on the beautiful bay of Hai Phong.

2. Swimming in one of Lan Ha Bay’s deserted beaches

Get yourself a cruise for a more in-depth exploration of Lan Ha bay, and you’ll reach deserted beautiful small beaches on islands’ feet such as Van Boi, Nam Cat, Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches), etc. Those beaches have similarities of white sandy beaches, clear water, and less used by travelers.

 

3. Rock climbing

It is a type of adventure tourism that attracts adventurous tourists when coming to Cat Ba. The island offers dozens of climbing points on islands in Lan Ha Bay, such as Hang Ca, Nam Cat island, Ba Trai, etc., or on the mainland of Cat Ba town. The rocky cliffs, the feeling of conquering the cliffs is always a sport that brings strong feelings to visitors.

 

Among the climbing spots, visitors should choose one of the three places that are invested quite professionally with instructors, specialized climbing gears, ensuring safety for visitors.

 

The first is the valley climbing point in Lien Minh village, which is about 5 km from the center of Cat Ba town.

The second is the climbing spot on Tien Ong Island, located in Lan Ha bay, about 1 hour and 30 minutes by boat from Cat Ba tourist resort. The place offers eight climbing routes, which are easily accessible even at high tide. The topography and sea depth here are suitable for free-sea climbing. For those who love adventure, this is the ideal climbing point with low cliffs, simple climbing routes with an island with a small cave, and the rest is a cliff with large stalactites.

The last one is a newly-operated spot located in the center of Cat Ba town – Ang Tre mountain climbing point. This place is surrounded by green trees and steep green cliffs suitable for the climbing experience. It has three climbing paths, and the lowest is 7m, the highest is 23m with the terrain from easy to difficult.

 

4. Try Fresh seafood tasting at one of the floating restaurants

Cat Ba island is a marine tourist area, so the delicious dishes and famous specialties in Lan Ha Bay are main dishes made from seafood such as lobster, sea crab, seaweed, mussels at different types. Try yourself at one of the floating restaurants in Cat Ba island is also a pleasant experience. The fish farms underneath the restaurant are lively with fresh sea creatures ready for many delicious dishes for visitors to enjoy, such as Fried crab with salt, sea sam grilled, baked lobster with egg sauce, and wine-poached lobster, grilled shrimp, steamed shrimp, etc.

 

5. Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay

It is easy to hire a boat for a half-day cruise to see Lan Ha bay’s beauty with hundreds of Karst islands and islets. Be prepared with swimwear and ready to paddle in a quiet, tranquil area to learn more about the rocks’ formation.

 

6. Bike cycling to Viet Hai village

From Cat Ba town, it takes you about 1 hour by boat then hop on a bike to cycle for about 5km to visit the peaceful village of Viet Hai. The cycling route covers a long shady path along the coastal line and tunnel through the mountain.

 

7. Trekking in Cat Ba National Park

The National Park offers you a few trekking routes that one may select to fit their needs through the jungle. Below are the popular:

Cat Ba National Park to Viet Hai village: It’s a 4-hour tough trek followed by a 45-minute gentle walk from the village to the boat pier. You’ll need to catch a boat trip to return to Cat Ba island.

 

V. How to get to Cat Ba

From Hai Phong city to Cat Ba island

By Ferry: It is easy to get to Cat Ba from Hai Phong by taking the hydrofoil at Binh pier. It takes 45 minutes to get to the center of Cat Ba island.

By road: From Hai Phong city, follow the highway to Dinh Vu and continue to Cat Hai island on the new bridge. From the Got pier, you can either take the ferry to Cat Ba island or using the cable cars to Phu Long. It’s a brand-new cable car by Sun group, which has been in operation since May 2020. Its ticket booth is in Cat Hai station, which is close to the Got pier.

From Hanoi:

By bus: there are many options for the bus companies for you to choose from. They include Good Morning Cat Ba, Cat Ba Express, Daiichi Travel, Full Moon, Cat Ba Discovery, etc. All of the buses are equipped with comfortable seats, water, and wet tissues. These buses depart daily with three or four turns a day. Each of the turns is 2.5 to 3.5 hours apart. The earliest bus at 7.30 AM; and the latest is between 2.00 PM and 2.30 PM. The bus will pick you up in the Old Quarter area in Hanoi for a direct drive to the center of Cat Ba Island. The bus runs on the Hanoi- Hai Phong Highway to Got pier in Hai Phong. After getting off the bus in Got pier, you will take the ferry, or high-speed boat to Cai Vieng harbors in Cat Ba. From Cai Vieng, you will continue using the bus to Cat Ba town.

By train: Get a train ticket to Hai Phong station for about 2.5 hours. From Hai Phong City, follow our guide on how to get to Cat Ba from Hai Phong city above. This option will be quite attractive for those who like local experiences. Every day, there are four turns from Hanoi to Hai Phong. They ar6.00 a.m. a9.17 a.m. a3.20 p.m. p.m.,6.15 p.m5 p.m.

By cable car from Ben Got pier (Cat Hai island) to Phu Long (Cat Ba island): The longest cable car in Vietnam is Cat Ba cable car, which is 21km long. Since May 2020, the first part from Ben Got pier (Cat Hai island) to Phu Long (Cat Ba island) has been put into operation with ticket price at 150,000 VND (approx. 6.50 USD)

 

From Saigon or Danang:

It’s easy to fly from Saigon or Danang to Cat Bi airport in Hai Phong then follow our guide above.

 

From Halong Bay – Halong City:

You can take a 45-minute ferry trip from Tuan Chau (Quang Ninh province) to Gia Luan. Then get yourself a transfer to the center of the town for about 20 minutes. Please note that the last ferry leaves Tuan Chau at 3.00 PM.