Cat Ba Island: The Green Heart and Main Alternative to Halong Bay

Cat Ba Island (Cát Bà) is the largest island of the archipelago of the same name, located at the junction of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay in northern Vietnam. More than half of the island's territory is occupied by a national park, recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Cat Ba is unique in that it offers tourists an ideal balance between active recreation and beach relaxation: here you can explore wild jungles, rock climb, kayak among karst formations, and relax on sandy beaches.

Best Places and Activities on the Island

Lan Ha Bay: A picturesque bay that is a continuation of Halong Bay, but much cleaner and less crowded. Daily boat tours depart from Cat Ba, including kayaking through karst arches, visiting floating fishing villages (such as Cai Beo), and swimming at wild beaches.
Cat Ba National Park: A vast green area with rich flora and fauna, home to an endangered species of monkey—the Cat Ba langur. The most popular route is trekking to the viewpoint at the top of Ngu Lam Peak, which offers a panoramic view of forest-covered conical hills.
Cat Co Beaches 1, 2, and 3 (Cát Cò Beaches): Three sandy beaches located within walking distance of Cat Ba town center. They are connected by a beautiful walking trail laid along the cliff above the sea. Cat Co 2 Beach is considered the quietest and most picturesque.
Cannon Fort: A historical defensive position at 177 meters above sea level, built in 1942. In addition to old cannons and military bunkers, this place is known as the best viewpoint on the island to watch the sunset over the bay.
Trung Trang Cave: The most famous and accessible cave on the island, located in the middle of the national park valley. Inside, a 300-meter route runs through chambers with numerous bizarre stalactites and stalagmites.

Practical Information for Travelers

Best Time to Visit

Beach Season (April to October): The most popular period. The weather is hot and sunny, ideal for swimming, kayaking, and sea cruises. It is worth noting that short-term typhoons are possible in July and August, and weekends can be crowded with local tourists.
Dry Cool Season (November to March): A great time for European tourists who prefer trekking, rock climbing, and excursions without the exhausting heat. The water temperature drops, so swimming may be uncomfortable.

How to Get There

Cat Ba Island has excellent transport connections, and the easiest way is to buy a combined ticket (bus + ferry/speedboat + bus) from travel agencies:

From Hanoi: The journey takes about 3.5–4 hours. The bus goes along the highway to Hai Phong city, then passengers transfer to a speedboat or ferry to the island, and on the island itself, another bus takes you to the town center.
From Halong Bay: You can get there by a regular ferry from the Tuan Chau tourist pier (Tuan Chau Ferry) to the northern pier of Cat Ba Island (Gia Luan), which is very convenient for combining the two locations.