Cat Ba Island, Vietnam – Detailed Guide with Travel Tips

Cat Ba Island is the largest of the 367 islands of the Cat Ba archipelago with an area of ​​over 300 square kilometers. It was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2004. More than half of the island is covered by a national park, which is home to the endangered Cat Ba Langur. Cat Ba Island belongs to Haiphong municipality, which is located in northern Vietnam, only 170 km from Hanoi.

In reality, Cat Ba Island is considered to be the largest island in Halong Bay, as the island is located southeast of Lan Ha Bay, which is part of the world-famous Halong Bay.

Cat Ba means 'woman's island'. The legend attached to the name is that several centuries ago, 3 women of the Tran dynasty were killed, and their bodies floated along the water until they reached the 3 beaches before local fishermen found them. Islanders built temples for each woman, and this island became well-known as Cat Ba.

The island is a famous destination among Vietnamese tourists but also attracts foreign travelers because of the activities available for tourists.

Things to do on Cat Ba Island

The island offers an array of fun activities and natural attractions to its visitors. Here you can discover the best things to do in Cat Ba.

Swimming at Cat Co Beach

There are many beautiful beaches on Cat Ba Island. The most popular beaches to visit are Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, and Cat Co 3. These 3 beaches are located not far from the center of the main town on the island. You can walk, rent a motorbike, or take a shuttle to the beach easily.

The beaches of the island boast clear water and amazing views of the surrounding islets. Cat Co 1 Beach is the largest beach of all that is surrounded by cliffs. Cat Co 2 Beach and Cat Co 3 Beach are smaller in size but more peaceful.

Next to Cat Co 1 Beach, you can find a very well-rated resort, The May Legend Catba. Half of Cat Co 1 Beach and the entire Cat Co 2 Beach are occupied by towers of a high-rise Flamingo Resort Cat Ba.

Cat Co 3 Beach is the place where you can find one of the best hotels on the island - Hôtel Perle d'Orient Cat Ba. If you are looking for a place to stay in luxury and divine serenity, this hotel would be your best bet.

Even if there are hotels near the beaches, they are still accessible for general visitors.

The beaches are connected by a cliffside walking trail offering magnificent views.

Cruising around Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay is located south of Halong Bay. The surrounding waters around Cat Ba Island belong to Lan Ha Bay. Highlights of Lan Ha Bay are more than 300 scenic karst islands and limestone outcrops along with numerous small white-sand beaches.

The landscape of Lan Ha Bay is as beautiful as the one of Halong Bay. Even if Halong Bay is larger than Lan Ha Bay, the islets in Lan Ha Bay are covered with greenery, and there are many white sand beaches stretching between the rocky cliffs. Lan Ha Bay is quite far from Halong city so not many tourist boats visit the area, making Lan Ha Bay much more peaceful and gorgeous than the more touristy side of Halong Bay. This is an ideal destination for anyone looking for a peaceful exploration of the magnificent scenery. As the type of boat, cruise duration, and inclusions vary, compare several Lan Ha Bay tours to choose the one that suits your needs the best. One of the most affordable options is this Lan Ha Bay Kayaking & Snorkeling Full-Day Cruise.

Lan Ha Bay is visited as part of a day tour to Halong Bay. Our review of such a tour can be found here: Day Tour to Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba (on a Budget!).

To enhance your Lan Ha Bay cruising experience, you can choose to spend the night surrounded by spectacular nature on a 2-day Lan Ha Bay cruise that includes overnight aboard the cruise ship.

Trekking around Cat Ba National Park

The island not only attracts tourists with the beauty of the sea but also with its still-rich forest resources. Cat Ba National Park covers a total area of ​​26,240 hectares, 17,040 hectares of land, and 9,200 hectares of sea surface. This place has three different ecosystems including mangrove ecosystem, forest ecosystem on limestone hills and marine ecosystem with coral reefs. More than 2,320 species of plants and animals can be found at the national park.

If you love hiking, there's nothing too extreme at this national park. For anybody who's not sure about their own skills, taking a guide for trekking can be a good option. There are several routes to choose from based on the length of time. The shortest route to the peak can take about 45 minutes to 1 hour, and the view from the top is absolutely worth the hike.

You can also join the Cat Ba National Park Day Trip to spend the day exploring the national park recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve. Hike, kayak, cycle, and swim as you learn about the region from your local guide.

Admiring Sunset on Lan Ha Bay

Known as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Lan Ha Bay is shimmering, fanciful, and most mysterious at sunset.

There are many tours that are taking you to cruise in the afternoon so you can admire the sunset on the bay. On the most exceptional sunset tours, you can bask in the enchantment of a magical sunset and later kayak in the mesmerizing glow of plankton bioluminescence.

Visiting Viet Hai Village

Viet Hai Village is a small village located in the heart of the national park, in the midst of dense forest covered by high mountains. The village is located about 18 kilometers away from Cat Ba Town. Visiting Viet Hai Village gives you a chance to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere and see the way of life of the villagers.

Traveling to Viet Hai Village can be done in 2 ways:

1. Trekking to the village through the forest of the national park.

2. Taking a boat from Ben Beo Pier to Viet Hai Pier and then trekking for about 1 hour to the village.

A visit to Viet Hai Village is also included in the itinerary of some Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay cruises, such as this luxurious Lan Ha Bay and Viet Hai Village 3-Day 5-Star Cruise.

Touring Halong Bay from Cat Ba Island

Travelers can also buy a tour to Halong Bay that starts at Cat Ba Island. There are many tour companies on the island that are ready to offer tour packages, including a visit to this beautiful bay. Halong Bay tours departing from the island can also be booked online, and one of the best-rated tours can be found here: Halong Bay Full-Day Cruise from Cat Ba.

All Halong Bay tours starting on the island also include a boat trip to Lan Ha Bay, which is the bay located south of Halong Bay and east of Cat Ba.

These tours normally include many activities for tourists, such as picnics, swimming, or kayaking. There are also many beautiful beaches, such as Van Boi Beach, Ba Trai Dao Beach, and Nam Cat Beach, to visit.

Some of the best Halong Bay cruises also start their 2-day or 3-day trips on the island.

Seeing the history at Hospital Cave

Quan Y Cave, or Hospital Cave, is located about 15 km from the main town, next to a very well-rated Cat Ba Park Homestay. The military hospital cave was built in the area of ​​Tran Chau ward at the national park.

During the Vietnam War, the island was used as a safe haven for the North Vietnamese army. Heavy bombing of the Americans resulted in the creation of a secret hospital and safe house for leaders in the cave. The hospital has 3 floors and cannot be seen from the ground or air. The exit of the cave is on the other side of the mountain with a path surrounded by trees. Even if you climb the mountain, it is difficult to notice the cave entrance, making it one of the safest places on the island.

The hospital was abandoned after 1975 but now is becoming a popular tourist attraction on the island. The admission fee is 40,000 VND per person. Hiring a tour guide is recommended, as it will help you to know the history of Hospital Cave much deeper.

Visiting Fisherman Village

There are several fishing villages in the area around the island. The most popular of them is Cai Beo Fisherman Village. Cai Beo Fisherman Village is located near Ben Beo Pier, which is just 2 kilometers away from Cat Ba Town. You can come here by taxi and then take a small boat to visit the village. Here you will be able to visit the village of floating houses and enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding islands.

Cai Beo Fisherman Village is one of Vietnam's oldest prehistoric villages. The evidence indicates that the village of Cai Beo has been established for more than 4,500 years. This fishing village has a total of 300 houses, most of which are inhabited by people who make a living by fishing and farming sea animals such as scallops and oysters.

Paddle through the picturesque Cai Beo floating village to Van Boi beach on a kayak tour and watch the sunset over the water as the sky turns shades of orange and pink.

Spending time on Monkey Island

Cat Dua (Pineapple) Island, also known as Monkey Island, is located in the area of Nam Cat, Lan Ha Bay. The front side of the island is the place where you can find 2 sandy beaches, and the back side is a rocky mountain.

Monkey Island is another popular tourist destination, as almost all tours starting on Cat Ba Island take tourists to visit this island. The highlight of this place is the monkeys. There are more than 20 monkeys on this island to welcome visitors. In addition, there is a beautiful sunset viewpoint, white sand beach, clear water, and pine trees.

Getting to Monkey Island is easy. You can travel there by boat from Ben Beo Pier in just 15 minutes. The famous accommodation Monkey Island Resort can be found on the private beach of the island.

Rock Climbing on Cat Ba Island

While on the island, you can get on a rock climbing adventure, as there you can find routes suitable for beginners and advanced climbers. Rock climbing on the island promises a unique experience in crags like the magnificent Buddha Cave, Butterfly, and Kingfisher Valleys.

Discover your inner monkey on our spectacular climbing adventure by booking this half-day rock climbing in Cat Ba.

You can also experience the thrill of rock climbing in the stunning scenery of Lan Ha Bay by choosing this Half Day Rock Climbing in Lan Ha Bay. Climb the crags of Moody or Tiger Beach with the help of a guide and enjoy the stunning views from the top.

Adrenaline seekers can also experience the thrill of rock climbing and deep-water soloing in Lan Ha Bay by climbing the limestone cliffs and jumping into the water for a refreshing swim.

Tasting Local Food

Besides the beautiful scenery, on the island you will also find lots of delicious local food that is waiting to be discovered. When coming to Cat Ba, you should definitely eat lots of seafood, as here it's really affordable. Also try the traditional Vietnamese dishes, such as Vietnamese noodle soup Pho, hot pot, and a variety of spring rolls.

When it comes to eating and drinking, local food and drink prices shouldn’t break your budget. To get a better idea about how much food and drinks on the island cost, in this guide to Cat Ba Food & Drink Prices, we go through menus of several local restaurants, where we were having our meals. Of course, through the time the prices are changing, but this island still remains one of the cheaper holiday destinations in Vietnam.

Enjoying the view from Cannon Fort

Cannon Fort is considered to be the best viewpoint on Cat Ba Island. The fort is located on the top of the hill, at 177 meters above sea level. Cannon Fort not only offers spectacular views; this place also has a historical significance because it was a fortress built in 1942 during the French colonial times. Here you can see the remains of the Vietnam War's history and whole military complex including two canons, observation system and complex of tunnels.

The admission fee is 50,000 VND per person.

Remark: Currently, Cannon Fort is closed due to the reconstruction works being carried out there. However, some people still manage to get to the viewpoint and usually for free. Check Google reviews for more information.

Where to stay on Cat Ba Island

A complete guide to the best places to stay in Cat Ba with the best and most affordable hotels and other accommodations on the island can be found here: Where to Stay on Cat Ba Island.

Some of the best value-for-money hotels:

Catba Oasis Bungalows - hotel set 500 meters from Cat Co 1 Beach, offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge, and a terrace.

Catba Sunrise Hotel - hotel featuring views of the mountain, a shared lounge, and air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi.

Hôtel Perle d'Orient - 5-star hotel with sea views, a fitness centre, a garden and sun terrace with swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar.

How to get to Cat Ba Island

The island is located not too far from the mainland and is one of the entry points to Halong Bay, one of the most visited tourist destinations in Vietnam, so getting to Cat Ba is pretty easy.

Bus to Cat Ba Island

Bus is the most popular choice for getting to the island from Hanoi and several other destinations in Northern Vietnam.

Most of the bus companies operating on this route offer pick-up service from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels, and their buses depart from their offices in central Hanoi. The journey includes a trip on the bus to the ferry pier on Cat Hai Island, a short trip by ferry between the islands, and then a trip on another bus from the ferry pier on Cat Ba Island to accommodations in the town. The entire journey should take about 3.5-4 hours.

Bus routes also connect Cat Ba with other popular destinations in the region, such as Ninh Binh, Sapa, Ha Giang, Haiphong, and others.

The current bus departure schedule for the most popular routes can be found, and bus tickets can be booked online here:

Bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba

Bus from Ninh Binh to Cat Ba

Bus from Sapa to Cat Ba

Bus from Ha Giang to Cat Ba

To get a good deal for bus tickets on the most popular route, also check this Hanoi-Cat Ba bus.

To discover other bus services in Cat Ba, explore the Haiphong Bus guide.

Limousine to Cat Ba Island

If you want more comfort and convenience, you should choose a limousine or luxury van to travel to the island, as traveling by limousine can save time and is more comfortable than a bus.

Limousine tickets can be booked online here: Limousine Transfer Hanoi - Cat Ba.

Flights to Cat Ba Island

Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) in Haiphong is the nearest airport. This airport receives direct flights from many cities in Vietnam, so you can easily travel to Cat Ba Island by air from other popular tourist destinations.

Flight schedules for the most popular routes can be found, and flight tickets can be booked here:

Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Haiphong

Flights from Da Nang to Haiphong

Flights from Nha Trang to Haiphong

Flights from Phu Quoc to Haiphong

Flights from Can Tho to Haiphong

To get from the airport to Cat Ba Island directly, you will need to take a taxi. To avoid surprises and being overcharged, pre-book your airport transfer online here: Taxi from Cat Bi Airport to Cat Ba.

Otherwise, you can make a stopover in Haiphong and then travel to the island from the city. If you choose to do this, check for transportation options that you have for traveling from Cat Bi Airport to Haiphong City.

Tour from Hanoi

If you want to visit the picturesque island and the bay nearby but organizing the trip by yourself seems too complicated, you can make it simple and book one of Cat Ba Island tours from Hanoi. Such tours normally include visiting some places on the island and then going on a cruise around Lan Ha Bay.

Cat Ba Cable Car

Cat Ba Cable Car is a spectacular way to travel between Cat Ba Island and Cat Hai Island, which is connected with the mainland by a bridge. The ride by cable car lasts only 10 minutes and is faster than taking a ferry between the islands.

The cable car is operating only at specific times of the day. At the time of the update, the cable car schedule is the following (valid from 17.04.2024 until further notice):

• Morning: 09:00-09:15, 10:00-10:15, 11:00-11:15
• Afternoon: 13:30-13:45, 14:30-14:45, 15:30-15:45

The Cat Ba Cable Car ticket price is 50,000 VND for a one-way trip.

Discounted tickets can be booked online here: Sun World Cat Ba Cable Car Ticket

Pay attention that most of the negative comments online are related to long waiting times in the queue, so getting your ticket (QR code for direct entry) online can help save some time.

To get from Haiphong City to the cable car station on Cat Hai Island, you can take a taxi or Haiphong Bus 16C.

On another side, you can normally find taxis waiting, or you can choose to take Cat Ba Bus 14, which is going all the way to Cat Ba Town.

Discover a detailed guide to taking the cable car in Haiphong.

Cat Ba Ferry

Taking the Cat Ba Ferry from the ferry pier on Cat Hai Island, in combination with public buses 16C and 14, is the most affordable option for getting to the island from Haiphong.

Other transportation options

Below you can discover more detailed information about traveling between Cat Ba and other popular destinations in Northern Vietnam.

Hanoi to Cat Ba

Cat Ba Island is located approximately 160 kilometers from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Most travelers come to Cat Ba from Hanoi, as there are plenty of options for traveling between Hanoi and the island, and everyone can choose the best way depending on their preferences. A detailed guide about traveling from Hanoi to the island can be found here: How to travel from Hanoi to Cat Ba.

Haiphong to Cat Ba

Most of the routes to the island pass Haiphong, which is the main city in the area. There are several options for getting to the island from Haiphong, and they are briefly described here: How to travel from Haiphong to Cat Ba.

Ninh Binh to Cat Ba

Ninh Binh, a city in the Red River Delta, is another popular tourist destination in Northern Thailand, locally known as ‘Halong Bay on Land’ thanks to its magical riverine landscape, with sheer limestone mountains rising up from the paddies. Plenty of buses operate on the route from Ninh Binh to Cat Ba, making traveling directly much faster and easier than connecting in Hanoi.

Cat Ba to Sapa

Cat Ba Island and Sapa are two of the most attractive destinations in Northern Vietnam. If you are planning to visit them both during your trip in Vietnam, check how to travel from Cat Ba to Sapa and vice versa.

More options

More transportation options for a trip can be found, and transport tickets can be booked by this search form.

Weather on Cat Ba Island

The island is situated in the East Sea, so Cat Ba's weather is affected by the tropical monsoon. The average temperature here is between 23 and 24 degrees Celsius.