A precious pearl of the North Vietnamese islands with the world's cheapest pearls. One of the most most picturesque places a must-see planet when traveling in Vietnam
It took several decades for Cat Ba Island in Halong Bay to transform quiet fishing villages, where the main means of transportation by land were exclusively Soviet motorcycles Minsk, and water transport was only a few hundred battered junks, into an attractive region of Vietnam.
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Jonki no longer randomly fill the waters of the bay; a park has been created for all fishing vessels, a few hundred meters from the shore. Presentable hotels appeared on the island, and even luxurious resort on Cat Co III, in the north of the city. Hanoi residents go to Cat Ba for the weekend, so in summer time the city is full of tourists, and hotel prices for the week-end, if booked directly at the hotel, almost double.
But here you will meet the bustle inherent in Asian countries even on the roads, so it makes sense to rent a motorbike and get on it to the farthest corners of the island. The streets of the city are clean and calm. And from any point of the island, picturesque landscapes of the rocky coast and emerald waters open up to your eyes South China Sea ... If you find yourself on Cat Ba 1 April, every year on this day, the entire population celebrates a memorable ho Chi Minh's visitto the island, you will witness a big festive event with colorful dragon boat regattas and fashion shows with collections of local designers.
Best time for vacation
On the island Cat ba the stifling heat will never find you, here all year round there is a pleasant coolness. The thermometer rarely rises above 28 degrees Celsius. January and February, when the temperature reaches 15 degrees Celsius, are good for excursions, although you will not be able to swim at this time of the year.
How to get to Cat Ba (Halong)
The easiest way to get in to Cat Ba from Hanoi... You can book a boat and take it on a trip to halong Bay, stay overnight on the island, and the next day return to Hanoi. But if you have enough time, it is better to stay on the island a little longer, and then, having got acquainted with the sights of Haiphong, continue your journey further along the scenic routes in Ning Binh.
From Hanoi to Cat Ba and back, via Haiphong, every day, four times a day (at 7.15, 9.15, 13.15 and 15.15) comfortable buses... The fare to Haiphong is 70,000 dong, the journey to Hanoi will cost you a little more - 100,000 dong, approximately $ 7.
Bus company address Hoang long bus companytransporting travelers:
— in Hanoi: 28 Tran Nhat Duat, tel. 04 / 928-2828
— in Haiphong: 1 Tran Nguyen Han, tel. 0313/700 -778
— on the island of Cat Ba company phone 0313 / 887-224
High speed ferry from the island Cat Ba departs daily at 15.00 from the pier located in the city center. Purchase a flight ticket Thuong Nhat Transport Cooperative can be in Sunflower Hotel(Nui Ngoc Rd., Tel. 0313 / 888-429). The cost of the trip is VND 90,000 one way.
Island travel
Thin strips of sand at the water's edge and picturesque little coves Cat Ba not a bad option to soak up the sun in the bosom of nature and gain strength - especially after long travels or early in the morning before returning to Hanoi.
Beach at Cat Co III considered "private" because of the resort located on it Sunrise Cat Ba , but this does not exclude the possibility that you can safely come here to sunbathe, even without being a guest of this hotel... Yes, you won't be able to use straw umbrellas, but water is not private property. Plus some dongs in the pocket of the beach ranger and you are sheltered from the sun and lie on a sun lounger. Be sure to take a walk from the beach Cat Co III up the high cliffs towards the north and enjoy great views of the bay on your way to other beaches on Cat Ba Island.
Public beaches - Cat Co I and II... The cost of a place in the sun is 5,000 dongs (no more than 50 cents). It is easy to get there by motorcycle or by motor-taxi (from the city center it costs about 10,000 VND), it can also be reached on foot.
The biggest attraction cat ba - national parkoccupying more than half of the island. A kind of "Noah's Ark" received official status on March 31, 1986. The endangered species of gold-headed langurs and other rare monkeys, civets, leopards and more than 30 species of mammals, more than 70 exotic species of birds and amphibians are here. But the only chance to see something truly unique will be with a guide from the park.
You can take an exotic ride through the park, including a stop at a cave Trung Trang and climbing the mountain Cao vang... Passing the lake of frogs, surrounded by swampy forests, through primeval forests, you can get to the fishing village Viet Haiwhere national minorities live and visit the village Ao-Ech.
The park's training center has a large information panel on english language, which tells about the many rare species of wildlife that live in the park and contains tips on the most accessible trails for independent study.
The entrance to the park is VND 15,000 for backpackers, and with motorcycle parking it will cost you VND 20,000. Guide services - 150,000 VND.
On the way along the road leading north from the town of Cat Ba to the National Park, if you are careful, you can find a small hill, climbing it you will find yourself in a cave - one of the most significant treasures of Vietnam... You may even see a man upstairs in military uniform and an officer's cap, who will wave to you, inviting you to rise. Mr. Hoi, at almost eighty years old, still conducts excursions to the Cat Ba caves, which he can rightfully call his own. Initially, during the Vietnam War against the United States, he participated in artillery battles. After the hostilities, Hoy took over the duties of a tour guide in the bunker. The labyrinth of underground buildings housed a large hospital and wounded rehabilitation rooms, office space, an ammunition depot, recreation rooms, a theater, and a small swimming pool. Prisoner of war Everett Alvarez, the first American Navy pilot, whose fighter was shot down during a combat operation in Vietnam on August 5, 1964, was also held here.
But, nevertheless, the most unforgettable moment in visiting the cave is meeting with Mr. Hoy. He lines up visitors at the cave entrance and salutes the North Vietnamese army in a roaring voice. Only after this ritual can you get inside. Waving a flashlight, and without stopping for a second, the gray-haired guide will lead you through all the rooms in the cave. It is very important to bring an interpreter with you, at least an English-speaking one, otherwise Hoi will lose his voice trying to convey the story of the bunker to you. He will also talk about how you help Vietnam with your travels, and will sing a military ballad. After the end of the excursion, the former artilleryman will ask you to write a commentary in the guestbook for memory. You will always remember the image of an angelic smile of an unusual guide and memories of his love for life and for the whole world.
The caves are open to visitors every day from 8.00 to 17.00, the cost of entry is 20,000 dong or one and a half dollars.
It will not be difficult to pacify your appetite after long walks around the island. Street food vendors can be found everywhere. There are many civilized cafes and restaurants. Noble house, a stylish three-story mansion located next to the hotel Van anh on the coast of the bay, where travelers from Europe gather in the evenings. The owner, Peter from Australia, offers not only delicious grilled dishes or salads, but also a mix of Asian cuisine with a European twist. Delicious steamed crab with ginger. In addition to daily food, Peter is always ready to provide spiritual food, gladly telling interesting facts from the life of the city and its inhabitants. On the third floor there is a bar and billiard tables. From 18.00-19.00 Noble house happy hour.
Small cozy cafe Flightless bird, located at the southern end of the city's main street, opened by another Australian, Graham. Both tourists and locals come here to drink a glass of beer and the most delicious coffee on the island.
For a gourmet romantic dinner, head to Green mango (Group 19 Zone 4) strongly resembles a cafe with its interiors Bobby chinin Hanoi... Deliciously cooked spring rolls and perch fillets in green curry will impress you.
Seafood dishes are served in a typical Cat Ba establishment My ngoc (southern part of Group 19 Zone 4), where you can choose from a wide range of fish, shrimp or crab cooked in your presence.
Where to live
The hotel, hidden in the rocks on a small sandy beach, has actually set a new standard for small hotels in Cat Ba. The resort is located in the bay Cat Co III... To get here, you have to go down the stairs and walk for a few more minutes to the narrow coastal strip. Cat Co III Beach connects with other beaches through carved tunnels in the rocks along the coast. The well-kept area has its own swimming pool, and the hotel rooms are large and elegant with mahogany trim. All rooms have sea views and most even have balconies. Rooms on the upper floors are best suited for travelers with children
Catba is a kind of center for adventure youth tourism. Motorbike or bike, trekking, rock climbing and kayaking are the main ways active rest on Catba.
Plan to spend at least 2-3 full days on Catba.
Near the island of Catba. Photo (photo credit): Natalie Belikova, FiveStepsPhotoblog
why go
Don't miss out on Catba Island
- Rent a motorbike or bike and explore the beaches, coves and tiny villages of the island
- Join an organized cruise, fishing or rent a tiny private junk to navigate the most remote non-touristy corners of Lanha Bay
- Join a trekking tour through the national park to climb the most high peak an island with a magnificent view of the bay
- Challenge yourself to rock climbing on the karst cliffs of Lanha Bay
- See how seafood is prepared at the local market
Spend the day on one of the remote beaches or Catba islands, grab a kayak and search for remote beaches and caverns
Rent a motorbike and bicycle to explore the island
The best way to explore Catbu Island is by motorbike. You can rent a motorbike everywhere (in any Catba guesthouse, about $ 5 / day). When renting a motorbike, take a map of the island and ask to show you interesting routes on the map - beaches, lakes, caves, a fort with views of the bay, a local market, local tiny fishing villages and remote villages located in the jungle. An alternative way to get acquainted with the wildlife and life of Catba is to rent a bike (the total length of the cycling route can be up to 50 kilometers)
Cycling along Catba. Photo (photo credit): Melvin Baroga, Flickr
Catba Island by motorbike. Photo (photo credit): Dana McMahan, Flickr
Cruises, fishing and kayaking on Catba Island
The choice of sea adventures on Catba is large. Cruises on Catba differ from - here everything is more ascetic and democratic. Tiny cruise ships are Catba's trademark. Options can be different - from private lease boat trips to fishing with local fishermen and kayaking tours. The easiest and most budget option is a day cruise on Lanha Bay, with a visit to a fishing village and / or pearl farm, kayaking and a stop at Monkey Island ().
Kayaking on Catba. Photo (photo credit): The Au Co, Flickr
Cruising on Catba. Photo (photo credit): Melvin Baroga, Flickr
Rock climbing
Rock climbing on Catba Island is an interesting experience. Full-day trips to the Castro Rocks, organized by local adventure agencies, usually take a full day and are combined with cruise and kayaking in the bay. Half-day trips usually include cliff transfers, gear and instruction.
Rock climbing on Catba,. Photo (photo credit): beekalove, Flickr
Trekking in the national park
Most local agencies offer trekking in national park, that are the best way acquaintance with the wild nature of Catba (you may even be able to see rare view langur living in the local jungle). Hiking trails the jungle usually lasts from 2 to 5 hours, some of them pass through the village of Viet Hat, where you will have the chance to meet the locals and taste local food in one of the hospitable local houses.
Trekking on Catba. Photo (photo credit): Andrew Ferrier, Flickr
Viet Hai village
An alternative way to experience the wildlife and village life of Cat Ba is to spend a full day overnight in Viet Hat Village. The only accommodation option is Whisper Nature Bungalow. The road to the village is an adventure in itself - first by boat to the Viet Hai Harbor pier and then by bike to the village (note that local transport goes to the pier once a day, so you either have to adjust to its schedule or book a private boat , read the instructions you receive upon booking). The lodge has very basic bungalows, simple local food, and bicycles for rent.
Today I will devote my article to the amazing and unique Cat Ba island in Vietnam
Cat Ba Island is located in Vietnam in Halong Bay.
Halong is a unique place where more than two thousand islands are located in a small area. According to legend, a dragon lived here, when the dragon descended into the sea, he left deep ditches with his paws and claws. Then the ditches were filled with water and a bay with a thousand islands was formed, which was named so - the place where the dragon descends into the sea, i.e. Halong. Catba is the most large island in the bay, and at the same time the most visited.
Most of the island is a national park, so in terms of ecology, this is perhaps the best place in all of Vietnam. As soon as you descend ashore, you will immediately feel the warm and humid tropical air of the island, which is significantly different from the mainland.
How to get to Catba Island
I am aware of three ways to get to the island. You need to choose a convenient method based on the characteristics of your movement. If you want to get to the island faster - order a direct transfer, if you want to walk around Hai Phong, choose a bus + rocket, you ride a motorcycle - you take a freight ferry.
Direct transfer
Preferred for tourists without transportation is to buy a transfer from Hanoi. The transfer includes a Bus to the ferry, an individual ferry for your group, a transfer to the city center. In general, I sat down, went and got out already on the Catba. The minimum waiting time is all fast. (total time 3-4 hours from Hanoi). You can buy a transfer at any hotel, probably 60 rubles can be saved if you buy at the box office, but is it worth it? Moreover, it is the best option for traveling with children.
If you decide to go on your own, then you should go to the Ben xe Luong Yen bus station, where you buy tickets at the box office for 220,000 dong and get on the bus. Buses leave at 7:20 am and 11:20 am, someone writes that there is still a flight at 5:20 am - but I did not see it on the schedule.
Bus + Rocket
An option for exotic lovers is to get to Catba Island by Rocket (high-speed hydrofoil). The process is as follows - a bus to Haipong, go to the pier, board a rocket, arrive at the central pier of Catba. The price is comparable to option 1. But you need to go to the pier yourself, find out the schedule, etc. From Exotic - ride a rocket across the sea.
You can get from Hanoi to Haipong from 4 bus stations, namely Midin (MY DINH), Zyalam (GIA LAM), Zyapbat (GIAP BAT) and LUONG YEN buses run every 20-40 minutes.
The fact is that the city itself is not on the beach, the city embankment runs along the fishing pier and it is impossible to swim there. But if you walk 500 meters to the side, then you find yourself in the wonderful hospitable bay of the Catba Sunrise Resort. The entrance to the beach is free, you will have to pay for a sunbed. If you turn a little earlier to the left, you can get to the next beach of Catba, and even further another beach. It is difficult to get lost there, you can see everything on google maps.
From the beach at Catba Sunrise, you can follow a hiking trail (must-visit) along the sea. There will be wonderful views of the bays, sea and islands. Electric cars run to the beaches during high season.
Little life hack. Go to the Catba Sunrise Resort website, write a letter to the manager with a link to this site, and if you stay on the island for a few days, then you will agree on very good booking conditions. Of course the price will be more expensive than in a hotel on the outskirts, but it's worth it.
National park
Most of the island is a national park, and I think you should definitely go there. There is one peculiarity, the national park is not a park for walking in the evening, it is a virgin jungle, along which narrow paths are laid and there are signs. Since the terrain is mountainous, often the paths turn into steps cut right into the mountain, steep ascents and descents will constantly accompany you.
There are several routes in the national park - the most equipped and habitable, it is also the shortest route to the top in the center of the island. The rest of the routes will require stamina and stamina of character from you, but believe me, there are few places where you will see such beauty: razor sharp rocks, freshwater crabs and mangrove forests.
The entrance to the park is inexpensive 20-30 dong, i.e. not the kind of money you need to be upset about, I lay out the card, it's better to have it on your phone. Well, and most importantly, the rules say - take with you 3 liters of water per person, I recommend not to neglect this rule. There may be a lot for the short route 3, but 1.5 liters is the minimum. When you go, you will understand why.
If you go to central park, then before entering the route there is the last tray with water, chocolates, nuts, etc. There lives a Vietnamese who speaks Russian. Yes, yes ... in Russian. He will not immediately understand that you are talking to him in Russian, they rarely have such guests. But when he realizes, he will communicate well and give you a couple of tips. Say hello to him!
Get to national park you can take a motorbike, there is a parking near the park, or order a taxi. Paying VND 400,000 per person for a shuttle to the park is crazy.
Caves
There are several caves on Catba, some of the caves can be accessed without prior preparation. Others can only be accessed when accompanied by a speleologist. One of the largest caves is located on the road to the national park (there will be a guard's booth and a wrought-iron gate on the left). I recommend visiting it when you return from the national park. If you are a professional speleologist, then I am not the one who can help you ...
Fishing
There are many places for excellent fishing on Catba, from fishing with a line from the shore to going out to the open sea. The simplest thing is to take a fishing line, a hook and a sinker and move towards the beach, before reaching the beach, go down from the pier and come closer to the rocks and start fishing. The most successful time was after the storm, nowhere and never did it bite like on Katba.
Do you want exotic? You can go to the fishing pier without any problems and agree that experienced comrades will take you with them on fishing.
Option three - sea trip combined with fishing. Go to the Central Pier, hire a boat with a diesel engine and go.
Old military hospital
An old military hospital from the Vietnam War is located on Cat Ba. It is easy to get to it on a motorbike. Walk through caves and dungeons, go to the observation deck, stand next to the weapon. In general, it is worth giving an hour to this place.
Take a ride on the roads of the island
In addition, I recommend simply driving along the roads of the island, stopping by a pearl farm, seeing how they plow with oxen, how rice is grown, and how they live in remote villages. There is practically no traffic on Catba outside the city, it is better to refuel at gas stations - it is much cheaper. I recommend doing this - they took a motorbike, filled in 1-2 liters and went for a drive. As a rule, no documents are required for renting a motorbike.
Conclusion
If you are in Vietnam, be sure to visit Cat Ba Island. Several times I have visited this beautiful island, for the first time with a one-year-old daughter. There is nothing wrong with an independent trip, take tickets and go.
All questions can be asked in the comments, I will answer quickly enough.
Catba is the largest island in. Most of it is often occupied by mountains and jungles; a rather small area is allocated for the life of people and tourists (compared to the scale of the island). Almost half of the Catba Island has been a national park since 1986.
There are many cafes on the island with cheap (compared to Hanoi) seafood. There are shops and massage parlors.
Evening streets of Catba
And a very beautiful embankment, it reminded us of the embankment in Nha Trang:
Floating restaurants
And on the island of Catba you have a unique opportunity to stay in a hotel overlooking the picturesque Halong Bay. Waking up with this look is the key to a successful day!
Hotels with views of Halong Bay
Other hotels on Cat Ba with good discounts from Booking:
Since we arrived at Catba as part of a two-day excursion from Hanoi, we did not have to choose a hotel. Nevertheless, the hotel was quite decent, albeit not on the first line, without a panoramic view of Halong:
Such a number, in any case, is better than a cabin on the ship))
View from the window: houses are surrounded by rocks
And from our window you can see the sea, but a little
Catba National Park is the main attraction on the island. Apart from her, there is little interesting on the island. Perhaps, a Vietnamese army bunker carved into the rock. We did not visit it, we just learned about its existence from the Internet. This bunker was used during the Vietnam-American War in the 60s and 70s. They say that inside - whole city with its own command center, hospital, cinema, swimming pool and even a wedding hall!
Since we bought an excursion to Halong with an overnight stay on the island, our program also included a visit to the National Park.
Entrance to Catba National Park
Catba national park
According to official information, there are about 740 species of plants and 280 species of all kinds of animals and birds in the Katba reserve. We did not notice so much (they are hiding, probably), but we saw cute deer:
And monkeys, for some reason, in cages. Why, if there is a jungle around?
At the entrance to the park we met schoolchildren. As usual, there was a photo without
It's time to take a dollar per photo)
Useful information about the national park for tourists
Immediately after this cafe, the climb begins:
There is also a guide to the reserve:
Not far from the start of the climb, future jungle bungalows were discovered. The basis of all construction for the Vietnamese is the door. And this case is no exception.
The highest part of the island is the Ngu Lam Peak, which is the purpose of visiting the national park. Up, up and up: the motto of our walk!
Our 40 minute effort was crowned with success, the views are well worth the jungle climb! Endless green hills, sea of \u200b\u200bgreen hills!
There is an observation deck at the top:
We were photographed by a Cambodian, whom we met on an excursion. He turned out to be Denis's "colleague" - an international journalist. In the 1980s, he visited St. Petersburg, and during the recession in Cambodia, he helped restore the press and journalism in general in Kampuchea, working closely with Vietnamese publishing houses and printing houses.
From the observation deck, a path goes even higher, along which we, of course, went.
It was not easy going up and down this path
And they turned out to be even higher!
The same observation deck is now below us
National park entrance fee - 40,000 VND ($ 1.8). If you come here as part of a tour of Halong, entrance will be included.
Cat Ba National Park on the map:
How to get to Cat Ba yourself
The easiest way to get to Cat Ba from Hanoi is to buy complex ticket bus + ferry. You can buy such a ticket at the bus stations from where buses depart to different cities in Vietnam (there are many such bus stations). A complex ticket will cost about 200,000 dong.
You can also order such a ticket directly at your hotel. It will come out a little more expensive (approximately 320,000 dong), but you will be picked up directly from your hotel and you will not have to go to the bus station on your own, and you will also be met by a bus at the Catba pier and taken to the center of the island.
The island's rocky landscape, drowning in the tropical jungle, looks exactly like the movie "Jurassic Park".
Most of the Halong Bay islands are completely uninhabited, as are vertical rocks sticking out of the water. Cat Ba is completely different: here you will discover the authentic life of fishing villages and even see how the local town grows.
The main part of the coast of the island consists of rocky slopes, but there are also sandy beacheshidden from prying eyes in the tiny coves of the island. The most picturesque nature and delightful beaches are located in the eastern part of the island - in Lan Ha Bay.
The rocky soil of Kat Ba has never been fertile (except in a few places in the interior of the island), which is why locals from time immemorial they hunted for fishing. By the way, a large proportion of the settlers left the island in the 1970s and 1980s, going to work, and their financial assistance to the families who remained in Cat Ba greatly helped the development of the island.
In 1986, almost half of the island ( total area of which 354 km²), as well as 90 km² of adjacent waters received the status of a national park. This area includes: evergreen rainforests, freshwater bodies of water, mangroves, small freshwater lakes of the island and of course fantastic coral reefs. The assignment of this territory to the status of a national park was necessary to protect the unique ecosystem. More than 200 species of fish, 500 species of molluscs and 400 species of arthropods, as well as 3 species of dolphins and seals, live in the waters of the Cat Bat National Park.
On the island, you will discover numerous lakes, rugged waterfalls and deep caverns in the limestone hills. The highest hill rises from the water at 331 meters. The most big lake on the island is Ech Lake, which covers more than 3 hectares of land. By the way, as you probably know, the level of rivers and lakes in Asia always depends on the season. Most of the freshwater rivers disappear into the grottoes and follow underground currents into the sea.
In April 1951, Ho Chi Minh City visited Cat Ba Island for the first time, and since 1952 an annual festival dedicated to such a great event has been held here. The monument to the People's Leader was erected on the island's mountain opposite the main pier of the city of Cat Ba.
Cat Ba National Park
Entrance ticket: ~ 25,000 dong
Guide services: ~ 5 $ USD per day
Cat Ba National Park is home to more than 32 species of mammals, including: langurs, wild boars, deer, squirrels, porcupines, etc. By the way, it is in Cat Ba that there are about 60 golden-headed langurs, which are officially endangered. The national park is also a habitat for more than 70 species of birds, such as hawks, hornbills, cuckoos, etc. In addition to living creatures that live directly in the national park, the Cat Ba island itself is located on the main migratory route of waterfowl ...
More than 745 species of plants are registered on Cat Ba, many of which are of great value for medicine. Here on the island grows a tree quite famous in the Asian world - Cay Kim Gao. It has been known since ancient times for its unusual properties. It is believed that if you touch the poisoned food with chopsticks made of this tree, the light wood of the chopsticks turns black.
What to see in Cat Ba National Park
Caves
There are 2 main caves for tourists.
Cave Hospital
Hospital cave
It is a rather significant place from a historical point of view. It housed a secret hospital and a bomb shelter during the Vietnam War, hence the name of the cave.
Trung Trang cave
Hang trung trang
Located directly in the Cat Ba National Park. The cave is quite dark, so be sure to bring a flashlight with you.
Tracking
Trekking is a very common activity for Cat Ba.
The choice of trekking routes in Cat Ba is quite large, however, if you feel strong enough, join the popular but rather challenging 18 km trekking route with an ascent to the top of one of the mountains of the national park. We warn you in advance that the route is not easy, especially after (or during) rain, when the road becomes very slippery, and takes at least 6 hours. For more detailed information ask your guide or national park rangers.
Trekking can be arranged at any hotel / guesthouse in the city or at the headquarters of the Cat Ba National Park, which is located in Trung Trang. You can get there by minibuses that run regularly from most hotels / guesthouses or by motorbike / auto rickshaw. The journey in a minibus will take you at least 30 minutes and will cost you approximately 15,000 - 20,000 dong. A trip by motorbike - about 30,000 dong one way.
You will have to get to the starting point by bus or boat. Most of the routes end in the village of Viet Hai, from where you have to get to the city of Cat Ba, again by boat.
Remember that trekking is not only fun but also a kind of sport. You must be prepared. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes (no flip-flops and flip flops !!!), be sure to take water and a raincoat with you.
Cat Ba beaches
Beautiful sandy beaches for a lazy afternoon bliss - this is of course Cat Ko. There are 3 beaches on the island called Cat Ko, but they are numbered: Cat Ko 1, Cat Ko 2 and, of course, Cat Ko 3.
Cat Ko 2 - the only beach not built up with new ones resort hotels, which means we are right here. Unfortunately, it can be quite crowded here on weekends, but on weekdays it is very good. Cat Ko beaches are located a kilometer southeast of the city of Cat Ba. Cai Vieng, Hong Xoai Be and Hong Xoai Lon are also good beaches, but located further from the city.
Good to know
A guide is not a prerequisite for visiting the national park, but if you want to get the most out of the walk, do not spare $ 5.
Monkey Island is part of the Cat Ba National Park. That is why most tourists mark it in their itineraries. We recommend that you refuse to visit it. The main reason for this categorical statement is that this short trip can turn out to be a real headache for you.
Monkey Island has huge flocks of wild monkeys that behave quite aggressively. In addition to regularly taking things from tourists (including cameras and wallets), they can also bite you. The bite itself is not pleasant, but the following rabies shots are just as dubious pleasure.
When to go
Best time to visit Cat Ba: - This is the end of September - mid-November. During this period, the weather is consistently warm, and the sky is cloudless. It is pretty cool from December to February, and it often rains from February to April. The summer months (June - August) on the island are very hot and very humid - they are also the high season for domestic tourism.
