Cat Ba Island Travel Guide

📍Overview

Lying just south of Ha Long Bay, the Cat Ba Archipelago is made up of 367 islands, with Cat Ba Island being the largest and most developed. It offers the same dramatic limestone scenery as Ha Long but with fewer crowds, cleaner beaches, and a touch of wilderness that still feels authentic.

Here you’ll find turquoise bays, towering cliffs, lush national parks, and floating fishing villages — all wrapped into one peaceful island escape.

☀️ Best Time to Visit Cat Ba

April to October marks the best time to visit, especially May to July, when the weather is warm, sunny, and ideal for swimming or cruising Lan Ha Bay.

However, July and August can see occasional tropical storms — check the forecast 3–5 days before your trip.
From November to March, the island gets quieter with cooler weather — perfect for hiking, photography, and relaxed resort stays.

🚗 How to Get to Cat Ba Island

From Hanoi

Most travelers take the Hanoi – Hai Phong expressway to Cat Hai Island, then cross over to Cat Ba by ferry or cable car.

Ferry (Đồng Bài – Cái Viềng): Runs from 5:30 AM to 6:30 PM, every 30–60 minutes.
⏱ Duration: ~25 minutes
💰 Tickets: 12,000 VND (on foot), 45,000 VND (motorbike), 190,000 VND (car under 9 seats)
Cable Car: One of the most scenic routes to Cat Ba.
🎟️ 100,000 VND per person
🕒 Operates 9:00 AM–3:45 PM (closed Tuesdays, except holidays)
🅿️ Parking: ~10,000–70,000 VND depending on vehicle type

From Hai Phong City

Take a speedboat from Binh Wharf directly to Cat Ba town.
⏱ Duration: ~50 minutes
💰 Ticket: 250,000–270,000 VND

From Quang Ninh / Ha Long

You can also travel via Tuan Chau Ferry (limited to 5 trips per day each way).
⏱ Duration: ~80 minutes
💰 Ticket for cars: ~450,000 VND
This option suits travelers combining Ha Long and Cat Ba in one trip.

🛺 Getting Around the Island

Once on the island, the scenic road from Cai Vieng Port to Cat Ba Town (20 km) winds through the Cat Ba National Park and along the coast.
You can rent:

Motorbike: 150,000–200,000 VND/day
Electric car: 10,000 VND/person per ride (around town)
Taxi or private car for longer distances

🌊 Top Things to Do in Cat Ba

1. Lan Ha Bay

Often called the hidden twin of Ha Long, Lan Ha Bay offers calm emerald waters dotted with limestone karsts and small sandy beaches.
🚤 You can rent a private boat (2–5.7 million VND) or join a day cruise (200,000–350,000 VND) including lunch and kayaking.

Popular activities:

Kayak through hidden lagoons
Visit floating fishing villages
Swim at deserted beaches
Explore Monkey Island

2. Cai Beo Fishing Village

Known as one of Vietnam’s oldest floating villages, Cai Beo offers a glimpse into the traditional life of fishermen who have lived here for centuries.
Wander between floating homes, feed fish, and buy fresh seafood directly from local families.

3. Monkey Island (Cat Dua Island)

A short boat ride from Cat Ba Town, this small island is home to playful monkeys and two lovely beaches (Cat Dua 1 & 2).
You can relax, swim, rent kayaks, or spend a night in a seaside bungalow.

4. Cat Ba National Park

A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, this park is ideal for trekking, wildlife spotting, or climbing to the Ngu Lam Peak for panoramic views.

Entrance fee: 40,000 VND (adults), 20,000 VND (children)
Hiking trails: from 2-hour walks to full-day treks

5. Hospital Cave

A secret underground war-time hospital built between 1963–1965, featuring 17 rooms, operating theaters, and even a cinema.
Entrance: 80,000 VND
Distance: ~8.5 km from town

6. Trung Trang Cave

Just nearby, Trung Trang is a 300-meter-long limestone cave with shimmering stalactites formed over 6 million years ago.
Entrance: 80,000 VND

7. Cannon Fort (High Point 177)

A hilltop military site offering the best panoramic view of Cat Ba town, Lan Ha Bay, and the surrounding islands — perfect for sunset.
Entrance: 80,000 VND (plus 50,000 VND for electric car transfer)

🏖 Best Beaches

If you prefer staying near town, visit the Cat Co beaches (Cat Co 1, 2, and 3) and Tung Thu Beach — clean, quiet, and within walking distance from hotels.

🛏 Where to Stay

Cat Ba offers accommodation for all budgets:

Luxury resorts: Flamingo Cat Ba, Nam Cat Island Resort, Monkey Island Resort
💰 1.5M–2M VND/night
Mid-range hotels: Along 1/4 Street and Tung Dinh Street
💰 500K–1M VND/night
Budget stays: Santorini Homestay, Lepont Bungalow (~300K/night)
Overnight cruises: Experience Lan Ha Bay from the water (3M–6M VND/night)

🍤 What to Eat

Seafood is the heart of Cat Ba cuisine — try horseshoe crab (sam bien), geoduck clam (tu hai), lobster, and mantis shrimp.
Visit Cat Ba Market or local restaurants along Cai Beo Street for fresh seafood or BBQ buffets (~200,000 VND/person).

⚠️ Travel Tips

Avoid swimming after 6 PM — strong tides.
On weekends, take the cable car instead of the ferry to avoid crowds.
Check weather forecasts if traveling between July–August.
Always ask for prices before ordering or shopping.

💡 Local Insight

Most travelers spend 2–3 days in Cat Ba — one day for Lan Ha Bay cruising, one for the national park and caves, and one for beaches and seafood.
If you’re looking for a less touristy, greener alternative to Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba is your answer.