Cat Ba island is the largest island in Ha Long Bay, located off the coast of northern Vietnam. It is a hot spot for backpackers
and locals. This island is full of activities for thrill-seekers and even for relaxed travelers looking for some R&R. If you came
to Vietnam to see some of those famous emerald green rocks, Cat Ba is a great place to check that off your list. Hop on a
motorbike to discover some truly untouched nature.
The historical name of Cat Ba Island was “Cac Ba” Island, which means “Women’s Island.” Legend has it that many centuries ago three women of the Tran Dynasty were killed and their bodies floated all the way to Cat Ba Island. Each body washed up on a different beach and all three were found by local fishermen. The residents of Cat Ba built a temple for each woman and the island soon became known as Cat Ba. You can read more here.
Cat Ba Island was one of the first places I visited in Vietnam. It is still one of my favorites because of the adventure and liveliness the island has to offer.
I’m here to make sure your trip to Cat Ba is one heck of a trip…
So, let’s get into things:
Find some of the most breathtaking views in Lan Ha Bay
Many believe that Ha Long Bay tours offer you the best views of those natural lime green structures that fill the water. In my opinion, Lan Bay offers much more stunning views with less pollution and tourists. Cat Ba is located right on La Ha Bay, so you can hop on a tour right from the island.
Depending on what you’re looking for, you can find a tour that suits your needs. The tours vary in lengths from a half-day trip to a few days. Most of the tours offer activities such as visiting one of the fishing villages, kayaking, lunch on board, snorkeling, and swimming.
From Cat Ba, I took a tour with Cat Ba Ventures. We did the half-day tour and had a blast. We captured beautiful moments while cruising along the bay and saw those breathtaking views. We got up close and personal with the rocks while we kayaked through the bay. We jumped off the boat and snorkeled through the jade water. Then, we stuffed our faces with fresh food and cracked a few beers on the lovely sundeck.
Where to find the tour, I took: Cat Ba Ventures
Trek through the jungle in Cat Ba national park
Cat Ba National Park is a great way to connect with nature and find peace among the chaos of Vietnam. The national park is filled with lush green vegetation and varied wildlife. It is home to thirty-two species of mammals. You might be lucky enough to spot one of the golden-headed Langurs, which are one of the most endangered primates.
You can head out for a shorter hike that takes about two hours to reach the Ngu Lam Peak. There are signs throughout the walk, so there is no need to have a guide for this hike. The hike can be steep at parts; when nearing the end, you must climb up some jagged rocks to reach the peak. It is mostly shaded, making the hike less challenging. When you arrive at the summit, you will be greeted with views of the jungle like no other. If you are looking for a longer hike, try your hand at the day-long trek that leads you to Viet-Hai Village. This hike is 9km long and you can find great spots for food and accommodation in the village.
The national park is located about 15km for Cat Ba town, but it is easy to reach by motorbike, taxi, or bus. It only cost 80VND to enter the park, which is about 3 USD.
Do some rock climbing
If you’re a thrill-seeker, you might find yourself scaling one of the 200 different climbing routes. Rock Climbing in Cat Ba isn’t just exhilarating but will be a downright beautiful experience. Considering the surrounding scenery of the limestone rocks and wild vegetation, the views are unbeatable. The most prominent crag on the island is found in Butterfly valley and said to be the best. You can reach this by motorbike about 35 minutes from Cat Ba’s main town. Either hop on a motorbike or take a guided boat tour to find some excellent climbing spots along the bay.
Soak up some sun
Some of us do not need to seek adventure but just need a sun lounger and a tropical drink to have a good time. There is plenty of spots for some R&R time. Check out beach 1,2, or 3 which are located within walking distance of the town center. Each one of the beaches offers something a little different. Beach one is surrounded by mountains and the waves are consistently big throughout the year, but you will find the most tourists here. Beach 2 seems to be owned by Cat Ba Beach Resort; it offers excellent views & soft sand. The beach that I enjoyed the most, and from word of mouth I heard was most people’s favorite, was beach 3. Beach 3 is the most serene and gives off a more peaceful vibe. If you are keen on seeing all three of these beaches, there is a path along the coast that connects them. The track has stunning views of the bay. So, pack your sunscreen and towels and head to whichever beach you prefer and you’re sure to find a stunning view.
Sip on some drinks on a rooftop while overlooking the bay
The views are what Cat Ba is all about. It’s an essential part of your trip to really soak in these views. So, find yourself one of the many rooftop bars that overlook the bay. Watch as the boats come into the bay and get mesmerized by the limestone rocks floating in the bay. Don’t forget the drinks, to cool off amidst the hot Vietnam sun.
Here are some excellent rooftops spots to check out:
Watch the sunset up at Cannon fort
I’m a sucker for a good sunset. So, when I heard Cannon fort was the spot to go for a sunset, I knew I had to check it out for myself.
Cannon Fort originally was used as a Fort in the wartime as the air defending location built by Japanese military. Now, it is a great spot to get panoramic views of the bay.
We were looking for a bit of adventure, so we decided to hike up. It was 20- 30-minute hike from Cat Ba town center. It can be steep at points but overall is quite an easy path. When you reach the entrance gate, that is about the halfway point, there you will pay mere few bucks to enter. When you reach the top, you will see a sign that has a directory of the site. The path is a big loop, so it doesn’t matter which way you begin; you will be able to hit all the sights. The path will lead you to underground tunnels, gun emplacements, out to two viewpoints overlooking the island. Give yourself enough time to explore the narrow pathways and caves before the sunsets. Mainly because it can be a little eerie up there, considering it’s past.
Finally, we made our way to the viewpoints, and as promised, we enjoyed some of the best views of the Cat Ba. The green stones floating in the distance and fishing boats make this place picture perfect. The views did not disappoint.
Sing your heart out at karaoke
If you know Vietnam, you know that Vietnamese people love Karaoke. If you don’t do Karaoke at least once in Vietnam, did you really go? You will even find locals rolling their speakers along on the road singing their hearts out. Now that is some real dedication!
Hit up one of the few floating Barges for dinner and stay for Karaoke. Grab a ferry from the pier after deciding which menu interests you. Show off your skills or just have a good laugh. All levels are welcome!
Experience the night life
Cat Ba’s main strip is filled with bars packed with backpackers. Not many places in Vietnam have the best nightlife scenes, but Cat Ba is one of the few that does. Depending on what kind of night you’re trying to have, you can bar hop till you find your scene. Maybe you’re looking to play a game of pool, dance your heart away, or perhaps even try some laughing gas. You will find it all.
Cat Ba nightlife can make for some wild memories.
Wherever your night takes you, you are guaranteed some cheap beer, friendly Vietnamese locals, and a delicious Banh Mi that you can end your night with.
Monkey around on monkey island
Monkey island is filled with, you guessed it, monkeys. These monkeys are not the friendliest and you should not under any circumstances feed them. The island has two beautiful beaches for swimming. You can even stay overnight at the Monkey island resort, surrounded by lush tropical greenery. This is an excellent getaway for couples looking for a relaxing spot to sit back and relax on a secluded Island. The highlight of the island is the hike to the top of the peak that offers some great views. This hike can be a bit dangerous, with the slippery and sharp rocks, so be sure to have proper shoes. From the island, you can enjoy activities such as boating, hiking, swimming in the beaches.
Kayak through Lan Ha bay
The most vivid memory I have from my trip to Cat Ba was kayaking. The jade water and astounding surroundings made it an unforgettable time. There are many ways that you can enjoy kayaking. I decided to do the kayaking that was included with my Lan Ha Bay tour. Although, the kayaking was limited to an hour. This didn’t give me enough time to explore more of the secluded parts. When I go back, I will make a separate kayaking trip because there was so much more that could be explored. You can hire a kayak independently or with a guide for a half-day or full-day trip from many of the tour companies in town.
How to get around town
The best way to see the island is by motorbike. Cat Ba was one of the first places I visited in Vietnam and was the first place I drove a motorbike. If I’m frank, I was scared for my life, but Cat Ba was a great place to learn. Besides the main town, the roads are not full of traffic or hectic like most other places in Vietnam. If you’re a first timer, just take it slow, and you will get the hang of things. Most places don’t ask for any paperwork or an international driver’s license. Some will have you leave one of your travel documents with them until you return the bike.
A lot of the beauty of the island is out of the main town, so renting the bike will give you access to all the island beauties. Your other options would get a guide to take you around all day on a motorbike or take a taxi.
Your cheapest option will be to rent the bike. This costs about 100 VND for a full day plus petrol, which is only about 30VND depending on how far you plan to go. Totaling out to about 6USD for a full day of transportation.
You can’t beat that!
Where to stay
Cat Ba is a backpacker’s paradise; it’s full of cheap accommodation that won’t dent your wallet. Some include free breakfast. During the offseason in January, I stayed at one hotel with my partner, with complimentary breakfast for just $8 a night. During the high season, I paid about no more than $15 a night with a friend for a similar hotel without breakfast.
Depending on your style and budget, they have tons of accommodation options to fulfill your needs.
For a more luxury spot for couples checkout:
For my fellow backpackers’ budget accommodation check out:
Welp, that’s a wrap, guys! I hope you have one heck of a time on your next visit to Cat Ba island, whether you bum it out on the beach while stuffing your face with seafood or while scaling some rocks.
Thanks for reading and safe travels!
