Cat Ba Island is the second biggest island in Vietnam after Phu Quoc Island located in the South of Vietnam. And this is the largest island among thousands of island around Ha Long area. The island has few fishing villages as well as a fast growing town. It is very famous for the natural beauty as well as the rare and endangered animals- flying squirrel and golden headed langurs. Lan Ha Bay which is located in the eastern side of the island, about 1km far away from the center. The Bay covered an area of 70km2 dotted by 366 islands and 139 sandy beaches, making the bay more attractive and more natural. The island is also decorated by three famous sandy beaches which are located nearby the center, giving to the visitors a very good chance to relax themselves.
Highlights for visiting Cat Ba Island are taking part in the boat trips around Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay for outlying islands and enjoying your time by sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling around the deserted sandy beaches. During the time of traveling, visitors also have chance to explore remote area and discover the beauty of the hidden lagoons by kayaking through archways and hidden tunnels. Beside the boat trips, visitors can spend time on trekking, hiking in the National Park, visiting Viet Hai fishing village, visiting Hospital cave, Trung Trang cave and enjoying with the view of the island from the Canon Fortress.
FULL DAY TREKKING IN CAT BA NATIONAL PARK
DEPART: 8AM→RETURN: 5PM
PICK UP FROM THE OFFICE
8am: Start from the office to the National Park
8.30: Stop to visit Hospital Cave
9.15: Start doing 5hours trek through the jungle, enjoying bird-watching,bird-singing and squirrel-dancing, sightseeing in the pristine forest and frog lake, climb up to one of the highest peak to have topview from the point.
1.30pm: Come across Viet Hai fishing village and have lunch at one of the most famous local restaurant in the village.
3.00pm: Spending 20minutes cycling to Viet Hai Dock then spending 1hour and 20minutes cruising through Lan Ha Bay to go back to Cat Ba Town
5.00pm: The trek finishes
FAQs
1.Is this a hard trek?
For half day trekking is very easy but for full day is quite difficult.
2.Do I have any possiblities to see animals?
Yes, in a beatiful weather, but not big animals, just squirrel or reptitles.
3.Do we take the same way to go back?
Yes.
5.Do we need to bring any things?
Good hiking shoes, good camera and mosquito protection
FOR HALF DAY TREKKING
DEPART: 8AM/13.00⇒RETURN: 12.00/17.00
PICK UP: FROM THE OFFICE
8am: Start from the office to the National Park
8.30: Stop to visit Hospital Cave
9.20: Start moving to the National Park
9.45: Start the trek for 2 hours( Going through thr jungle to enjoy bird-singing, bird-watching, squirrel-jumping. Then climbing up to the viewing point-NGU LAM PEAK to enjoy landscape surrounds and then take the other way to go back)
11.45: Start going back from to Cat Ba Town
12.30: The trek finishes.
FAQs
1.Is this a hard trek?
For half day trekking is very easy but for full day is quite difficult.
2.For full day trekking, do we have lunch on the way?
We come across Viet Hai fishing village and stop there to have lunch at one of the most famous local restaurant.
3.Do we take the same way to go back?
No, after having lunch in Viet Hai, you cycle to Viet Hai Dock and then take the boat cruising through Lan Ha Bay to go back.
4.Do we have possibility to see any animals?
Yes, if the weather is fine enough. But not much
5.Do we need to bring any things?
Good hiking shoes, good camera and mosquito protection
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DAILY BOAT TRIP TO LAN HA AND HA LONG BAY
TIME DURATION: FULL DAY
DEPART: 8AM→RETURN: 5PM
PICK UP: FROM THE OFFICE
FAQs
1.How big is your boat?
►We supply 48 seat-boat but we organize for a group from 5 to 15 persons in winter and 5 to 20 persons in summer( Minimum: 5/ Maximum: 15 or 20)
2.What kind of kayak do I do?
►You do kayaking with double kayak (Front seat and back seat⇒Captain in the back)
3.How long does the kayaking activity last?
►Around 1 and a half hours
4.We do kayaking free or with the guide?
►You will do group-kayaking guided by a tour guide
5.Is it cold in the cave?
No, it is cool in summer and warm in winter
6.Can we do snorkeling? Can we see many things?
►Absolutely yes, but you can see not really much things because the color of the water around Ha Long and Lan Ha bay are always in green.
7.Should I bring some protection?
►Yes, mosquito protection
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OVERNIGHT BOAT TRIP TO LAN HA-HA LONG AND BAI TU LONG BAY
TRIP DURATION: 2Ds/1N⇔3Ds/2Ns
DEPART: 8AM/10AM⇒RETURN: 3.30PM/5PM
PICK UP: FROM THE OFFICE
FAQs
1.How big is your boat?
►We supply 1 room boat/two room boat...depends on the participants
2.What kind of kayak do I do?
►You do kayaking with double kayak (Front seat and back seat⇒Captain in the back)
3.How long does the kayaking activity last?
►Around 1 and a half hours
4.We do kayaking free or with the guide?
►You will do kayaking guided by a tour guide
5.Is it cold in the cave?
No, it is cool in summer and warm in winter
6.Can we do snorkeling? Can we see many things?
►Absolutely yes, but you can see not really much things because the color of the water around Ha Long and Lan Ha bay are always in green.
7.Should I bring some protection?
►Yes, mosquito protection
8. Where does the boat stop to stay overnight?
►The boat will stop in a very calm lagoon and separate from the other boat
MOTORBIKE TOUR AROUND CAT BA ISLAND
DEPART: 8AM⇔RETURN: 5PM
PICK UP: FROM THE OFFICE
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1.WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT CAT BA?
The best time to visit Cat Ba from the end of August to the end of December because during this time the weather is very nice (water is very calm, tiny wind, the sky is blue, the tide is smaller, not burning). From the end of December to the end of the beginning of March the weather is cooler, but pleasant enough to visit. From the end of March to the beginning of August is summer time, the weather is quite hot (around 35oC), big rain but the rain doesn’t last so long, just around half an hour then stop and the sun comes out again. Ok enough to visit.
2.WHAT ABOUT ACCOMMODATION AROUND CAT BA?
Guesthouses, home stays, bungalows, resorts and hotels from 1star to 4 stars with very reasonable prices. Deluxe rooms are only in the 3 star hotel and resorts built on the beaches. Cat Ba Vision Company will help you have nice place to stay with a good prices and good value.
Tip: From the end of March to the beginning of August the prices are more expensive because this period is domestic season.
3.CAN I PAY IN CASH, IN DOLLARS OR DO WE HAVE TO PAY IN VND?
You can pay in cash (Visa card, credit card, American express), in dollars or in VND. For paying in cash you have to pay from 3% to 5% for the charge. There are two ATM boxes in Cat Ba town those are Agricultural Bank and Sai Gon Bank.
Tip: There are some gold shops that you can change the currency but the changing rate is not nice.
4. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET TO CAT BA?
From the nearby provinces you should take a bus to go to Ben Binh Dock, then take a Hydrofoil or High speed boat to go to Cat Ba.
►By Hydrofoil: 4 times per day (7am,9am,1pm,3pm). It takes 45 minutes to go directly to Cat Ba town (Organized by two company: Hoang Yen Hydrofoil and Cat Ba Island Hydrofoil). It costs 220.000VND for summer season and 180.000VND for the other time of the year.
► By High-speed boat: 6 times per day ( 7am , 9am , 10am , 1pm , 3pm , 4pm ). It takes 90 minutes to go to Cat Ba town (speed boat then connect a bus ). It costs 150.000VND for summer and 130.000VND for the other time.
From a far area you should go by train or take a flight to Hai Phong then catch a taxi to go to Ben Binh Dock. And then take a Hydrofoil or High-speed boat to go to Cat Ba town.
Tip: There is a ferry to Cat Ba Island. It is much cheaper but takes time.