CAT BA TRAVEL EXPERIENCE - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Updated: May 06, 2018

Join Hai Anh Transportation in exploring all the essential tips and tricks for your exciting Cat Ba trip this summer 2019! Below is the latest information and travel tips from A to Z about Cat Ba tourism.

Cat Ba Island has recently become a top choice for many tourists, both domestic and international. With the proud "Longest Sea Bridge in Vietnam," the Tan Vu - Lach Huyen Bridge, Cat Ba is the hottest tourist destination this summer. Let's explore with Hai Anh Transportation all the tips and tricks for an exciting Cat Ba trip this summer!

Below is the latest information about Cat Ba tourism and comprehensive travel tips from A to Z.

A. Time of organization

The best time to visit Cat Ba is around June, July, and August – ideal for a relaxing getaway, escaping the scorching heat of the northern summer. However, there are differences between domestic and international tourists.

International tourists usually prefer to visit Cat Ba between November and March, while domestic tourists prefer to travel to Cat Ba between April and October each year.

In particular, tourists often visit Cat Ba on weekends or holidays, so if you have time, go on a weekday to avoid crowds, fully booked hotels, or significantly higher service prices (often 2-3 times higher) compared to weekdays, while also not guaranteeing quality. A suitable minimum duration for a trip to Cat Ba is 2 days and 1 night, allowing you enough time to enjoy sightseeing, exploring the forests and beaches, and savoring many famous local specialties.

B. Means of transportation:

There are quite a few ways to get to Cat Ba Island:

- If traveling from Hai Phong, with the Lach Huyen Bridge - a sea bridge connecting Cat Hai and Cat Ba, travel is now very easy and fast, taking less than an hour by car. If you're traveling with family or friends, you can contact Hai Anh Transportation to rent tourist vehicles ranging from Dcar Limousine, 7, 16, 29 to 47-seater Universe buses with modern vehicles and reasonable rental prices.

Ferry schedule from Got Ferry Terminal to Cai Vieng Ferry Terminal: The first trip starts at 6:00 AM. Each trip from Got Ferry Terminal to Cai Vieng takes 15-18 minutes, depending on the weather at the time. The ferry operates every 30 minutes continuously from 3:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily from Cai Vieng to Got Ferry Terminal.

* Ticket price per person: 7,000 VND/person/trip

* Ticket prices for cars:

- Vehicles with 4 to 9 seats: 95,000 VND/trip

- 16-seater vehicle: 105,000 VND/trip

- Vehicles with 24 to 29 seats: 135,000 VND/trip

- Vehicles with 32 to 47 seats: 180,000 VND/trip

After arriving at Cai Vieng pier, tourists follow the 27 km long road across Cat Ba island to reach the center of Cat Ba island. Above are the ferry schedules and ticket prices for Got pier.

- If traveling from Ha Long, you can take a ferry from Tuan Chau; the last ferry to Cat Ba is at 3 PM. From Tuan Chau International Port, you will have two options:
+ Take a speedboat from Tuan Chau to Gia Luan pier in 10 minutes. The rental price is approximately 1.5 - 2 million VND per speedboat, carrying a maximum of 8 - 12 people. Alternatively, take a ferry from Tuan Chau to Gia Luan pier in 50 - 60 minutes.

- From Hanoi or anywhere else, you can get to Cat Ba by family car or motorbike with a group of friends. For family cars, take Highway 5B to Hai Phong, then onto the access road to Tan Vu - Lach Huyen bridge to Got ferry terminal. There are two options: Park your car at the ferry terminal and bring it to the island. If you bring your car to the island, you must take the ferry to Cai Vieng port, which takes 20-25 minutes and costs 7000 VND per person.

When you arrive at Cat Ba Island, you can rent a 10-seater tricycle or electric vehicle for sightseeing, or rent a motorbike to explore the beauty of this pearl island on your own.

C. Where to stay when visiting Cat Ba.

Generally, solo travelers find hotel rooms more expensive than those booked in groups or on tours. Prices tend to increase closer to the travel date, with weekend prices around 50% higher than weekdays, and prices significantly higher during holidays. Therefore, Hai Anh Transportation advises you to visit Cat Ba on weekdays, as it's less crowded and will save you a lot of money.

Alternatively, you can view and book hotel rooms yourself through Agoda, paying the room rate in advance, thus avoiding being overcharged, so you can rest assured.

* Some reference information about resorts in Cat Ba

Catba Island Resort is considered a high-end, 4-star resort with a stunning beachfront location, allowing easy access to the beach and ocean views right from your room. The resort boasts modern amenities including a swimming pool, restaurant, private beach area, and various group activities. - Address: Cat Co 1, Cat Ba Island, Cat Hai District, Cat Ba Town Beach, Cat Ba Archipelago

Cat Ba Sunrise Resort , located on Cat Co Beach, offers breathtaking panoramic ocean views. This 4-star resort features villas with an East Asian architectural style that is both inviting and modern, making it the perfect choice for your vacation . - Address: Cat Co 3, Cat Ba Island, Cat Hai District, Cat Ba Town Beach, Cat Ba Archipelago

Monkey Island Resort is located quite far from the town center compared to the two resorts mentioned above. However, situated on Monkey Island, it's worth considering if you prefer a quiet environment. This 3-star resort will satisfy you with its modern amenities and facilities. - Address: Beach 2, Cat Dua Island, Cat Ba, Hai Phong, Monkey Island, Cat Ba Archipelago

Hung Long Harbour Hotel is a 3-star hotel with sea views. The beach is just a 10-minute walk from the hotel, offering a convenient location and modern, well-equipped rooms. - Address: 268, 1/4 Street, Cat Ba Town Beach, Cat Ba Archipelago

Sea Pearl Hotel is a 3-star hotel, a good choice with its convenient location, close to both the beach and the ferry port. The hotel boasts a modern design, modern amenities, and many convenient services such as Asian and European restaurants, a rooftop garden on the 13th floor, and elegant conference and meeting rooms, suitable for business trips. - Address: 219 1/4 Street, Cat Ba Town Beach, Cat Ba Archipelago

Chu Long Hotel, a newly opened hotel since 2015, boasts modern rooms and facilities with full amenities. It's a 2-star hotel with reasonable room rates if you're looking to save money. - Address: 1/4 Street, Cat Ba Town Beach, Cat Ba Archipelago

D. Tourist attractions you shouldn't miss when visiting Cat Ba:

1. Cat Ba beaches:

Beautiful Beaches in Cat Ba: The most famous beaches in Cat Ba are Cat Co 1, 2, and 3, all very close to the town center. Cat Co 2 is the most beautiful, with crystal-clear water. From the town center, you can take a motorbike taxi or electric vehicle to the beach, costing only about 10,000 VND per person. According to the experience of tourists and locals, you should get ashore before 6:30 PM because that's when the tide is strong and the waves are high. Additionally, Tung Thu Beach is a stunning new beach built to international standards that you shouldn't miss.

2. Monkey Island:

Previously known as Pineapple Island, it was named so because the island had many wild pineapple plants that locals used to make a refreshing drink or dried them for medicinal purposes. Nowadays, tourists are familiar with the name Monkey Island because there are about 20 small monkeys that often come down to the beach to play and eat the food given to them by visitors. There are two beaches here, Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2, both with crystal-clear water, making them ideal swimming spots for tourists.

3. Cai Beo Ancient Fishing Village

As one of the oldest fishing villages in Vietnam, it's very famous in Cat Ba. Unlike the bustling pier leading to Lan Ha Bay, there are plenty of boats and ferries ready to take you around to admire the peaceful beauty of the fishing village. Usually, if you're traveling in a group, it's best to rent a large boat or ferry to enjoy the scenery while listening to the boatman's introductions and interesting, friendly stories about the fishing village. You can also stop at local households to see the seafood firsthand.

4. Exploring Lan Ha Bay by Kayak: Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay is usually a favorite activity for adventure seekers and those who enjoy hiking. You'll paddle on the gentle waves to fully appreciate the limestone cliffs, caves, crystal-clear water, and vast sky, discovering long stretches of white sand beaches and mountain ranges rising from the sea.

This is a must-visit stop on your Lan Ha Bay exploration trip. You can freely swim or join a snorkeling tour at a center there, with instructors, at a price of about 1 million VND/30 minutes. Kayak and rock climbing tour tickets can be purchased at offices right at the harbor for $8, including transportation to the pier. Alternatively, you can take a motorbike taxi to Bai Beo beach and buy tickets directly at the Xuan Hong or Quang Anh floating boat houses for 100,000-200,000 VND/kayak/day. A combined kayak and snorkeling tour to explore Lan Ha Bay costs 390,000 VND. Besides kayaking to explore Lan Ha Bay, you can also explore Cai Beo fishing village, Monkey Island, Bright Cave, Dark Cave, etc., if you're fit enough.

5. Cat Ba National Park:

Cat Ba National Park: This is the next place you should visit when you come to Cat Ba. Cat Ba National Park is a world biosphere reserve with an incredibly diverse ecosystem, boasting approximately 741 different plant species, many of which are rare. Therefore, it is also one of the most attractive tourist destinations. For an entrance fee of around 15,000 VND per person, you can explore the ecosystem and landscapes within the national park, such as Bat Cave, Trang Trung Cave, and several other famous caves.

6. Thien Long Cave:

Opened to visitors since 2007, the cave is approximately 200 meters deep from the main entrance to the end. Right at the entrance is a giant stalactite column, with fig tree roots growing through the crevices in the rocks, creating bizarre shapes. Thien Long Cave is divided into three main chambers - First, Second, and Third. Visitors can let their imaginations run wild amidst the myriad shapes and shimmering stalactites within the cave.

7. Cannon Fortress:

The Than Cong Fortress on Cat Ba Island, also known as Hill 177, is so named because it is a historical site located on a hill 177 meters high. It includes large anti-ship cannons and a system of tunnels and trenches built in the 1940s. This place, along with the people and soldiers of Cat Ba, endured two long and arduous wars of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism.

Currently, two very large cannons, each weighing several tens of tons, are still preserved here. In addition, Than Cong Fortress is also a vantage point from which you can admire many beautiful locations in Cat Ba such as Hon Guoc Island, Lan Ha Bay, etc., through the lens of a telescope. The motorbike taxi fare to the top of the pass is about 15,000 VND per person, and the entrance fee to visit the fort is 60,000 VND per person.

E. Delicious dishes you should try in Cat Ba

With its unique limestone geological formations, Cat Ba's seafood boasts a distinct sweetness and flavor unlike anywhere else. Visitors can not only relax in the clear, cool seawater and explore the natural beauty of the island, but also enjoy the local specialties: shrimp noodle soup, fragrant and crispy steamed clams, seven-course horseshoe crab dishes, sea snake, and more. All are infused with the rich flavors of Cat Ba's sea, leaving a lasting impression on those who try them.

Sea cucumber

Geoduck clams, also known as elephant trunk clams or protruding clams, are renowned as one of the rare and highly nutritious seafoods with a unique flavor. While geoduck clams can be found in many regions, the best place to enjoy them is Cat Ba Island, where the sea conditions are ideal for the growth and development of this mollusk.

Geoduck clams can be prepared in many ways, such as grilled, in salads, or in porridge… but the most delicious way is still steaming them until crispy and infused with fragrant spices.

Grouper

Grouper is a warm-water fish found in the Pacific Ocean, with up to 37 species. In Vietnam, there are approximately 30 species, with Cat Ba Island alone boasting three types: fatty grouper, black grouper, and spotted grouper. Grouper is a predatory fish that feeds on other animals and is highly nutritious. It is used to prepare many delicious and nutritious dishes such as salads, porridge, hot pot, steamed dishes, sauces, and grilled dishes. Besides the delicious food, night fishing for grouper is also a popular tourist attraction.

Sea snakes

Sea snakes have small, slender bodies, 1-2 meters long, covered in scales, and flattened at the rear like a paddle. Their heads are small, covered with horny plates, and their fangs, containing venom, are located in the upper jaw. After catching the snake, the internal organs are removed, keeping only the gallbladder and layer of fat. The blood is washed off the snake's body with 90% alcohol (not water) and then dried. Freshly cut sea snake blood is mixed with alcohol and aromatic substances and drunk to treat excessive bleeding, dizziness, back pain, and bone aches.

Red snapper and grouper

The sea has generously bestowed upon Cat Hai Island two types of fish that are rich in nutritional and economic value. From these two types of fish, people have prepared many dishes such as salads, hot pot, steamed dishes, sauces, and grilled dishes.

Sea cucumber

Horseshoe crabs usually live in pairs; the female weighs about one kilogram, while the male weighs only half that. The male and female are always inseparable, clinging tightly to each other's shells, which is why the folk saying "love like horseshoe crabs" has become so prevalent.

When catching horseshoe crabs, people usually discard the males because they have less meat, only catching the females. After the horseshoe crabs are slaughtered and their meat is extracted, it can be used to prepare over a dozen dishes. Popular dishes include soups, salads, grilled, stir-fried with lemongrass and chili, sweet and sour, vermicelli, and horseshoe crab porridge… Preparing horseshoe crab dishes always involves spicy, sour, and hot seasonings such as galangal, lemongrass, chili, and vinegar; and characteristic herbs such as betel leaves, onions, and coriander… Among the dishes made from horseshoe crab, the most appealing are grilled horseshoe crab and sweet and sour stir-fried horseshoe crab.

F. Shopping and souvenirs when traveling to Cat Ba

Dried squid from Cat Ba

Dried squid from Cat Ba has long been a specialty dish for tourists visiting Hai Phong. Sitting with friends, enjoying a plate of grilled squid while chatting and sharing stories will be truly relaxing and enjoyable moments.

Cat Hai fish sauce

Since ancient times, Van Van fish sauce, also known as Cat Hai fish sauce, has been famous for its rare quality and aroma, with a protein content ranging from 15 to 40. Cat Hai fish sauce differs from other types of fish sauce due to its fragrant aroma, rich flavor, and high nutritional value. An old saying goes: "La cucumbers, Lang mint, Bang spring rolls, Ban soy sauce, Van Van fish sauce, Set pond perch."

And today, it's no coincidence that Cat Hai fish sauce is recognized among the top 10 famous Vietnamese dipping sauces and condiments, has won a gold medal at the National Fair for Quality of Life, and has been voted one of the 10 most outstanding businesses in Hai Phong city for four consecutive years (2005-2008), and has been voted by consumers as a high-quality Vietnamese product for nine consecutive years.

Cat Ba National Park Honey

Blessed with a diverse and valuable flora, and an unpolluted air and noise environment, Cat Ba has great potential for beekeeping. The abundant and valuable nectar and pollen from the forest flowers have created the renowned and nutritious Cat Ba forest flower honey.

Cat Ba honey is deep yellow, thick, and has a delicious flavor, offering high nutritional value.

Above are some travel tips for the beautiful Cat Ba Island, hopefully they will be helpful for your upcoming trip. Have a wonderful trip!

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