Cat Ba Island,Vietnam

• Cát Bà National Park (trekking, wildlife watching)
• Lan Ha Bay (kayaking, boat cruises, secluded beaches)
• Cannon Fort (Pháo Đài Thần Công) (panoramic viewpoints, wartime relics)
• Hospital Cave (historic cave complex)
• Cat Ba Town & Cai Beo Fishing Village (local life, temples)
• Beaches: Cat Co 1, 2, 3 and Tung Thu (swimming, relaxing)
• Viet Hai Village (remote village reachable by bike/boat through the park)

• Limestone karst scenery blending with emerald waters (similar but quieter than Hạ Long Bay)
• Dense tropical evergreen and mixed lowland forests, with endemic flora and fauna
• Habitat of the critically endangered Cát Bà langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus)
• Secluded, less-crowded bays and beaches in Lan Ha Bay
• Cave systems and wartime tunnels integrated into landscape and history

• Boat cruises through Lan Ha Bay and short trips to Hạ Long Bay
• Sea kayaking around karst islets and hidden lagoons
• Trekking and wildlife spotting in Cát Bà National Park (including night walks for wildlife observation)
• Rock climbing on limestone cliffs (beginner and advanced routes available)
• Cycling and motorbiking to Viet Hai and along coastal roads
• Scuba diving and snorkeling at local dive sites
• Historical visits to Hospital Cave and Cannon Fort for panoramic views and wartime exhibits
• Relaxing on Cat Co beaches and enjoying fresh seafood

March to May and September to November — mild temperatures, lower rainfall, calmer seas and clearer skies. Summer (June–August) is hot and busy; typhoon risk increases in late summer/early autumn (August–September).

Humid subtropical climate: hot, humid summers with heavy rain (June–August); mild, cooler winters (December–February). Expect sudden showers in transitional months.

Most visitors travel from Hanoi (approx. 3.5–4 hours including transfer) via shuttle/bus + ferry or direct bus+ferry services to Cát Bà Town. Alternative routes: ferry from Hải Phòng (Cat Bi area) or combined land/sea transfers. Nearest major airports: Cat Bi Airport (Hải Phòng) — closest; Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) — main international gateway. Once on the island, travel by bicycle, motorbike, taxi, or local boat tours.

2–4 days for a balanced visit (day trips to Lan Ha Bay); 4–7 days if combining trekking, diving and island-hopping or for a relaxed pace.

Light, breathable layers; sun protection (hat, sunscreen); sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots for trails; a light rain jacket for sudden showers; swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen for kayaking/diving; insect repellent for forested and evening activities.

Must-try foods: fresh seafood (grilled squid, prawns, shellfish), bánh đa cua (Hai Phòng-style crab noodle soup), local fish cakes and seafood hotpots. Souvenirs: dried seafood (carefully packed), local handicrafts, lacquerware, woven items and small keepsakes from fishing villages.