Cat Ba
Southeast Asia · Vietnam
Did you know?
- A national-park walking route leads to a frog pond.
- Hospital Cave concealed a wartime hospital inside a limestone mountain.
- An endangered local langur is among the island's rare wildlife attractions.
See also
Overview
Cat Ba combines a national park with limestone bays and climbing trips. The island is a base for exploring Lan Ha Bay and its surrounding coast.
Languages: Vietnamese
Why go?
Cat Ba is the largest island in Ha Long Bay, offering a national park with high biodiversity, limestone karsts, and beaches. Despite the town being a bit crummy and touristy, it's a budget-friendly base for exploring Lan Ha Bay, rock climbing, and seeing the endangered Cat Ba langur.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting in
From Hanoi, the easiest way is a combined bus+boat+bus ticket, taking about 6 hr and costing around 220,000 dong. From Haiphong, boats and buses are available almost hourly from 06:00 for 150,000 dong.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
High season (summer) sees many Vietnamese families visiting. Low season offers cheaper accommodation but some businesses close and nightlife diminishes.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Hotels are concentrated along the waterfront and side streets. Prices range from dormitories at US$3.50 to private rooms from US$7-15. Free Wi-Fi is standard. Avoid places that include breakfast or price in dollars. In low season, bargain hard.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Local specialties include Vietnamese food and seafood. Meals at restaurants like Phuong Phuong start at US$4, while Tropicana offers meals from US$2. For nightlife, Noble House has 2-for-1 cocktails and free pool, Flightless Bird Bar has cheap drinks and darts, and Rose Bar offers cocktails from 40,000 dong.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Visit the national park (entry 15,000 dong) to hike to a peak viewing tower or frog pond. Go rock climbing with Slo Pony/Asia Outdoors, take boat tours to Lan Ha Bay or Monkey Island, or enjoy a foot massage for 100,000 dong. Explore caves around the island.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Monkey Island is a popular day trip with beaches and kayaking. Organized 2- or 3-day trips into Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bay include kayaking and caving for around US$45 per person. Lan Ha Bay can be visited on day tours.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
To Hanoi, take a combined bus+boat+bus ticket for 220,000 dong (6 hr). To Haiphong, boats and buses run almost hourly from 06:00 for 150,000 dong. To Halong City, take a bus to Gia Luan ferry terminal (40,000 dong), then ferry to Tuan Chau (60,000 dong foot passenger), then Grab bike.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Cat Ba Express Hostel
Recorded price: US$11
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
CatBa Balo hostel
Recorded price: US$8
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Catba Island Resort & Spa
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Flamingo Cát Bà
Recorded price: US$72
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Phu Thanh
Really nice, large, clean rooms. Has free Wi-Fi included and satellite flat screen TV. Good showers with hot water that actually have pressure. They also serve some great food in the restaurant during the busier summer months. Friendly staff and family-owned and run.
Recorded price: From US$10
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Le Pont Hotel
Recorded price: Dormitory US$3.50 per person, rooms US$4.50 per person, minimum two persons (Apr 2012)
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Mgallery Cat Ba
Recorded price: US$115
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Ngoc Hoa Hotel and Restaurant
Rooms facing the bay, close to the ferry. Free Wi-Fi. Elevator. Fridge and air-con included. Family restaurant downstairs. Tours and motorbikes available at good prices if you ask, but the staff is not pushy. Their restaurant serves good simple Vietnamese food, soups, noodles, rice. Strong coffee and fruit smoothies. Big beer for under a dollar.
Recorded price: US10-15
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Dorm beds from US$3.50, private rooms from US$7. Free Wi-Fi standard.
Food
Meals from US$2 at local restaurants. Seafood and Vietnamese cuisine.
Money
Use Vietnamese dong. Avoid paying in US dollars. Bargain in low season for hotels.
Safety
Monkeys on Monkey Island can be aggressive; keep distance and secure food.
Transport
Combined bus+boat tickets to Hanoi cost 220,000 dong, about 6 hr.
Water
Tap water not safe; drink bottled water.