Complete Cat Ba Trip: The Best Food, Hotels and Transport
Cat Ba Island, the largest of the 367 islands in the Cat Ba Archipelago, is located approximately 45 kilometers east of Hai Phong City and 25 kilometers from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay. It is a prominent destination in Vietnamese tourism. Moreover, spanning over 26,000 hectares, Cat Ba is Vietnam’s third biosphere reserve, recognized by UNESCO in 2004. The island features striking karst topography, including limestone mountains, stunning caves, and pristine white sandy beaches.
Ready to uncover the best of this green pearl island? From mouthwatering local dishes to cozy stays and easy transport tips – we’ve got it all covered. And now, let’s explore every hidden gem with Cat Ba Local!
Best Tours in Cat Ba!
- Lan Ha Bay – Ha Long Bay Full Day Cruise and Kayak
- Sunset & Night Kayaking with Glowing Plankton
- Perfect 2 Days 1 Night on Floating Homestay and Discover Beautiful Lan Ha Bay
Cat Ba Island has something for everyone. Whether you’re a food lover, thrill-seeker, shopping enthusiast, history fan, or just in need of some peaceful downtime, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here. Travel with local experts by reaching out to Cat Ba Local for an authentic and unforgettable experience!
Cat Ba Travel Guide
Best Time To Visit Cat Ba
The ideal time to visit this green pearl island is during the summer, from April to October when the weather is cool and perfect for relaxation and swimming – the peak season runs from May to July. If traveling in July or August, check the weather forecast for storms three to five days in advance. In addition, from November to March, the island is quieter, making it a great time for nature exploration and relaxation.
For more information, reaching out to our blog post Cat Ba: Best Time to Visit this Beautiful Island.
Getting to Cat Ba Island
From Cat Hai
Cat Ba is about 140 km from Hanoi, accessible via the Hanoi-Hai Phong highway and the Tan Vu Sea bridge to the Cat Hai district. From there, visitors can reach Cat Ba Island by:
- Ferry: The new Dong Bai Ferry terminal operates daily from 5:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with trips every 25-30 minutes to an hour. The last ferry from Cai Vieng (Cat Ba side) departs at 6:00 PM. Fares are 12,000 VND for pedestrians, 45,000 VND for motorcyclists, and 190,000 VND for cars under 9 seats.
- Cable Car: Located near the old Got ferry, one-way tickets cost 100,000 VND (free for children under 1 meter). The cable car operates from 9 AM to 3:45 PM, closed on Tuesdays (except during Tet). Parking fees range from 10,000 to 70,000 VND depending on vehicle type.
Cat Hai Station
From Hai Phong City
Travelers can take a speedboat from Ben Binh in Hai Phong, which takes about 50 minutes. Tickets are priced between 250,000 VND and 270,000 VND.
From Quang Ninh
Visitors can also use the Tuan Chau ferry, which is about 30–40 minutes from the Dong Bai ferry and is typically less crowded. However, it operates only five times daily in each direction and, moreover, has longer travel times (1 hour and 20 minutes). In terms of cost, private car tickets are 450,000 VND.
After arriving at the ferry terminal, meanwhile, it’s a scenic 20 km drive to Cat Ba’s center, accessible by bus, taxi, or rental car. Within this green pearl island, furthermore, transportation options include electric cars (10,000 VND per person), metered taxis, motorbike taxis, and rental vehicles.
Where To Play On Cat Ba Island?
Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island
Situated to the east, Lan Ha Bay is part of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World Club, featuring calm, blue waters. For starters, visitors can purchase a sightseeing ticket for 30,000 VND at Cai Beo Wharf and take a boat or canoe to the bay. Additionally, private boat rentals range from 2.2 to 5.7 million VND for 2.5 to 6 hours, accommodating up to 25 people. Meanwhile, motorboats cost between 500,000 and 1 million VND for 5–10 passengers.
Moreover, tourists should buy a tour to save money, costing around 200,000 to 350,000 VND per person, including lunch. Moreover, popular itineraries feature visits to the bay and Cai Beo’s ancient fishing village, swimming and diving at pristine beaches, and freedom kayaking.
Cai Beo Fishing Village
Cai Beo fishing village, also known as Vung O, is the oldest fishing village in Vietnam. Visitors can experience the daily life of its inhabitants, explore raft houses, and row boats among floating rafts, and buy fresh seafood. This village is a favored day tour destination from Cat Ba Island.
Tranquil life on Cai Beo Fishing Village
Monkey Island
Monkey Island, formerly known as Cat Dua for its wild pineapple trees, is home to over 20 monkeys that have become accustomed to tourists. The island features two crescent-shaped beaches, Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2, where visitors can enjoy a quieter atmosphere. In addition, facilities include food services, resort bungalows, and rentals for swimsuits, life jackets, and kayaks.
Monkey Island
Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Depending on preference, visitors can choose between a 4 to 8-hour mountain climb or a shorter 2-hour hike. Especially, other options include walking, cycling, or driving through the park, which offers scenic views, wildlife sightings, and cave explorations. The entrance fee is 40,000 VND for adults, while 20,000 VND for children.
Trekking to Ngu Lam Peak, Cat Ba National Park
Military Hospital Cave (Quan Y Cave)
Military Hospital Cave (Quan Y Cave), located 8.5 km from the town center on the way to the national park, especially served as a field hospital from 1963 to 1965. Inside, visitors will find a network of 17 rooms across three floors, including treatment areas and also a movie theater, all equipped with bomb-proof doors from the war. Moreover, admission is 80,000 VND per person.
Quan Y Cave
Trung Trang Cave
Trung Trang Cave, near Quan Y Cave, is 300 meters long and in fact can accommodate hundreds of visitors. Furthermore, it features impressive stalactites and stalagmites, estimated to be around 6 million years old, and also contains archaeological sites from ancient Vietnam. Admission is also 80,000 VND per person.
Trung Trang Cave
Cannon Fort
Cannon Fort, known as Than Cong Fortress or Cao Diem 177, offers sightseeing and relaxation. Visitors can explore the well-preserved cannons and trench system from the 1940s while enjoying panoramic views of the bay, making it an ideal spot for sunrises and sunsets. The entrance fee is 80,000 VND per person, with an additional 50,000 VND for tram access and 5,000 VND for binocular rentals.
Enjoying sunset from Cannon Fort view
For more details, check out our blog post: Top 10 Must-Visit Tourist Destinations in Cat Ba.
Beautiful Beaches On Cat Ba Island
For those short on time, the central beaches of Cat Ba, such as Cat Co and Tung Thu, are great alternatives. In particular, these spacious, calm beaches boast clear waters and easy access. For more information, meanwhile, reach out to our blog post Cat Ba Island: 8 Most Beautiful Beaches for Tourists.
Cat Co 1 Beach
Hotels & Resorts
Accommodations in Cat Ba range from budget to luxury, with hotels along 1/4 Street and Tung Dinh Street averaging 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND per night. Moreover, notable resorts like Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort and Monkey Island Resort range from 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 VND per night. In addition, budget-friendly homestays, such as Santorini Homestay, offer rates of around 300,000 VND per night. Besides, overnight cruises in Lan Ha Bay cost between 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 VND per person per night.
Hotels & Resorts in Cat Ba
If you want more detailed information, check out our blog post: Cat Ba: 7 Best Hotels & Resorts – Greatest Places to Stay.
What To Eat?
The local cuisine primarily features seafood, with specialties like sea horseshoe crab, geoduck, grouper, lobster, mantis shrimp, sea snake, and shrimp noodles. Additionally, seafood can also be purchased as gifts, with prices around 500,000 to 700,000 VND for a pair of sea horseshoe crabs, 200,000 to 250,000 VND per kilogram of geoduck, and lobster from 600,000 VND to 1.8 million VND per kilogram.For dining, meanwhile, Cat Ba market offers various restaurants with set meals or buffets, and Thuy Anh hot pot and grill restaurant on Cai Beo Street is a popular choice, averaging 200,000 VND per person.
If you want more detailed information, don’t miss our post: Cat Ba Must Try – 10 Best & Most Popular Restaurants.
Other Important Notes
To ensure a safe, complete, and meaningful trip, we would like to highlight a few issues:
- The weather in Cat Ba can be quite cold at night. So, based on our experience traveling to this green pearl island, it’s advisable to bring warm clothing in winter or a light jacket in summer to avoid catching a cold.
- You should not swim after 6 pm because the tide is high.
- Bay Discovery Tours may have to cut out some spots like beaches and small islands due to high water.
- Before shopping or eating, visitors should ask about the price.
A Beautiful Moment in Cat Ba Local tour
Cat Ba, Hai Phong, is rich in stunning natural landscapes that captivate every visitor. Therefore, we hope the tourism information provided helps you plan your perfect itinerary. So, why wait? Then, pack your backpack and go! And above all, don’t forget to contact Cat Ba Local to travel with local experts!
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QUISEQUE VEL ORTOR
Ready to adventure and enjoy natural
By choosing Cat Ba Local, you are not just booking a tour; you are investing in an authentic, hassle-free, and enriching travel experience led by locals who are passionate about sharing the beauty and culture of their homeland. Here are the key reasons:
1. Authentic experience
Our tour guides possess a unique understanding of indigenous cultures and the local history. Their deep knowledge and passion for the region ensure that you get an authentic and immersive experience. By booking with Cat Ba Local, you gain access to hidden gems and local secrets that typical tours might miss. Our guides are locals themselves, offering the warm of a family and and sincerity that make you feel at home while discover new perspectives of life.
2. A seamless experience
We keep our high standard for all of your touchpoints. We partner with the best service possible for any need of yours, from transportation, accommodations , and best restaurant for all destinaions. This guarantees a reliable and seamless experience for you.
3. Convenience and Time Saving
We handle all the arrangements, from flights and hotels to transfers and activities. This saves you significant time and effort, allowing you to relax and enjoy your vacation without the stress of planning. With everything pre-arranged, you can avoid the hassle of contacting multiple service providers. Our streamlined process ensures a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
4. Socialize Opportunities
Our tours are designed to foster social interaction, allowing you to meet and connect with people who share your interests. Whether you prefer family-friendly tours or adult-only experiences, we have options that cater to your social preferences.
5. Best Price Guarantees
By having an excellent logistic chain, we deliver you the best experience in a price that
We offer competitive pricing due to our ability to bulk buy package deals, passing the savings onto you. This allows you to enjoy a cost-effective travel experience without compromising on quality. Our packages often include all meals and trips, reducing uncertainty about additional costs. This helps you budget accurately for your trip, avoiding any unexpected expenses.
Travel with Local Experts” it is about the authentic local experience that make us different.
Our tour guides are natives with an intimate knowledge of the local culture, history, and landscapes. This local insight ensures that you experience the true essence of Cat Ba, beyond the typical tourist spots.
They also share unique perspectives; personal stories and cultural nuances that you won’t find in guidebooks, offering a deeper understanding of the region. One more thing, you will have a playful local friend after the trip.
Yes, we always trike towards to give you the best possible exprience contact us to design your vacation together for free
Yes, our tours are designed to be suitable for both children and older adults. We have several special offers for children as follows:
– Infants (under 2 years old): Free
– Kids (From 2 to 4 years old): just must to pay 25% tour value
– Child (From 5 to 9 years old): just must to pay 50% tour value
– Teenagers (From 10 to 13 years old): just must to pay 75% tour value
We are ready to provide special diets that suit your needs if you inform us when booking your tour. Most of our meals include seafood and local cuisine, so if you are vegetarian or have any allergies, please let us know in advance. This way, we can ensure your dietary requirements are met throughout your journey.
You have 2 options to pay: Online & Offline
For your convenience, we offer multiple payment options. You can pay in cash or by credit card (with a 3% service charge). Alternatively, you can use applications like PayPal or WISE, and we will cover the service fees for these apps – less fees transfer.
Please let us know your preferred payment method. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out.
In the event of weather-related issues, such as storms or heavy rain preventing boats from setting sail, we have the following policies:
– If the tour needs to be rescheduled due to adverse weather conditions and you’re still on Cat Ba Island during the rescheduled period, we will postpone the tour to the following day. If you’re no longer on Cat Ba Island during the rescheduled period, we will provide a full refund of the tour cost if you’ve already made payment.
– In the case of unexpected events originating from guests: If you cancel before 7 days prior to the tour, you are eligible for a refund. If you cancel 5 days before the tour, we will refund 80% of the deposit; if you cancel within 3 days, a 50% refund will be provided. Cancellations made after this period will result in forfeiture of the deposit.
In other special cases, our customer service department will provide individualized support to guests.
No, accommodations are not included in the experiential tours. However, our sales staff will assist you in booking accommodations if you provide them with clear descriptions of your room preferences, budget, and other requirements. Additionally, you will receive a discount voucher for accommodations when booking our experiential tours.
No, international flights are not part of the experiential tour package. However, our sales team will aid you in arranging international flights upon receiving clear descriptions from you.