Buzz
Cat Ba is one of the ideal stopovers for tourists both domestically and internationally. Like a paradise on earth, Cat Ba captivates with its pristine beauty, featuring deep blue seas embraced by limestone mountains formed over millions of years, vast stretches of white sandy beaches, mysterious and majestic caves, and expansive primeval forests with diverse flora and fauna. Visit Cat Ba this summer to fully discover this enchanting island in the North.
Ideal time to travel to Cat Ba
With the distinctive climate characteristics of the Northern region, the weather in Cat Ba varies distinctly into 4 seasons. However, due to its island nature, Cat Ba experiences less intense summer heat and warmer winters compared to the mainland. The peak tourist season in Cat Ba is during the summer months, from April to June, when the weather is hotter, and moreover, it coincides with the summer break, resulting in a large influx of tourists. Tourism activities in Cat Ba especially thrive during this period.
Means of transportation when visiting Cat Ba
To reach Cat Ba Island, you need to travel by ferry. The ferries depart from Dinh Vu and Got Ferry Terminals (Hai Phong) or Gia Luan Ferry Terminal (Tuan Chau - Ha Long). During my recent trip, I opted for the quickest time-saving option, traveling from Hai Phong to Cat Ba.
Means of transportation to Hai Phong by road
Traveling from Hanoi to Hai Phong is a breeze. You can easily catch a bus from various bus stations for only about 80,000 VND - 100,000 VND per person per trip, with travel time ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the route. Upon arrival at Hai Phong bus station, you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi to the ferry terminal for Cat Ba Island.
Cars and motorcycles can both board the ferry to Cat Ba Island. If you have your own vehicle, it's best to use it for flexibility in exploring the island, eliminating the need to rent a vehicle.
Air travel to Hai Phong
Currently, from major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, or Pleiku, you can fly to Hai Phong via domestic airlines.
The cost for a one-way flight ranges from 800,000 VND to 3,500,000 VND, inclusive of taxes and fees, with a travel time of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours 05 minutes depending on the departure point.
The price of flight tickets to Hai Phong is not fixed and may vary depending on the airline, route, and the timing of your booking. Therefore, to be proactive with your time and secure the best fares, it's advisable to have a specific travel plan in place.
Upon landing at Cat Bi Airport, you can use ground transportation to reach the Got Ferry Terminal for the journey to Cat Ba Island.
Traveling to Hai Phong by train
Catch a train from Hanoi to Hai Phong at Long Bien Station at 6 am, 9 am, 3 pm, or 6 pm daily. The train journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Ticket prices range from 60,000 VND to 90,000 VND per passenger per trip.
After arriving at Hai Phong Station, use ground transportation to reach the Got Ferry Terminal for the journey to Cat Ba Island.
Transportation from Hai Phong to Cat Ba
The quickest and most convenient way to reach Cat Ba is by ferry from the Got Terminal in Hai Phong. The ferry ride from Got Terminal to Cai Vieng Terminal in Cat Ba takes about 20 minutes. From Cai Vieng Terminal, it's just another 20 km to reach the town center of Cat Ba.
The latest ferry ticket price in 2020 is 12,000 VND per passenger per trip (for passengers without personal vehicles)
For passengers with personal vehicles:
- For motorbike riders, the fee is 45,000 VND per person per trip
- For cars with fewer than 9 seats, the fee is 190,000 VND per person per trip.
Transportation on Cat Ba Island
If you don't bring your own vehicle to the island, it's best to rent a motorbike for the most convenient way to get around. The rental cost is 150,000 VND to 200,000 VND per day, and if rented overnight, it's 300,000 VND.
Hotels and resorts to consider when visiting Cat Ba
Sea Pearl Cat Ba Hotel
Experience exquisite ocean views at Sea Pearl Cat Ba
- Hotel address: 219 1st of April Street, Cat Ba
- Price reference: from 1,710,000 VND per night
Hung Long Harbour Cat Ba Hotel
Hung Long Harbour Cat Ba Hotel with striking exterior
- Address: 268 1st of April Street, Cat Ba
- Price reference: 950,000 VND
Perle D'Orient 5* Hotel - MGallery Cat Ba
Luxurious 5-star Perle D'Orient - MGallery Cat Ba Hotel
- Hotel address: Cat Co 3 Beach, Cat Ba, Hai Phong
- Price reference: 2,350,000 VND per night
Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa
Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa - The most beautifully located resort on Cat Ba Island
- Hotel address: Cat Co 1 Beach, Cat Ba
- Price reference: from 3,480,000 VND per night
Cat Ba Sunrise Resort
Cat Ba Sunrise Resort - An ideal resort paradise
- Hotel address: Cat Co 3 Beach, Cat Ba
- Price reference: from 1,350,000 VND per night
After considering information about resorts and hotels in Cat Ba, I decided to choose Sea Pearl Cat Ba Hotel located on 1st of April Street in the town center. The biggest advantage of Sea Pearl is that all rooms have a sea view. In the morning, you can wake up to a magnificent sunrise over the sea from the large window facing the bed. You will be satisfied with the services provided at this 3-star hotel. The price for a Standard room is also very affordable at 1,000,000 VND per room per night. If you come here, don't miss experiencing the rooftop bar to enjoy the view of the sea and the town at night. Sea Pearl Hotel is undoubtedly a suitable destination for a quick weekend getaway.
>> Explore other hotels in Cat Ba at: https://www.Mytour.vn/khach-san/cat-ba
2D1N Itinerary for Visiting Cat Ba
Before each trip, you should prepare a detailed itinerary about the attractions you want to visit, the dishes you want to try, and which restaurants to visit,... If you want to know where I went during my 2-day 1-night stay in Cat Ba, read the detailed itinerary below.
Day 1: Explore Monkey Island
We were a party of 2 on this trip and had limited days, so we opted for self-arranged transportation to Cat Ba.
We departed early and caught the ferry at 10 AM from Got Ferry Terminal. Since our plan was to visit Monkey Island first, upon arrival in Cat Ba, we went to the hotel to arrange parking and took a motorbike taxi to Beo Pier (less than 2km from the hotel) to board the boat to Monkey Island.
It only took about 10 minutes by boat, with a cost of 80,000 VND per person including admission to Monkey Island, for a day of endless fun.
One of the reasons why Monkey Island is a must-visit destination in Cat Ba is its tranquility and peace, contrasting with the hustle and bustle of the town. Here, you can freely interact with adorable monkeys on the island and enjoy swimming and playing in the sea.
The pristine beach on Monkey Island
Monkey Island has two famous beaches, Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2, but Cat Dua 1 is more beautiful and surrounded by lush greenery, so you should head to this beach. The crystal clear blue sea is perfect for swimming, or sunbathe on the shore, enjoy the sea breeze while sipping coconut water and eating ice cream,... You can also participate in other fun activities such as kayaking, snorkeling,...
After finishing the tour of Monkey Island, we returned to the hotel, checked in, refreshed ourselves, and rested before dinner.
Exploring Cat Ba at night is also a very interesting experience, strolling along the coast, listening to the gentle sound of the waves on one side and the lively sound of life on the other.
Day 2: Exploring Cat Ba Island
On the second day, we went to the beach in the morning to avoid crowds, about 700m from the hotel is Cat Co 3 Beach. After beach time, we returned to the hotel to freshen up, have breakfast, and get ready for sightseeing. We visited two spots:
- Cannon Fort: A famous destination in Cat Ba, where you can learn about the heroic history during the resistance war against invaders. The site still preserves two cannons and a system of observation posts and tunnels. You can explore the tunnel system to reach the mountain peak and admire the panoramic view of Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island from above. The entrance fee is 80,000 VND per person, and you can park your motorbike near the ticket booth.
Scenery of Cat Ba National Park
- Cat Ba National Park: A UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve due to its pristine forest, preserving a highly diverse ecosystem and habitat for many rare species of flora and fauna. The entrance fee to the national park is 80,000 VND for adults and 50,000 VND for children.
After exploring Cat Ba National Park, we returned to the hotel to check out, did some shopping at the market for souvenirs, then headed to the ferry terminal, departing at 4 PM. This concludes our 2D1N adventure in Cat Ba.
Delicacies of Cat Ba
Cat Ba is renowned for its seafood since it's an island region. You should try some of these characteristic seafood dishes:
- Sam: A type of seafood with a rich sea flavor, prepared into various delicious dishes such as salads, stir-fries with chili, crispy fried sam eggs, grilled with betel leaves, steamed, grilled, etc.
- Sea Cucumber: A rare and nutritious seafood delicacy known for its delightful aroma. In Cat Ba, sea cucumbers are often cooked into fragrant grilled dishes with onions, leaving an unforgettable rich and savory taste.
- Razor Clams: Best enjoyed when roasted with salt or tamarind. To preserve the delicious flavor, razor clams should be cooked whole without being crushed or broken, requiring meticulous care during preparation.
Double Fried Fish in XO Sauce
- Snakehead Fish: A highly nutritious fish commonly used in salads, porridge, hotpot, steamed, or grilled dishes.
- Squid: Cat Ba is famous for night squid fishing due to its marine environment being highly conducive to this seafood. There are many delicious and enticing squid dishes such as grilled squid, butter-fried squid, steamed squid, and more.
Some renowned seafood restaurants in Cat Ba:
- Full Moon Restaurant Cat Ba: 225 1st April Street, Cat Ba
- Quang Tung Restaurant Cat Ba: 250 1st April Street
- Phuong Phuong Restaurant Cat Ba: 232 1st April Street
This article will be very helpful for those who enjoy independent travel and want to have control over their itinerary. A useful tip to have a quick and cost-effective independent trip is to book a Cat Ba travel combo. However, if you're visiting Cat Ba for the first time and not confident in your ability to travel independently, it's advisable to book a full-package Cat Ba tour to have a trip prepared from A to Z.
Wishing you all a delightful journey!
Courtesy of Thanh Ha
Image source: Internet
