Buzz
Cat Ba Island, part of the Cat Ba Archipelago, is within the administrative boundaries of Hai Phong city. Cat Ba is blessed with diverse natural landscapes, including mountains, sea, and forests, and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. Its beauty is characterized by white sandy beaches, lush green forests, and majestic limestone caves and mountains. What are you waiting for? Plan your weekend getaway to Cat Ba now!
Ideal timing for a trip to Cat Ba
Weather in Cat Ba has the typical climate of the Northern region, but being an island, winters are less cold and summers are cooler compared to the mainland. The ideal time to visit Cat Ba is from April to August. The peak tourist season is from April to June when the hot summer weather is perfect for sightseeing, swimming, and relaxing. July and August often have rainfall, leading to a slight decrease in tourist numbers.
Transportation options when visiting Cat Ba
Currently, the only way to reach Cat Ba island is by waterway from Dinh Vu ferry terminal and Got ferry terminal in Hai Phong or Tuan Chau ferry terminal (Halong). In this article, I will provide detailed information on how to travel from Hai Phong to Cat Ba.
Transportation to Hai Phong by road
- Coaches: Coaches from Hanoi to Hai Phong are available at My Dinh, Luong Yen, and Gia Lam bus stations, running from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Ticket prices range from 80,000 VND to 100,000 VND per person per trip, with travel time ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the route. From Hai Phong bus station, you can take a taxi to the ferry terminal.
- Cars, Motorbikes: You can use your own vehicle to reach Hai Phong. At the ferry terminal, you can purchase tickets to transport your vehicle across if needed. Traveling by car or motorbike has become more convenient now with the Tan Vu - Lach Huyen sea-crossing bridge. Simply drive straight across the bridge to the Got ferry terminal and only need to catch one ferry to Cat Ba instead of stopping at the Dinh Vu ferry terminal and having to take two ferries as before.
Transportation to Hai Phong by air
Domestic airlines currently operate flights to Hai Phong from major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, or Pleiku with ticket prices ranging from 99,000 VND to 3,000,000 VND per one-way ticket, excluding taxes and fees. Flight duration varies from 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours and 5 minutes depending on the departure point.
Prices for flights to Hai Phong may vary depending on the airline, route, or booking time. Therefore, you need to have a specific plan if you want to book the best-priced flight tickets.
From Cat Bi Airport (Hai Phong), you can take ground transportation to Got ferry terminal, which is about 28 km away, to board the ferry to Cat Ba.
Transportation to Hai Phong by railway
From Hanoi to Hai Phong, you can catch a train at Long Bien station at 6:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM. There are 4 train trips per day, with a travel time of about 2.5 - 3 hours and a cost of around 60,000 VND - 90,000 VND per person per trip.
From Hai Phong railway station, use ground transportation to go to Got ferry terminal, which is about 27km away, to board the ferry to Cat Ba.
Transportation from Hai Phong to Cat Ba
Currently, the most convenient and fastest way to travel is from Got ferry terminal (Hai Phong). The travel time from Got terminal to Cat Ba is 20 minutes by ferry. Upon arrival at Cai Vieng terminal (Cat Ba), you will need to travel about 20km further to reach the center of Cat Ba town.
The latest ferry ticket price is 12,000 VND per passenger per trip (for passengers not using personal vehicles).
The ticket price for passengers with personal vehicles is: motorbike - 45,000 VND/passenger/trip, car under 9 seats - 190,000 VND/passenger/trip.
Transportation on Cat Ba Island
In case you do not have a personal vehicle, you can rent a motorbike or use taxi, motorbike taxi (xe ôm) to explore the island. The most common transportation option is still motorbike with prices ranging from 150,000 VND to 200,000 VND per day, and 300,000 VND overnight.
Recommended hotels and resorts when visiting Cat Ba
Cát Bà Island Resort & Spa
Exceptional Location of Cát Bà Island Resort & Spa
- Hotel Address: Cat Co 1 Beach, Cat Ba
- Lowest room price starting from 2,340,000 VND/night
Cát Bà Sunrise Resort
Cát Bà Sunrise Resort - A Dreamy Retreat
- Hotel Address: Cat Co 3 Beach, Cat Ba
- Lowest room price starting from 1,350,000 VND/night
Sea Pearl Hotel Cat Ba
Experience the Majestic Sea Views Through the Windows of Sea Pearl Cat Ba
- Hotel Address: 219 1st April Street, Cat Ba
- Lowest room price starting from 1,710,000 VND/night
Paradise Hotel Cat Ba
Elegant Ambiance of Paradise Cat Ba Hotel
- Hotel Address: 231 1/4 Street, Cat Ba Town, Cat Hai District, Hai Phong
- Lowest room price starting from 1,000,000 VND/night
Perle D'Orient 5* Hotel - MGallery Cat Ba
Perle D'Orient - MGallery Cat Ba, Magnificent and Luxurious
- Hotel Address: Cat Co 3 Beach, Cat Ba, Hai Phong
- Lowest room price starting from 2,350,000 VND/night
In this Cat Ba trip, I booked a room at Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa, a true resort on the beautiful Cat Ba Island. The resort offers 5 room categories with either sea or mountain views for you to choose from based on your preference. I booked 1 night in a Superior sea-view room for 2 people priced at 2,340,000 VND/night, including complimentary buffet breakfast. With its superb location nestled between the mountains and facing the sea, this is a highly popular and sought-after resort in Cat Ba. The main attraction of the resort is its impressive architecture, blending French elegance with Vietnamese tradition. The rooms are spacious with predominantly wooden furniture, very elegant and sophisticated. From my sea-view room, the scenery is endless, with the blue sky and white clouds above and the emerald sea below with shimmering waves. Sitting on the balcony, enjoying a cup of coffee and admiring that view is truly a beautiful moment. With a range of entertainment facilities suitable for families such as spa, gym, swimming pool, ... Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa has everything you need for a relaxing and memorable vacation.
>> Explore other Cat Ba hotels at: https://www.Mytour.vn/khach-san/cat-ba
3D2N Cat Ba Sightseeing Itinerary
You should plan a detailed itinerary listing where to go, what to play, and what to do to fully explore Cat Ba Island on a 3-day, 2-night trip. For this trip, I spent 2 days and 1 night experiencing 5-star yacht services, and the remaining time exploring Cat Ba Island. Let's take a closer look at the details.
Day 1: First-day Experience on Yacht
After experiencing a cruise tour in Ha Long Bay, this time on my Cat Ba trip, I decided to try a yacht tour to explore Lan Ha Bay. I contacted Mytour Travel to book the 5-star Orchid yacht, the yacht that impressed me the most during my research. The price for the yacht is 9,580,000 VND/cabin for 2 guests/night, applicable to the Standard Suite Balcony cabin.
Orchid Yacht - The charming essence of the Gulf region
>> See more: Top 5 most famous Cat Ba yachts
We caught an early morning bus to Hai Phong and arrived at Got ferry terminal around 11 am, then waited at the Orchid Cruise lounge.
Around 12:15 after receiving necessary instructions, the cruise staff escorted us to the yacht for check-in. The entire space of the yacht exudes elegance and sophistication with a distinct Oriental charm, providing the most relaxing atmosphere for passengers. The cabins are spacious and fully equipped, resembling a 5-star hotel room on land.
We rested and had lunch on the yacht while it sailed to Trung Trang Cave.
- Trung Trang Cave: A natural cave formed over millions of years with precious stalactites and unique formations. This is also where scientists have found traces of prehistoric Vietnamese people through fossilized bones and primitive stone tools.
Trung Trang Cave
After about 1 hour of exploration, the yacht moved to Tra Bau fishing village. Tra Bau village is likened to a valley amidst the sea. Here, you can freely admire the pristine beauty, immerse yourself in the cool blue water, or participate in exciting kayaking activities.
After finishing activities at Tra Bau village, we returned to the yacht and enjoyed drinks at the bar on the Sundesk, watching the sunset over the bay. The yacht offers a HAPPY HOUR program with buy 1 get 1 free drinks at the bar in the late afternoon, which you shouldn't miss.
In addition, you can choose other activities such as joining cooking classes, trying Ba Kich wine, and more.
Dinner on the yacht offers a buffet with a wide variety of exquisite European and Asian dishes for you to taste.
In the evening, you can rest in your room or enjoy drinks while admiring the night view of the bay from the deck of the ship. At this time, there is a fascinating night squid fishing activity that you should try.
Day 2: Experience the second day on the yacht - Swimming at Cat Ba Beach
In the morning, after waking up, join the traditional Tai Chi class to start the new day with vitality.
Enjoy breakfast in the fresh morning air on the bay as the yacht continues its journey to Frog Pond.
- Frog Pond: A famous tourist spot with pristine and vibrant beauty surrounded by rocky mountains. It's an ideal destination for swimming, kayaking, and more. Kayaking will take you closer to explore small caves and impressive scenery that the yacht cannot reach.
After the activities, we return to the yacht to check out. While the yacht returns to the port, we have a light meal, relax, and sunbathe on the sundesk.
Around 12:00, the yacht returns to Got pier, marking the end of a delightful 2-day, 1-night journey on the yacht.
At this time, we head to the waiting area to catch the ferry at 1:00 PM from Got pier to Cat Ba Island.
Upon arrival at Cai Vieng pier, we take a taxi to Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa to check in and relax.
Around 3:00 PM, we change into beach attire and check in. The resort grounds at Cat Co 1 Beach are the most beautiful among the three beaches in downtown Cat Ba. Here, the sea view is stunning, and the air is fresh and cool, attracting many tourists.
We enjoy dinner at the floating restaurant on the sea - a delightful dining experience amidst the sound of waves and sea breeze. Contact the restaurant via the phone number on the boat, and they will send a boat to pick you up from the shore.
Day 3: Exploring Cat Ba Island
In the morning, after a refreshing swim and breakfast, we visit the famous landmarks on Cat Ba Island.
- Cannon Fort: Admission fee is 80,000 VND per person. It bears historical traces from the wartime with two cannon forts and a sophisticated observation and defense system. The structure remains almost intact and has become a tourist attraction, offering panoramic views of Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island from its highest point.
Check-in at Cannon Fort
- Cat Ba National Park: Drive along the cross-island road to reach Cat Ba National Park. It's a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve with a rich and diverse ecosystem. Admission fee is 80,000 VND for adults and 50,000 VND for children.
Afterwards, we check out of the hotel and head to Cai Vieng Pier to catch the ferry back to Got Pier at 3:15 PM. This concludes our 3-day, 2-night journey in Cat Ba.
Delicacies of Cat Ba
Based on my experience, you should try the following famous seafood dishes in Cat Ba:
- Razor clam (or known as bamboo clam): The characteristic of Cat Ba razor clam is that it's very large and thick. To preserve its flavor when enjoying, the chef must be careful to keep the razor clam intact, not broken. Famous dishes include salt-roasted razor clam, tamarind razor clam, ...
- Green mussel: In Cat Ba, green mussels can be caught from the sea or cultivated by local people. This is a sought-after dish by many tourists for its nutritious and irresistibly delicious taste. The best way to enjoy green mussels is when steamed with a fragrant aroma and firm, sweet flesh.
Squid
- Squid: The waters around Cat Ba are the preferred habitat of squid due to their high salinity and calm waves, making squid a common specialty here. Squid can be prepared in various ways such as steaming, stir-frying, hot pot dipping, deep-frying, ... but the most fragrant and delicious method is steaming to preserve its crispiness and sweetness.
- Blood cockles: A seafood type rich in beneficial nutrients for health, often grilled and eaten hot, a highly enticing dish.
Some famous seafood restaurants in Cat Ba:
- Phuong Phuong Cat Ba Restaurant: 232 1 Thang 4 Street
- Boom Restaurant: 268 1/4 Street, Cat Ba, Vietnam
- Green Mango Cat Ba Restaurant: Area 14 Lot 4, 1 Thang 4 Street
This article will be very helpful for those who love independent travel to enjoy freedom and flexibility on their journeys. To have a quick and cost-effective trip, I suggest considering the Cat Ba travel combo package, which includes both hotel and flight/boat tickets. If you are new to Cat Ba and not confident in your ability to travel independently, it's best to book a full-package Cat Ba tour to have a trip prepared from A to Z.
Wishing you all a joyful journey!
Thanh Ha
Image Source: Internet
