This summer, remember to travel to Cat Ba Island.

The beauty of Cat Ba Island, as described by traveler Dean Wickham on his blog below, will make you want to travel to Cat Ba Island immediately and always in this summer.

Exploring Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay

If you want to visit Halong Bay, I advise you to start your trip from Cat Ba Island. Because Cat Ba not only possesses a pristine and romantic beauty, but it also owns the stunning Lan Ha Bay and some other remote destinations of Halong Bay. There are plenty of interesting things for you to do here, but the most exciting is enjoying delicious local dishes and kayaking and exploring caves.

Cat Ba Island – The “kingdom” of unique caves

During the Vietnam War, Cat Ba Island was used as a hideout for many revolutionary soldiers. A massive cave on the island, used as a bomb shelter and field hospital during the war, offers breathtaking scenery to visit. When we visited that interesting cave, we were the only visitors, but the guide there was very enthusiastic in leading us to explore around. Besides visiting caves, you can also rent a motorbike to visit Cat Ba National Park.

Impressive Cat Ba National Park

Most islands in Cat Ba are protected and are part of Cat Ba National Park. It is famous for being the habitat of the Cat Ba langur – one of the rarest primates in the world. There are numerous hiking trails here, ranging from a few kilometers to 18 kilometers within the National Park. We chose tours by Cat Ba Ventures, with a half-day journey to explore the National Park. Including climbing to the top of a mountain here, visiting unique caves, with costs ranging from $15 if traveling by motorbike to $20 if by car.

Beautiful Beaches Await

There are three beaches called Cat Co 1, 2, and 3, located just over 1 km from Cat Ba town. The best way to reach these beaches is to rent a bicycle or motorbike, enjoying the scenic ride along the way.

Where to Stay on Cat Ba Island?

There is no shortage of hotels along the main streets of Cat Ba Island, and your task is simply to choose one that suits you best. We also chose a beautiful hotel here at a quite reasonable price, stepping out onto the balcony you can see the sea, the room is quite nice and clean. Especially, at tourist areas in Cat Ba, many staff speak English very well. If you prefer a quieter place, you can stay in wooden houses on remote islands away from Cat Ba town.

Top Dining Spots on the Island

Apart from hotels, the main streets in Cat Ba town boast numerous restaurants. Most dishes here are delicious and affordable. Cat Ba Island is a fantastic place to indulge in seafood, and these are my favorite spots on the island.

My Way: We've dined here several times, and the food is consistently delicious and diverse. There are also enticing vegetarian options, and the beer prices are much cheaper compared to elsewhere.

Family Bakery: This is where we often go for breakfast, with affordable and tasty offerings. You can have croissants, pastries, sandwiches, and other familiar breakfast items of the locals, as well as enjoy a strong cup of coffee. It's truly a great start to the day.

Phuong Nhung: This is a local eatery, a fascinating place if you want to savor traditional Vietnamese cuisine. We've had pho, spring rolls, and cheap beer here.

According to Theroadtoanywhere.com

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour