Exciting Trekking Adventure: Canoe Mishap and Serene Views of Lan Ha Bay

Trekking for 8 kilometers across varied terrain, our group took plenty of breaks, resulting in a late arrival for the canoe pickup. However, we were rewarded with a tranquil boat ride admiring the peaceful Lan Ha Bay.

Discovering Cat Ba: A Heart-Pounding Trekking Expedition Due to a Missed Canoe Ride

Twenty-one-year-old Doan Thi Thuy Linh, a student from Hanoi, embarked on her second journey to explore Cat Ba Island. This time, she joined a group of six friends for a two-day trekking adventure in Cat Ba National Park. Here's her post-trip reflection:

Since everyone in our group resides in Hai Phong, getting to Cat Ba posed no significant challenges. We opted for the high-speed ferry option. On Saturday morning, we drove to Binh Pier and parked our vehicles at Binh Guesthouse nearby. For those not from Hai Phong, fret not, as many provinces and cities offer transportation options, including buses and flights to Hai Phong. If traveling by bus, try to find one heading to Lac Long Bus Station, as it's just a few minutes' walk from Binh Pier.

Our group purchased tickets for the Hadeco high-speed ferry departing at 7 a.m. (weekend and holiday fares are 150,000 dong per person per way, while weekday fares are 120,000 dong). The bus shuttle service conveniently takes passengers to key destinations on Cat Ba, including Cat Ba National Park.

Exploring Diverse Tour Routes: Opting for the Ao Ech – Viet Hai Tour Line, we decided to stay overnight at the Central Tourist Area hotel, so I purchased tickets for this route. The adult ticket costs 40,000 dong. Remember to bring your student ID for a discounted rate of 20,000 dong per ticket. From Viet Hai village, you'll embark on a boat to the town.

The forest trail spans about 8 kilometers, taking an average of 6 hours to complete and reach Viet Hai village. A small note, especially for female travelers, is to ensure good health preparation. Eight kilometers through the forest differs greatly from eight kilometers on the road, but don't be disheartened as this is an experience worth having. Each person can bring 2 to 3 bottles of water, snacks, and energy-packed goodies to confidently navigate through the jungle.

Another note is to prepare insect repellent cream, especially when traveling on rainy days. Cat Ba National Park may not have leeches, but it does have mosquitoes. Wear lightweight clothes and sports shoes, avoid wearing shorts, especially short skirts. Avoid carrying bulky items, as each person only needs a backpack.

Our group began exploring the national park at 8:30 a.m. Initially, the path was quite beautiful and flat. We encountered a wide variety of trees and colorful mushrooms, making the forest scenery enchanting.

Around noon, we reached Ao Ech and took a break, snacking on light food and drinking water. Then we continued to the final destination, Viet Hai village. The journey from here became more challenging, as you face quite rugged terrain with large boulders. It's at this moment that team spirit is at its peak. Before the trip, I only knew three people in the group, but as we all held hands to help each other overcome the remaining forest stretch, no one felt like a stranger anymore. Making new friends is one of the things I really enjoy after each trip.

Around 2:30 p.m., the entire group reached Viet Hai village after a treacherous journey through the steep forest, sometimes with hearts racing. Because we spent quite a bit of time resting, when the group went to look for a canoe to go to the town, there were none available, so we had to hire a boat instead, accepting a higher price of 200,000 dong per person. Canoes usually depart before 4 p.m., at a lower price. However, missing the canoe and opting for a boat ride to explore Lan Ha Bay is also not a bad idea.

Wrapping up the exploration of the national park, everyone spent a night in Cat Ba town, making it convenient to go anywhere with fairly affordable prices.

The next morning before returning to the city center, Linh's group stopped by Cat Co 1 beach. Since it's not the tourist season, the beach was quite deserted, mainly visited by Western tourists for relaxation.

When visiting Cat Ba, challenge yourself by exploring the National Park. The trekking itinerary and budget are very reasonable for a weekend getaway.

According to Thuy Linh/Vnexpress

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide