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Cat Ba Island is the largest island in the Cat Ba Archipelago in northern Vietnam, located about 150 kilometers from Hanoi.
While most travelers head to nearby Halong Bay, Cat Ba offers a quieter and on land experience.
The island covers about 285 square kilometers and has a population of around 13,000 people. It’s known for its clean beaches, green hills, and rich wildlife. A large part of Cat Ba is a national park, and it’s also part of a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve.
Getting there
If you start from Hanoi, the easiest and most popular way to get to Cat Ba Island is by a combination of bus and ferry.
Starting with pickup from the Old Quarter, the bus ride takes about 2.5 hours to get to Cat Hai Island. From there, you’ll transfer to a ferry or speedboat at Got Pier, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The ferry drops you off at Cai Vieng Pier in the northern part of Cat Ba. To get to the downtown of the island, where lots of hotels are located, you’ll need to take an extra shuttle bus (30 minutes).
The whole trip takes about 4 to 4.5 hours and costs around 250,000 to 350,000 VND (roughly $10–15 USD). Various companies offer all-in-one packages including buses and ferry tickets. There are a few schedules during the day for you to choose from. Here are some reliable companies:
| Company | Service Type | One-Way Price | Departure Times | Pickup Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat Ba Express | Bus + Speedboat | 300,000 VND (~$12) | 7:30 AM, 10:45 AM | Hanoi Old Quarter hotels |
| Good Morning Cat Ba | Bus + Speedboat | 280,000 VND (~$11) | 7:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 2 PM | Hanoi Old Quarter hotels |
| Daiichi Travel | Bus + Cable Car | 400,000 VND (~$16) | 7:30 AM, 10:45 AM | Hanoi Old Quarter hotels |
Must-see attractions
Cat Ba National Park
The most famous attraction should be Cat Ba Nation Park. The park is huge—covering about 15,200 hectares of land and 9,000 hectares of sea. It’s part of a UNESCO-protected area and is home to the Cat Ba langur, one of the rarest monkeys in the world, with fewer than 70 left.
The best way to explore the park is by trekking. Most hikes start from the main entrance of the park. The most popular trail is the 2.9km hike to Ngu Lam Peak, a 1.5 to 2-hour round trip that starts and ends at the same point.
Ticket to the Cat Ba National Park cost 80,000 VND (~$3) per person.
Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay surrounds the south and east sides of Cat Ba Island. It has approximately 400 limestone islands, clear green water, and is less touristy than Halong Bay. Cruising in Lan Ha Bay is more peaceful and feels closer to nature, since the islets there are a bit smaller and stacked, so you can see them up close.
Lan Ha Bay cruises are also newer, larger, and better equipped, often with private balconies compared to Halong Bay.
Cannon Fort
About 2 km southeast of downtown, Cannon Fort is the best viewpoint on Cat Ba Island. It was built during World War II by the Japanese and later used in the Vietnam War. You can still see the old tunnels, bunkers, and big cannons on the hill.
But the main reason to visit is its stunning view. From the top of Cannon Fort, you can get a panoramic view of Cat Ba Town, Lan Ha Bay, and the surrounding limestone islets. There is also a telescope, so you could get a further view of the area.
Ticket to the Fort cost 80,000vnd per person.
Hospital Cave
Hospital Cave, also called Quan Y Cave, is a hidden wartime hospital built inside a limestone mountain of Cat Ba National Park. It was used during the Vietnam War as a secret, bomb-proof shelter for treating wounded soldiers. The cave has three floors and 17 rooms, including treatment areas, a kitchen, and even a small cinema with a swimming pool.
You’ll find the cave on the way to Cat Ba National Park, about 10 km north of Cat Ba Downtown. A local guide is often available at the entrance to explain the cave’s history.
Cat Co Beaches
Cat Co beaches is a combination of 3 beaches: Cat Co 1, 2, and 3. They are the main beaches on Cat Ba Island, located just 1–2 km from the town center. These beaches are especially popular with Vietnamese travelers and local families, but they’re also a good spot to relax if you’re staying nearby.
- Cat Co 1 is the busiest, with more people, music, and beach bars.
- Cat Co 2 is smaller and quieter.
- Cat Co 3 is more developed, with resorts and fewer outside visitors.
From Cat Ba Town, there’ll be hourly shuttle electric car transfer you to the beaches for 10,000VND – 20,000VND per person.
Viet Hai Village
Viet Hai Village is a small village located inside Cat Ba National Park, with around 80 households. It is surrounded by forested mountains and offers you a look into daily local villagers.
There’re lots of things to do there, including biking around the village, hiking to viewpoints like Hai Quan Hill, walking jungle trails, joining cooking classes with local families, and trying herbal foot baths.
To reach Viet Hai, take a 25–30 minute boat from Beo Dock (near Cat Ba town) to Viet Hai Pier. From the pier, you can bike, walk, or take an electric car for the 5 km road to the village. Bike rental costs about 30,000–50,000 VND, and electric cars are available for a small fee.
Trung Trang Cave
Trung Trang Cave is one of the biggest caves in Cat Ba National Park. It’s about 15 km from Cat Ba town and stretches over 300 meters through the mountain. Inside, you’ll see large stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years.
The cave is part of Trung Trang Valley, an area known for its rich plant and animal life. It’s easy to visit by road and is often included in Cat Ba National Park tours.
Where to Stay in Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Downtown, around the harbor, is the most central area. Most hotels, restaurants, shops, and tour offices are here. It can get crowded, but it offers more choices of accommodation, from budget hostels to higher-end hotels.
The beach area, near Cat Co, is close to town but more spread out. This area has a few resorts and is better for those who want to stay near the water. If your budget allows, consider something like Flamingo Resort for a sea view. If you’re looking to save money, a local option like Phuong Mai Family Hotel is more affordable and still offers views of the ocean.
Many travelers do not actually stay on the island, but instead choose overnight cruises on Lan Ha Bay, which include accommodation on the boat. These cruises often stop at Cat Ba Island as part of the itinerary, but the main focus is the bay.
Getting Around Cat Ba Island
There is no public transportation on the island. To get around, you’ll need to use private transport options.
The most common way to travel is by taxi or private car. There are many available in the downtown area, but it’s best to ask your hotel to book one for you to avoid scamming. Prices usually 150,000 VND max, since most attractions are only 5–15 kilometers from the center.
If you have an international driving license, you can rent a motorbike, which costs around 100,000–150,000 VND per day (not including fuel).
Electric cars operate on fixed routes between downtown and Cat Co beaches. These cost 10,000–20,000 VND per person per trip.
To visit Lan Ha Bay or Viet Hai Village, you need to join a cruise, which departs from Ben Beo Pier.
Best Time to Visit
Cat Ba Island is beautiful all year round, and the best time to visit is depends on what you want from your trip.
From June to August, the weather is hot and sunny, around 30–35°C. It’s good time to visit Cat Ba for water activities such as swimming, beach time, and boat tours. But it’s also the high season for local travelers, so things would get a bit busy and services are more expensive.
September to November offer mild and pleasant weather around 25–30°C. However, note that this is also the typhoon season, especially during September and October.
From December to February is winter, and Cat Ba become more quieter. Temperatures around 15–20°C. It’s best for some hiking and sightseeing, when the sky are clear.
March to May brings spring weather, 22–30°C, and green landscapes. But it also comes with cat and dog rain, especially in March and April.
Suggested Itineraries
2 days itinerary
Day 1
– Arrive from Hanoi (bus + ferry or cable car combo)
– Visit Cat Ba National Park and hike to Ngu Lam Peak
– Stop at Hospital Cave on the way back
– Dinner
Day 2
– Join a Lan Ha Bay boat tour with kayaking and swimming
– Optional stop at Viet Hai Village by boat and bike
– Return to town in the afternoon
– Travel back to Hanoi in the evening or stay one more night
3 days itinerary
Day 1
– Arrive from Hanoi
– Visit Cannon Fort for views and sunset
– Relax or swim at Cat Co 1 or 2 Beach
– Dinner in Cat Ba Town
Day 2
– Full-day Lan Ha Bay cruise
– Kayaking, swimming, floating villages
– Stop at Viet Hai Village
– Return to town in the evening (or stay overnight on a boat)
Day 3
– Morning hike in Cat Ba National Park
– Stop by Hospital Cave if you haven’t yet
– Afternoon travel back to Hanoi
