Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City, Vietnam

welcome to Cat Ba!

Đảo Cát Bà (Cat Ba Island), located in Hải Phòng (Hai Phong) City about 150 km north-east of Hanoi, is the largest island in the Cat Ba Archipelago.

The island is a popular gateway for cruises to Ha Long and Lan Ha Bays.

Ha Long Bay lies north-east of the island, while Lan Ha Bay is located to the south-east.

Ha Long Bay-Cat Ba Archipelago was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023. The area includes Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Island and its archipelago, and Lan Ha Bay.

You can visit the island and the bays in a day trip from Hanoi but I would recommend a 2D1N adventure like what I did as there are more to do than just experiencing the 2 bays.

I planned for a 2D1N adventure and booked a combo (USD 46) which included return transport from Hanoi and day cruise to Lan Ha and Ha Long Bays. The cruise included a pit stop at Di San floating house to see the giant lucky fish and floating fish farm, anchoring at Đảo Đầu Bê (Đau Be Island) after lunch to chill and where you can jump into the emerald green water from the upper deck of the cruise and enjoy a nice soak in the bay. The cruise also included kayaking in the bay through Hang Tối (Dark Cave) to the hidden and peaceful Đầm Hang Sáng (Bright Cave Lagoon) and a simple tea break before heading back to the island in the evening for me to check out from my hotel and head back to Hanoi.

From Hanoi to Đảo Cát Bà

You can book a return trip (USD26) from Hanoi to the sland but if you plan to go for a cruise to the bays, I would suggest to research for a company which offers a combo package, which is more economical.

A typical trip would include a bus and ferry route- a bus ride from Hanoi to Bến Gót (Got Pier) along the Hà Nội–Hải Phòng–Quảng Ninh Expressway 5B with a pit stop at Trạm Dịch Vụ PK77 (PK77 Service Station)(2.5 hours), a speedboat ride to Bến phà Cái Viềng (Cai Vieng Pier) (15 minutes) on the island and a final bus ride to Cat Ba Town (30 minutes). The total travel time is about 3 hours 15 minutes.

bus from Hanoi, Trạm Dịch Vụ PK77, Bến Gót, Bến phà Cái Viềng and final bus transfer to Cat Ba Town

Why PK77? It is at the 77 km mark on the expressway. Once you are there, you are about half way between Hanoi and Cai Vieng Pier. 💪

I would recommend to stay in Hanoi Old Quarter as the transport company would likely be able to pick you up from your accommodation. For my case, they sent a motorbike to pick and sent me to their office where the bus was waiting.

The journey back is the opposite. You just need to confirm the pick up time with the guide.

Arriving at Đảo Cát Bà

The transport company I selected had their buses leaving Hanoi at 0745 hours, 1045 hours and 1400 hours. I took the first bus and arrived at about 1200 hours.

There were many budget hotels facing the bay thus you can do your research and select the one that suit your needs.

I had my room on the 5th floor and it had an amazing view of the bay.

In and Around Đảo Cát Bà

Some places that you can consider visiting on the island are

Chợ Cát Bà (Cat Ba Market)
Vịnh Hạ Long (Ha Long Bay)
Vịnh Lan Hạ (Lan Ha Bay)
Vườn quốc gia Cát Bà (Cat Ba National Park)
- Hang Quân Y (Hospital Cave)
- Hang Trung Trang (Trung Trang Cave)
- Pháo Đài Thần Công (Cannon Fort)

Chợ Cát Bà (Cat Ba Market)

Cát Bà Market, located in the heart of Cat Ba Town, offers a vibrant glimpse into the island’s daily life. The market features stalls selling clothing, dried seafood, fresh meat and seafood, household items, snacks, souvenirs, spices and tropical fruits and vegetables.

It is busiest in the early morning, when locals shop for ingredients and the day’s freshest catch such as clams, crabs, fish, lobsters, prawns and squid which arrives from nearby fishing villages.

Vịnh Hạ Long (Ha Long Bay)

Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking and iconic natural wonders. The name 'Hạ Long', meaning 'Bay of the Descending Dragon', comes from an ancient legend in which dragons descended from the heavens to protect the land from invaders. As the story goes, the dragons spat out jewels and jade, which turned into the islands and islets seen in the bay today.

Covering an area of approximately 1,553 square kilometres, Ha Long Bay is dotted with nearly 2,000 limestone karsts and islets, many blanketed in lush greenery. These dramatic formations have been shaped over millions of years by wind, rain, and sea erosion, creating a surreal seascape of towering cliffs, hidden caves, natural arches and sheltered lagoons. The bay’s calm, emerald waters is ideal for scenic cruises, kayaking and exploration.

A must-see within the bay is Làng chài Cửa Vạn (Cua Van Floating Village), one of the largest and most well-known floating fishing villages, where visitors can get a glimpse into the traditional life of the local fishing community.

Vịnh Lan Hạ (Lan Ha Bay)

Lan Ha Bay serves as an extension of the famous Ha Long Bay. Spanning over 70 square kilometres, it features approximately 300 to 400 limestone karsts and islets but with a quieter atmosphere and fewer tourists.

Many of Lan Ha’s islets are covered in lush green vegetation and often have small sandy beaches, making them ideal for kayaking, sunbathing and swimming.

You can also visit Làng chài Cái Bèo (Cai Beo Floating Village), one of the oldest floating villages in the bay, where you can observe local fishing life and traditional raft houses.

Vườn quốc gia Cát Bà (Cat Ba National Park)

Cat Ba National Park is a protected area located in the heart of the island.

As part of the UNESCO-designated Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, the park spans over 17,000 hectares of forest and marine ecosystems. It is home to diverse wildlife, including the critically endangered Cat Ba langur, also known as the golden-headed langur (which, sadly, I didn’t get to see 🥺).

The park features limestone karsts, tropical forests, caves and scenic hiking trails. Visitors can go birdwatching, trekking and immerse themselves in the lush landscape while enjoying panoramic views of Lan Ha Bay from the summit.

iseasywith.me Public Service Announcement/Travel Tips

As you're visiting a protected area and biosphere reserve, please avoid disturbing wildlife, littering or picking plants.

Wear comfortable trekking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.

If the weather is warm, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Apply sunscreen and insect repellent, if needed.

Pack a raincoat in your day backpack during the wetter months and watch your steps as the ground may be muddy and slippery.

You can hire a Xe Ôm (motorcycle taxi) to travel from Cat Ba Town to various spots in the national park. The driver would bring you from place to place and wait for you while you explore each of them. Be sure to inform the driver the places you want to visit and negotiate the price before starting your ride, and pay only at the end of the trip. I paid 200,000 VND to visit 4 places- Cat Ba National Park office, Hospital Cave, Trung Trang Cave and Cannon Fort.

Hang Quân Y (Hospital Cave)

Hospital Cave (40,000 VND) is a remarkable relic of the Vietnam War and a powerful symbol of strategic ingenuity. Constructed between 1963 and 1965 with assistance from Chinese engineers, the cave served as a bomb-proof military hospital and command centre for the North Vietnamese Army.

Built entirely inside a mountain, the complex spans three levels and houses 17 rooms, including meeting and strategy halls, a kitchen, a surgical operating room, recovery areas, sleeping quarters and even a movie screening room!

The facility was reinforced with concrete walls, thick iron doors and together with the natural rock structure of the cave, made it invisible to aerial surveillance and highly resistant to bombing raids.

During the war, the cave could accommodate dozens of people, functioning not only as a medical centere but also as a secure base for military planning. It remained operational until the end of the war in 1975.

Hang Trung Trang (Trung Trang Cave)

Trung Trang Cave (40,000 VND) is one of the largest and most captivating caves in Cat Ba National Park. Legend has it that Princess Trung Trang led the island’s defence against invaders and later meditated in the cave. It was named in honour of her bravery.

Located about 15  km northwest of Cat Ba Town, the cave stretches through a 300-metre tunnel that cuts across a limestone mountain. Visitors can explore both narrow, low-ceilinged passages and spacious chambers.

Take your time to admire the impressive array of stalactites and stalagmites, shaped over millions of years. Look out for formations resembling crowns, mythical creatures and even the map of Vietnam.

If you’re lucky, you may spot bats, birds, insects and reptiles.

From 1964 to 1968, the cave also served as a military command post during the Vietnam War. Try to spot wartime relics such as water tanks and meeting rooms inside.

Pháo Đài Thần Công (Cannon Fort)

Cannon Fort (40,000 VND), sometimes called Point 177 for its altitude of 177 metres above sea level, is one of the island’s most important historical landmarks and arguably the best panoramic viewpoint on the island. It seamlessly blends military history with natural beauty, offering a window into Vietnam’s wartime past alongside breathtaking views of Lan Ha Bay’s emerald waters and limestone karsts.

While there, look out for the two massive naval artillery cannons, each weighing over 10 tonnes, which were used to defend the coastline against enemy ships and aircraft, as well as the underground bunkers and tunnel network.