We’re so excited to share this post with you. We’re almost reluctant to, as if saying it out loud or putting it into words could make the magic of this island somehow fade away. But we trust in you, dear readers. And we hope you can feel the magic too through our words and pictures.
Welcome to Cat Ba, an amazing Jurassic World-style Island in the north of Vietnam.
How to get there: click here to book your transfer to Cat Ba from Hanoi. Or click here if you need a transfer from Ninh Bin.
Where to stay: We loved Green Homestay, rated Superb on Booking.com…and it truly was! Click here to check it out.
1. Why Cat Ba?
You might wonder, what is so special about Cat Ba? Everything. This island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and part of the Ha Long Bay archipelago. It’s home to caves, dense jungle and beaches.
But most importantly, it offers a much cheaper, quieter and more memorable boat tour experience in the stunning Lan Ha Bay, a scenic coastal destination situated immediately south of the more famous Ha Long Bay.
Most people visiting the north of Vietnam head straight to Ha Long Bay, perhaps booking a day tour from Hanoi or an overnight cruise. But these options are often pricey, rushed and overcrowded.
In recent years, what has transpired from tourists’ experiences is general disappointment with the Ha Long Bay tour experience. Many complain about the overcrowding of boats in the bay and litter in the sea, preventing ones from snorkelling and kayaking.
However, Lan Ha Bay offers the same iconic views, with around 400 limestone karsts and more than 130 sandy beaches. Because of the low levels of tourism, the waters are still crystal clear, enticing tourists with their many shades of emerald. Kayaking, swimming and diving off boats are not only possible, they’re highly recommended!
2. What else is there?
Our favourite part of the Lan Ha Bay tour, however, wasn’t necessarily the gorgeous limestone karst-heavy bay, if you can believe it. It was a visit to the fishing villages on the water and the rural Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island. The boat company organised a stop at Viet Hai Pier and dropped us off at the century-old village on electric buggies.
On arrival, we realised how special this place truly is. Viet Hai is home to an isolated community of 70 to 80 people, living a peaceful farming and fishing life, hidden away in the heart of Cat Ba National Park. The village is surrounded by impressive karst mountains and stunning open fields.
A traditional fish massage was also included in the tour, one of those things that you have to experience in person to truly appreciate!
Now, for the best part. We were offered a choice: a lift back to the pier on the electric buggy or the option to borrow pushbikes and ride through the incredibly picturesque 4km route through the jungle. What do you think?
This was one of those experiences in life that, when you live through them, you know they are special, but you don’t yet appreciate the impact this memory will have on you. Well, this was one of those moments, and we know it will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
Riding a pushbike on a tiny island in North Vietnam, through karsts, jungle and lakes… these are the memories that make life worth living.
We hope you will love your time on Cat Ba Island and in Lan Ha Bay as much as we did. For more travel tips and itineraries in Vietnam, click here.
But before you go, why not explore some tour options below…
