Cat Ba National Park Travel Guide
Covering an expansive area of over 17,000 hectares, including 11,000 hectares of forest and 6,500 hectares of water bodies, Cat Ba National Park is an unmissable destination while exploring Cat Ba Island.
Designated by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, this park features lush tropical forests, mangroves, limestone formations, wetlands, and colorful coral reef systems. Its ecosystem flourishes with exceptional diversity, sheltering more than a thousand species of flora and fauna, including 65 endangered golden-headed langurs and numerous other threatened species.
In addition, several natural attractions, such as the picturesque Viet Hai fishing village, the scenic Ao Ech area, and the enchanting Kim Giao forest enhance the park's charm.
Location
Located on the largest island of the archipelago, the park lies approximately 26 kilometers east of Hai Phong city, 20 kilometers south of Halong city, and roughly 150 kilometers southeast of Hanoi. It serves as a crucial point for regional biodiversity while also acting as a tourism hub for the area.
Reasons to Visit
The park is a comprehensive destination, merging natural splendor, diverse ecosystems, adventure opportunities, and cultural richness. It is particularly appealing for those seeking a connection with nature alongside cultural experiences.
- Rich biodiversity: Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the array of rare plant and animal species, especially the endangered golden-headed langur. The park is home to nearly 1,000 fish species, 60 mammals, 200 birds, 50 reptiles, and 20 amphibians.
- Mangrove and Kim Giao forests: Explore ancient trees with massive trunks and expansive canopies within these unique forest types found on Cat Ba Island.
- Outdoor activities: Thanks to the varied terrain, visitors can partake in numerous activities such as trekking, hiking, rock climbing, bird watching, and cave exploration.
- Attractive tourist spots: The park features both natural and cultural points of interest including the Viet Hai fishing village, Ao Ech area, and Kim Giao forest.
- Cultural immersion: Visitors can engage with local communities, learn about traditional lifestyles, and taste regional delicacies during their visit to the park.
Entrance Ticket
The entrance fee is now 100,000 VND for adults and 50,000 VND for children.
When to Visit
The park is a year-round destination with mild temperatures ranging from 25°C to 28°C. However, the peak tourism season typically occurs from June to July when visitors can escape the oppressive summer heat.
How to Get to Cat Ba Island
From Hanoi (150 km)
By private car/taxi: The quickest and most convenient way to travel to Cat Ba Island is by driving or hiring a taxi via the Hanoi-Hai Phong expressway. After crossing the Dinh Vu - Cat Hai Bridge, you will proceed to Got Pier. If you want to bypass traffic on the ferry, you can park your vehicle and take a ferry to Cai Vieng Pier on Cat Ba Island. The ferry ticket price is roughly 15,000 VND per person one way. Ferries operate every 30 minutes, with a total travel time of about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can book a speedboat from Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa or Mekong Hoang Yen, with ticket prices ranging from 150,000 VND to 300,000 VND per person one way.
Upon arrival, various means of transport, including public buses, electric cars, or taxis, are available to reach the park.
By tourist bus: For a seamless journey, consider booking a tourist bus service from Hanoi to Cat Ba, such as Good Morning Catba, Discovery, Daiichi, or Catba Express. These buses depart from Hanoi's Old Quarter to Got Ferry. After reaching Got, you will transfer to a ferry or speedboat to Cai Vieng Pier, followed by a connecting bus to your final destination. The entire journey takes nearly 4 hours, and tickets are priced around 350,000 VND per person one way.
|
Bus Operator |
Hanoi - Cat Ba |
Cat Ba - Hanoi |
Information |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Good Morning Catba |
7:30, 10:30, 14:00 |
9:30, 12:30, 15:30 |
Address: 9B, Cho Gao Street, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Website: https://goodmorningcatba.com/ |
|
Catba Express |
7:45, 10:45, 14:00 |
9:30, 12:30, 15:30 |
Address: 106 Tran Nhat Duat Street, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Website: https://catbaexpress.com/ |
|
Daiichi Travel Cat Ba |
8:00, 10:30, 12:30, 14:00 |
7:30, 9:00, 12:30, 16:00 |
Address: 96 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Website: https://daiichitravel.com/ |
From Hai Phong City (26 km)
If you're in Hai Phong, you have multiple transportation options to the island. Taxis or motorbike taxis to Got Pier followed by a speedboat or hydrofoil to Cat Ba Island are recommended.
Note: Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa offers a shuttle bus service to Got Pier for only 35,000 VND, with a hydrofoil ticket costing around 150,000 VND per person one way.
Alternatively, take bus No. 16 C to Got Pier and then a ferry to Cai Vieng Pier. Afterward, catch bus No. 14 to the town center.
From Halong Bay (20 km)
The distance from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island is short, and you can easily reach it via the Tuan Chau Ferry. The cost is approximately 80,000 VND per pedestrian one way and 100,000 VND for a motorbike, with a transfer time of about 50 minutes.
|
From 1st January to 24th April |
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|
Tuan Chau - Cat Ba |
8:00 |
11:30 |
15:00 |
||
|
Cat Ba - Tuan Chau |
9:00 |
13:00 |
16:00 |
||
|
From 24 April |
|||||
|
Tuan Chau - Cat Ba |
7:30 |
9:00 |
11:30 |
13:00 |
15:00 |
|
Cat Ba - Tuan Chau |
9:00 |
11:30 |
13:00 |
15:00 |
16:00 |
Getting to Cat Ba National Park
From the town center, taxis and public buses travel along the main Cat Ba road toward Cat Ba National Park. If you prefer independence, bike and car rentals are widely available around the town.
What to See and Do
With rich ecosystems, stunning seascapes, and rare wildlife, there are countless experiences awaiting exploration in the park. Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to appreciate while partaking in various tourism activities.
Trekking
No visit to the park is complete without trekking through its wildlife-rich terrain. Adventurous individuals can explore some of the most popular hiking trails, including National Park HQ – Ao Ech – Viet Hai – Lan Ha Bay, Trung Trang – Uy Ban Grottos, and Kim Giao – Ngu Lam Peak.
- National Park HQ – Ao Ech – Viet Hai (14 km trek plus 2-hour boat ride to Lan Ha Bay): This challenging trail requires around 6 to 8 hours to complete.
- Trung Trang – Uy Ban Grottos (1.2 km): A leisurely 1-hour round trip offers impressive stalactites within Trung Trang Cave and various bat species.
- Kim Giao – Ngu Lam Peak (1.5 km): This hike takes about 30 minutes each way and features attractions like a butterfly garden, botanical gardens, a small zoo, Kim Giao Forest, and breathtaking views from Ngu Lam Peak.
Sea Tourism
A wide range of water activities awaits; kayaking or rowboating in the Van Boi, Van Ta, and Tra Bau areas is highly recommended. For those seeking thrills, options such as rock climbing, diving to observe coral reefs, fishing, and undersea sports are exhilarating opportunities.
Caving
The park features several remarkable caves and caverns, including Trung Trang Cave, Hospital Cave, and Thien Long Cave. These destinations captivate visitors with their geological significance, stunning stalactites and stalagmites, and an air of mystique.
Voluntary Work
Voluntary tourism draws visitors eager to contribute positively to the environment. Participating in activities such as litter picking, cleaning local areas, and assisting conservation centers can greatly impact preserving nature.
Tips and Things to Remember
Before embarking on your journey to the park, keep the following points in mind:
- Pack comfortable clothing and sturdy outdoor shoes.
- Bring essential medications and mosquito repellent.
- Carry sufficient water and light snacks for trekking trips.
- Respect the environment: do not litter, cut down trees, collect flowers, or break branches.
- Be friendly and considerate of local wildlife and communities.
