A limestone island in Ha Long Bay with 366 square kilometers of national park land, steep cliffs, and mangrove forests. Home to the endangered white-headed langur.
Cát Bà, the largest island in northern Vietnam's Gulf of Tonkin, rises from emerald waters with 300-meter limestone cliffs and dense forest peaks. You'll find local fishermen steering wooden boats through Lan Ha Bay, families relaxing on Cat Co beach, and hikers climbing the steep path to Cannon Fort for sunset views. Explore the island's military history in the former Hospital Cave, or spot endangered langur monkeys while hiking the mountain trails of Cat Ba National Park.
Getting to Cát Bà Island
You can reach Cát Bà from Hanoi by taking a direct bus, which includes the ferry crossing. The journey takes about 3-3.5 hours, with buses departing at 7:30, 10:30, and 14:00. Cat Ba Express and Good Morning Cat Ba run regular services on this route. Once on the island, you'll find motorcycle taxis and rental bikes for getting around.
Exploring Lan Ha Bay
The waters around Cát Bà form part of Lan Ha Bay, where more than 300 limestone islands create a maze of channels and hidden coves. Day trips from Cat Ba town let you kayak between towering karst formations, swim in clear water coves, and meet families in floating fishing villages. With fewer tour boats than Ha Long Bay, you'll often have entire sections of the bay to yourself.
Hiking in Cat Ba National Park
The national park spans 140 square kilometers across the island's center. The main trail to Ngu Lam Peak takes 75 minutes round trip, climbing 3.6 kilometers through limestone formations. At the top, you'll see mountains rolling toward the coastline. Look for white-headed langurs - one of the world's rarest primates - in the fig trees along the walking paths.
Discovering the Island's Caves
The Hospital Cave contains three levels of chambers that served as a medical facility during the American War. Walk through former operating rooms and recovery wards, all built deep within the mountain. Trung Trang Cave extends 300 meters through the limestone, with paths leading past stalactites and underground streams. Both caves maintain temperatures around 18°C year-round and require local guides.
Swimming and Beach Activities
Three beaches - Cat Co 1, 2, and 3 - line the shore near Cat Ba town. Cat Co 2 has calmer waters protected by a natural rock formation, while Cat Co 1 includes beachfront cafes and sun loungers. For more isolated swimming spots, take a boat to the small bays around Monkey Island or join kayaking trips to empty beaches in Lan Ha Bay.
Best Time to Visit
October to December brings temperatures between 20-25°C and clear skies. Summer (June to August) temperatures reach 30-35°C with occasional afternoon storms. Winter months (January to March) cool to 15-20°C with morning mist over the bay. Local tourism peaks during Vietnamese holidays and weekends, when the beaches and hiking trails become more crowded.
