About 100 kilometers east of Hanoi is Cat Ba archipelago. The 366 island group is in Lan Ha Bay in Haiphong City’s Cat Hai District. Cat Ba Island, the largest island in the group about 140 square kilometers, is known for its ideal climate, stunning beaches and biodiversity.
Most notably, Cat Ba National Park was recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2003.
Tourist’s first impressions of Cat Ba are the endless green of the forests and the sheer limestone walls of the islands. The bizarre rock formations are sculpted by millenniums of erosion by water. The island also has coral reefs, sandy beaches, freshwater wetland areas, mangrove forests and willow swamps.
The highlight of the island is Cat Ba National Park which is home to 300 species of fauna and flora. The white-head langurs that live on Cat Ba are one of Vietnam’s most endangered primates. The park, which takes up more than half of the island’s area, is endowed with a diverse ecosystem and many types of habitats. After discovering the wildlife, visitors can cool off on the beach and play in the waves. The most popular beach is Cat Co beach which draws a crowd on holidays and weekends.
Cruising boats are available for hiring. There are many mysterious caves and monkey islands around waiting for exploration.
For people who like to hike, Ngu Lam Mountain at a height of 225 meters has a watchtower which makes a stunning vantage point to get the whole panorama of the island. Trung Trang Cave near the peak is dedicated to the worship of a princess who was the first to come to island and found the site.
And do not forget to enjoy the local specialties.
