Golden Season to Explore the Pearl of the Gulf of Tonkin
Cat Ba enters its golden tourism season from April
Summer, from April to September, is the best time to enjoy the clear blue sea, white sand, and magnificent nature of Cat Ba. The crystal-clear water, clear sky, and golden sunshine on the smooth sandy beaches create perfect conditions for tourists to experience outdoor activities, from swimming and exploring Lan Ha Bay to enjoying the vibrant and new nightlife entertainment world.
Effortless Travel
From Hanoi or neighboring provinces, the most convenient way to reach Cat Ba is via the Hanoi – Hai Phong Expressway, taking only about 1.5 – 2 hours. If departing from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, or further provinces, tourists can fly to Cat Bi Airport (Hai Phong), then continue their journey to the island.
Cable car is a quick and economical way to travel to the island
From Hai Phong, tourists have many options to reach Cat Ba. The expected number of tourists to Cat Ba during the summer will be very high because it not only offers a full combo of "mountain and sea" experiences but also promises to open up an unprecedented vibrant entertainment world with international-standard shows. Therefore, the Cat Hai – Phu Long Cable Car will be the top choice. Travel time takes only about 15 minutes, so in addition to saving costs, tourists also save waiting time. If you want to experience traditional transportation, you can choose the Dong Bai – Cai Vieng ferry with a system of 5 new ferries. In addition, the high-speed ferry from Tuan Chau or Hon Gai directly to Cat Ba is also an ideal travel option for those who like the feeling of gliding on the waves.
Once on the island, electric buses are a civilized and environmentally friendly means of transportation, helping you explore the center of Cat Ba in the most comfortable way. If you want to freely experience the beautiful coastal roads, you can also rent a motorbike or bicycle to roam around the island.
A Bustling Experience from Day to Night
Arriving in Cat Ba, the first experience not to be missed is enjoying the pristine beaches in the midst of Lan Ha Bay—one of the most beautiful bays in the world. This place still retains its pristine beauty with over 130 small beaches hidden among the majestic limestone islands, where the clear blue water embraces the smooth white sand. If you are hesitant to stop at crowded beaches like Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, rent a wooden boat or kayak to sneak into the pristine beaches hidden among the islands. The feeling of swimming in the clear water, looking down to the bottom, or lying on the smooth sand without a single footprint will be an unforgettable experience.
Cat Ba Langur - one of the rarest primates in the world
For tourists who love exploring nature, Cat Ba National Park will be an ideal destination. As one of the few remaining primary forests in the North, it preserves over 1,500 species of flora and fauna, including the Cat Ba langur – one of the rarest primates in the world. Tourists can choose to trek the Ngu Lam trail (1-2 hours) or conquer the top of Than Cong fortress, where you can gaze out at the panoramic view of the deep blue bay stretching to the horizon.
Not only does it have majestic nature, Cat Ba also preserves one of the oldest fishing villages in Vietnam – Cai Beo fishing village. Nestled between limestone mountains and calm waters, the fishing village with hundreds of floating houses on the sea creates a rare peaceful scene. Tourists can take a small boat with fishermen to visit large fish farms, learn about life at sea, or try their hand at squid fishing and net fishing, before enjoying a meal right on the farm with freshly caught seafood.
The show “Symphony of Green Island” will premiere on May 15th in Cat Ba Central Bay
If Cat Ba is peaceful during the day with its breathtaking pristine nature, when night falls, the central bay area will be illuminated by the show “Symphony of Green Island” – a water sports performance combining modern lighting technology and fireworks appearing for the first time in the North, implemented in collaboration with Sun Group, H2O Events and Laser Vision – world-leading units in water shows. 20 Jet Ski racers, 8 Flyboarders and 3 Jazzer (female water athletes) in LED-lit costumes will stir up the bay for four summer months, starting May 15th, with captivating speed performances, aerial acrobatics and a spectacular light show. The highlight of the program is a 5-minute fireworks display exploding in the night sky of the bay, promising to create a new night entertainment icon in Cat Ba.
Cat Ba VUI-Fest Market will immerse visitors in a lively festival atmosphere
Beyond the bay show, the fun in Cat Ba continues with Cat Ba VUI-Fest Market - the first green market in Hai Phong, bringing together nearly 60 stalls using entirely eco-friendly materials. Divided into three convenient zones, visitors can immerse themselves in a lively festival atmosphere and exciting games, explore a culinary paradise, or enjoy unique personal experiences with tarot card reading stalls, henna painting, portrait sketching, recycling workshops, and more.
Coastal Culinary Paradise
A trip to Cat Ba would be incomplete without experiencing its rich coastal cuisine. Cat Ba seafood is not only fresh and delicious but also boasts a unique, rich flavor characteristic of the Gulf of Tonkin, with specialties found only on this island paradise.
When mentioning Cat Ba, grilled tu hai with scallion oil is the first dish to try. The tu hai meat is sweet, tender yet firm, complemented by the richness of scallion oil and the alluring aroma of charcoal, creating an unforgettable flavor. Salt-roasted mantis shrimp is another must-try—each shrimp is firm, crunchy, with a savory taste and a hint of spice, leaving a lasting impression. For a truly authentic coastal flavor, grilled sea cucumbers, spicy and sour sea cucumber salad, or sea cucumber stir-fried with lemongrass and chili are tempting choices.
Sun KraftBeer makes its Northern debut
For those who enjoy a drink, Sun KraftBeer makes its Northern debut, perfectly paired with fresh grilled seafood right on the beach, creating a novel culinary experience. Beyond seafood, visitors can also sample tempting street food at the VUI-Fest night market. Here, visitors can savor a variety of local flavors, from Ha Long squid cakes and Hai Phong crab spring rolls to crab noodle soup and shrimp vermicelli.
From breathtaking nature and pristine beaches to high-speed bay shows and a vibrant night market, everything promises an unforgettable summer for visitors.
