Note : You are in Page 2 (Cat-Ba island), start with Page 1.
- Page 1 – Halong Bay
- Page 2 – Cat Ba Island
- Page 3 – Halong City
- Page 4 – Hai-Phong City
Cat-Ba island- Orientation – Maps
Map 1 – Cat-Ba island : Tourist Attractions + Ferry Terminals
Map 2 – The Town of Cat-Ba island
Map 3 :
Interactive Map : Tourist attractions + Transport
- Points in Red : Transport
- Points in Blue : Tourist Attractions
Map 4 :
Map 5 :
How is Cat-Ba Island ?
A nice place. It is a small island, just 15 Km long and there is more or less only 1 road that goes vertically (so you cannot get lost while on a motorcycle).
There is a small town at the south of the island and almost 100 % of the tourists are staying here. Most of the hotels are modest and very economic in price (see where to Stay).
Tourists are usually staying in Cat-Ba for 2 days. The first day is dedicated to a sail on a cruise boat and the second day is for exploring the island, usually on a motorbike, there are a few things to see.
How to Arrive to Cat-Ba island ?
I have described it on the first page, how to arrive to Halong Bay area.
How to Move in Cat-Ba island ?
Walking
Assuming you are staying in the little town (and not in an isolated village in the mountains), you can just walk.
Motorbike
It is very popular to rent a motorbike from the hotel or a travel agency. Prices are around 150,000 Dong a day. The roads are in good conditions are there are no climbs.
Bus
There is a local bus that runs on the vertical road of the island, a few times a day. The main stops are :
- The Cat-Ba town (in front of the ferry terminal, on the promenade road).
- Cat-Ba National Park.
- Ferry terminal (for Halong city), at the north of the island.
Taxi
There are some taxis, on the island
Where to Stay in Cat-Ba island ? – Hotels
Almost all tourists are staying in the little town, in the south of the island.
There are almost no fancy hotels here, but small, economic hotels, many of them managed by families. The prices are ridiculously low in the low season, less than 10 dollars. The high season of the island is around July and August (there are many Vietnamese tourists on vacation).
Let’s look at the Map of the town :
The concentration of the Hotels in the town of Cat-Ba may look like this :
The hotels are concentrated on the first line of the sea (the promenade) and the “loop” road (marked in yellow on the Map). I stayed in a small hotel on the “loop” and it was good. The town is not noisy, unless you have a room that faces a construction site (yes, there is construction everywhere in Vietnam).
See Hotels in Cat-BA island. After you click and fill the dates, you will see a Map icon. Click on the Map icon and look for hotels in the zone you want. The Map is a great way to search for the right hotel (you immediately see the price and the score received by visitors).
How is the Climate in Cat-Ba island ?
See the first page : What is the climate in Halong Bay.
What to Eat in Cat-Ba island ?
There are no real French bakeries on the island (I searched very hard) and no real Italian restaurants. There is some western food in the bars on the promenade. The Big Man Bar-Restaurant is good. They have good Vegetarian options, Western and Vietnamese food.
Where to go out at Night in Cat-Ba island ?
On sunset you should be on the view point of Canon Fort.
Later, there is only the promenade, with some restaurants and Bars.
What to Visit in Cat-Ba island ?
The Town Center
Just walk along the promenade.
I recommend to walk till the southern point, where there is a nice bar with view and music.
On the north side, there is s small lake.
Canon Fort
It is located at a walking distance from the town center, and the view from upstairs is amazing, so don’t miss it.
There are 2 viewpoints + café.
It was once a military defence fort and you can see canons
and other military exhibits :
Sunset is beautiful here.
There is an entry fee to the place, 40,000 Dong.
How to get there ?
Located less than 1 Km from the promenade.
By Foot
There is climb to make on a road, but many people are doing it, the view is nice.
By Motorbike
The popular way to arrive. If you already have a motorbike rented for the day, then come with it, towards sunset.
By Taxi
It could be done
By a Guided Tour
It could exist.
Cat-Ba National Park
It is a mountain. The view is very nice from 2 view points.
It takes about 1 hour to climb and the same to return.
It is not difficult but you will sweat, you need water (it is sold, downstairs).
There is an entry fee to the reserve, it includes also the Trung-Trang cave which is close on the road.
How to get there ?
Located on the main road, about 10 Km north from the town, see on the Maps above.
By Motorbike
Very easy to arrive here. When you arrive, ignore the restaurants on the left side who will attract you to park for free (unless you intend to eat in their place). Park the motorbike at the entrance, there is a guard (with small fee).
By Bus
The local bus that I have mentioned before, has a stop here.
By Taxi
It could be done
By Guided tour
They could exist.
Trung-Trang cave
A short visit in a beautiful cave. It is a very easy visit, the cave is illuminated and the trail is easy.
In less than half an hour, you will be back on your motorbike (including the short walk to the cave).
The entry fee is included with the ticket of the National Park.
How to get there ?
Located on the main road, just 1 Km from the National Park entrance, see on the Maps above.
By Motorbike
The “cool” way to visit the island, and to stop here.
By Bus
The local bus that I have mentioned before, has a stop at the National park, which is 1 Km from the cave. You can also ask the driver to stop exactly here.
By Taxi
It could be done
By Guided tour
They could exist.
Hospital cave
It used to be an hospital and a military base, during wars.
It is now a sort of museum.
Since I have visited in Budapest, Hungary a similar cave hospital, I was not impressed by this one. Still, it is an interesting stop. There is a small entrance fee, 40,000 Dong.
How to get there ?
Located on the main road, about 6 Km from the town. See on the Maps above.
By Motorbike
If you are not riding super fast, you will see the signs of the Hospital cave
By Bus
The local bus that I have mentioned before. You can ask the driver to stop here.
By Taxi
It could be done
By Guided tour
They could exist.
Area of the ferry terminal in the North
If you have a motorbike, ride till here.
The zone is nice.
How to get there ?
Located at the end of the main road. See on the Maps above.
By Motorbike
Yes, the same motorbike.
By Bus
The local bus that I have mentioned before. The last stop is here.
By Taxi
It could be done
By Guided tour
They could exist.
Cruises from Cat-Ba Island
A cruise is the highlight of Halong Bay. Most of the cruises that are departing from the island are for just 1 day, you return to your hotel before 16:00. The cruise includes a meal on the boat. There are stops for swimming and Kayaking. There is usually a guide explaining stuff.
You can book a cruise in place (Cat-Ba island), from your hotel or a travel agency or online with Booking.com as I explained on the first page (note: most of the cruises via Booking.com are departing from the Terminal of Halong city and not from Cat-Ba island, but there are some).
Now, Continue To :
More on Vietnam :
- How to Visit Vietnam ? – Transport, Best Time, Priorities…
- How to Reserve : Trains, Buses and Flights in Vietnam ?
- How much does it Cost to Visit Vietnam? Common Prices
- How to get a Visa for Vietnam ?
- Where to Stay, What to Visit, How to Arrive to :
- How is the Internet in Vietnam ?
- Is it Safe to visit Vietnam?
- What to Pack for the trip to Vietnam ?
On Thailand :
- Bangkok – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
- The Islands in Thailand – Which one to choose, Where to stay, How to arrive ?
- Chiang Mai – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
- Pattaya city – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
Other Stuff :
- What to Pack ? the visual list that will help you prepare the suitcase.
- Visit my Vegetarian Page. Why be Vegetarian ? What to eat ?
- Visit my Salsa Dance Page. Salsa main Styles. Why Dance Salsa ?
- See City Information about 2 more cool cities: Barcelona and Tel-Aviv.
- Listen to nice Songs with translation in French, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew.
- Listen to basic Words In Spanish, French, Hebrew
If you find incorrect data on this page, like a restaurant that has closed or a big river that has moved or you want to tell me something, please write me to contact.
