48 hours in Cat Ba

Cat Ba is not only a summer destination; autumn and early winter are also suitable times to enjoy the fresh air and peaceful atmosphere.

This itinerary is based on the experience of a VnExpress reporter and advice from Mr. Son Nguyen, an officer at Cat Ba National Park. The trip is suitable for tourists traveling from central Hanoi or Hai Phong who want a change of scenery for the weekend and enjoy physical activity.

Day 1

Travelers can reach Got Ferry Terminal from Hanoi in about two hours. If traveling from central Hai Phong , the journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Breakfast can be enjoyed in central Hai Phong or at rest stops along the Hanoi-Hai Phong expressway, with a signature dish being crab noodle soup.

This season is quiet, with fewer tourists, so crossing the ferry is quite quick. After buying tickets, tourists can board the ferry immediately, or if they have to wait, it's only about 30 minutes. After the peak summer season, the Gót ferry (on the Cát Hải side) now runs its first trip daily at 5:30 AM and the last at 6:30 PM. The schedule from Cái Viềng pier (on the Cát Bà side) is from 5 AM to 6 PM, with a ferry every 30 minutes.

From the ferry terminal to the center of the island, visitors will travel along one of the most beautiful island roads in Vietnam.

A section of the coastal road on Cat Ba Island. Photo: Giang Chinh

Morning

Trekking in Cat Ba National Park in the current cool weather is a suitable experience. Entrance fee is 80,000 VND per person. This fee is waived if you book a package tour. Visitors can start at 8:30 or 9:00 AM. Those who regularly exercise, walk, or run should choose a longer route.

"Visitors can trek 6 km or 10 km depending on their needs and fitness level. They can choose the shortest route, only about 2 km to the summit of Ngu Lam and back to the garden gate, visiting Trung Trang cave, which takes about 2 hours. But it would be a shame not to take the 10 km route to have more experiences and enjoy more beautiful scenery," Mr. Son said.

Traveling 10 km, visitors will traverse diverse terrains, experience many beautiful sights, learn about forest ecosystems and different types of forests such as primary, humid tropical, and mangrove forests, and discover many valuable tree species. Notable landmarks include May Bau Peak and Frog Pond. The final destination is Viet Hai village.

"The terrain along the route is quite diverse, with many flat sections through the forest, some uphill sections, mostly cliffs of medium height, and only a few short, extremely steep stretches," Mr. Son added, noting that people should choose appropriate shoes with anti-slip features and bring snacks.

The entire 10km trek takes approximately 4 hours; don't go too fast and rest when you get tired.

A flat stretch of road through the forest on the trekking route. Photo: Tam Anh

A spot on the trekking route. Photo: Tam Anh

Frog Pond. Photo: Tam Anh

Afternoon

In the early afternoon, tourists return to Viet Hai village. This is a small fishing village located deep within Cat Ba National Park. Only about 400 people live here, but it offers a full range of services including accommodation, food, and even fish foot massages for relaxation after trekking.

Late lunches mainly consist of locally grown and raised food. Dishes that guests can pre-order include seafood and garden vegetables, prepared simply but deliciously and nutritiously.

After relaxing with a fish massage (50,000 VND per person per session), cycling around the village is a must, or you can take a leisurely walk to watch the sunset.

"If tourists rent a room in the village overnight, they will receive a free bicycle, which they can use anytime. If they only visit the village for the day, the rental price is 50,000 VND," Mr. Son said.

Delicious grilled food at the fishing village. Photo: Tam Anh

Evening

Dinner with grilled meat and wine in the cool, crisp air. Some houses in the village accept bookings for BBQ parties. The area frequently welcomes foreign tourists, so they are accustomed to a diverse range of service and cooking styles, including Western dishes.

Rest and spend the night in Viet Hai village. Long Phuong Bungalow is one of the rental accommodations with the most rooms, offering private rooms for 2-4 people depending on your choice, with prices ranging from 500,000 to 700,000 VND per room. Additionally, the village also has many homestays, with cheaper options costing only around 200,000 to 300,000 VND.

Day 2

Morning

Waking up to the fresh air in Viet Hai village in the morning. A simple breakfast is served in the village with popular dishes like instant noodles or vermicelli served with fresh seafood. Each serving costs between 20,000 and 25,000 VND.

Head to the pier to visit Lan Ha Bay. The boat will take you across the bay, past famous landmarks such as Cai Beo floating village, Turtle Island, Tomb Island, and stop at Tay Keo beach for about 1-2 hours, a tranquil spot. In the summer, visitors can combine swimming with sightseeing, but in the autumn and winter, kayaking is recommended.

The road from Viet Hai village to the ferry terminal. Photo: Tam Anh

On Lan Ha Bay. Photo: Tam Anh

One of the small islands in Lan Ha Bay. Photo: Tam Anh

midday and afternoon

Currently, floating restaurants serving food in Lan Ha Bay are no longer permitted to operate. Therefore, after sightseeing in the bay, tourists should disembark at Ben Beo pier around 12 pm and have lunch on the island. Some recommended restaurants include: Hai Yen, Huyen Beo Hot Pot & Grill, Vien Duong, and Lang Chai. The dishes here are diverse, including seafood, beef, pork, and various hot pot options.

Before leaving the island, visitors should take a scenic drive along the cross-island road to see just how beautiful and peaceful the island is.

Arrive at Cai Vieng ferry terminal around 3-4 PM to return to the mainland. "Note that you shouldn't arrive at the ferry terminal too late, close to the last trip, to avoid risks that may affect tourists' schedules," Mr. Son advised.

Ben Beo Port. Photo: Tam Anh

Some alternatives: The above itinerary is suitable for those who have been to Cat Ba before and are familiar with the island, as the tour does not include visits to the town or attractions on the main island. If you want to relax, you should choose to stay in the town, with several resorts such as Perle d'Orient Cat Ba-MGallery or Flamingo Cat Ba, in the Cat Co beach area, where you can enjoy hot springs. Tourists can also choose to spend the night on a cruise ship in Lan Ha Bay.

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