According to National Geographic , Cat Ba Island ranks third on the list of the eight most amazing islands in Southeast Asia. The archipelago consists of 367 islands spread over an area of approximately 300 square kilometers. It is home to the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve and Cat Ba National Park, a World Heritage site covering 22,250 hectares.
Author Sarah Gillespie argues that most tourists only stop here for a day before continuing to explore other smaller islands, but for thrill-seekers, Cat Ba is an adventure paradise. Among the more than 25,000 islands of Southeast Asia, it is considered the most worthwhile island to explore for those who love adventure.
With its diverse ecosystem, Cat Ba has become home to many rare species of flora and fauna (Photo: Huu Nghi).
The majestic limestone cliffs make this place an ideal climbing destination. Among them, the Butterfly Valley stands out – a system of caves and cliffs extending out to the sea. Visitors can experience deep-water soloing without ropes.
For guests seeking a safer experience while still wanting to admire the spectacular scenery, options include kayaking, gazing at the brightly lit Cat Ba sea at night, or conquering Ngu Lam peak – offering panoramic views of the vast green forest and the boundless sea and sky.
The Cat Ba Archipelago Heritage Area is a prominent example of typical tropical and subtropical marine and island ecosystems in Asia, with seven interconnected and successive ecosystems developing together.
This includes the pristine rainforest ecosystem on Vietnam's largest limestone island; the most developed coral reef ecosystem in the Gulf of Tonkin; the largest mangrove forest ecosystem on a Vietnamese island; the tidal zone ecosystem with unique and rare attached organisms; the saltwater lake ecosystem; the terrestrial cave and freshwater underground cave ecosystem; and the Cat Ba seabed ecosystem.
The approximately 1,045 hectares of primary forest on Cat Ba Island is one of the key factors contributing to the ecological value and biodiversity of the heritage site. In particular, the Cat Ba langur, a rare primate species listed in the World Red Book, currently exists only on Cat Ba Island.
In addition, researchers have discovered many endemic plant species here, adapted only to living on limestone islands, and found nowhere else in the world.
In September 2023, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognized the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago complex as a World Natural Heritage Site. From then on, Cat Ba tourism was given further opportunities to break through and accelerate in a new phase.
To seize that opportunity, in addition to promoting the value of its natural treasures and expanding year-round tourism experiences to attract visitors, Cat Ba also aims to develop into a world-class green tourism destination.
Cat Ba Island is packed with tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday (Photo: Thu Tra).
During the peak autumn and winter tourist season each year, Cat Ba usually welcomes tens of thousands of visitors, the majority of whom are international tourists who use services such as sightseeing, overnight stays on the bay, trekking, mountain climbing through the forest, and experiencing the ancient Viet Hai fishing village...
Many tourists prefer to stay overnight on cruise ships around Cat Ba Bay. This is considered a high-end service.
According to statistics, in the first eight months of the year, Cat Ba welcomed nearly 3.6 million visitors, reaching approximately 90% of the initial plan and increasing by 31% compared to the same period last year. This figure indicates that the number of tourists visiting Cat Ba this year is expected to far exceed the set target.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/bao-my-ca-ngoi-dao-cat-ba-cua-viet-nam-trong-top-tuyet-nhat-dong-nam-a-20251106224900394.htm
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