Admire the beauty of Cat Ba Archipelago, which has recently become a World Natural Heritage site.

The Cat Ba archipelago, belonging to Cat Hai District (Hai Phong City), comprises 367 islands of varying sizes spread over an area of approximately 300 km², located in the Gulf of Tonkin, about 30 km from the center of Hai Phong City and about 140 km from Hanoi City.

Cat Ba Island is the largest island, covering an area of 153 km², making it the third largest island in Vietnam after Phu Quoc and Cai Bau. Its highest peak reaches 331m. This is a submerged tropical karst landscape with unique scenery similar to Ha Long Bay ( Quang Ninh ). The islands are isolated or clustered karst peaks or towers, with steep cliffs rising above the clear blue sea. Cat Ba Island boasts many beautiful caves and karst valleys such as Trung Trang, Hung Son, Gia Luan, and Tai Lai (now called Viet Hai)...

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 1. — *An aerial view of Lan Ha Bay, part of the Cat Ba archipelago, Cat Hai district ( Hai Phong city). (Giang Linh)*

The Cat Ba archipelago boasts tropical rainforests on limestone islands, mangrove forests, coral reefs, seagrass beds, cave systems, and lagoons, making it a place that fully embodies biodiversity conservation values, meeting the requirements of a World Biosphere Reserve as stipulated by UNESCO.

On December 2, 2004, this area was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve.

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 2. — The winding road, following the slopes of the limestone mountains, with the azure sea on one side and towering mountains on the other, leads visitors from the mainland to the World Natural Heritage site of Ha Long Bay and the Cat Ba archipelago. (Giang Linh)

The Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve covers a total area of over 26,000 hectares, including Cat Ba National Park and more than half of Lan Ha Bay, with 2 core zones (strictly protected and free from human impact), 2 buffer zones (allowing limited economic development combined with conservation), and 2 transition zones (economic development).

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 3. — *Cat Ba Town, Cat Hai District (Hai Phong City) is the tourism center of the island district, with many hotels and restaurants... GIANG LINH*

One of the most famous and attractive destinations for both domestic and international tourists visiting Cat Ba Island is Lan Ha Bay. This bay, ranked among the most beautiful bays in the world, is located to the east of Cat Ba Island and serves as a connecting link between Cat Ba Island and Ha Long Bay.

The bay covers an area of over 7,000 hectares with more than 400 large and small islands and 139 small sandy beaches surrounding it; however, more than 5,400 hectares of this area are under the management of the UNESCO-recognized World Biosphere Reserve, namely Cat Ba National Park.

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 4. — *Ben Beo is currently one of two piers that operate ferry services for tourists visiting Lan Ha Bay in the Cat Ba archipelago, along with Gia Luan pier. (Giang Linh)*

Below are some images of Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba National Park and World Biosphere Reserve, part of the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago World Natural Heritage site.

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 5. — *A 5-star cruise ship takes tourists on a tour of Lan Ha Bay. (Giang Linh)*

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 6. — *The cruise ship anchors in Lan Ha Bay, allowing tourists to experience kayaking. (Giang Linh)*

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 7. — *Tourists visit the sandy beaches and dunes in Lan Ha Bay to swim. (Giang Linh)*

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 8. — *The clear, clean waters of Lan Ha Bay delight foreign tourists visiting the pearl island of Cat Ba. (Giang Linh)*

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 9. — *Leaning Tower Island – a highlight of Lan Ha Bay tourism. GIANG LINH*

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 10. — *Turtle Island in Lan Ha Bay is known as "the largest fossilized turtle in Vietnam." - GIANG LINH*

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 11. — *A view of Lan Ha Bay from a cave entrance. GIANG LINH*

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 12. — *Luon Cave – a must-see attraction on any Lan Ha Bay tour. (Giang Linh)*

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 13. — *Ong But Island rises from the sea. GIANG LINH*

Ngắm vẻ đẹp quần đảo Cát Bà vừa trở thành Di sản thiên nhiên thế giới - Ảnh 14. — *The road through Cat Ba National Park is lined on both sides with towering limestone mountain ranges and rich vegetation. - GIANG LINH*

With its diverse flora and fauna and caves, Cat Ba National Park has become a fascinating tourist destination. Besides plant species such as Shorea spp., Juniper fir, Rhus chinensis, Dalbergia tonkinensis, Dalbergia cochinchinensis, Dioscorea spp., Smilax glabra, Bambusa vulgaris, and Dalbergia tonkinensis, Cat Ba National Park also boasts thousands of ancient lychee trees with trunks so large that several people would be needed to encircle them.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ngam-ve-dep-quan-dao-cat-ba-vua-tro-thanh-di-san-thien-nhien-the-gioi-185230921200230356.htm