Unmissable experiences in Cat Ba at night

Kayaking to see the phosphorescent sea, squid fishing in the middle of the ocean, watching the Jetski fireworks show, playing at the cardboard-inspired night market - Cat Ba at night is a new destination that captivates international tourists.

Admire the bioluminescent sea at Lan Ha Bay.

James Curtis, a British travel blogger who has visited Vietnam many times, described the experience of kayaking to see the bioluminescent sea in Lan Ha Bay as flying "among a galaxy." "There's no sound, just clusters of sparkling lights underwater. I used to think only the Maldives or Puerto Rico had bioluminescent seas – turns out Vietnam also has this magical moment of nature," he shared.

Lan Ha Bay is one of the few places in Vietnam where tourists can experience this fascinating natural phenomenon. Photo: Cat Ba Local

Bioluminescence, also known as bioluminescence, is a fascinating biological phenomenon that occurs when certain species of plankton, such as the algae Noctiluca scintillans, glow when subjected to physical movement—for example, waves, paddles, or currents. The emitted light is a soft blue hue and is usually most visible at night, when the sea is calm, the sky is dark, and there is no light pollution.

In Cat Ba, Lan Ha Bay is one of the few places in Vietnam where this phenomenon can be clearly observed, thanks to its sheltered waters, low boat traffic, and thriving plankton ecosystem. The bioluminescent sea season typically lasts from April to September – the summer months, when the seawater warms up and natural conditions become ideal for the bioluminescence to occur.

Many tourists compare the experience to something out of the movie Avatar. Photo: Get your guide

The experience typically begins around 7 or 8 PM. Visitors are taken by boat to a sheltered area in the bay, then paddle their own kayaks through the calm water. Each stroke creates a burst of light beneath the surface, leaving a faint, elongated blue trail like a comet's tail. Many foreign visitors compare the feeling to being lost in Pandora's forest in the movie Avatar. It's not just a beautiful sight – it's a feeling of being "activated" by nature, as if you're communicating with the sea through the smallest movements.

Night squid fishing with fishermen.

In the calm of the night, the squid fishing boats of Cat Ba fishermen light up and drift offshore – and tourists , especially foreigners, eagerly join in the journey. The ideal time for squid fishing in Cat Ba is from March to June. During this time, the sea is calm, and squid tend to swim close to shore to breed, making them easier to catch.

Night squid fishing is a popular nighttime experience among many foreign tourists. Photo: Hai Le Cao

No special techniques are needed; just a simple fishing rod, a few hours of casting nets in the night breeze with golden light reflecting from the water's surface – that's enough to create a "very Vietnamese" experience in the eyes of international tourists. They are curious, excited, and then delighted as they feel the rod gently jerk and pull up a fresh, glistening squid.

Louis, a tourist from France, shared after his trip: “I never thought I would be sitting on a small boat in the middle of the night in Vietnam, trying to catch squid. I didn't catch any, but eating hot porridge right on the boat and gazing at the night sea was one of the most enjoyable nighttime experiences.”

Watch the spectacular Jetski fireworks show.

While Cat Ba at night used to be associated with the tranquility of the sea or gentle exploration activities, this summer, the Pearl Island is gradually becoming more vibrant with a series of new entertainment experiences. A highlight is the "Symphony of the Green Island" show, a large-scale jetski and fireworks display held on the sea. With a total investment of nearly 200 billion VND, 20 jetski operators will participate in a simultaneous fireworks display aiming to set a Guinness World Record on the opening night, May 23rd.

The "Green Island Symphony" show aims to set a record on its opening night, May 23rd. (Image for rendering)

What sets this show apart is its storyline, steeped in East Asian culture – the legend of the Cat Ba crane fairy told through the flow of the five elements. A fairy tale told through sound, light, fire, water, and the body movements of world-class extreme sports "superstars." No CGI, no post-production special effects, everything is real – on a magnificent stage of the ocean.

Take a stroll through a unique night market inspired by cardboard.

Scheduled to open on May 16th, the VUI-Fest night market in the central Bay City of Green Island promises to be a new "twist" for the nightlife experience in Cat Ba. Not a traditional market, VUI-Fest is designed as an open space, combining food, art, and community with a clear "green living" spirit, featuring stalls inspired by recycled materials such as cardboard.

The night market is inspired by cardboard. (Perspective image )

The most anticipated highlight is the "Miniature Hai Phong Food Tour" - bringing together signature dishes of the port city such as crab noodle soup, crab spring rolls, red jellyfish, spicy fish noodle soup, etc., in a spacious seaside setting. This is not only a place to "eat delicious food," but also a way to bring the culinary culture of the port city to the island - closer to tourists while still retaining its rich local identity.

The market space will be enlivened by street performances, visual arts, and acoustic music. Visitors can enjoy dinner, listen to music, stroll around, and savor the cool nighttime sea breeze – a different experience compared to typical pedestrian streets.

Restaurants serve lavish dinners with craft beer and fireworks views. (Illustrative photo: Minh Quân)

Right next to the market is a chain of restaurants including The Sea Beach Club, The Forest Beach Club, and Sun Bavaria - where you can enjoy a sumptuous dinner with a glass of Sun KraftBeer craft beer and watch the spectacular fireworks from the show, truly experiencing the festive atmosphere.

According to vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/top-trai-nghiem-khong-the-bo-lo-o-cat-ba-ve-dem-157161.html