Exploring Cat Ba Island on a cold day.

The pristine, peaceful beauty of Cat Ba Island ( Hai Phong ) during the off-season attracts tourists, especially international visitors.

A kayaking trip in Lan Ha Bay. Photo: Duc Anh

With its poetic beauty of emerald-green beaches and majestic, dormant primeval forests, Cat Ba Island has long been one of the top beach destinations for both domestic and international tourists exploring Vietnam. In contrast to the crowded summer days, during the colder months, Cat Ba Island returns to its most pristine and unspoiled beauty, making it an ideal place for a spring getaway.

Even in winter, the natural scenery on Cat Ba Island remains lush and vibrant. Its diverse and abundant natural ecosystem ensures that Cat Ba Island remains a "green gem" at any time of year.

The peaceful beauty of the beaches on Cat Ba Island during the off-season. Photo: Le Tuyen

Having visited the island many times during the cold season, Ms. Ngoc Anh (from Hai Phong) is never ceased to be amazed by the beauty of nature there. "It seems like there is no winter in Cat Ba; the leaves and flowers are always blooming brilliantly on the island," Ms. Ngoc Anh shared.

The beaches on Cat Ba Island, such as Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, and Cat Co 3, which used to be packed with people, are now quiet during the off-season. However, according to Ms. Ngoc Anh, the beaches are still very beautiful, and instead of swimming, she and her friends can relax on the shore, drink coconut water, and listen to the sound of waves crashing in the distance.

Besides relaxing on sun-drenched white sand beaches, many tourists, especially international visitors, also enjoy "backpacking" along the scenic routes of Cat Ba Island. Two popular routes for exploring the island's beauty are Route 356 and the coastal road.

If traveling along the coastal route, tourists will mostly enjoy the view of the vast, clear blue sea with fishing boats docking at the harbor. Meanwhile, Route 356, which runs through Cat Ba National Park, will take visitors to lush green forests and towering limestone mountain ranges on both sides of the road.

Visiting Cat Ba Island for the first time, Shahbaz Gul (31 years old, Pakistan) was extremely delighted with Highway 356, which runs through the island. He shared that the experience of riding a motorbike on this route allowed him to immerse himself in the lush green beauty of the mountains and forests. The cool weather and fresh air on Cat Ba Island in winter made him feel very comfortable and relaxed throughout his exploration of the island.

The road is ablaze with bougainvillea and reeds in winter on Cat Ba Island. Photo: Le Tuyen

Along the road that crosses Cat Ba Island, many foreign tourists, despite the cold weather, wear shorts and t-shirts while riding motorbikes or walking to explore the island's rich flora and fauna. This is also the route for tourists to trek in the National Park or visit famous sites such as the Military Hospital Cave and Trung Trang Cave... Further afield is Viet Hai Ancient Village - a peaceful fishing village with a history spanning a hundred years.

The peaceful, romantic, and pristine natural scenery, along with reasonable prices, has made Cat Ba Island a wonderful holiday paradise for tourists during the cold season. Gone are the crowds and lack of available rooms like in the summer; during the off-season on Cat Ba Island, visitors can easily enjoy the relaxed, slow pace of life and the warm hospitality of the island's inhabitants.

In particular, Cat Ba's cuisine always retains its rich seafood flavor in any season of the year. Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, owner of a seafood restaurant that has been open for over 20 years on Cat Ba Island, revealed that seafood is always fresher and even tastier during the winter months from November to February. This is because it is the time when seafood accumulates energy, preparing for the breeding season when spring arrives.

Boats carrying tourists to visit the fishing village on the bay. Photo: Duc Anh

Diners can enjoy dishes such as crunchy sea cucumber salad; warm and comforting clam porridge; fragrant and flavorful shrimp noodle soup; or thin-skinned, sweet Gia Luan tangerines. In addition, visitors can light a bonfire to warm themselves and enjoy fresh, sweet seafood right on the beach, as this is a very suitable activity during the cold season on Cat Ba Island.

The lush, verdant beauty of the "golden forests and silver seas," the delicious cuisine, and the tranquil atmosphere unique to winter on Cat Ba Island have transformed it into a popular resort destination offering many enjoyable experiences for tourists. "I will definitely return to Cat Ba many times during the cold season, especially in early spring. My family can enjoy the beach while also having a relaxing space to spend quality time together," shared Ms. Ngoc Anh.

LE TUYEN

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