Introduction
Cat Ba island is one of the largest in Halong Bay. A large part of the island is preserved as a national park with forests, swamps, lakes, caves and coral reefs.

Cat Ba is the main village on the island with a small harbor, a promenade with hotels, restaurants and a lot of karaoke bars. People here earn their living from fishing and the upcoming tourism.

Getting there and away
Tourtrip

Same remark as Halong bay. Booking a trip in Hanoi will save you a lot of money and time.

However, you can also do the trip on your own. The journey from Hanoi is easy - a 10am train from Hanoi will land you in Haiphong with enough time to walk the 20 minutes across town to the ferry, for the 1.30pm slow ferry to Cat Ba town. The return journey works out just as well. The ferry (which only takes 3-3.5 hours) costs $5, and there’s a fast boat which costs $8. Getting up on the roof is the best option, but you’re not allowed up there when leaving from or arriving in Haiphong - give it 20 minutes and no one will complain.

You can also book your own boat at about 500.000 Dong for the day (2/2000). Otherwise, local tours can be arranged at 10 to 12 US$ including food.

Ferryboats
to Haiphong or Halong city.

Accommodation
The hotels (no more then 2 stars) are lying along the promenade facing the harbor. New ones are build due to increasing tourism.

Hoang Huong hotel, along promenade. Room with twins, AC, fan, bathroom with shower, toilet, H/C water.

Restaurants/Karaokebar
Restaurants
You will find both along or close to the promenade. Don’t expect high-end restaurants at Cat Ba.

Duc Juan restaurant, along promenade, budgetmeals

Huu Dung restaurant, road perpendicular on the promenade next to hotel Hoang Huong, family run restaurant, service is slow but food is good and honest. Recommended by everyone.

Karaoke bars
Every hotel or restaurant has one, so no escape is possible.

Rate : 60.000 VND / 30 min.

To do
Beach
There are two small beaches separated by a rocky hill (steps).



Entrance : 2000 VND.
How to get there ?

Facing the harbor walk left along the promenade. Continue climbing up the hill (road). After the hill is a ticketcounter. For those who don’t like to walk, don’t worry, locals are offering you a ride with a motor-bike to get you there.

National park :
The entrance of the park lies 20 minutes (bus) away from Cat Ba village. Hiking tours are with a guide but don’t expect to see wild animals along the way. The climbs are sometimes steep and can be very slippery (read : dangerous) after a rainy day. But the nice viewpoint on top of a rocky hill makes it worth the effort.

Water, insectrepellant and good shoes are recommended.

Karaoke :
To overcome the lack of nightlife and impress others with your talented voice.