Behind the scenes of our Cat Ba adventures : a tested and approved itinerary

November 30 - December 1, 2024
 

► Cat Ba Adventures 2 days 1 night

This morning at 7:00 AM, my team and I set out to reassess our Cat Ba Island tour, taking Highway 5 to Got Ferry Terminal. The early ferry ride offered a perfect opportunity to witness the island's transformation.

Arriving at Cat Ba at 10:30 AM, we immediately headed to Ben Beo Marina for our routine boat survey. As someone who has known Cat Ba for years, the changes are striking. The island has shown remarkable resilience after COVID-19 and Typhoon Yagi. Many trees were fallen, with broken trunks and tops, but nature's recovery is evident everywhere.
The island's recent UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status has brought positive changes to tourism practices, though it meant saying goodbye to some familiar sights like the floating homestays.

The lunch at Treo Restaurant reminded me why we always recommend it to our guests - the freshest seafood you can find, from local oysters to mantis shrimp. I particularly enjoy bringing visitors here as it perfectly represents Cat Ba's authentic culinary culture.
After lunch, we headed to Hang Quan Y (Military Hospital Cave), a site I consider essential for understanding Vietnam's history. Its two-floor structure with hidden chambers tells stories of resilience and ingenuity during wartime.
 

Hang Quan Y, the military Hospital - Source : Mr Linh's Adventures

Our next plan was to visit Than Cong fortress, but unfortunately this place is now closed for military purposes. Also known as Canon Fortress and Point 117 (as the fort is 177 meters above sea level). this fortress used to be an ideal place to see the whole Lan Ha bay and Ha Long bay from above, but we had to adapt our route - flexibility being key in responsible tourism. So we moved to the gate of Cat Ba National Park and spent the afternoon exploring the route to Ngu Lam peak.

Ngu Lam, situated 200 meters above sea level in the western part of the island, offers breathtaking views of Cat Ba National Park. A 1.5-kilometer trail winds through a pristine highland forest, leading to the summit. While the sea view is obscured by limestone mountains, the panoramic vistas of the park's diverse ecosystem are truly awe-inspiring.

At the end of the trip, we returned to stay at Pavilion Hotel and Resort - a new accommodation facility designed by a friend who has lived on the island for many years. Its garden setting and focus on tranquility align perfectly with our eco-conscious approach, though I always tell guests upfront about the lack of sea views.

► Learn more about Cat Ba Island
 

After experiencing Cat Ba's nightlife (essential research for our guests' inquiries!), we embarked on what I consider one of our most rewarding routes - the trek to Viet Hai village.
Breakfast was prepared by the host with a variety of dishes, coffee, soft drinks, milk cakes. I chose a bowl of noodles and some fried rice. This is a traditional dish of the Vietnamese people in the past, especially when I was a child, I often ate such dishes and had them in the morning, for heavy activities.

From the center town we moved to the national park entrain, led by a local guide who had worked with our company for many years. While I found the trek manageable, the girls in my group found it quite challenging : The trek revealed both challenges and wonders. We had to walk through five mountains with slopes from 30 to 55%, there were some sections that I had to be very careful about because the limestone system was jagged and rough with many holes. Passing the first sections I realized that the Yagi storm was terrible, it destroyed most of the tops of the trees, many of the forest trees were broken in half or lost their roots. After a demanding 4-kilometer hike, we reached Ao Ech, a large, swampy pool surrounded by limestone cliffs. This vital ecosystem serves as a water storage and regulation point, attracting various wildlife, as evidenced by the foxes footprints and droppings we encountered.

The final 3-kilometer stretch of the trail was a true adventure, with steep climbs that required the use of hands and feet. For novice hikers, gloves and trekking poles are highly recommended to assist with the challenging terrain. After conquering the final mountain, we arrived at the charming Viet Hai Village. A short distance away, Navy Peak (Dinh Hai Quan) offers a truly awe-inspiring reward. The 45-minute climb to the summit is well worth the effort, as it provides breathtaking panoramic views of Vinh Lan Ha (Lan Ha bay) and parts of Ha Long Bay.
 

Cat Ba Island : A trekking Paradise - Source : Mr Linh's Adventures

We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to visit Viet Hai village.

Viet Hai village represents the delicate balance we strive for in sustainable tourism. This small community of around 20 houses, traditionally inhabited by fishermen, has gradually adapted to the growing tourism industry. Local residents now offer accommodation, food, and transportation services, such as bicycle and electric car rentals to transfer you to Viet Hai wharf. If the community has adapted to welcome visitors, it still maintains its authentic character.

A short tram ride took us to the pier, where a traditional fishing boat awaited. Vinh Lan Ha is a pristine gem compared to the more crowded Ha Long Bay. It has seen significant improvements in recent years, with reduced pollution and more sustainable tourism practices. Our boat glided silently through the tranquil waters, and I was captivated by an extraordinary sight. Perched on a distant cliff, a group of yellow-headed langurs were leaping and climbing with agility. This critically endangered primate species, with a population estimated to be around 100 individuals, possesses a remarkable ability to digest toxic leaves. Sadly, this unique characteristic has made them a target for hunters, who believed that their bodies held medicinal properties.

Saying goodbye to the langurs, we continued to Ben Beo, a fishing village characterized by floating houses. While children once studied on these floating structures, government initiatives have enabled them to attend schools on land. The floating houses now serve as fish tanks, contributing to the local seafood industry. As our boat navigated through this picturesque village, our two-day exploration of Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay came to an end.
 

Kayaking in Lan Ha bay - Source : Mr Linh's Adventures

While this was a rapid assessment tour, I recommend visitors take 3-4 days to fully appreciate Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay's wonders. As someone who's dedicated their life to sharing Vietnam's natural heritage, I can assure you: this region deserves to be explored responsibly and unhurriedly.

Through Mr Linh's Adventures, we're committed to offering experiences that benefit both our guests and local communities while preserving these natural wonders for future generations.

► Cat Ba Trekking & Kayaking 3 days 2 nights