Ha Long bay
By Evi Goossens, a travel storyteller, certified tour guide, and photographer from The Netherlands. Updated November 2024
Reading time: 8 min
Do’s and don’ts
Cat Ba Island / Ha Long Bay
Let's clear something… what is Cat Ba Island and why does it relate to Ha Long Bay? Before coming to Vietnam, Ha Long Bay was at the top of my bucket list. The plan was to do an expensive tour with a cruise and stay overnight on the water. "No, you shouldn't do that," said a friend of mine. "You should go to Cat Ba Island and take a day tour to the Bay from there."
Cat Ba Island is an island just off the coast of Vietnam. Many backpackers come here, and it's just as cheap as the rest of Vietnam. From here, you can book a tour not to Ha Long Bay, but to Bai Tu Long Bay. Essentially the same, but MUCH less touristy. You see a few boats on the water, but it's not crowded with cruise ships and tourists, which makes the experience even more enjoyable. On this page, I will give you all the information about the do's and don'ts of Cat Ba Island!
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| TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to get to Cat Ba Island
How to get around Cat Ba Island
Cannon fort
Boat tour Bai Tu Long Bay
Where to stay
Where to eat
Where to shop
Where to go out
How to get to Cat Ba Island
There are various ways to get to Cat Ba Island from different locations in Vietnam. You can travel directly from Hanoi, as well as from Ha Giang or Ninh Binh. Personally, I arrived directly from the Ha Giang Loop, and the bus journey to Cat Ba was included. You could also choose to visit Cat Ba first and then embark on the Ha Giang Loop afterward, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. It’s more enjoyable to start with an adventure and then relax on the beach afterward, rather than the other way around. However, it ultimately depends on your preferences!
As mentioned earlier, you can travel to Cat Ba from different cities in Vietnam, usually by taking a sleeper bus. You can book these bus journeys through travel agencies or your hostel. The process is simple, but it’s important to ask about where the bus will drop you off and how far it is from your accommodation. It’s a good idea to ask the staff at the travel agency to mark the bus arrival point on Google Maps with a pin. This will help you avoid getting lost and plan your route to your hostel more easily. If you’re interested in learning more about adding pins on Google Maps, you can click here.
How to get around Cat Ba Island
At your hostel, you can often rent a scooter to explore the island. If this option isn't available at your hostel, ask the reception for recommendations on other reliable rental companies. Hostels are usually very helpful in arranging this and often have many connections. In our case, the scooters were already available outside the hostel, making it very convenient. Use Google Maps to navigate to your destination and follow the road. Traffic on Cat Ba Island is not very busy, but you still need to be cautious as it may differ from what you're used to. In Vietnam, it's customary to honk your horn when overtaking or passing someone, so don't be surprised if someone honks at you or if you find yourself doing the same.
You can also book a Grab taxi if you are not comfortable riding a scooter in Vietnam. Grab is very cheap, safe and fast so it’s also a good option!
TIP: Scooter for two days 80 000 dong (€3,11)
Cannon fort
Cannon Fort, also known as Fort Cannon (Vietnamese: Pháo đài Cân), is a historical site located on Cat Ba Island in Vietnam. The fort was built by Japanese occupiers during World War II and later reinforced by French colonists in the 1940s. It served as a strategic point for defending the region.
Today, Cannon Fort is more of a tourist attraction. However, it seems that many people are unaware of it. At the top of the fort, it's peaceful, and we had the place to ourselves. When exploring the site, you'll see various cannons, walking paths, and museum-like spaces. There's an entrance fee to access it, but these museum spaces are not guarded. Once atop the fort, you'll have a panoramic view over the bay and the distant mountains. It's definitely a beautiful spot to watch the sunset as well!
TIP: Entree 50 000 dong (€1,94)
Boat tour Bai Tu Long Bay
How to pick an organization
You can book a tour through various organizations. For example, there's the option to book the boat tour through your hostel on Cat Ba Island. This was $25, and included in the price was a bus ride to the boat, lunch, kayaking, snorkeling, and snacks during sunset. One of the enjoyable aspects of booking a tour through the hostel is getting to know many people staying there. However, my friends and I already had a group and were looking for a cheaper option for the boat tour. While scootering around, we stumbled upon a local travel agency offering a day tour. Local travel agencies often offer cheaper and better-organized tours. This tour included the same services as the one offered by the hostel.
If you’re considering an overnight boat tour, you should know that many people have had negative experiences with them. These tours tend to focus on heavy drinking, and the prices for alcohol on board are usually higher than usual. The party doesn’t last long, either, as the music usually stops early. Furthermore, many of the activities are the same as those on the one-day tour. The main difference is the price, as the one-day tour is typically around $25, while the overnight tour can cost anywhere from $100 to $150.
TIP: One-day boat tour 550 000 dong (€21,39)
Boat tour itinerary (one-day)
You'll be picked up from your hostel by a minivan, so it's best to be ready on time. This minivan will take you to the harbor where you'll board your boat. Here, the tour guide will provide an overview of the day and information about the park. As you sail further away from the mainland, the views become more and more stunning. After a bit of sailing, you'll have the opportunity to relax on the top deck of the boat. Here, you can sunbathe or enjoy a drink. Make sure you've applied sunscreen and brought along a towel.
Kayaking
Upon reaching the kayaking spot, you will be required to wear a life jacket and get into the kayak with a partner. Using the kayak, you’ll be able to explore the breathtakingly beautiful natural area. You will paddle close to the towering limestone cliffs and even go through caves. Make sure to carry a dry bag or an underwater case for your phone so that you can capture stunning photos of this magnificent location. After a certain amount of time, you will need to return to the boat for a delicious Vietnamese lunch.
Snorkeling
After lunch, you will sail towards an uninhabited island where you will be free to swim and explore the beaches. The island reminded me of the ones seen on Expedition Robinson, a show where celebrities have to survive for days on beautiful, uninhabited islands. The islands here had the same pure tranquility, untouched nature, crystal-clear blue water, and no other ships in sight. Depending on the available time, the boat typically stops at around 2 to 3 such beautiful spots.
Fish farm
After returning your snorkeling gear, you can now relax and dry off on the top deck of the boat. The boat continues for some time until it reaches the fishing farm. On arrival, you’ll disembark and receive some information about the farm. They host a variety of fish, including baby sharks. These fish can grow quite large, with some even reaching weights of up to 90 kilograms.
Floating Village
The boat slowly heads back to the mainland. Perhaps you noticed it on the way here, several houses on the water. This is actually a floating village inhabited by people often involved in the fishing industry. Meanwhile, dusk is slowly setting in, and you watch the sunset over the water. Finally, you're dropped off at your hostel after this busy but incredibly enjoyable day.
Where to stay
One of the most enjoyable hostels on the island is Buffelo Hostel. This hostel is clean, tidy, well-managed, and has a great atmosphere. From this hostel, you can join various tours, rent a scooter, book transportation to your next destination, and every evening there's a party where the hostel provides transportation with a party bus. Definitely highly recommended!!
Book the hostel here: https://ap.lc/oWkrU
If you have a scooter, you can ride from your hostel to the center of Cat Ba. Here, you can sit by the water and enjoy a meal, or explore one of the charming streets for dining options.
Where to eat
On Cat Ba, there aren't many places to go out. In fact, there are only two bars on the island. Buffalo Hostel organizes a bus to one of these two bars, where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere with the most people. It's the place to be for a fun night out on the island because the entire hostel is there.
