Answer 1 of 16: Any thoughts or reccomendations as to which option I should go with on the next few days? Either an overnight junk in Halong Bay or stay at Cat Ba and organise Lan Ha cruise from there. I like the sound of Cat Ba but am torn as have always wanted 2,484 posts. 120 reviews. 46 helpful votes. 1. Re: Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay. 5 years ago. If you do overnight on boat some cruise still pass through Lan Ha Bay, it is small Bay. Overnight on boat is quite interesting, they do offer some activities as visiting famous caves, cooking class and kayaking. Cat Ba Island is the largest of the 366 islands spanning 260 km2 (100 sq mi) that comprise the Cat Ba Archipelago, which makes up the southeastern edge of Ha Long Bay in Northern Vietnam. Cat Ba island has a surface area of 285 km2 (110 sq mi) and maintains the dramatic and rugged features of Ha Long Bay. It is commonly used as an overnight Bay kayaking: Paddling through the bay in a kayak is the best way to see from different angles of the bay. Renting a kayak only costs around 100,000 VND (5USD) per kayak for 2 people. Rock climbing: there are two important areas in Cat Ba for rock climbing. Go with a professional guide before you go on an adventure above the limestone karsts. hppe vs hdpe; Enterprise; geometry final exam answer key 2022; wisconsin swimming state cuts 2022; wii u play games from usb; starlink not booting; lake george car show 2022; Fintech; soul songs of the 70s; deep sea fishing near me; new age manta ray mr19er; high point furniture market dates 2022; college roommate questionnaire pdf; Climate These include Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay which can be accessed via a Halong Bay Tour from Cat Ba, one of Vietnam’s hidden gems. My final decision was to take a tour from Cat Ba vs Halong Bay. I wasn’t too hung up on seeing THE Ha Long Bay so I decided on a Cat Ba Halong Bay cruise leaving from the island instead. Cat Ba Island The biggest island beside Halong Bay, spanning 280km2, population 10.000 peoples living in 6 different communes ( including the floating villages ). Cat Ba National park – Biosphere reserve are, which is home to highly endangered Cat Ba Langur. 5jrvV. Level Contributor 1 post 5 reviews 5 helpful votes Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi, I want to do the bay, not sure wether to do Cat Ba or Ha Long Bay. I'm going in september and heard it was prohibited to take a swim? Also, i;m with a motorcycle so I don't have to start in Hanoi which place should I ride to to book a tour? Level Contributor 1,585 posts 3 reviews 5 helpful votes 1. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Cruises on Halong bay is more well-equipped than those on Cat Ba island. Most cruises starts their program from Hanoi, so Hanoi is the best place to book a tour. Or you can book it online. Level Contributor 298 posts 11 reviews 5 helpful votes 2. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago If you want to take a cruise tour, you should choose Halong. I find that Halong bay tours has quite a few cruise tours. However, Cat Ba is also very beautiful with unspoiled beaches and stunning landscapes. If coming Cat Ba, you may visit Lan Ha bay, Monkey island. Level Contributor 68 posts 4 reviews 3. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago A cruise seems to be suitable with traveling Halong bay. If you want to travel with a motorbike, you can visit Cat Ba island. Drive to the ferry and bring your motorbike to this island, then you can discover Cat Ba island with it. 4. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Level Contributor 108 posts 18 reviews 10 helpful votes 5. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi, You have motobike so I think Cat Ba island is better! You may drive to Tuan chau then take ferry to Gia Luan harbor Or Drive to Dinh Vu port Hai Phong, then take speed boat to Cai Vieng harbor, drive to Cat Ba town. Now u can be free to explore Cannon fort, hospital cave, national park, beach then do Lan Ha bay boat tour with kayaking and snorkeling Hope this help Phuong HaiPhongTours 6. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Level Contributor 10 posts 8 reviews 3 helpful votes 7. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Really easy to book a tour on arrival on cat ba too, loads of options. We went a few weeks ago and the bay was pretty quiet, one area with a bit of rubbish but generally clear seas which was the two reasons we wanted to avoid ha long bay. Cat Ba would be pretty cool to explore on the bike too and should be easy enough on ferry which is cheaper than the hydrofoil. Not sure about not being able to swim in September, maybe email a tour company and take what they say with a pinch of salt bearing in mind they might say what you want to hear. 8. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi!! I'm going for Halong Bay from Hochiminh and will be dropping at Hai Phong Airport. Where's the place i should book my hostel at? Cat ba? or anywhere else? I'm confused..is haiphong = cat ba? 4 posts 9. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 5 years ago Hi, i have a question, I cant decide in between going on a cruise to Ha long or just going to Cat ba spend time on the island and from there take a boat to board around ha long, any suggestions? Thanks Sebastian Level Contributor 2 posts 4 reviews 10. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 5 years ago sebastianburd Did you get any information on this? Edited 5 years ago Get answers to your questions about Halong Bay Recent Conversations Peony cruises 756 pm Halong Bay - Full Day Cruise or Less? Jun 07, 2023 Does anyone know the site ' Jun 05, 2023 Hanoi & halong bay Jun 02, 2023 Nostalgia Cruises Jun 01, 2023 Best 8 hours day cruise halong May 31, 2023 Real 3 Days - 2 Night Cruises May 30, 2023 Halong Bay / Lan Ha 1 nt/2d cruise May 28, 2023 Halong bay cruise full day trip or more? May 25, 2023 1N cruise May 20, 2023 Day Tour Halong Bay - Day trip from Hanoi May 19, 2023 Sun world tips/ reviews pls May 18, 2023 Small boat tour in Cat Ba May 16, 2023 hanoi to Halong May 16, 2023 Cat Ba Island in Vietnam is the perfect place as a stopover for a Halong Bay tour. You will escape Hanoi and have the possibility to arrange a cheaper Halong bay tour. Cat Ba island is a chilled-out place with a few small, though nice beaches, a rich history, and there are some spots with good nightlife, which are pretty cheap! Things to do How to visit Where to stay Hi, we're Nick & Hannah!We hope you're enjoying our free travel guides & tips! If so, please consider supporting our work. 🤗 Click here During the wars, the island was a strategic lookout point. During the bombing, local residents hide among the island’s many caves. The cave hospital is one of the impressive Halong Bay tour from Cat Ba IslandWe’ve booked a day tour at Cat Ba Ventures $25, lunch + water, which was a good company. They will visit less touristy areas that are maybe even more beautiful than the famous part of Halong 8 AM, you’ll take the boat from Cat Ba town through the floating villages, cruise through Lan Ha Bay, and enjoy the hundreds of limestone Halong Bay tour includes snorkeling gear, dry bags, kayaking, a great lunch and swimming at a deserted beach, all entrance fees into Halong Bay, and an English-speaking local to do on Cat Ba IslandBesides from the Halong Bay tours, Cat Ba Island has some more things to offer Visit a pearl farmRent a scooter and explore the the Canon fort the old defense baseGo get the cheapest food at a market in townChill at the few beachesVisit the cave hospitalHave a great night outFrom Hanoi, you will have to take the bus to Haiphong, which takes around hours. From there, take the ferry to Cat Ba and the bus to Cat Ba town 1 hour. The ferry costs you 70K Dong ~ $3 for a one-way ticket. The boat timetable will change so now and to stay on Cat Ba islandMake sure to stay near the pier in Cat Ba Town; this is where the food and drinks are in Cat Ba. We’ve picked our two favorite places. Did you know that … When you purchase something through our links we earn a small fee. However, you still pay the same. Win-win! 20/02/2023 Last updated February 20, 2023 Level Contributor 1 post 5 reviews 5 helpful votes Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi, I want to do the bay, not sure wether to do Cat Ba or Ha Long Bay. I'm going in september and heard it was prohibited to take a swim? Also, i;m with a motorcycle so I don't have to start in Hanoi which place should I ride to to book a tour? Level Contributor 1,585 posts 3 reviews 5 helpful votes 1. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Cruises on Halong bay is more well-equipped than those on Cat Ba island. Most cruises starts their program from Hanoi, so Hanoi is the best place to book a tour. Or you can book it online. Level Contributor 298 posts 11 reviews 5 helpful votes 2. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago If you want to take a cruise tour, you should choose Halong. I find that Halong bay tours has quite a few cruise tours. However, Cat Ba is also very beautiful with unspoiled beaches and stunning landscapes. If coming Cat Ba, you may visit Lan Ha bay, Monkey island. Level Contributor 68 posts 4 reviews 3. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago A cruise seems to be suitable with traveling Halong bay. If you want to travel with a motorbike, you can visit Cat Ba island. Drive to the ferry and bring your motorbike to this island, then you can discover Cat Ba island with it. 4. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Level Contributor 108 posts 18 reviews 10 helpful votes 5. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi, You have motobike so I think Cat Ba island is better! You may drive to Tuan chau then take ferry to Gia Luan harbor Or Drive to Dinh Vu port Hai Phong, then take speed boat to Cai Vieng harbor, drive to Cat Ba town. Now u can be free to explore Cannon fort, hospital cave, national park, beach then do Lan Ha bay boat tour with kayaking and snorkeling Hope this help Phuong HaiPhongTours 6. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Level Contributor 10 posts 8 reviews 3 helpful votes 7. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Really easy to book a tour on arrival on cat ba too, loads of options. We went a few weeks ago and the bay was pretty quiet, one area with a bit of rubbish but generally clear seas which was the two reasons we wanted to avoid ha long bay. Cat Ba would be pretty cool to explore on the bike too and should be easy enough on ferry which is cheaper than the hydrofoil. Not sure about not being able to swim in September, maybe email a tour company and take what they say with a pinch of salt bearing in mind they might say what you want to hear. 8. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi!! I'm going for Halong Bay from Hochiminh and will be dropping at Hai Phong Airport. Where's the place i should book my hostel at? Cat ba? or anywhere else? I'm confused..is haiphong = cat ba? 4 posts 9. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 5 years ago Hi, i have a question, I cant decide in between going on a cruise to Ha long or just going to Cat ba spend time on the island and from there take a boat to board around ha long, any suggestions? Thanks Sebastian Level Contributor 2 posts 4 reviews 10. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 5 years ago sebastianburd Did you get any information on this? Edited 5 years ago Get answers to your questions about Halong Bay Recent Conversations Peony cruises 756 am Halong Bay - Full Day Cruise or Less? Jun 07, 2023 Does anyone know the site ' Jun 05, 2023 Hanoi & halong bay Jun 02, 2023 Nostalgia Cruises Jun 01, 2023 Best 8 hours day cruise halong May 31, 2023 Real 3 Days - 2 Night Cruises May 30, 2023 Halong Bay / Lan Ha 1 nt/2d cruise May 28, 2023 Halong bay cruise full day trip or more? May 25, 2023 1N cruise May 20, 2023 Day Tour Halong Bay - Day trip from Hanoi May 19, 2023 Sun world tips/ reviews pls May 18, 2023 Small boat tour in Cat Ba May 16, 2023 hanoi to Halong May 16, 2023 More Halong Bay Topics Taxi fare between Hanoi and Halong Bay? When is the best time to visit Hanoi and Sapa? A Class Cruise Company Imperial Junk Cruise - some lessons learnt the cheapest decent Halong bay cruise? Galaxy Cruise Ha Long Bay - Ginger Cruise Halong bay by end December Golden Lotus Cruise Halong Bay Cruise, budget backpackers Cat Ba is one of the largest and most beautiful islands among nearly two thousand islands in the World Natural Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. The island was honored to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve in December 2004. About 40km away from Hai Phong City or 23km from Halong City, Cat Ba Island is blessed with a pristine beauty forests, sea, mountains, hills, beaches, pine trees, cave caves alternating with each other, creating many beautiful scenes. In few recent years, the new route of cruise passing Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay is less crowded alternative to access Halong Bay and it become the greater choice of traveler on overnight cruise. Go with Vietnam Travel to get more information of this beautiful island. Table of Contents1. History of Cat Ba Island2. Weather of Cat Ba Island3. Best time to go to Cat Ba Island4. What to see & do around Cat Ba Cat Ba National Viet Hai Cat Co Beach, Cat Ba Monkey Island Cat Dua Island Local seafood, nightlife & Getting around5. Where to stay?6. How to get to Cat Ba Island? From Hanoi ~ 124 kma. Bus + Speedboatb. Bus + Cable From Halong City ~ 20 km From Hai Phong City ~ 40 km 1. History of Cat Ba Island Cat Ba Island means “Women’s Island” as its historical name “Cac Ba” “Cac” meaning all and “Ba” meaning women. Legend has it that many centuries ago, three women of the Tran Dynasty were passed away in the fighting against the evaders from the sea. Their remains were found at the beach and local people built a temple to worship them on the island. Later, local fisherman named the island to thanks these female heroes Archeological evidence suggests that people have lived on Cat Ba Island for almost 6,000 years, with the earliest settlements being found on the southeastern tip of the island close to the area where Ben Beo Harbor located today. In 1938, a group of French archeologists discovered human remains belonging “to the Cai Beo people of the Ha Long culture, which lived between 4,000 and 6,500 years ago… considered to be perhaps the first population group occupying the North-Eastern territorial waters of Vietnam… the Cai Beo people may be an intermediary link between the population strata at the end of the Neolithic Age, some 4,000 years ago”. In more recent history, Cat Ba Island was inhabited mostly by Viet-Chinese fisherman and was largely influenced by both the French and American wars. The island was a strategic look-out point and bombing during the wars often forced local residents to hide among the Island’s many caves. It consists of 367 islands, off the coast of Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh Province, and approximately half of its area is covered by a National Park, which is home to the highly endangered Cat Ba Langur. Administratively, it is the islands of Cat Hai District, Hai Phong City. Since 1997, Cat Ba Town has grown rapidly and has become a tourist hub for both the island and greater Ha Long Bay. Related Article Best Tourist Islands In Vietnam 2. Weather of Cat Ba Island During the month of February, March, November you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20 – 25 degrees Celsius 68°F – 77°F. The hottest season / summer is in May, June, July, August, September and October with an average high-temperature of 33°C 91°F and an average low-temperature of 25°C 77°F. A lot of rain rainy season falls in the month of June, July, August and September from 240mm to over 300mm. The warmest month is July with an average maximum temperature of 33°C 91°F. The coldest month is January with average temperature varying between 15°C 59°F and 19°C 66°F. August is the most wet month with the rainfalls of over 300mm and more than 15 rainy days per month. If you are not a big fan of rain, this month is not for you. For more information about Cat Ba weather, check this link 3. Best time to go to Cat Ba Island The best time to visit Cat Ba Island all depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy the heat of tropical summers, June to August is probably the best time to go. If you enjoy milder weather, October till March is a better time to go. Be mindful of the fact that even though Cat Ba has four seasons, there’s still a rainy and dry season. Rainy season is from May to September and the dry season is from November to March. Every season has up- and downsides to it but the consensus is that the best months to visit are February, March, October and November. 4. What to see & do around Cat Ba Island Cat Ba National Park Cat Ba National Park was established in 1986, it covers some 17, ha, of which 10, ha are terrestrial ecosystems islands and 6, ha are marine ecosystems. Cat Ba National Park is at the heart of the UNESCO Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve and it shares the distinctive scenic beauty of the Ha Long Bay Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park is also home to diverse range of terrestrial and marine life. Ngu Lam, Cat Ba National Park Cat Ba National Park is a tourist attraction to millions of domestic and overseas visitors. Coming to the Park, travelers can enjoy the beauty of the vast landscapes and seascapes. Visitors can choose to relax on isolated beaches in Lan Ha Bay, trek through primeval tropical rain forest or mangrove forest, discover many unique animal and plant species, and immerse themselves in the local culture. Viet Hai Village You can book a boat from Cat Ba to Viet Hai Harbor, then go by motorbike, bicycle, trekking to Viet Hai Village passing a forest road 6 km to the village. In the village, you can visit old houses, take pictures of forest trees or see people, buffalo working on the green fields. When you travel from Cat Ba Town or Monkey Island Resort to Viet Hai Harbor, you will have time to enjoy the beauty of Lan Ha Bay with hundreds of small islets, natural sandy beaches, floating houses…. When you ride from Viet Hai Harbor to the village, you can stop on the way to take pictures of green lake or the beautiful trees on the water. There is a road on the left where you will go through a cave. It is fantastic road to come to Viet Hai Village. Cat Co Beach, Cat Ba Island The white-sand Cat Co Beaches simply called Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2 and 3 make a great place to lounge around for the day. They are about 1 km southeast from Cat Ba Town over a steep headland; and can be reached on foot or by motorbike or taxi. The two beaches are separated by a small hillock that can be climbed over in about 20 minutes. Most; however; take the easier route along a new; 700m; wooden seaside walkway around the mountain. Cat Co 2 is the less busy and more attractive of the two; and also offers simple accommodation and camping. On weekends the beaches fill up with local tourists. The main beaches; apart from those at Cat Ba Town itself; are Cai Vieng; Hong Xoai Be and Hong Xoai Lon. Monkey Island Cat Dua Island Location about 5km from Cat Ba town center. Monkey Island is one of the most attractive addresses tourists shouldn’t miss in Cat Ba Island. To get to this beautiful island there is only one way by boat. It can take about ten minutes from Beo dock throughout Cai Beo Fishing Village along with a few tiny islands. Almost tourist boats have stop here in order that tourists have a chance admire the masterpieces that nature has bestowed on Cat Ba. The island was previously known as Cat Dua Island. At Cat Dua since you will find a large amount of wild pineapple shading around. The fruits of the pineapple here look good, however it’s not able to eat. The local people use them to make traditional medicine. Monkey Island is also an ideal for swimming in the blue water and white sandy beaches. Thanks to the existence of many dozens of monkeys that why they name for this island as Monkey Island. Virtually all of monkeys in Cat Dua are attracted here for dwelling by the rangers. They’re very adventurous with the locals and tourists. They grab food right from tourist’s palms and may bite if provoked. But, it’s the untouched uniqueness which makes the island become renowned appealing a large number of tourists to this island. Local seafood, nightlife & Getting around Being right by the sea it’s an island, sea food is very popular on Cat Ba Island. Nightlife on Cat Ba Island is understandably limited due to its reputation as a place for rest and relaxation. However, there are several expat-owned bars and bistros in the main town, where you can enjoy drinks and live music until late. Once you’re in your hotel on the harbor, everything is accessible on foot, including the beaches. You can tour the island by motorbike taxi – rates are very negotiable, but think in terms of 100,000 VND per hour. You can also rent a motorbike yourself for 80,000 to 100,000 VND a day from numerous places in Cat Ba Town. Mountain bikes are also available. 5. Where to stay? There are plenty of hotels and hostels available on Cat Ba Island. You will find most of them on the waterfront even though some hotels have recently opened a bit more inland. Generally, you pay a bit more for a room with sea view. When you’re less abled or not in great physical condition, make sure that you book a hotel with an elevator as a lot of hotels won’t have any. Some names for your reference such as Sea Pearl Hotel rated as 3 star as you won’t find many mid-range hotels in Cat Ba, this can be good one. Price from US$ 35 – US$ 50/room/night. 3 star Cat Ba Princess as mid-range from 40$/room/night up. Cat Ba Eco-Lodge around 13 kilometers from Cat Ba Harbor Price from US$ 35 – US$ 50/room/night Monkey Island Resort Cat Dua Island Price from US$ 50/room/night Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort Flamingo Cat Ba Condotel Hôtel Perle D’Orient – Mgallery at Cat Co 3 a boutique hotel with personality for a remarkable travel experience. Rooms range from 110 USD/room/night * Prices are just approximated, and can be a bit higher during the weekends. Monkey Island Resort Cat Dua Island 6. How to get to Cat Ba Island? From Hanoi ~ 124 km Hopping on a Hanoi-Haiphong highway bus will take you from Hanoi to Cat Ba island in around 3-5 hours 4 hours on average. There are various operators, but try Cat Ba Express, Good Morning Cat Ba for reasonable price and good service. Another way is to take the private car/van from Hanoi to Cat Ba. There is a ferry but when you have a private car to this island, you could be able to discover Cat Ba National Park and get around on the island by your own vehicle. Don’t forget that you can also get to Cat Ba Island by taking an overnight cruise 2 nights option through Lan Ha Bay. Almost Lan Ha Bay cruises offer an excursion with cycling through Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island. You can choose one of following ways for your experience a. Bus + Speedboat Starting from Hanoi to Got Pier through Sea Bridge Tan Vu – Lach Huyen *. Then speedboat to Phu Long Pier where you meet another bus for transfer to the centre of the town. * At the beginning of September 2017, in Hai Phong City, the longest bridge crossing the sea in Vietnam, but also in South East Asia, Tan Vu – Lach Huyen Tân Vũ Lạch Huyện was opened. The bridge begins in Hai Phong City on the highway leading from Hanoi ends up on Cat Hai Island. The length of the bridge cross the sea is Cat Hai Island is about from the largest island in Halong Bay – Cat Ba Island. This project has also helped promote the strategic partnership and friendship between Vietnam and Japan. Tan Vu – Lach Huyen Bridge b. Bus + Cable Car Starting from Hanoi to Cable car station * at Cat Hai through Sea Bridge Tan Vu – Lach Huyen to Phu Long Station where you meet another bus for transfer to the center of the town * Cat Ba Cable Car – the largest cable car in the world. This project is owned by Sun Group, connects 4km Cat Hai – Phu Long operation on 6/6/2020 with a capacity of 4500 passengers / hour. There are 60 cabins and maximum 30 passengers can accommodate in one cabin. Operation hours everyday, except Tuesdays Morning – Afternoon – weekdays or – Saturday, Sunday. Ticket price 150,000VND / person. Child policy 100,000VND / child from Free for child under 1m. May you concern Book Car in Vietnam From Halong City ~ 20 km Once in Halong, the best way to get to the island is to take a ferry. There is Tuan Chau Ferry to Gia Luan Harbour – Cat Ba Island. From there it’s about a 40-minute drive to Cat Ba Town. There’s a bus that costs around There are taxis as well but be mindful about prices. The daily ferry so easily as it is operated every 1 hour from AM till PM. It takes only 45- 50 minutes per ferry journey. In the high season it departs in every 30 minutes. However, please be aware that the ferry operation sometimes depends on the minimum number of passengers to start running. From Hai Phong City ~ 40 km There are multiple ways to travel to Cat Ba Island from Hai Phong Speedboat Mekong Hoang Yen from Ben Binh to Cat Ba Pier ~45 minutes. Bus Good Morning Cat Ba Tan Vu Lach Huyen Bridge to Cat Ba 1h40′. Private Car/Van To make your best experience to Cat Ba Island, a senior travel guide go along with private car/ van would be a great combination and which could ensure you a great trip. Vietnam Travel will be more than happy to communicate with you and help you design your perfect Cat Ba trip. Cat Ba Island is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam in my opinion, but it’s also a spot many travellers miss off their itinerary in this country… and what a shame. 1 Because Cat Ba Island has a lovely national park at its heart – a great place to enjoy some nature time and day hiking And… 2 Because it’s from Cat Ba Island that you can score the best deals for the perfect Halong Bay alternative! As I’m sure you know, Halong Bay is the UNESCO-listed, insta-famous, jaw-dropping landscape everyone has on their Vietnam bucket list But did you know that it costs hundreds of dollars to enjoy a boat trip here? I know, crazy! If, like me, this mad price tag has you baulking at the idea of Halong Bay, then don’t despair! Read on to learn how you can experience this magnificent scenery for a fraction of the usual price care of a trip to neighbouring Cat Ba Island. Related Posts 15 Things to Do in Vietnam You Can’t Miss Top 17 Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City Your Complete Southeast Asia Packing List This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you. Why Visit Cat Ba Island? I think I’ve spelt it out pretty clearly in the title and the intro of this article but, in case you need a recap, the main reason to visit Cat Ba Island is that it makes for the perfect budget alternative to Halong Bay. If, like me, you’re horrified by the idea of paying hundreds of dollars for a crowded cruise in this part of Vietnam, then listen up, because you really need to start researching Cat Ba Island boat trips instead. Located right next to Halong Bay – it’s the next province along – Cat Ba essentially looks exactly the same as the UNESCO-listed version but just isn’t as famous. If you want to kayak this country’s most famous landscape without the crowds and half the trash, then you need to visit Cat Ba Island. If you want to tick a Halong Bay landscape off your bucket list, but don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars, then you need to visit Cat Ba Island. And if you’re getting a bit tired of the hectic cities of Vietnam and want to escape the pollution and noise of Hanoi, then you need to visit Cat Ba Island. Because Cat Ba Island really is the spot to do all of those things and more, which certainly makes it one of the top places to visit in Vietnam! Where is Cat Ba Island? So let’s start with the obvious, where is Cat Ba Island? Essentially on the coastline closest to Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam – Cat Ba Island lies in the northeast of this country, in a province called Hai Phong, where it sits within Lan Ha Bay. Halong Bay is located in Quang Ninh province, which is just south of Hai Phong. Why I’m explaining this is because, geographically, Lan Ha Bay which surrounds Cat Ba Island, is the same as Halong Bay – it’s just not called Halong Bay because of an arbitrary provincial border! But let’s be clear, the landscape looks exactly the same… because it is! The same dramatic limestone islands and aqua-turquoise waters. The same misty, ephemeral beauty. The same snap-tastic, dramatic, magical, spellbinding charm. Lan Ha Bay just happens to have a different name! And because of this, the price of trips to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island are less than half, actually make that less than a quarter, of what they are to Halong Bay. “What’s in a name?”, you might ask. Turns out, quite a lot! Because not only are trips to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba a mere fraction of the cost, they also boast a mere fraction of the crowds and a mere fraction of the chaos compared to Halong Bay too! An absolute win in my book! How to Get to Cat Ba Island? So, if this sounds like good news to you, then the first key bit of info you’ll need to know, is how to get to Cat Ba Island. And the main thing to be aware of here is that the launch point for all transport to Cat Ba Island is Hanoi. So first, get yourself to Hanoi, either via international or domestic flight, or via local bus, which is a more economical and better environmental option and no hardship, because the buses in Vietnam are excellent. As always, I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals and the excellent 12Go to book my buses in Southeast Asia, because you can directly compare services, journey times, prices and pay securely for your tickets all at once – simples! So once you get to Hanoi and I recommend Little Charm Hostel there if you need to spend the night FYI, I strongly suggest you use Cat Ba Express to get to Cat Ba Island. There are 2 companies that run the bus / boat service from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay, but the Cat Ba Express is by far the better option. With better buses and organisation and no this isn’t sponsored! I’d definitely recommend going with them and not their competitors. A return journey from the Cat Ba Express office in Hanoi, via a bus, a boat and then another bus to Cat Ba island AND back cost me just $28 USD. Learn more including Cat Ba Express’ departure times and how to reserve a place via their website here. Otherwise, if you want to compare journeys from Hanoi, check out the great travel site Bookaway, who will handily give you tons of options and times to get to Cat Ba Island, so you can make the best choice. Where to Stay on Cat Ba? I highly recommend basing yourself in Cat Ba Town when you stay on this island, especially if you are a solo or budget traveller. That’s because this town is where most amenities are, and where most other travellers stay, so you might feel a little isolated staying anywhere else. Plus, Cat Ba Express will ferry you straight to Cat Ba Town when you reach the island and then drop you off at the door of your accommodation – so it was a no brainer in my opinion! For budget travellers, Secret Garden Hostel is a great option here and I love their veggie café and family dinner vibes. However, you can’t book ahead and just have to turn up, so it can be a bit risky. As such, you may want to stay at Luna’s House Hostel instead, which is just up the road and which you can book in advance – pretty essential during high season here. Luna’s is where I stayed during my time on Cat Ba Island and the location, plus rooftop café, made it a good solid option. Dorms are pretty cosy, but have privacy curtains and individual fans which are a blessing in the humidity let me tell you! Things to Do on Cat Ba So the main thing to do from Cat Ba Island, and why most travellers head there, is to cruise Lan Ha Bay… obviously! But first I want to tell you about the other things there are to do on Cat Ba Island, including the great national park that lies at its centre. I highly recommend spending at least 2 nights on the island if you can, 3 would be even better, because this will give you enough time to experience a day trip to Lan Ha Bay and a day in the national park here. I recommend the following itinerary as a good starting point… Day 1 Arrive on Cat Ba Island from Hanoi and prepare trips for the following days Day 2 Hike in Cat Ba National Park Day 3 Take a Lan Ha Bay day trip Day 4 Return to Hanoi When it comes to hiking in Cat Ba’s National Park, you can either enjoy a self-guided day trip or take an organised excursion. The basic premise is the same, you take an early bus from Cat Ba Town to the western edge of the national park, walk across it, stop to enjoy the high lookout point in the middle, and then continue onto the coastal edge of it. From here you can pick up a boat, which will take you back to Cat Ba Town and give you a mini glimpse into the sort of scenery you can enjoy the next day of your boat trip. As always, I recommend you download the local resource onto your phone before setting off on any independent hikes. How to Score a Budget Halong Bay Trip? And now we come to the crux of it all, because there’s no question that the best thing to do in Cat Ba Island – the reason most people come here and the whole reason I wanted to write this article – is to experience the ideal Halong Bay alternative! And I achieved it, here’s how… Ok, ok, as we’ve discovered, the offshore landscape here isn’t technically Halong Bay, it’s Lan Ha Bay. But honestly, I challenge you to see a photo from both and to be able to tell the difference, aka you won’t be able! So now it’s time to call upon the services of good old Cat Ba Express again, who have a handily-located office right along the waterfront road in Cat Ba Town. Here you can book your day trip to Lan Ha Bay. Costing just $23 USD, yes you heard right, that’s just $23 USD, you can spend an entire day in this famous landscape for an absolute steal of a price. Tours take place on local junk boats, which are a bit like large barges, and normally include a trip to see how locals live out here on their boats, as well as snorkelling opps, photo stops aplenty and, best of all, a chance to kayak in a part of the bay that forms a sort of lagoon and had not another tourist in sight. That’s right, not another tourist. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Halong! There’s also lunch and morning tea included in your Lan Ha day trip too. Sound like a bargain? I think so friends! And even more so, when I heard horror stories about the insane boat crowding, horrendous amounts of trash and generally awful experiences from everyone I spoke to who had sailed Halong Bay instead. Annnnnd, let’s not forget, paid ridiculous amounts for! In contrast, day trips to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island are relaxed, affordable, accessible and short. You get to see and snap those amazing limestone islands without the hordes of people, or the tragic trash levels, and you even get to kayak and snorkel in and around them too. What a result! If you want to know more about how I budgeted, and how much I spent on my trip to Vietnam, then check out this post I wrote that details all my costs and expenses over 2 weeks. Things to Know About Your Trip… It’s important to know that in this tropical country of Vietnam it can be cloudy and rainy at almost any time of the year. I visited Cat Ba Island and Hanoi during April – technically one of the few months in which it is meant to be dry weather in both the north and south of Vietnam – but let me tell you, it was not dry in Cat Ba Island or Hanoi! In fact, it rained heavily most days I was there and, from what I could tell, this actually seems to be pretty common! Dry season tch! As such, you’ll def want to come prepared when you visit Cat Ba Island with a thin light rainjacket and some warm layers and long-legged pants. Sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent would also be good things to pack, as would some swimwear, towel and a dry bag. There are ATMs on Cat Ba island, but it’s probably not a bad idea to bring what you need money-wise with you from Hanoi too. Book your transport to the island with Cat Ba Express at least one day in advance and reserve your accommodation and boat trips in advance too during the high season. Finally, bring a big smile safe in the knowledge you will have saved yourself a fortune on visiting and seeing one of the world’s most iconic landscapes! You’re welcome! Get Your FREE Checklist Now!ULTIMATE FEMALE SOUTH EAST ASIA PACKING LISTJust enter your details below and I'll email it you - simple!Information will be sent to the email provided above Mini Travel Guide to North Vietnam When to Visit North Vietnam? Vietnam is a pretty tricky country to get right climate-wise! For a start, it has several of them! And the north is an especially precarious one to nail! The spring months of March and April are meant to be the best ones to visit north Vietnam but, as I mentioned in this article, when I visited at this time of year it rained every day, so y’know… The other best time to visit this part of the country is during the autumn season between September and October, so that’s worth giving a go! The months I’d avoid heading to the north of Vietnam in would be the mega-humid summer from May to August, and the cold wet winters from November through February – don’t think they’d be very fun at all! Best Travel Insurance for North Vietnam I’d never even consider travelling to Vietnam without proper coverage and always recommend travel insurance from World Nomads who I’ve used throughout my time in this country and beyond. I love that they cover a wide range of adventure activities – which is definitely needed for a country like Vietnam – as well as their great customer service and the fact that you can easily claim or extend your coverage while you’re still abroad, online. Alternatively, if you’re a remote worker or digital nomad seeking travel health insurance, look no further than Safetywing’s great Nomad Insurance policies. These guys will cover you at some seriously great prices. 5 Packing Essentials for North Vietnam 1 Lonely Planet Guidebook – The Vietnam Lonely Planet is excellent and very helpful for any trip to this country with lots of top tips and recommended places to eat. 2 Walking Shoes – There’s likely to be a lot of walking in Vietnam, especially around those temples and cities. As such, I advise packing a pair of good runners, like these New Balance trainers, which were perfect for my time here. 3 European & British Power Adapters – Vietnam has a mix of power outlets, but generally opts for a mix of the European and British ones, so make sure you come prepared with a Skross world adapter. 4 Camera and Lens – I love my Sony A6000 mirrorless, which was ideal for capturing the colour, chaos and cuisine and charm of Vietnam. 5 Travel Scarf – A great multi-purpose travel item that can be used to safely store valuables, as well as cover your shoulders while you explore many of Vietnam’s top sights, a travel scarf is a must for me! How to Save When you Spend in North Vietnam When it comes to paying for things in Vietnam, you want to ensure you’re not being charged overseas transaction fees or getting poor exchange rates when using your card abroad, which is why I always take my Wise Card away with me wherever I travel. The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups and no sneaky transaction fees, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card in Vietnam… and it links easily with Google and Apple pay – sold! Get yours here. SAVE IT TO PINTEREST! And there you have it, my full travel guide to Cat Ba Island – the spot to head to if you want to experience Halong Bay for a fraction of the price. Is this great budget travel alternative now on your list? Tell me all in the comments below…

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