If you are a nature lover, exploring Cat Ba National Park is a wonderful experience you should not miss. Visitors may not only explore the unique flora and fauna habitat, but also learn about history and culture, as well as participate in thrilling outdoor activities.

Overview of Cat Ba National Park

Cat Ba National Park is a special-use forest in Vietnam and one of the world’s largest biosphere reserves. It was founded in 1986 to preserve and promote Cat Ba Island‘s natural and cultural resources.

Guests on a mountain peak in Cat Ba National Park. — Guests visiting Cat Ba National Park.

Cat Ba National Park covers over 17,400 hectares, including more than 10,900 hectares of mountainous forests and over 6,400 hectares of sea surface. This is home to several rare animal and plant species, including the Cat Ba douc langur, the world’s most endangered primate. This langur species, which has about 60 individuals in Cat Ba woodland, is regarded as a symbol of this biosphere.

Monkeys in Cat Ba National Park. — The douc langur.

Visitors to Cat Ba National Park can engage in a variety of exciting tourism activities, including forest hiking, mountain climbing, cave exploration, sea cruises, and swimming and diving to observe coral.

Location & How to get to Cat Ba National Park

Situated 25 kilometers south of Ha Long Bay in Hai Phong City, Cat Ba National Park is situated on Cat Ba Island, the biggest island in the Cat Ba archipelago.

Hotels on Cat Ba Island looking out to the sea. — Cat Ba Island.

To explore Cat Ba National Park, visitors from Hanoi can go to Hai Phong City by rail, motorbike, or automobile. You proceed to Cat Hai District from here and board a ferry to Cat Ba Island. It will take around twenty minutes to get to Cat Ba National Park from the ferry terminal.

You can see details on how to travel from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island here.

A popular alternative to traveling alone is to hire a cruise to Cat Ba Island, which provides you the opportunity to see the island’s stunning locations, such as Cat Ba National Park, as well as the well-known fishing towns and water caves in Lan Ha Bay.

Cat Ba fishing villages among limestone islands. — Cat Ba Fishing Village.

The Cat Ba Catamaran Cruise is a popular choice among travelers since it allows you to explore the entire Cat Ba Island, from the national park to Viet Hai town and Cai Beo fishing village.

However, if you have more time to visit the island, the Ambassador Signature Cruise is an excellent option. This elegant and spacious cruise will provide you with the most opulent experience in Lan Ha Bay, stopping at notable locations such as Cat Ba National Park, Trung Trang Cave, Viet Hai Village, and Dark & Light Cave.

A forest in Cat Ba National park. — Incredible nature of Cat Ba National Park.

Best Time to Visit Cat Ba National Park

Cat Ba National Park has a unique charm that changes with the seasons, so you will have an unforgettable experience no matter when you visit this place.

If you had to choose, summer and fall (April to October) are perhaps the ideal seasons to visit this national park since the weather is dry, sunny, and comfortable.

It should be mentioned that since a visit to Cat Ba National Park is frequently associated with outdoor activities, travelers should carefully check the weather prediction ahead to prevent rain, which can disrupt the excursion.

Infomation

Cat Ba National Park is separated into various sightseeing routes. On each tour route, visitors can experience a thrilling hike through the forest and climb steep slopes to enjoy the majestic beauty of nature.

Kim Giao Forest – Ngu Lam Peak Route

Visitors will hike along the trail through Kim Giao Forest to conquer the 255-meter-high Ngu Lam Peak. Here, you can enjoy the fresh forest air and admire the panoramic view of Cat Ba National Park from above.

Guests taking picture of Cat Ba mountains. — Ngu Lam Peak.

May Bau – Hang Quan Y Route

Starting from the park’s center, tourists trek to May Bau Peak, where they get to see the thousand-year-old banyan tree, one of Cat Ba National Park’s icons. The trek then leads us to Quan Y cave, which was established in the 1940s as a field hospital.

Banyan tree inside Cat ba National Park. — Thousand-year-old banyan tree.

On this tour, visitors can explore the wild natural landscape of Cat Ba Island and learn more about the history of the Vietnam War.

Frog Pond – Viet Hai Village Route

From the center of Cat Ba National Park, tourists will follow the forest trail to Frog Pond. This is the national park’s and Cat Ba Island’s largest freshwater lake, home to several frog, bullfrog, and toad species.

Pond in Cat Ba National Park with many frogs. — Frog Pond.

Then, you will traverse the forest road for around 9 kilometers to Viet Hai Village, surrounded by limestone mountains and extensive beaches, providing extraordinary peaceful scenery.

Trung Trang Cave

Trung Trang Cave is the oldest and largest cave in the Cat Ba Archipelago. Piercing more than 300 meters through the mountain, the cave is covered with countless layers of beautiful limestone stalactites.

Cat Ba Flower Valley

With its breathtaking scenery of vibrant flowers and nature, the Flower Valley on Cat Ba Island is an ideal place for you to take some memory pictures for your trip.

Lien Minh Butterfly Valley

Located in Tran Chau commune inside the national park, Lien Minh Butterfly Valley is perfect for having a fun, relaxing picnic with your family and friends amidst the wild, beautiful nature.

Viet Hai Village

Viet Hai Village impresses visitors with its peaceful, poetic beauty, which makes it an excellent place for visitors to learn more about the traditional life and culture of the Cat Ba people.

three people riding bikes on viet hai island — Biking in the wonderful nature of Viet Hai Village.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should you pay attention to when visiting Cat Ba National Park?

Do not litter. Please keep clean
Do not cut trees, pick flowers, pick leaves, or break branches
Do not affect the living environment of animals and plants here
Visit in a friendly manner;
Prepare enough snacks and drinks to make your journey of discovery most convenient; in addition, you should wear neat, airy clothes and sneakers suitable for exercise
Prepare necessary medicines such as runny nose, headache, fever reducer, mosquito repellent, etc.

2. Is there a fee to enter Cat Ba National Park?

Yes. The current ticket price at Cat Ba National Park is about $3.2 per adult and $1.6 per child (note that this fee may change depending on the time of visit and the number of visitors).

If you book a cruise to visit Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay on folatravel.com, all entrance fees and sightseeing tickets are included in the total cost of the trip, so you can just enjoy traveling without any worries!