Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba National Park things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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A well maintained and planned off-the-beaten-track place overall About 18 miles away from Cat Ba town lies this place full of greenery and excellent views which has adequate number of facilities and proper sign boards. The journey throughout the route is surrounded by varieties of trees and the road is very good, clean and quite wide. Taking the motorbike is the most flexible and reasonable option given that the two caves are miles away from the park gate ( and outside the park premises ). The busses are very limited and bike taxis only come for half day meaning that there becomes a limit on the extent to which one can explore the park. I took a bus at 8 am( which was going to Haiphong ) to go here, and it was pretty cheap at 40,000 VND and reached in ~1/2hr. The park opens at 8 am and closes at 5:30 pm as per their website, and the entry fee is decent at 80,000 VND which also includes the entrance to Trung Trang Cave which is about a 3/4th mile from the park gate. When asked for, I was told that the last bus comes around 4pm. So, going by that it gives a good 7-odd hours to explore the whole park ( and the caves ) with plenty of trail options to consider. The shortest one Ngu Lam trek which was a mile ( 1-way ) is what I began with ( A separate review is available on the Ngu Lam Peak ). Other options being the Viet Hai village trek which I didn't attempt given that I learned it is c 6 miles and takes ~4.5hrs, and has multiple diversions which increases the possibility of getting lost when not going with a guide. I attempted another trek to a pond too, from the park gate, which showed ~2.25 miles and turns out that it was a botched one. Not because I couldn't complete it, but because it simply ended with no pond around. From the second diversion point, this trek asks you to take a left and shows about 0.625 miles, but both me and another guy with me started the distance tracking on the map, and it almost touched a mile. Forget the distance inaccuracy, but the disappointment was the pond never came and the route ended. There were boards, half of which were rusted with nothing visible, and half of them having only local language displayed on them. The route was incline and decline, but no stones to climb. One of the very few things which disappointed me was the absence of toilet maintenance. Not only was it unclean, it neither had the spray nor a water supply and there was an absence of tissue paper too. The taps too had no water. If this wasn't enough, there was no latch to the door, and also didn't seem to have a flush button. It is highly recommended for anyone to carry a bunch of tissue papers. Another thing of a complain is, contrary to what the park website or board says, I didn't see much of plant, insect or animal species ( although there were plethora of large trees ). This could be limited to the two trails which I attempted or maybe could depend on the whether pattern, so can't say more on it. Overall, the national park is clean, and evergreen and the whether was perfect, which didn't make the walk feel boring or tiring, and I do recommend to visit this place. There are also guesthouses available in case one want to stay in the park. And bicycles are available too, although they would be of limited use in the park premises, but can be used to go to the two caves ( reviews of these caves are available on their apposite pages ) which are outside the park.
Pratik GadgilPratik Gadgil
60
Cat Ba National Park, located on Cat Ba Island in Northern Vietnam, is a stunning natural reserve that offers visitors a mix of rugged landscapes, rich biodiversity, and adventurous trails. This UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve spans approximately 263 square kilometers and is home to a variety of ecosystems, including limestone karsts, tropical limestone forests, freshwater swamp forests, and coastal marine waters. Traveling to the park from Bar Hotel Quiri by motorcycle adds an extra layer of adventure to the experience. The ride itself is scenic, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area and a thrilling way to immerse yourself in the local landscape. One of the park's historical highlights is the Cave Hospital, also known as Hospital Cave. This three-story hospital was built during the Vietnam War to serve as a bomb-proof shelter and a safe haven for Viet Cong leaders. The cave is a marvel of human ingenuity and resilience, with facilities that included an operating room, a cinema, and even a small swimming pool, all carved directly into the rock. Visiting the national park provides a holistic experience of both nature and history. The park's trails range from moderate to challenging, offering something for every level of hiker. The wildlife in the area is also a major draw, with the possibility of spotting some rare species like the Cat Ba langur, one of the world's most critically endangered primates. The Cave Hospital itself is a sobering reminder of the past, giving visitors a glimpse into the harsh realities of war while showcasing the determination and resourcefulness of the Vietnamese people. It's well-preserved and serves as an educational site, with guided tours available to help visitors understand its history and significance. Overall, Cat Ba National Park and the Cave Hospital combine natural beauty with historical depth, making it a must-visit for anyone traveling to Vietnam.
Marcel OudendijkMarcel Oudendijk
00
A review for people who want to do the "long hike" to Viet Hai village which is not so hard and you definitely don't need a guide. Take a first local bus departuring from the center of Cat Ba town (right opposite the harbour's "welcome" sign) at 8 am. One trip costs 30000 VND. When you reach the park, pay 80k VND for the access. The trail is easy to follow, there are many red arrows showing the way. I recommend you to have Maps.me downloaded just in case, it shows the entire 12 km long trail. 8 km to Viet Hai, 4 more to reach the port. A few more details about difficulty of the trail. Up to Frog pond it's very easy - forest walkway with some stairs. The toughest part comes after frog pond, it's like 30-45 minutes of uphill/downhill rocky terrain. Be ready for some sharp rocks, a few tricky parts, use your hands where necessary. You DO need proper hiking or trail running shoes. All in all you should be able to reach the port in 3-4 hours, depending on your shape. Unfortunately, the second part - Viet Hai to the port - is just asphalt, quite boring but surrounded by quite nice mountains. Keep in mind that you want to get to the port before 12:45 if you want take the only afternoon public boat going back to Cat Ba town. It costs only 50k VND (buy a ticket on the boat) and really departures at 12:45, not at 13:00 as you can hear from some local people. Name of the public boat is Do Viet Hai (see the picture below), it was the ugliest boat in the harbour, easy to spot :) You can sit outside on the upper floor and enjoy beatiful views of Lan Ha bay, you should reach Ben Bao port in about one hour. There you can grab a bike or simply walk to Cat Ba town, it's only 1 km. My rating of the trail itself is 3/3.5 stars. Go for it if you like hiking, just don't have too high expectations.
Lukáš HoštákLukáš Hošták
10
Cat Ba National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventurers, especially those who love trekking. The trek to Ngu Lam Peak is a highlight of the park, offering a green and refreshing atmosphere with clean air. Visitors need to pay an entrance fee to access the park, which contributes to the maintenance and improvement of the environment. The fee also includes admission to the National Garden and the Military Hospital Cave Historical Site. The trail to Ngu Lam Peak varies from easy to steep, mainly consisting of staircases, suitable for young travelers who enjoy hiking and exploring. It is recommended to wear comfortable sportswear and shoes, bring a light backpack to avoid carrying heavy things, and protect yourself with mosquito repellent and sunscreen. The path to the park is easily accessible from the town center and can be navigated with Google Maps. Visitors can rent a reasonably priced motorbike or take a one-way taxi ride for around 300,000 VND after filling up the gas tank. Don't forget to pack your camera and capture the beautiful moments on the trekking trail.
Alex LeAlex Le
60
Do not miss the opportunity to make some sweat with the beautiful jungle hike from the park's headquarters to the Frog Pond and then to Viet Hai village. Make sure you wear good shoes and carry leech repellent because leeches thrive in the humid area surrounding the Frog Pond. Purchase tickets and register your trek at the Park's Headquarters, where the trail begins, for safety purposes. Only your name, hotel address, and phone number are required. The ticket booth is located next to the broad parking lot, right at the entrance. The trek is divided into two sections: 6 kilometers from the Headquarter to the Frog Pond, and 4 kilometers from the Frog Pond to Viet Hai Village. To leave the village and return to town, take the village road 3.5 kilometers southeast to the tourist wharf. You can hire a bicycle for a one-way trip to the wharf or buy a seat on a shuttle minivan ride. The boat ride back to town costs about VNĐ 500,000 for a maximum of ten passengers. The boat must be booked ahead of time.
Dinh ThangDinh Thang
10
I took a motor from Cat Back town which is about 20mins to the National Park. The return motor costs me VND200k. I saw many tourists rent their own motor which gives you the flexibility to stop along the way to take great photo of the valley. The entrance ticket is VND40,k that comes with access to the park and a cave about 1KM away. A leisure hike up to the peak took me an hour and less to come down. There is a map at the trail head, I suggested to follow the route from left to right like the map. This trail seems to be easier than going the opposite direction as I saw from those coming from the other direction. The view at the top was amazing. After the tower platform, there is a small trail to a higher area where the view if better but it is warmer up there as there is not shade. Sport sandals or shoes will do. There was a girl who went up with flip-flop with no problem. It gets warmer as you climb as there area is quite dense.
Clarence SimClarence Sim
20
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Cát Hải, Hai Phong, Vietnam
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Phone
+84 225 3688 981
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Website
catbanationalpark.vn
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Reviews
Overview
4.5
(1.9K reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
adventure
family friendly
Description
Cát Bà National Park is a World Heritage Site designated as a biosphere reserve in northern Vietnam. The park is part of Cát Bà Island in Hạ Long Bay and is administered by the city of Haiphong.
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