The Cat Ba archipelago forms the southwestern part of Ha Long Bay. With its 285km2, Cat Ba is the biggest island of the bay. Cat Ba is covered by karstic sceneries, but is also home to a wide variety of natural ecosystems, and a national park covering about a third of the surface of the island. Cat Ba archipelago was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, so as to protect the multiple land and aquatic ecosystems and the diversity of plants and animals living on the island. The Cat Ba langur, for example, is endemic to the island and is one of the most endangered primates in the world.
The small port of Ben Beo, near the town of Cat Ba, opens onto a large floating village, and then on the beautiful Lan Ha Bay.
Viet Hai village
Viet Hai is an authentic fishing village in the heart Cat Ba Island. There, you can ride a bike through the jungle and you can follow a path that will take you to beautiful karst rocks. From the top of the village, you will have a panoramic view of the Lan Ha Bay. In this peaceful haven, you can hike through the island and discover the bay by boat or canoe. For the most adventurous travelers, there is also the possibility of climbing on the towering cliffs of the bay.
Lan Ha Bay
Located south of Halong Bay and east of Cat Ba island, Lan Ha Bay covers over 7,000 hectares and is part of Cat Ba archipelago. In fact, regardless of the administrative boundary, Lan Ha Bay is considered to be part of the Ha Long Bay complex with its 400 islands. However, unlike its famous neighbor, Lan Ha Bay has long been sought after for its unique landscapes, concentrating a high number of pristine limestone mountains by which the surface of the sea is divided into small gulfs and bays.
There’s around 139 white sand beaches in Lan Ha Bay, many of which are located between two limestone formations. After a long day of exploration through the beautiful caves in Lan Ha, you can thus relax on a dreamy beach and dip in the turquoise waters of the bay.
Thanks to its natural and authentic beauty, Lan Ha Bay has become a major destination. Just 30 minutes by boat from Cat Ba, it is a breathtaking bay that will make you forget all the stress of everyday life. You can enjoy strolling on the beach, breathe the fresh air of the ocean, get a tan under the tropical sun, take a trip by kayak and even fish in the waters of the bay: all these ingredients will make your trip to Lan Ha Bay an unforgettable experience.
