Cat Ba Island

Island · Haiphong, 🇻🇳 Vietnam

Cát Bà is the largest island in the Hạ Long–Cát Bà archipelago, south of Hạ Long Bay. Most of the island is Cát Bà National Park, with forest, caves and limestone peaks. The main town sits on a harbour on the south-east coast and has the hotels, restaurants and boat piers.

Most visitors stay two nights. Days are for Lan Hạ Bay by boat, a hike in the national park and a visit to the old forts.

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When to visit

April to June and September to November are the best months. The air is warm and the sea is calm. Summer from June to August is hot, busy and humid, with the beach season at its peak. Winter from December to February is cool and misty, and boats may be cancelled in rough weather.

Best time to visit: February, March, April, November, December

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Good

18° (feels like 16°) · extremes 10°–22°
14° at night
10 rainy days
2 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
19°C · cool for a dip
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in February

Great

19° (feels like 18°) · extremes 10°–23°
15° at night
9 rainy days
1 sunny day
2 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
19°C · cool for a dip
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Great

22° (feels like 21°) · extremes 14°–25°
18° at night
11 rainy days
1 sunny day
2 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
20°C · cool for a dip
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Great

25° (feels like 26°) · extremes 17°–29°
21° at night
11 rainy days
2 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
23°C · cool for a dip
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in May

Fair

28° (feels like 30°) · extremes 21°–31°
24° at night
18 rainy days
5 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Light breeze
27°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in June

Poor

30° (feels like 32°) · extremes 24°–32°
26° at night
19 rainy days
7 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Light breeze
30°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in July

Poor

29° (feels like 33°) · extremes 24°–32°
26° at night
22 rainy days
10 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Light breeze
30°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in August

Poor

29° (feels like 33°) · extremes 24°–32°
26° at night
25 rainy days
7 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Light breeze
30°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in September

Poor

28° (feels like 31°) · extremes 23°–31°
24° at night
21 rainy days
7 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Light breeze
30°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in October

Good

27° · extremes 19°–29°
23° at night
14 rainy days
7 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
28°C · warm for swimming
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in November

Great

24° (feels like 23°) · extremes 15°–27°
20° at night
10 rainy days
6 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in December

Great

20° (feels like 17°) · extremes 11°–24°
16° at night
8 rainy days
4 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
22°C · cool for a dip
UV index 5 · moderate

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Top sights

Lan Ha Bay is a quieter bay of limestone islets, beaches and floating villages, south-east of the island.
Cannon Fort is a hilltop fort with large guns from the war and a view over the bay.
Hospital Cave is a large cave used as a hospital during the war.
Fisher Valley and Squanch Wall are climbing areas on the island's limestone walls.
Lighthouse is a lighthouse on the coast.

Cát Bà National Park has hiking trails to Ngự Lâm peak and Kim Giao forest. See the park's own guide for details.

Featured Lists

booking.com

Đảo Cát Bà Essentials

Cat Ba Island combines limestone karst landscapes with the dense biodiversity of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This selection highlights the island's strategic maritime heritage at Cannon Fort and the Cai Beo Terminal, the primary access point for the floating villages of Lan Ha Bay. High-altitude viewpoints like Đinh Ngự Lâm and Dỉnh Kim Giao provide perspectives across the national park’s rugged terrain, while the local market and Dark Cave offer insight into the region's natural resources and traditional fishing culture.

8 places

What to experience

Kayak in Lan Hạ Bay: Quiet water between limestone islets.
Climb at Fisher Valley: Sport climbing on limestone walls, with local guides.
Hike to Ngự Lâm peak: A forest trail in the national park.
Visit Hospital Cave: A walk through a large war-time shelter.
Eat seafood at the harbour: Squid, crab and grilled fish are on every menu.

Tours & Activities

Cat Ba Island — Map

Cat Ba Island — Travel Guide (PDF) Open the interactive map

Day trips

Cat Ba National Park: hiking in the national park and the viewpoint at Ngự Lâm.
Ha Long Bay: Hạ Long Bay is a boat trip north from the island.
Hai Phong: the port city of Hải Phòng is where ferries leave from.
Ninh Binh: a longer trip south for Tràng An and Tam Cốc.

Where to explore

Park: Cat Ba National Park covers the protected forest on the island.
North: Ha Long Bay has the most famous limestone bay.
West: Hai Phong is the gateway city.
South: Ninh Binh is another karst region.

Getting there

From Hanoi: Buses with a ferry or speedboat link run to Cát Bà in about 3 to 4 hours. This is the easiest option.
From Hải Phòng: Fast boats leave from Bến Bính and Đình Vũ. The crossing takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Ferry crossing: A car ferry runs between Gia Luận and Tuấn Châu. Tuấn Châu is the main mainland terminal.
By air or train: Cát Bà has no airport or railway. Hải Phòng is the nearest hub.

Getting around

Motorbike hire: The best way to reach beaches, forts and the park.
Taxi and electric buggy: Short rides around the town.
Boats: Needed for Lan Hạ Bay and nearby islets.
Walking: The town and harbour front are walkable.

Driving

Is a car worth it? Not really. A motorbike or taxi is enough on the island.
Roads: Main roads are paved but narrow in places, and hilly.
Ferry: Cars cross by ferry. Queues grow on summer weekends.

Food & drink

Cát Bà food is about seafood. Try grilled squid, steamed crab, sea snails and fish hotpot. Local seafood is sold at the harbour and in the night market. Choose a restaurant that shows prices on the menu.

Vegetarian and western food are available in the main town.

Breakfast

Pho PhởBeef or chicken noodle soup with a fragrant broth, fresh herbs, and rice noodles; commonly eaten for breakfast.

Lunch

Bun Cha Bún chảGrilled pork patties and slices served with rice vermicelli, herbs, and a sweet-sour dipping sauce; a Hanoi specialty.

Bun Bo Hue Bún bò HuếA spicy, lemongrass-scented beef noodle soup from the city of Hue.

Cao Lau Cao lầuA noodle dish unique to Hoi An, with thick chewy noodles, pork, and greens, traditionally made with local well water.

Snacks & street food

Banh Mi Bánh mìA French-influenced baguette sandwich filled with pork, pate, pickled vegetables, and herbs.

Banh Xeo Bánh xèoA crispy turmeric rice-flour crepe filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, wrapped in lettuce and herbs.

Goi Cuon Gỏi cuốnFresh (uncooked) spring rolls filled with shrimp, pork, herbs, and vermicelli, wrapped in rice paper.

Sweets & desserts

Che ChèA category of sweet dessert soups or puddings made with beans, fruit, jelly, and coconut milk, served hot or over ice.

Drinks

Ca Phe Sua Da Cà phê sữa đáStrong drip coffee served over ice with sweetened condensed milk; Vietnam's signature drink.

Bia Hoi Bia hơiCheap, light draft beer brewed fresh daily and sold at street-side stalls, especially in Hanoi.

Safety & health

Cát Bà is safe, but the sea needs respect.

Boat trips may be cancelled in strong wind or storms. Check with your operator.
Wear a life jacket on boats and kayaks.
Motorbike roads are hilly and wet after rain. Wear a helmet.
Agree the price of boat trips and seafood before ordering.
Summer beaches get crowded. Watch your belongings.

History

Cát Bà has been home to fishing communities for centuries. In the French period and the war years, the island was a defensive position. Caves such as Hospital Cave were used as shelters and hospitals, and forts were built on the hills.

Tourism grew from the 1990s. In 2004 UNESCO named the Cát Bà archipelago a biosphere reserve.

Country facts

Quick practical facts for Vietnam at a glance:

Currency: Vietnamese Dong VND ₫ · Card payments · Commonly accepted
Electricity: Type A / Type C / Type F
220 V · 50 Hz

Languages: Vietnamese
Tap water: Not safe to drink
Driving side: Right
Calling code: +84

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Cat Ba Island