Cat Ba National Park
Recognised as part of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve List since December 2004, the Cat Ba National Park is the traveler’s paradise in Northern Vietnam by the sea.
Covering an area of 263 km2 kilometers in the southwest corner in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Cat Ba National Park is located in Cat Ba Island, the largest island in the archipelago of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Provinces with an estimate of 13,000 Vietnamese inhabitants all living in 6 different communes.
The Cat Ba National Park, protected by both private and public entities for the conservation of wildlife and marine ecosystem in the archipelago, is one of Vietnam’s most treasured sites because of its rich history and abundant wildlife resource.It is home to the highly endangered Cat Ba langur with only 66 individuals remained and more than 1,000 other species.
The favourite acitivity of visitors is to trekking through the path and climbing up to the top of Ngu Lam peak to catch an amazing panoramic view of the park and the bay afar. For a harder challenge, you can go with a 18km hike (takes around 6 hours) to reach the Viet Hai village at the other side of the island. You will be recommend to hire a tour guide and well equipped before taking this hardcore journey.
How to reach it?
To reach the park headquarter at Trung Trang valley from Cat Ba Town, take a green QH public bus from the docks at Cat Ba Town (1 USD, 20 minutes). Buses leave at 8 a.m and 11 a.m. Another option is to hire a taxi motobike for around 4 USD/way, or hire your own motorbike for the day (around 5-6 USD). Then go along the main road connecting Gia Luan Pier and Cat Ba Town, you will find it easily.
Entrance fee?
You can buy the ticket at 15,000 VND/person (around 0.75 USD) and if you also want to leave your motorbike at the parking lot, you pay an extra of 4,000 VND (around 0.2 USD) for each bike. Both tickets can be bought at the entrance gate.
