Cat Ba Island: Hours, Address, Cat Ba Island Reviews: 4/5
Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Cat Ba Island
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
81 within 3 miles
Casa Bonita
512
0.2 mi$ • Cafe • European • Healthy
Oasis Bar 2 and Bungalow
815
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • European • Asian
Yummy Restaurant
693
0.1 mi$ • Vietnamese • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Oasis Bar
1,067
0.2 mi$ • Bar • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
Quân Cát Bà Family
441
0.3 mi$ • Seafood • Asian • Grill
Napoli Pizza Restaurant Bar
85
0.2 mi$ • Italian • Bar • Pizza
Green Mango
1,109
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Asian • Fusion
Napoli Pizza - Cafe
132
0.2 mi$ • Italian • Pizza • Cafe
My Way Pizza Cafe & Restaurant
416
0.3 mi$ • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options • Gluten Free Options
The Bigman Restaurant & Bar
141
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • European
Attractions
9 within 6 miles
Cannon Fort
664
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Ao Coi Valley
1
0.3 miNature & Wildlife Areas
Cat Co 1 Beach
127
0.4 miBeaches
Lan Ha Bay
576
Bodies of Water
Trung Trang Cave
50
1 miCaverns & Caves
Cat Ba National Park
457
National Parks
Hospital Cave
654
Caverns & Caves
Monkey Island
862
Islands
Viet Hai Village
33
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,292 reviews
Excellent
677
Very good
366
Average
130
Poor
66
Terrible
53
Paul R
Brisbane, Australia26 contributions
Cat Ba is very tourist orientated and English is comparatively wide spread - which is a bit of a rarity in many places in VN. January is off season and prices are pretty cheap but it is really a bit chill for any sort of water sport bar cruising.
There are plenty of moto hires from 80k and up. 80k will get you a battered old Yamaha Neuvo, a Honda will cost you more. But the opportunities for long distance motorbike trips are pretty limited so the 80k ones are alright. However ...
The one we rented had barely enough petrol to get us 100 meters - literally, it conked out just around the corner from the bike rental! "Conveniently", there were an abundance of small stalls flogging off petrol at double the bowser cost on the side of the road.
I have done thousands of k's on moto's in Vietnam including many hires so something smelt fishy. So instead of paying the inflated prices, we called the rental guy, who came within 5 minutes, which was good, and declared we were out of fuel, asking why we had not purchased any!
Anyway, there is a Petrolimix public gas station about 200 meters up the port road. There is another on the way out to the ferry port. Going price at the time of writing is 20k a litre - not the 40k they ask on the roadside (and god knows the quality there).
You do not need to fill to the brim. Put 50k (2.5 liters) and if you need more, there are at least several stations about the place.
There are plenty of moto hires from 80k and up. 80k will get you a battered old Yamaha Neuvo, a Honda will cost you more. But the opportunities for long distance motorbike trips are pretty limited so the 80k ones are alright. However ...
The one we rented had barely enough petrol to get us 100 meters - literally, it conked out just around the corner from the bike rental! "Conveniently", there were an abundance of small stalls flogging off petrol at double the bowser cost on the side of the road.
I have done thousands of k's on moto's in Vietnam including many hires so something smelt fishy. So instead of paying the inflated prices, we called the rental guy, who came within 5 minutes, which was good, and declared we were out of fuel, asking why we had not purchased any!
Anyway, there is a Petrolimix public gas station about 200 meters up the port road. There is another on the way out to the ferry port. Going price at the time of writing is 20k a litre - not the 40k they ask on the roadside (and god knows the quality there).
You do not need to fill to the brim. Put 50k (2.5 liters) and if you need more, there are at least several stations about the place.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rico
403 contributions
We did not book through an agency we were on a DIY trip. And we decided that we would base out of Catba for 5 days and Halong City for 3 days because we wanted to know both, after all it is the premier destination in Vietnam! We liked Catba better because it is small and easy, more relaxed than Halong City. Both are awesome of course. I liked that our cruise started from La Han Bay and the floating fishing village is the first things you see. It is a great way to start the cruise and finish. The cruise we took in Halong Bay was awesome too, returning to a much more crowded and modern city. That’s why we wanted to know both. And if you only have time to visit one I would vote for Catba! That’s my story, and I am sticking too it!
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christine F
20 contributions
Couples
The weather is cool and wet this time of year which impacted our plans some days. We still visited the National Park twice... once to scale to the top of one of the peaks and to see the nearby caves which are far better than the Hospital Caves. The second time was to hike across the island, have lunch and cycling to the port and then boat back. So glad we didn’t do either in the rain as the paths and rocks are slippery.
Also want to shout out to the Nhà Hàng Tuyêt Béo restaurant located across the street from the Roxy Club. It is a lovely family run restaurant with a broad menu, budget friendly prices and generous portions. We loved everything we ate there, especially the Rice Vermicelli with chargrilled pork/shrimp. The spring rolls, clam rice porridge, and the vegetables were all delicious. Almost every restaurant in Cat Ba serves these, and we did try other places, but we kept coming back to this little place.
Also want to shout out to the Nhà Hàng Tuyêt Béo restaurant located across the street from the Roxy Club. It is a lovely family run restaurant with a broad menu, budget friendly prices and generous portions. We loved everything we ate there, especially the Rice Vermicelli with chargrilled pork/shrimp. The spring rolls, clam rice porridge, and the vegetables were all delicious. Almost every restaurant in Cat Ba serves these, and we did try other places, but we kept coming back to this little place.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
soladiamante
Vancouver Island, Canada28 contributions
It’s low season now and the town was pretty quiet and relaxing especially compared to all the hustle and frenzy of the cities we’d been in. Especially liked our hotel Minh Hieu on the quieter end of the town, restaurant Quan Cat Ba Family for seafood and our boat trip to/around the bays with Cat Ba Vision. Yes, there seems to be a lot of construction projects in the works and it is so sad that the island will probably be changing for the worse with all of those new developments and a cable ride in the works that will connect the island to the mainland.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rakesh
New Delhi, India302 contributions
Couples
This was my 2nd visit in last 2 years. I can visit this place anytime. I like the natural beauty of the place
The journey to the destination is equally thrilling as you have to cross the labd to the island by ferry. It has all kimd of landscapes and also have a national park besides beaches and a lake
The journey to the destination is equally thrilling as you have to cross the labd to the island by ferry. It has all kimd of landscapes and also have a national park besides beaches and a lake
Written April 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Trojan_10
Hanoi, Vietnam70 contributions
Drove my bike down yesterday from Hanoi via Haiphong, when I got to the ferry port 2 boat companies told me to get lost and turn back. This is down to the Covid virus which at the time was at a total of 32 out of a population of 90 million.
The previous evening a hotel in Haiphong had turned me away for the same reason. Consequently I booked a different hotel online and they accepted me no problem.
The previous evening a hotel in Haiphong had turned me away for the same reason. Consequently I booked a different hotel online and they accepted me no problem.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael
Miami, FL381 contributions
Couples
Amazing island to visit. We had a lovely trekking through lush jungle about 8km and had a delicious lunch in Viethai village before taking a nice Boat trip back to shore. Thanks BSA for a great trekking
Written March 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Perry H
San Diego, CA1,823 contributions
Friends
What a treat. After a boat ride on Halong Bay we came to this beautiful island with villages and a simple way of life. Beautiful bikes and walks and some home stays. A real retreat for yourself and friends. This should not be passed up.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
smagmags
Paw Paw, WV48 contributions
Family
Cat Ba is a =nice place, but out of the way. We researched and found the easiest way from Ha Noi was not to train down to Hai Phong and take the ferry, but to take the run offered by Hoang Long from Loung Yen Bus station in Hanoi (ben xe Loung Yen) to Cat Ba town.
We missed the bus we wanted by 4 minutes (or else it left early and the guy just told us it was only minutes and had to take the second. I believe one leaves at 7:20 am and another leaves at 11:20. What you do is claw your way past the touts and taxi drivers hovering around the entrance to the station and go inside to the Hoand Long ticket window (small window on the right with the sign) and purchase a ticket from the guy there. It's 210,000 Dong one way. You can purchase a return ticket at this point, or else buy one in Cat Ba when you are ready to return.
You get on the bus when the guy walks in the terminal screaming "CAT BA! CAT BA! CAT BA!" and the other 20 people get up. Out bus left a bit earlier than the clock said was right, so be at the station 30 min early. (We walked to the station from Hoan Kiem district.)
The first bus eventually got out of Hanoi after pickign up a handful of locals and some packages, and took us (via a large interstate highway) to a big, busy bus yard somewhere in Hai Phong, where some locals got off, but the Cat Ba tourists did not. From here we went out to the Industrial district along the river and stopped at Hoang Long's small transfer station to wait our first transfer. We charged our phones, ate snacks, and went to the bathroom for 45 minutes, then boarded a second bus for a shorter run down to the ferry landing area on the far side of the industrial/dock strip.
At this point passengers are directed onto a water-taxi bus-boat and taken out to Cat Ba's ferry landing (easily outstripping the slow ferries) where you board a third bus. This bus winds through mountain roads and small villages on roads seemingly too small to suit a bus and drops you off right at the Hoang Long ticket office on the waterfront at Cat Ba town. If you have a lot of baggage you will have to move it yourself from one bus to the next, etc.
It took five hours to get from Loung Yen bus-yard to Cat Ba.
The return busses leave at 9:15 am and 1:15 pm, and the ticket price is the same 210,000 dong. The trip is not exactly a reverse, as the run from Haiphong to Hanoi is not on a big tollroad, but a long strip highway with a lot of traffic. This return trip was a real adventure. Aside from thr driver, you bus will have a 'guy' riding shotgun who takes care of everything not driving. In our case it was taking tickets, telling passengers not to put their feet on the seats, getting off the bus to direct traffic jams, getting off the bus to get in fights with anyone who might be slowing the bus down, stopping other traffic with his body so the bus could pass..all sorts of tasks. This guy was insane, and was determined that the bus was going to get through on time, even if it meant driving in the mud along side the road to get around a jam, or tearing the gate out of a gatekeepers hand to get the bus into a premium traffic lane. The guy got the bus back to Hanoi in five hours somehow, even though traffic was intense.
When you get back to Hanoi and step off the bus, be prepared to face a dozen or so Taxi drivers each wanting your business and yelling "Taxi?!?!" in your face as you disembark. We were walking back to our hotel in the Old Quarter, so we just said "No thanks, we're walking." and went on our way.
There is plenty of great food to be had at small stalls and holes-in-the-wall near the station. If you can say "give me a bowl of pho and a coke" in Vietnamese you will have a great meal in the area for about $2
We missed the bus we wanted by 4 minutes (or else it left early and the guy just told us it was only minutes and had to take the second. I believe one leaves at 7:20 am and another leaves at 11:20. What you do is claw your way past the touts and taxi drivers hovering around the entrance to the station and go inside to the Hoand Long ticket window (small window on the right with the sign) and purchase a ticket from the guy there. It's 210,000 Dong one way. You can purchase a return ticket at this point, or else buy one in Cat Ba when you are ready to return.
You get on the bus when the guy walks in the terminal screaming "CAT BA! CAT BA! CAT BA!" and the other 20 people get up. Out bus left a bit earlier than the clock said was right, so be at the station 30 min early. (We walked to the station from Hoan Kiem district.)
The first bus eventually got out of Hanoi after pickign up a handful of locals and some packages, and took us (via a large interstate highway) to a big, busy bus yard somewhere in Hai Phong, where some locals got off, but the Cat Ba tourists did not. From here we went out to the Industrial district along the river and stopped at Hoang Long's small transfer station to wait our first transfer. We charged our phones, ate snacks, and went to the bathroom for 45 minutes, then boarded a second bus for a shorter run down to the ferry landing area on the far side of the industrial/dock strip.
At this point passengers are directed onto a water-taxi bus-boat and taken out to Cat Ba's ferry landing (easily outstripping the slow ferries) where you board a third bus. This bus winds through mountain roads and small villages on roads seemingly too small to suit a bus and drops you off right at the Hoang Long ticket office on the waterfront at Cat Ba town. If you have a lot of baggage you will have to move it yourself from one bus to the next, etc.
It took five hours to get from Loung Yen bus-yard to Cat Ba.
The return busses leave at 9:15 am and 1:15 pm, and the ticket price is the same 210,000 dong. The trip is not exactly a reverse, as the run from Haiphong to Hanoi is not on a big tollroad, but a long strip highway with a lot of traffic. This return trip was a real adventure. Aside from thr driver, you bus will have a 'guy' riding shotgun who takes care of everything not driving. In our case it was taking tickets, telling passengers not to put their feet on the seats, getting off the bus to direct traffic jams, getting off the bus to get in fights with anyone who might be slowing the bus down, stopping other traffic with his body so the bus could pass..all sorts of tasks. This guy was insane, and was determined that the bus was going to get through on time, even if it meant driving in the mud along side the road to get around a jam, or tearing the gate out of a gatekeepers hand to get the bus into a premium traffic lane. The guy got the bus back to Hanoi in five hours somehow, even though traffic was intense.
When you get back to Hanoi and step off the bus, be prepared to face a dozen or so Taxi drivers each wanting your business and yelling "Taxi?!?!" in your face as you disembark. We were walking back to our hotel in the Old Quarter, so we just said "No thanks, we're walking." and went on our way.
There is plenty of great food to be had at small stalls and holes-in-the-wall near the station. If you can say "give me a bowl of pho and a coke" in Vietnamese you will have a great meal in the area for about $2
Written April 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cansurvivor
Toronto, Ontario, Canada51 contributions
Friends
AWESOME 1 day cruise to Halong Bay, Vietnam, from Cat Ba Island. Small group, booked it through the hotel (Song Chanh), included pick up and drop off at hotel, lunch, kayaking, swimming, Dau Go Cave (Cave of Wonders), and scenic crusing of Halong Bay and surrounding area.
Great day, tons of awesome pics, great weather, cool group of 7, highly recommended for those who do not want to spend $100+ for a 2 day+ 1 night Halong Bay cruise with the hordes.
Great day, tons of awesome pics, great weather, cool group of 7, highly recommended for those who do not want to spend $100+ for a 2 day+ 1 night Halong Bay cruise with the hordes.
Written May 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Liopos
Bagan, Myanmar417 contributions
Hola que tal, como va la isla? Es verdad que desde mañana está todo cerrado, sin tour por coronavirus? 🤔 Ayuda por fa ya que llegaba el domingo por allá.
Natalie W
Decatur, IL6 contributions
Hey! Does anyone know how to get from cat ba island to Cat Bi airport?? I’ve asked my hotel and they keep saying different things. Some things say I need to take the ferry but the hotel is telling me there’s a bus. Which way is the best way?
Paul R
Brisbane, Australia26 contributions
It all can be a bit confusing as there is no bridge to Cat Ba. As others have said, you must take either a ferry or speedboat from Cat Ba port.
Price is the main difference. The ferry can take buses (small 16 seater type) that will connect from Cat Ba to Cat Hai - the next island westward and which DOES have a bridge to the mainland. Cheaper.
Not sure why but Cat Ba does not have any of those "limo" buses that connect most towns in Nth Vietnam but the smaller buses are ok as the journey is not that long.
Speed boat is a lot quicker, bypasses the Cat Hai bridge and deposits you directly to Haiphone port. But more expensive
I traveled back up to Halong but I remember many travel agencies selling the Cat Ba to Cat Bi Airport ticket.
As others have said, just make sure that your ticket explicitly states Cat Bi Airport - the agencies are just re-sellers for the bus companies and some of the bus companies will try to eke out a bit more cash.
The bus to Ha Long dropped me right outside the hotel as my ticket stipulated. As always in VN, let the buyer beware. Do not assume anything and get the destination in writing on the ticket.
delaenag
Singapore13 contributions
Hi thanks for your post. We had planned to go and stay maybe in Cat Ba Island but after reading your post am thinking differently. We have 5 days and were hoping for some kayaking or swimming or hikes around the area. Is there something different you would suggest?
Hanoi?
thnaks
Delaena
dganske@sas.edu.sg
kmasry
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates48 contributions
Gosh...I’m not too sure I can help.
I traveled through the net to try and book and iit may be worth you doing the same looking for specific guides for adventure holidays rather than the traditional operators.
I really wish I could give you a better answer.
Good luck and hope that you enjoy.
I certainly would go back and spend more time
delaenag
Singapore13 contributions
Hi there
Thanks for your review of Cat Ba. We are a family of 4 (2 boys age 13 and 15) and would like to do Hanoi and CatBa and Halong bay but would like to do some activities like kayaking or climbing (beginner) or hiking anything. Do you have recommendations for that.
Thanks
Delaena
dganske@sas.edu.sg
Tom M
London, UK22 contributions
Hi. We did exactly what you wanted to. We booked a day trip through Cat Ba Oasis Bungalows where we were staying. There was a great guide, Paul, and the trip was fantastic. Our children are slightly older (22 and 16), but I still think your children would love it, particularly if they like swimming. They loved the trips to the secret beaches and caves - absolutely beautiful. They did kayaking and rock climbing on monkey island, although that was quite difficult. I think the trip up to the top of the Cat Ba National Park might be better as there is some climbing and hiking but not quite so hazardous. Anyway, whatever you decide, hope to have a great time. Only tip would be, try not to go in the Vietnamese school holidays!
Best wishes
Tom
Phalla Y
Battambang, Cambodia
Hello,
We plan to visit Cat Ba island this month.
We want to do some camping and relax on the quiet area on the beach hut. Could you recommend where can we go camping? is it possible to go to other small island near Cat Ba and Camp over night there by yourself? Thanks in advance !
kevint61
Singapore, Singapore1,319 contributions
Please go to Nam Cat Beach or monkey island for camping. If you would like to get an adventure, visit Sails of Indochina for some unique and lovely cruises on traditional sailing junks
kevint61
Singapore, Singapore1,319 contributions
How far from Catba town from Green Catba Cafe and Restaurant in Phu Long village ?
Isabelle B
Montreal, Canada168 contributions
I don't know the Cafê & Restaurant, but according to Google map Phu Long village is 40 min in moto from the center of CatBa town.
angelaorders
Kansas14 contributions
How much was the room at Hung Long Harbor Hotel? I am a little confused, was Lan Ha Bay with Asia Tour a boat cruise of the bay or was it the Climb & Kayak for $7.00?
Arcady Travel
Hanoi, Vietnam203 contributions
Hung Long is nice hotel, you can check the price through booking.
Asia outdoor organize the rock climbing tour, but not that price, you can check with them directly from here. Add: 210 Đường Một Tháng Tư, TT. Cát Bà, Cát Hải, Hải Phòng
Tel: 0225 3688 450
Bonjour, je' souhaiterai avoir des photos de l'hôtel dans lequel nous allons loger, et avoir également des photos des hôtels 3étoiles.
Merci
Julia S.
15 contributions
Hola
Lo siento. Yo sólo tengo fotos del HOI LAKE FARMSTAY, el hotel en el que me alojé
Mies_Arindia
Amsterdam, The Netherlands4 contributions
Hi Jamie, thanks for this info. Could you be a bit more precise on where exactly you took the ferry? Thanks!!
Luong
Cat Ba, Vietnam17 contributions
Google seach : Cat Ba Island Cruises for more information
Frequently Asked Questions about Cat Ba Island
- Cat Ba Island is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Cat Ba Island tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 112 Cat Ba Island tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Cat Ba Island:
- 3-day Relaxing in Cat Ba Island - Visiting Monkey Island & Cat Ba National Park (From $152.83)
- All-Inclusive 2 Day/1 Night Cruise with Meals, Kayaking, Caving, Beach in Halong (From $145.00)
- Cat Ba Island - Lan Ha Bay 2 days 1 night - Overnight at Cat Ba Hotel (From $142.00)
- 2 Nights on BEST BALCONY CRUISES: All-Inclusive package (From $285.00)
- 3-Day: Ha Long Bay Paradise Overnight Cruise & Cat Ba Island -All-Inclusive 2022 (From $15.90)
- Hotels near Cat Ba Island:
- (0.09 mi) Cannon Fort Cat Ba Hotel
- (0.08 mi) Catba View Hotel
- (0.09 mi) Cat Ba Hostel
- (0.09 mi) CatBa Lucky Family Hotel
- (0.11 mi) Catba Palace Hotel
- Restaurants near Cat Ba Island:
- (0.09 mi) Tinh Tam Quan - Buddha Belly Travel - Vegetarian Restaurant
- (0.13 mi) Yummy Restaurant
- (0.17 mi) Oasis Bar 2 and Bungalow
- (0.10 mi) Ciao Catba Bar And Restaurant
- (0.09 mi) Buddha Belly - Vegetarian Restaurant