10 Tourist Destinations Cat Ba Island Vietnam 2025

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Cat Ba is one of the most attractive island destinations in the North, attracting tourists thanks to its wild beauty and fresh air. In this article, Smile Travel will list the most recommended tourist destinations on Cat Ba Island , helping you have amemorable trip to Cat Ba .

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Top 10 most beautiful and hottest tourist destinations in Cat Ba Island

1. Lan Ha Bay

Located in the east of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay owns more than 400 large and small islands creating a large area of over 7,000 hectares. This place is famous for its clear blue water, fine white sand beaches and majestic limestone islands. It is an ideal destination for couples, families with the elderly and children to travel in the summer.

Cruise on Lan Ha Bay is the perfect choice to fully enjoy the sparkling beauty of Lan Ha all day and night. Experience a cruise on Lan Ha (1 day, 2 days 1 night, 3 days 2 nights) you will be fully served meals, rooms, exploration and entertainment activities according to the completed schedule. Don’t hesitate, book a Lan Ha cruise tour from Smile Travel today, super promotional price for couples and families .

2. Cat Ba National Park

With an area of over 26,000 hectares, Cat Ba National Park is home to many rare species of flora and fauna, including the white-headed langur – an endemic primate species found only here. Tourists who love trekking through forests, exploring caves and enjoying the fresh air of pristine nature should definitely visit this famous Cat Ba tourist destination at least once .

3. Monkey Island (Pineapple Sand)

About 2 km from Cat Ba town, Monkey Island is an attractive destination with beautiful beaches and friendly wild monkeys. Visitors can swim, climb mountains to see the whole view of Lan Ha Bay or relax in coastal bungalows.

4. Cat Co Beach 1, 2, 3

These three famous beaches are located near the center of Cat Ba town, each with its own beauty. Cat Co 1 is wide and vibrant, Cat Co 2 is quiet and romantic, while Cat Co 3 is modern and deeper, suitable for good swimmers.

Characteristics of each Cat Co beach

Cat Co Beach 1 (Widest and Busiest): This is the largest beach, with fine white sand and clear blue water. It’s always a top choice for families and groups of friends because of its spacious area and calm waves, making it ideal for playing sand games or swimming.
Cat Co 2 Beach (Peaceful and Romantic): Nestled behind limestone cliffs, Cat Co 2 boasts a more tranquil and unspoiled beauty. It was once voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia. If you’re looking for a relaxing space to enjoy peaceful scenery, this is the ideal location.
Cat Co 3 Beach (Modern and vibrant): This beach has stronger waves and is deeper than the other two, suitable for those who enjoy thrill-seeking activities or are good swimmers. Currently, this area is associated with the high-end Flamingo Cat Ba resort complex , offering many beach bars and water sports services.

5. Tung Thu Beach

Traveling to Cat Ba , Tung Thu beach is one of the most beautiful beaches. Modernly planned and built, Tung Thu beach owns a long stretch of golden sand, clear blue water and peaceful space. It also has high-class resort services, an outdoor stage and is an ideal destination for families and couples.

Smile Travel ‘s 2-day-1-night Cat Ba Island tour will take you to the beautiful and clear Tung Thu beach at a reasonable cost and a safe journey. Call +84 346190168 to book a tour now .

6. Cannon Fort

Located on the top of a 177m high hill, Than Cong fortress is a historical relic with a system of fortresses and trenches from the war. From here, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Cat Ba Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba town from above.

The glorious historical value of Fort 177

Built in 1942: This fortress was constructed by the French army to guard the strategic gateway to the South China Sea.
Heavy weaponry: This place houses three large anti-ship guns (guns No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3) along with a system of trenches, bunkers, and fortifications built with extremely sturdy concrete blocks.
A historical witness: The fortress has witnessed fierce artillery battles fought by our army and people against French warships and American aircraft, protecting the integrity of our sea and islands.

7. Military Hospital Cave

As a field hospital built inside a limestone mountain, Quan Y cave consists of many functional rooms and solid corridors. This is an interesting Cat Ba tourist destination to learn about history and unique architecture during wartime.

Must-see experiences at the Military Hospital Cave

Explore the field hospitals: You’ll get to see firsthand the sturdy concrete rooms built neatly inside the caves, and imagine the scene of doctors and nurses treating wounded soldiers under bombardment.
Check-in at the mysterious entrance: The path leading up to the cave is a small wooden ladder nestled against the cliff face, surrounded by dense trees, giving a sense of adventure as if you were exploring.
Listen to the glorious history: If you go with a tour group or hire a local guide, you will hear touching stories about the indomitable spirit of the soldiers and people of Cat Ba Island during the fierce years of war.

8. Cai Beo ancient fishing village

Considered one of the oldest fishing villages in Vietnam, Cai Beo has a history of thousands of years. To come to this Cat Ba tourist destination, you can take a boat tour, learn about the life of fishermen and enjoy fresh seafood right on the floating raft.

Amazing experiences at the fishing village.

Taking a wooden boat or motorboat down the bay: This is the best way to wander through the nooks and crannies of the fishing village, get a close look at the architecture of the floating houses, and take some memorable riverside photos.
Kayaking yourself: The feeling of freedom as you paddle on calm water, leisurely watching the sunset over an ancient fishing village, is an incredibly romantic experience.
Visiting and dining at fish farms: You can directly visit large fish farms to see giant groupers and sea bass weighing tens of kilograms, and then enjoy seafood prepared right on the spot.

9. Viet Hai Village

Located deep in Cat Ba National Park , Viet Hai village is a small isolated village, surrounded by mountains, forests and the sea. This place offers a peaceful life experience, close to nature and the traditional culture of the local people. Traveling to Cat Ba Island , don’t forget to visit this place to feel the wildness and simplicity.

10. Trung Trang Cave

Among the tourist attractions in Cat Ba , Trung Trang Cave is the largest cave. Trung Trang Cave is about 300m long with a rich stalactite system and strange shapes. This is an attractive destination for those who love to explore nature and geology.

When is the best time to visit Cat Ba?

The best and most ideal time to visit Cat Ba Island depends greatly on the type of tourist: for Vietnamese tourists, summer (from April to August) is the perfect time for swimming and recreation; while foreign tourists prefer the winter and spring seasons (from November to March of the following year) for relaxation and exploring pristine nature.

Each season in Cat Ba has its own unique charm and beauty, so you can choose the time to depart that suits your preferences:

Glorious summer (May – August)

This is the biggest tourist season of the year on Phu Quoc Island, especially from May to July.

Characteristics: Sunny and hot weather, clear blue sky, calm sea waves.
Experience: Best suited for swimming at Cat Co 1 , 2, and 3 beaches , kayaking, SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), snorkeling, or taking a cruise to admire Lan Ha Bay .
Note: Weekends are usually very crowded, and service prices are higher. You should book your room 2-4 weeks in advance and monitor the weather closely in July and August to avoid sudden storms.

Gentle autumn (September – November)

This period is considered by travel enthusiasts to be the golden and ideal time to fully appreciate the peaceful beauty of Cat Ba’s sea and sky.

Features: Cool, pleasant weather, gentle sunshine, and seawater that’s still warm enough for swimming. The significant decrease in tourists has made the island feel more spacious.
Experience: Suitable for outdoor activities such as trekking in Cat Ba National Park , watching the sunset over the bay, or taking a cruise to explore ancient fishing villages.
Note: Accommodation and tour costs are much more affordable and easier to book during this season than in the summer.

Peaceful winter and spring (December – April)

This is the perfect time for those seeking absolute tranquility to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Characteristics: The weather turns cool (around 12-20°C), and occasionally a hazy fog covers the limestone mountains on the bay in February and March.
Experience: Although you can’t enjoy swimming in the sea, you can still enjoy high-end resort services at resorts like Flamingo Cat Ba , cycle along coastal roads, or savor the freshest seafood of the year.

Top 5 must-try local specialties

Cat Ba’s cuisine is incredibly rich with its abundance of fresh seafood , most famously dishes made from mantis shrimp, geoduck, stone crab, and green crab . Due to its location in an island bay, the seafood here is caught directly and processed while still fresh, offering a sweet and rich flavor of the sea.

When visiting Cat Ba Island, you absolutely must try the local specialties and visit the following highly-rated restaurants:

Salt-roasted/Steamed Mantis Shrimp: Cat Ba mantis shrimp are large, plump, and have firm flesh. The salt-roasted version has a crispy shell and sweet, rich meat, and is absolutely delicious when dipped in chili sauce or lime-pepper salt.
Grilled razor clams with scallion oil: Razor clams are a rare and precious seafood, with a crunchy, sweet, and fragrant texture. When grilled with rich scallion oil and roasted peanuts, this dish becomes irresistibly appealing to all diners.
Cat Ba shrimp noodle soup: The island’s national breakfast dish. The broth is simmered from shrimp bones and shells, resulting in a sweet flavor, and is served with stir-fried sea shrimp, snakehead fish cake, juicy taro stems, and celery.
Salt-roasted rock crab: Rock crabs live in rocky caves along the coast, their meat is extremely firm and flavorful, not mushy. This dish is perfect for enjoying in the evening with a cold beer.
Seven dishes made with horseshoe crab: Horseshoe crab is prepared in many diverse ways, such as horseshoe crab salad, stir-fried horseshoe crab with lemongrass and chili, and grilled horseshoe crab eggs. Horseshoe crab meat is considered cooling, has a rich flavor, and is very nutritious.

Contact Smile Travel to book a reputable and quality tour. Hotline +84 346190168

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10 Tourist Destinations Cat Ba Island Vietnam 2025