23/9/2023 | 1:08:50 PM

Catba Natural Park - World Heritage Site

Cát Bà National Park is a World Heritage Site designated as a biosphere reserve in northern Vietnam. The park is part of Cát Bà Island in Hạ Long Bay and is administered by the city of Haiphong. C at Ba's beautiful national park is home to 32 species of mammal, including most of the world's 65 remaining golden-headed langurs, the world's most endangered primate.

Sails of Indochina Adventures

    Cat Ba National Park was established in 1986, it covers some 17,362.96 ha, of which 10,912.51 ha are terrestrial ecosystems (islands) and 6,450.45 ha are marine ecosystems. The Park is situated in the Cat Ba Archipelago which consists of 366 islands. It is about 45 km east of Hai Phong City, 150km south - east of Ha Noi and borders with Ha Long Bay to the north. Cat Ba National Park is at the heart of the UNESCO Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve and it shares the distinctive scenic beauty of the Ha Long Bay Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park is also home to diverse range of terrestrial and marine life.

    Cat Ba National Park is a tourist attraction to millions of domestic and overseas visitors. Coming to the Park, travellers can enjoy the beauty of the vast landscapes and seascapes. Visitors can choose to relax on isolated beaches in Lan Ha Bay, trek through primeval tropical rain forest or mangrove forest, discover many unique animal and plant species, and immerse themselves in the local culture.

    There are some good hiking trails here, including a two-hour return trip to Ngu Lam peak and a day-long hike to Viet Hai village. To reach the roadside park headquarters at Trung Trang, hop on bus from Cat Ba Town, or hire a xe om or a private car.

    A guide is not mandatory but is definitely recommended. Many visitors opt to visit the park on an organised tour with Blue Swimmer Adventures.

    The short but strenuous hike to the top of Ngu Lam peak brings views over the surrounding jungles. The challenging 9km hiking trail through the park (starting just north of the park entrance) to the village of Viet Hai is best done with a guide. Lunch and homestays are available in Viet Hai. From here you can walk, rent a bicycle or take an electric vehicle for 5km to the pier, where taxi boats shuttle back to Ben Beo Pier near Cat Ba Town until 4pm. An elusive shared public ferry (50,000d per person, one hour) should depart from Ben Beo at 11am and 4pm, and from Viet Hai at 6:15 am and 1pm but check these times.

    Take proper hiking shoes, a raincoat and a generous supply of water for the Viet Hai hike. This is not an easy walk

    Of the mammals present in the park, the more commonly seen include macaques, deer, civets and several species of squirrel, including the giant black squirrel. Seventy bird species have been spotted here, including hawks, hornbills and cuckoos. Please contact us on WhatsApp: + 84 912 555 208 to organise this trekking tour

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    Tripadvisor reviews

    "Amazing Experience"

    Two days kayaking in Lan Ha bay. Spectacular. Kevin offered all the info and advice needed to plan the trip and make accommodations. They offer so many more options than what is listed on the website…kayak, bike, camp, bungalows; day trips or multi-day adventures. The equipment is decent. Kayaks are efficient and in good condition, but with finicky rudders and no spray skirt (although you might sweat to death with a closed deck, so I didn’t mind too much). Chinh is a fantastic guide who has spent a lifetime working the nooks and crannies of Lan Ha. The base camp bungalows are situated on a private island in the bay. Basic but quite comfortable and extremely quiet and private. This is not Outward Bound, Linbad, or Sobek…it’s VN. Don’t expect EPIRBS and extensive first aid kits or doting, fluent English speaking guides. DO expect guides with loads of local knowledge and a safety network of every family and fishing vessel in the area; a comfortable pace; a few mildly challenging open water crossings; wonderful fresh food. Bring an extra SD card, extra battery, and something waterproof for your camera. I came back with 1200 images from three days and I’m not usually that snap happy.

    Dave D D (Bozeman, Montana)
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