Halong Bay: Cat Ba Island

If you take the three-days tour, you will spend one night on the boat, and another night in one of the islands. One of the most popular islands is Cat Ba Island. The offer of accommodation is still not very varied in this island, but the offer of places to sleep is growing fast. If you come during the high season (Summer), you do have to book in advance. In Winter it should be easy to find accommodation, and you may get better deals

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I thought it would be nice to sleep on a boat and to see the sunset from its deck, but there was a change of plans. My tour guide told me there had been a problem with the police, and that I could not sleep on any boat. I thought it was a very bad excuse, but I opted for a money refund (sleeping on the boat is more expensive than sleeping on the island). Later I learnt that it was not possible to see the sunset from the boat, that dinner was not very good, and that the ones who stayed on the boat could hardly sleep.

Agencies that organize tours to Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island offer the possibility to take part in a trekking. They gave me two options, the short trek and the long trek. I chose the short trek, 3 miles (the long trek was 8 miles). It was a nice experience climbing the mountain.

The island of Cat Ba is of bio diversity conservation significance due to the endemic and endangered species that inhabit its forests and its shores. One of them is the Golden-headed languor, one the most endangered primates in the world. Other unique species are the Green and the Hawksbill turtles, the seahorses, and several land snail species. Many of the plants found throughout the island are also of scientific importance. Nowadays Cat Ba's National Park is a top touristdestination.

The view from the peak of the mountainis awesome. At the top of the mountain there is a look out tower. I tried to climb the tower, but I had to go back because there was a wild bees nest. If you click on the picture you will see a wonderful landscape picture. Enjoy it.

On the way back to my hotel I saw this street sign. It does not belong to a pet shop, as I first thought. The sign belongs to a "Thit Cho" restaurant. "Thit" means meat in Vietnamese, and "Cho" means dog. Dog meat is considered a delicacy in Vietnam. Not many foreigners dare eating in one of these restaurants, but if you want a try this unique meat, ask a local where you can find a good "Thit Cho" restaurant.

The island of Cat Ba has a nice harbor with an interesting fishing port. You can get here on a pleasant walk from most of the hotels in town. You can ask one of the fishermen to take you on a boat tour of the port. A unique experience. Most of them speak little English, but a smile and a good attitude will do the work.

If you want to visit the island of Cat Ba, I recommend renting a motorbike. If you do not feel comfortable riding your own bike, you can take one of the bike taxis. Although it is possible to rent a bike in the street -- many local guys rent their own motorbikes --, you'd better ask your hotel.

The island has some small fishing villages of interest. With the motorbikes you can also get to some of the beaches near Cat Ba Town. Some of them are really nice.

One of the reasons why I recommend staying in Cat Ba island at least one day, is to have dinner in one of the floating restaurants. You will need a boat to get to the restaurant. Ask one of the locals near the stalls on the beach, and he will direct you to the right person.

Floating restaurants have cages with crabs, lobsters, oysters, shrimps, clams, and several kinds of local fishes. The waiter will show you the different animals, all alive, and you choose your menu. They cook the sea food, and serve it on plastic tables. Order one of the local beers, and enjoy your meal. A unique experience.

Not far from Cat Ba town there are a couple of nice sand beaches. One of them is the beach in the picture. A new luxury hotel was under construction when I visited the place. It should have been inaugurated by now. The weather in Cat Ba is mild enough from March to October to enjoy a vacation on the beach. If you have enough days left, you may stay in one of the beach resorts in the Halong Bay area three or four days.