Cat Ba packs an unusual amount into one island: a UNESCO-listed national park, the karst seascape of Lan Ha Bay, hidden beaches, wartime history and some of Vietnam's best rock climbing. Here are the 15 things we'd genuinely recommend, grouped so you can build a day or two around what you enjoy most.

On the water and in the bay

1. Cruise Lan Ha Bay

The headline experience. A day boat from Ben Beo Harbour takes you among the same limestone karsts as Ha Long but with a fraction of the traffic. Most day cruises cost about $25 to $35 and include kayaking, swimming and lunch on board.

2. Kayak the hidden lagoons

Lan Ha is made for kayaking, with quiet lagoons and sea caves you paddle through into hidden pools. You can rent a kayak or boat at Ben Beo (roughly 400,000 to 600,000 VND for a boat seating up to six) or join a guided trip.

3. Visit Monkey Island (Cat Dua)

A short boat ride away, Monkey Island has a pretty beach and a resident troop of cheeky macaques. You can climb the rocky path for a view, just keep an eye on your snacks and belongings around the monkeys.

4. Escape to Nam Cat island

Largely uninhabited, Nam Cat has a calm 500-metre beach that's great for kayaking and quiet swimming.

In Cat Ba National Park

The park covers nearly half the island and was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2004. It's open daily 8am to 5pm, with entry around 40,000 VND.

5. Trek to Ngu Lam peak

The most popular hike is a short but steep climb to the Ngu Lam viewpoint, around 45 to 90 minutes return, with panoramas over the jungle and karsts.

6. Take on the Viet Hai jungle trek

For something tougher, a 9 km trail crosses the park to Viet Hai village. Go with a guide: there is still unexploded ordnance off-trail from the war.

7. Explore Trung Trang Cave

Inside the park, this 300-metre cave winds past stalactites and limestone pillars. Entry is about 40,000 VND.

History and local life

8. Watch the sunset from Cannon Fort

Perched 177 metres up, Cannon Fort was built in 1942 and used across three wars. Today it's the island's best viewpoint with sweeping views over Lan Ha Bay, especially at sunset. Entry is about 50,000 VND.

9. Step inside Hospital Cave

Built between 1963 and 1965, this three-storey, bomb-proof cave served as a secret wartime hospital. It's about 10 to 13 km north of town and entry is roughly 15,000 VND.

10. See Cai Beo floating village

Just 2 km from town near Ben Beo, Cai Beo is one of Vietnam's oldest floating villages, with around 300 floating houses and families who still fish and farm the water.

11. Cycle to Viet Hai village

The gentler way to reach Viet Hai is by boat then bicycle. You ride past rice fields and forested hills into a quiet farming village.

Beaches, climbing and food

12. Relax at the Cat Co beaches

A 10-minute walk southeast of town brings you to Cat Co 1, 2 and 3. Cat Co 2 is the prettiest, with a nice swathe of white sand.

13. Try rock climbing or deep water soloing

Cat Ba is one of the best climbing spots in Vietnam, with 120-plus routes across 13 crags, plus deep water soloing straight off the sea cliffs.

14. Feast on fresh seafood

The island is known for seafood pulled straight from the bay. Look for local specialities like horseshoe crab (sam) and geoduck clam (tu hai).

15. Ride the cross-island road

Rent a scooter or hop on the local bus (about 25,000 VND) and ride the road that cuts north through the national park.

Entry fees at a glance

Place	Approx. entry	Hours / notes
Cat Ba National Park	40,000 VND	8am–5pm daily
Ngu Lam peak guide	200,000 VND	45–90 min return
Cannon Fort	50,000 VND	Best at sunset
Hospital Cave	15,000 VND	~10–13 km north of town
Trung Trang Cave	40,000 VND	Or included with park ticket

Let us put a day together for you. Bay cruise, national park trek, village cycling — we can combine the highlights into one easy trip with a local guide. Plan my Cat Ba day on WhatsApp