Cat Ba Island

The largest island in Ha Long Bay and the most practical base for exploring the southern part of the bay. Cat Ba town has accommodation in every price range, a lively waterfront, and numerous boat and kayak operators. The national park covers more than half the island, with trails through tropical forest to viewpoints overlooking the surrounding islands and sea.

The Cat Ba National Park trails range from easy to strenuous — the path to the summit of Ngu Lam Peak (3 hours return) gives expansive views over the islands. Cat Co beaches on the eastern side of the island are the best swimming beaches. Hospital Cave, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War as an underground hospital, bunker, and command centre, is open for guided tours. Cat Ba makes a good alternative base to Ha Long City, which is more industrial and less atmospheric.

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A story
Cat Ba Island is home to the Cat Ba langur, one of the world's most critically endangered primates — fewer than 60 individuals survive on the island. The langur was not described by science until 2000, and within a decade was already listed as critically endangered, primarily from hunting for traditional medicine. Conservation efforts by the Hanoi-based Endangered Primate Rescue Center have stabilised the population, but these golden-headed monkeys remain extraordinarily rare. Spotting one on the limestone cliffs of the national park is genuinely extraordinary.

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