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Catba Natural Park - World Heritage Site
Blue Swimmer Outdoors
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
