Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba island district is an archipelago of 367 islands. Cat Ba is the main island name about 100km² wide, 30 nautical miles from Hai Phong port, located south of Halong Bay, creating a population of islands and caves on the sea that fascinates tourists. Here visitors will enjoy the fresh air and mix themselves with the beautiful nature.

Summary of Cat Ba Island

The southeast edge of Halong Bay is made up of 366 islands covering one hundred square miles. This is the Cat Ba archipelago and the biggest of these islands is Cat Ba. This is often used as a stopping off point for customers needing an overnight stop on their cruise tours. Cat Ba is huge, it covers over 50 square miles, half the area of the entire archipelago. Half of this, in turn, is Cat Ba National Park. Cat Ba National Park was the first one in Vietnam to consist of both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. It is of tremendous scientific importance. Recognized by UNESCO in its own right as a Man and Biosphere Reserve, in 2004, It is home to an abundance of exciting and endangered flora and fauna. One thousand four hundred vascular plants including 23 endangered and critically endangered have been found here. Endangered mammals including the Cat Ba Langur, Black Giant Squirrel, and the civet Cat are also all here. Caves have critically endangered crabs and land snails, some of the butterflies that flit happily around are in a far from the happy state. On top of this, the entire area is considered to be an important area for conserving many rare species of bat.

The wild beauty of Cat Ba Islands

In 2007 a turtle survey was working in the area. Almost by accident, they discovered the exceptionally rare Cat Ba Tiger Striped Gecko in Halong Bay. The 13500 people who live on the island make their living by agriculture and fishing. They work in a way that has changed little in the six thousand years that they have been here. The traditional occupations haven’t altered but fish-farming, shrimping and tourism have been added, and help support simple life. All this is well and good of course but for you, the holidaymaker, it simply means an exciting place to explore with the chance of seeing some of the earth’s genuinely rare creatures. It is an astonishing beauty area and the island of Cat Ba shows it off at its best.

Cat Ba Island and urgent issues

Cat Ba Island the intersection of old forests and blue sea

The island is suffering from various environmental problems though. Tourism has taken its toll and illegal hunting and poaching have driven some of the wildlife back into endangered situations. Over fishing and water pollution are other problems. The more sensible and responsible for the tour operators are getting the message and are acting in ways to help the conservationists. Enjoy your stay on the island, but as they say, take only memories and leave only footprints, this is far too an important paradise to be interfered with.

Cat Ba tourism in recent years is the first choice of many Vietnamese and foreign tourists. Do you want to go to this beautiful island in Halong Bay? Have a nice trip.