Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sailing, kayaking and rock-climbing trips here are best organised in Cat Ba Town. With
hundreds of beaches to choose from, it's easy to find your own private patch of sand for
the day. Camping is permitted on gorgeous Hai Pai Beach (also known as Tiger Beach).
NATIONAL PARK
Cat Ba National Park
( 031-216 350; admission 30,000d; sunrise-sunset)
This accessible national park is home to
32 types of mammal and 70 bird species. Mammals in the park include langurs and
macaques, wild boar, deer, civets and several species of squirrel, including the giant black
squirrel. The golden-headed langur is officially the world's most endangered primate with
around 65 remaining, most in this park. Birds include hawks, hornbills and cuckoos.
There's good trekking including a challenging 18km hike through the park up to one of
the mountain summits. This is not an easy walk, and is much harder and more slippery
after rain. Shorter hiking trails are less hardcore.
To reach the park headquarters at Trung Trang, take a green QH public bus from the
docks at Cat Ba Town (20,000d, 20 minutes); buses leave at 8am and 11am. Or
xe om
charge 80,000d one-way.
Hospital Cave
( 031-368 8215; admission 15,000d; 7am-4.30pm)
Hospital Cave served both as a secret,
bomb-proof hospital during the American War and as a safe house for VC leaders. Built
between 1963 and 1965 (with assistance from China), this incredibly well-constructed
three-storey feat of engineering was in constant use until 1975.
A guide (most know a few words of English) will show you around the 17 rooms, point
out the old operating theatre and take you to the huge natural cavern that was used as a
cinema (and even had its own small swimming pool).
The cave is about 10km north of Cat Ba Town.
HISTORIC SITE
Cat Co Cove
A 15-minute walk southeast from Cat Ba Town, the three Cat Co Cove beaches boast
white sand and good swimming, although debris and rubbish in the water can be a prob-
lem on some days. The prettiest is Cat Co 2, backed by limestone cliffs, and the site of Cat
Ba Beach Resort. Cat Co 1 and 3 also have resorts.
BEACH
Activities
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