Cat Ba National Park, situated in the Cat Hai District of Hai Phong City in northern Vietnam, is a collection of 366 islands which form the Cat Ba Archipelago, located 45km east of Hai Phong City and 150km south-east of Ha Noi, bordering Ha Long Bay to the north. Established on 31st March 1986, the National Park has an area of 17,362.96 ha, 10,912.51 ha being terrestrial ecosystems (islands) and 6,450.45 ha being marine ecosystems. As the first of its kind in Vietnam, it is divided into three zones: strict protection; ecological recovery; and administrative services.The Park’s key functions and tasks are dedicated to conservation, scientific research, ecotourism and environmental education, and assistance to local community development.
Useful information about Cat Ba National Park
Geomorphology
The geomorphology of Cat Ba National Park is characterised by fully developed karst scenery; land which has been invaded by the sea, resulting in a continually changing environment. This archipelago is an excellent example of the karst features of fenglin and fencong, separated by firths and valleys, with a vast system of caves yet to be fully explored. These conditions make Cat Ba a prime candidate to be listed as a Geo-Park. The combination of land and sea, along with numerous small islands, create a stunning landscape with great potential for tourism.
Culture and History
Cat Ba is home to significant historical and archaeological values. Early studies have suggested that the island has been inhabited for numerous millennia, with artifacts indicating milestones in the development of early societies. It is thought that Cat Ba Island was a desirable settlement for humans when it was still attached to the mainland (approximately 9,000 to 17,000 years ago).Moreover, the island is renowned for its numerous traditional celebrations.
Ecosystems
Cat Ba National Park stands out among other national parks in Vietnam due to its diverse range of ecosystems, landscapes and seascapes. It is home to many unique habitats including a tropical rainforest on karst mountains, mangroves, coral reef, sea grass beds, caves, grottos, firths and valleys.
Fauna and Flora
An initial research identified 1,588 vascular plant species across 187 families in Cat Ba National Park. Of those, 58 are species listed in the Vietnam Red Book (2007), while the IUCN The World List of Threatened Trees (2008) has 33 species. Additionally, 1,026 are medicinal plant species, with one newly recorded species: Cycas tropophylla.
Likewise, there are 338 terrestrial animal species present within the park, including 53 species of mammal; 205 species of birds; 55 species of reptile and 25 amphibian species. Of note, 36 of these species are listed as rare and/or endemic in the Vietnam Red Book and the IUCN Red List, the most noteworthy being the Cat Ba Langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus), which is endemic to Cat Ba and listed by IUCN as one of the 25 world’s top most endangered primates.
Cat Ba Park’s Marine Creature
Covering a vast area of 6,450 hectares, Cat Ba National Park’s sea is a trove of invaluable marine resources. Scientific research records show that the waters here contain 1,131 different species of marine animals and plants, comprising 196 fish species, 193 coral species, 538 species of zoobenthos, 75 sea grass varieties, 199 kinds of phytoplankton, 89 zooplankton species and 23 mangrove species. Cat Ba is also renowned for other unique sea creatures like squid, lobster, crab, pearl shells, snout otter clam, blood ark and more.
Cat Ba National Park Tourist Activities
Trek in the forest
Visiting Cat Ba National Park, you can experience various tour routes, ranging from short to long, which will give you a chance to explore the unique wildlife resources, such as lush green primitive forests, mangroves, limestone vegetation, and the unique Kim Giao precious wood forest.
- Cat Ba short trekking routes (1-2 hours): Kim Giao Forest – Ngu Lam Peak; Environmental Education Trail; Trung Trang Cave
- Cat Ba long trekking routes (4-7 hours): Frog Pond – Viet Hai; May Bau – Army Hospital Cave; Me Go – May Bau; Trung Trang – Lien Minh Suoi Goi.
Discover the sea
The Park is encouraging marine ecotourism to meet the needs of exploring the vast sea resources. Visitors to the Park’s sea area can enjoy various types of seafaring activities, such as boat trips to Lan Ha Bay, Van Boi, Viet Hai, Van Ta, and Tra Bau, as well as kayaking to discover bay and gulf ecosystems, coral watching, climbing cliffs of beautiful islands in Lan Ha Bay, fishing, swimming, and sea bathing at secluded beaches, and other aquatic sports. Tours usually last from 2 to 5 hours.
Explore caves
Millions of years ago, Cat Ba Archipelago was formed due to tectonic crust movements as well as changes in the sea level. With its karst landscape, the archipelago is home to a plethora of caves and grottos, such as Trung Trang Cave, Thien Long Cave, and Hospital Cave, that draw in thousands of visitors every year.
Observe wildlife
For all wildlife enthusiasts looking to observe and uncover reptiles, amphibians, insects and nocturnal activities, a night-time stroll through the forest is an incredible experience. As the stars twinkle above and the forest awakens with mysterious sounds, you will get to witness the fascinating sights and sounds of the wildlife that inhabits this area. According to preliminary surveys, Mau Bau – Frog Pond is home to 53 mammal species, 55 reptile species, 25 amphibian species, 274 insect species and 205 bird species. You can experience this incredible variety of wildlife on the animal night watching route, which will take you two to five hours.
Adventure activities
Romantic white sands, deep blue sea and spectacular bays, gulfs, and islands make the seaside area of the Park a truly romantic getaway. Tourists can enjoy the pristine beaches for sea-bathing, kayaking to explore the area, climbing the islands in Lan Ha Bay, coral watching, and relaxing fishing. The sweet harmony of forest and sea create a breathtaking landscape to behold.
Community-based tourism
The forests and sea of Cat Ba have immense cultural significance, providing vital resources for local communities. However, these natural resources are at risk. Community-based ecotourism initiatives are empowering marginalized communities and giving them a stake in conservation. The buffer zone area of the Park, where locals live, is an excellent place for visitors to get a taste of local life—with the possibility of a 1-2 night home-stay in traditional houses. While in the village, tourists can enjoy a truly immersive experience: living, eating and exploring the culture and stunning nature of Cat Ba Archipelaga Biosphere Reserve.
Voluntourism
Tourism which involves tourists exploring natural resources and contributing to the protection and improvement of a clean environment, such as picking up litter, creating tour guides and signs for conservation, is a unique kind of travel to Cat Ba National Park.
Tours in Cat ba National Park
Tour 1 (1h30’) – Explore the Serene Beauty of Kim Giao Forest and Climb Ngự Lâm Peak!
This trail takes you through a forest that shelters rare and ancient Kim Giao trees, as well as other endangered species. You will trek to Ngu Lam peak, taking in the stunning vistas of the area. The journey will take approximately 30 minutes each way and will include butterfly gardens, a zoo, botanical gardens, a natural forest on a limestone mountain and the Kim Giao forest.
Tour 2 – Explore the Majestic Trung Trang & Uy Ban Grottos – 1.2km of Adventure Awaits!
Representative of the Cat Ba archipelago’s caves and grottos, the Trung Trang Cave is just a 10-minute walk from the National Park. Here, you will uncover a world of mysterious stalactites, as well as a home for many species of bats. Take this 1-hour round trip to explore the wondrous cave and its inhabitants.
Tour 3 (2-2h30’)– Trek through The Park till Frog Lake
Start your adventure near the National Park headquarters for a challenging trek! You’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of a flooded willow forest in a valley high above sea level. This is home to the largest freshwater concentration on the island. Enjoy this 2-2.5 hour one way journey!
Tour 4 (6-8h) – Trekking, kayaking, boat trip through Lan Ha Bay
After completing a 14 km long hike through a variety of forest ecosystems and exploring their wildlife resources, visitors can take a tour boat or go kayaking in the breathtaking Lan Ha Bay of the Cat Ba Archipelago. With its many small islands and numerous secluded beaches, the clear blue waters of the bay offer a perfect spot for sunbathing on the soft sand and observing the daily lives of local fishermen and aquaculture farmers in the floating villages. Lastly, the local culture of the Viet Hai village can be experienced.
Starting close to Cat Ba National Park headquarters, this trail offers a much harder challenge. You’ll begin by visiting the stunning flooded willow forest in a valley high above sea level. This freshwater concentration is the largest on the island, and takes 1.5 to 2 hours one-way to reach Ao Ech. Afterward, you can return to the National Park or opt to continue and visit Viet Hai commune, a traditional settlement within the park. From there, you can take a boat to Lan Ha Bay, the final destination of this trail. For those wishing to go elsewhere, arrangements can be made to return to Cat Ba Town.
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