Halong Bay is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam and that makes it quite busy. In this article you can read how to best visit Halong Bay, without the crowds. In addition, you will also find tips for Cat Ba, a beautiful island and also the base for visiting Halong Bay. This way you can get the most out of your visit to Halong Bay and Cat Ba!

Cat Ba is the base for Halong Bay

It is good to know that Halong Bay got its name because it is located on the city of Halong. However, this is not a nice city to visit as a traveler and that is why almost everyone uses the island of Cat Ba as a base for a visit to Halong Bay. This is the largest island in the bay. In the southern town, often called Cat Ba Town, you will find many good restaurants and nice hostels and hotels. If you leave Cat Ba Town, you will be in Cat Ba National Park in no time. Here you can hike beautifully to viewpoints and caves. You can read more about this later in this article.

How to travel to Cat Ba, Halong Bay?

Most people travel to Cat Ba, Halong Bay from Hanoi or Ninh Binh . Below you can read how to travel there from these destinations. Want to travel to Cat Ba, Halong Bay from another destination? Check out all the different routes .

What to do in Halong Bay and Cat Ba?

Below you can read all the tips for a visit to Halong Bay and the beautiful island of Cat Ba.

Must do: Take a cruise through Halong Bay (without the crowds)

A cruise is the way to discover the beautiful landscape of Halong Bay. There are many different tour companies that offer cruises through Halong Bay and often these boats all go to the same places. Because of this it is very busy in certain places and that takes away the charm. That is why I went on this cruise . This boat starts in Cat Ba and sails to places where most boats do not go. Your experience is so much better when you only have to share beautiful places with a few others! There are many relaxed seating areas on the boat so you can relax and enjoy all the beauty along the way. In addition, the staff is super friendly and the guide speaks good English.

During the cruise through Halong Bay you will make a number of nice stops, including a fishing village and a number of beautiful beaches. The nice thing about this cruise is that you will also go kayaking. You paddle to beautiful caves and lagoons. From a kayak you will experience the landscape of Halong Bay in a completely different way.

Tip: I chose the day cruise due to limited time, but the best option is the two-day cruise from the same organization. You spend the night on the boat and the advantage of this cruise is that you sail to even quieter places, away from the crowds. This way you see much more of the beautiful Halong Bay. You visit many beautiful caves and beaches during the two-day cruise and all meals are included.

Rent a scooter and explore Cat Ba

Cat Ba is a super green island and the most beautiful places are perfect to explore by scooter. The roads are well maintained and the traffic is quiet so even if you don’t have much experience with scooter driving, this is easy to do. You can rent a scooter at most accommodations but it is often cheaper directly from a rental company. Dũng Yến Motorbike shop can be found in Cat ba Town and is a reliable rental company. In the following paragraphs you can read about the most beautiful places to visit by scooter. If you don’t want to or can’t drive a scooter, you can of course also reach all places by taxi.

Tip: When you are going to rent a scooter, it is smart to make a clear video of the scooter in advance so that all damage to the scooter is clearly visible. This way you will not have a discussion when you return the scooter.

Hike through Cat Ba National Park

More than half of Cat Ba Island consists of the pristine Cat Ba National Park. This biosphere reserve is home to some 1500 different species of plants and is also home to many animals including civet cats, macaques and deer. In the national park you can make a number of beautiful hikes of different lengths. The trails all lead you to the beautiful Ding Ngu Lam Viewpoint . From this viewpoint you have a fantastic view over the jungle and the many mountain peaks of Cat Ba. At the entrance to Cat Ba National Park it is explained what the different routes look like and where the different starting points are. Along the way you will come across signs with the directions. Also download the map on Maps.me so that you can navigate offline. All hiking trails are on Maps.me.

The entrance to Cat Ba National Park is easy to reach by scooter. From Cat Ba Town it is a short 25 minute drive. The route alone is beautiful! You can also take a taxi if you do not want to drive a scooter. At the entrance to the National Park you buy an entrance ticket and you can choose to walk through the park independently or to go for a walk with a guide. A guide will tell you more about the flora and fauna of Cat Ba National Park. If you want this, ask explicitly for an English speaking guide.

Visit the Hospital Cave

There are many caves on Cat Ba Island, but none are as special as the Hospital Cave. This cave served as a secret hospital and shelter during the war. The Hospital Cave was built in 1963 by the Vietnamese soldiers and used until 1975. The cave had many different rooms, including operating rooms, treatment rooms, a pharmacy and even a dentist’s office. Nowadays, there is a small but interesting exhibition. At the entrance, there will be guides who will offer to give you a tour of the Hospital Cave. If you want this, agree on a price.

Tip: 3 kilometers further is Trung Trang Cave. This is also a beautiful cave with a large system of corridors and enormous stalactites. You can walk through it in about half an hour.

Tips for good restaurants in Cat Ba (Halong Bay)

Despite Cat Ba being a small town, there are definitely some really good restaurants to be found. I went looking for the best restaurants and these are my favorites.

Like Coffee – This is a popular spot on the main street in Cat Ba Town. It is a small, colorful restaurant with a cozy outdoor terrace and the menu is extensive. The breakfast and lunch are especially delicious. The menu includes smoothie bowls, pancakes, sandwiches and delicious coffee.
My Way Pizza – Fancy a greasy bite? At My Way Pizza you can eat delicious pizzas and burgers.
The Little Leaf – This small restaurant is definitely one of the most popular restaurants in Cat Ba Town. They serve both Asian and Western dishes and there is also a vegetarian menu.
Casa Bonita – At Casa Bonita, not only is the food good, it is also very cozy. The terrace is a kind of greenhouse with lots of plants.
Quiri Pub Cocktail & Restaurant – This is the place to be for a cozy evening. The food is delicious, the cocktails even better and the staff creates a nice atmosphere.
Yummy Restaurant – The name of this restaurant says it all, the Vietnamese food is yummy!

Our favorite places in Cat Ba (Halong Bay)

Sadhu Garden Inn is a very nice address in Cat Ba Town. It is located on the edge of the village, which makes the location beautiful and very central to restaurants in Cat Ba. There is a nice swimming pool with sunbeds, there is a nice atmosphere, in the morning you get a nice breakfast and the staff is super nice. Choose a nice bungalow or a dormitory if you are traveling on a small budget. Do you like to stay in a small-scale hotel? Then Quiri Hotel is a great choice. The rooms are very nicely decorated and most have a cool view over the water. In addition, the coziness can always be found around the corner at the restaurant of the same name! You can spend a special night at JoyStay because here you stay in an idyllic bungalow with a thatched roof and large windows. The bungalows are equipped with air conditioning and surrounded by a beautiful garden. It is located a little further away from the town, perfect if you want to find some peace and quiet. The accommodation rents out scooters for a few euros per day, so you can be in the town of Cat Ba Town in no time.