top of page

15% OFF DAY CRUISES!

šŸš§ The 2025 Guide to Visiting Cat Ba Island šŸ Amidst Construction : How to Avoid Disruptions and Still Have a Brilliant Trip šŸŒ…

Writer: Leanne Gayle Leanne Gayle
visiting cat ba 2025

Introduction Cat Ba Island is getting a facelift in 2025, with new bridges, expanded roads, and a wave of resort developments. While this means smoother travel in the future, at the moment, you might find a few detours, some scenic cranes, and the odd symphony of construction noise. But donā€™t let that put you off! With a bit of planning, you can still have an amazing time exploring Cat Baā€™s stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, and hidden gems.


Current Construction Updates & How to Dodge the Disruptions


šŸš§ Cat Ba Bridge & Road ExpansionĀ ā€“ Roadworks on the main Got Pier ā€“ Cat Ba Town highwayĀ may cause some frustrating traffic.

Top tip:Ā Skip the traffic and take the Hai Phong to Ben Beo Port speedboatĀ instead.


šŸ— Resort & Hotel DevelopmentsĀ ā€“ Expect some clatter in Cat Ba Townā€™s waterfront areaĀ and parts of Cai Beo fishing village.

Better option:Ā Stay in Viet Hai Village or near Cat Co 2 BeachĀ for a peaceful retreat.ā›“ Ferry &


Speedboat ServicesĀ ā€“ Work at Got PierĀ has made ferries a bit of a gamble.

Plan B:Ā Use the Tuan Chau ā€“ Gia Luan ferryĀ and drive from Gia Luan to Cat Ba Town.šŸ›£


National Park Trail UpgradesĀ ā€“ Ngu Lam Peak trail is off-limitsĀ for now. No worries!Ā Check out Ao Ech TrailĀ or Viet Hai Trekking RouteĀ instead.


šŸ’” Stay Updated:Ā Donā€™t get caught outā€”keep up with the latest on:


  • šŸ Cat Ba Travel Forum on TripAdvisorĀ (link)

  • šŸŒ Vietnam Backpacker Travel Facebook GroupĀ (link)

  • šŸ›¶ Cat Ba Island Updates on RedditĀ (link)

  • šŸ“¢ Ask your hotel or homestay for local news.


How to Travel Smart & Avoid the Chaos


šŸ”¹ Stay in Less Affected AreasĀ ā€“ If you want a good nightā€™s sleep, pick accommodation away from the dust and drills:


  • šŸ For a quiet escape:Ā Eco-lodges in Lan Ha BayĀ or hotels near Cat Co 2 Beach.

  • šŸŒæ For nature lovers:Ā Homestays in Viet Hai VillageĀ or within Cat Ba National Park.

  • šŸ›¶ For adventure seekers:Ā Floating bungalows in Lan Ha Bay, far from the noise.

šŸ”¹ Choose Alternative Transport RoutesĀ ā€“ Skip the bottlenecks:

  • šŸš¢ Dodge Got Pier delaysĀ by hopping on the Hai Phong ā†’ Ben Beo Port speedboat.

  • šŸš˜ Skip the roadworksĀ and take the Tuan Chau ā€“ Gia Luan ferryĀ instead.

šŸ”¹ Plan Around Construction HoursĀ ā€“ Building work runs from 9 AM ā€“ 5 PM, so aim for early


morning or evening activitiesĀ to enjoy the peace and quiet.


šŸ”¹ Find Hidden GemsĀ ā€“ Give the busiest spots a miss and explore:

  • šŸ– Tung Thu BeachĀ and Ba Trai Dao BeachĀ instead of Cat Co 1.

  • šŸ›¶ Lan Ha Bayā€™s quiet inletsĀ for a peaceful kayak session.

  • šŸ„¾ Viet Hai Village trailsĀ instead of the closed Ngu Lam Peak route.

šŸ”¹ Stay FlexibleĀ ā€“ Some detours are unavoidable, so have a backup plan (and a sense of humour!).


Top Things to Do (That Arenā€™t Affected by Construction!)


šŸŒŠ Explore Lan Ha BayĀ ā€“ Paddle through secluded coves and floating villages.

šŸ Relax at Cat Co BeachesĀ ā€“ Cat Co 2Ā is your best bet for fewer crowds.

ā›° Alternative HikesĀ ā€“ Try the Viet Hai TrekĀ or Ao Ech Trail.

šŸ¦‡ Visit Hospital CaveĀ ā€“ A fascinating underground war hospital thatā€™s fully open.

šŸ’ Spot the Rare Cat Ba LangursĀ ā€“ Join a guided tour to see one of the worldā€™s rarest primates.

šŸ¤æ Snorkelling & DivingĀ ā€“ Head to Ba Trai Dao BeachĀ for crystal-clear waters.


Best Places to Stay for a Stress-Free Trip


šŸØ Luxury & Quiet ResortsĀ ā€“ Perla Dawn SailsĀ (Lan Ha Bay) and Cat Ba Sunrise ResortĀ (Cat Co 2 Beach).

šŸ• Eco-Lodges & HomestaysĀ ā€“ Viet Hai Village HomestayĀ and Green Mountain BungalowĀ (Lan Ha Bay).

šŸ› Budget Hostels & GuesthousesĀ ā€“ Little Cat Ba HostelĀ and Blue Lagoon HomestayĀ (away from the hammering and drilling).


šŸ’” Tip: Book in advanceĀ ā€“ everyoneā€™s trying to escape the construction zones!


Getting to Cat Ba in 2025 (Without the Hassle)

āœˆļø From HanoiĀ ā€“ Bus + ferry combo (4ā€“5 hours) or direct speedboat from Hai Phong.

šŸš¢ From Ha Long BayĀ ā€“ Ferry or private boat tour.

šŸš— Self-Drive from Hai PhongĀ ā€“ Drive via the new expressway and take the Tuan Chau ā€“ Gia Luan ferry.


šŸ’” Tip: Check ferry schedulesĀ ā€“ theyā€™ve been a bit unpredictable lately.


Best Time to Visit (And Avoid the Worst of the Work!)


ā˜€ March ā€“ MayĀ (Spring) ā€“ Less road disruption, great for hikes and kayaking.

ā˜€ September ā€“ NovemberĀ (Autumn) ā€“ Fewer tourists, mild weather.

šŸŒ§ June ā€“ AugustĀ (Summer) ā€“ Hot but perfect for island hopping.

šŸŒ§ December ā€“ FebruaryĀ (Winter) ā€“ Quieter, but some trails may still be closed.


šŸ’” Tip:Ā Always check for real-time construction updatesĀ before finalising your itinerary.


Final Travel Tips


āœ… Pack LightĀ ā€“ You might be walking more than expected.

āœ… Stay UpdatedĀ ā€“ Construction schedules change, so keep checking.

āœ… Book EarlyĀ ā€“ Speedboats and quiet accommodations fill up fast.

āœ… Plan Alternative RoutesĀ ā€“ Some ferries and roads may have delays.

āœ… Keep an Open MindĀ ā€“ Yes, thereā€™s construction, but Cat Ba is still absolutely worth it!



Conclusion

Alright, so Cat Ba is currently a bit of a work-in-progressā€”but donā€™t let that put you off! With some smart planning, you can still have an incredible trip. There are plenty of quiet spots to escape the noise, breathtaking scenery that isnā€™t under construction, and loads of adventures waiting. Dodge the disruptions, embrace the adventure, and make the most of Cat Ba in 2025!


Ā 
Ā 
Ā 

ć‚³ćƒ”ćƒ³ćƒˆ


bottom of page