Cát Bà National Park is a World Heritage Site designated as a biosphere reserve in northern Vietnam. The park is part of Cát Bà Island in Hạ Long Bay and is administered by the city of Haiphong. C at Ba's beautiful national park is home to 32 species of mammal, including most of the world's 65 remaining golden-headed langurs, the world's most endangered primate. There are some good hiking trails here, including a two-hour return trip to Ngu Lam peak and a day-long hike to Viet Hai village. To reach the roadside park headquarters at Trung Trang, hop on bus from Cat Ba Town, or hire a xe om or a private car.
A guide is not mandatory but is definitely recommended. Many visitors opt to visit the park on an organised tour with Blue Swimmer Adventures.
The short but strenuous hike to the top of Ngu Lam peak brings views over the surrounding jungles. The challenging 9km hiking trail through the park (starting just north of the park entrance) to the village of Viet Hai is best done with a guide. Lunch and homestays are available in Viet Hai. From here you can walk, rent a bicycle or take an electric vehicle for 5km to the pier, where taxi boats shuttle back to Ben Beo Pier near Cat Ba Town until 4pm. An elusive shared public ferry (50,000d per person, one hour) should depart from Ben Beo at 11am and 4pm, and from Viet Hai at 6:15 am and 1pm but check these times.
Take proper hiking shoes, a raincoat and a generous supply of water for the Viet Hai hike. This is not an easy walk
Of the mammals present in the park, the more commonly seen include macaques, deer, civets and several species of squirrel, including the giant black squirrel. Seventy bird species have been spotted here, including hawks, hornbills and cuckoos. Please contact us on WhatsApp: + 84 912 555 208 to organise this trekking tour
