Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve: Located in on the northeast coast of Vietnam, about 50km from Haiphong City and adjacent tot the Ha Long Bay World Heritage site, the Cat Ba archipelago is internationally important for its limestone karst hill and islands. It is one of the best examples in the world of a karst landscape invaded by the sea. The 366 limestone islands contain landforms, cave and cave deposits that provide evidence of long history of erosion and landscape evolution. Many of the small islands rise steeply or vertically from the shadow marine waters and are the distinguishing feature of he region. The bigger islands, including 285km2 Cat Ba Islands itself, are covered by evergreen tropical monsoon forest.
The archipelago is of global importance due to the high number of species found nowhere else. The golden-headed langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus) is one of the ten rarest primates in the world due to its restricted range and small population size (about 60, all on Cat Ba Island). There are also regionally important habitat types including fringing coral reefs, mangrove forest, sea grass beds, willow swamp forest and tropical limestone forest. More of the habitats are under severe threat, especially due to encroachment. With these special values Cat Ba was acknowledged as the World Biosphere Reserve in 2004.
There are 5 villages on the Cat Ba Island, and the Cat Hai District administrative offices. Cat Ba is a major coastal fishing zone, and has tremendous potential in agriculture and fisheries as well as other development opportunities such as nature-based tourism, near-shore artisanal fisheries and aquaculture.
Cat Ba has archaeological site dating to the Pleistocene era and relics such as ceramic pieces dating to the Bac Son culture about 6000 years ago.
Cat Ba National Parkis 15km northwest of Cat Ba Islands. The park area is 152km square. It is one of only two protected areas in Vietnam that include both a marine and a terrestrial component. A small forest trail behind the national park head quarters leads to Ngu Lam peak, which is topped by watch tower with a spectacular panorama of forest-covered tower karst. You can (and indeed must) hire a guide to lead a 6-10 hour trek through this limestone ladyrinth leads by Ao Ech (“Frog Lake”), in the middle of a small freshwater swamp forest, with primary forest on the surrounding karst towers, and then through to Viet Hai village. The path can become dangerous and slippery when it rains. Beside, a gentle 2.5km Cat Ba National Park Education trail, starting at the entrance to the NP Headquarters, will introduce you to some of the wnders of this special island: its animals, its plant life and diverse habitats. Another activity is to visit typical karst caves with amazing shapes and sparkling crystals such as Trung Trang, Quan Y and Thien Long.
Viet Hai VillageViet Hai village lies deep within the Biosphere Reserve in a remote corner of Cat Ba National Park. The small village is a mixture of old and new, Tourists can climb 268 meter Navy Peak (Dinh Hai Quan), from where, on a clear day, it is possible to look right across Ha Long Bay. The climb is rather steep. Other options are short treks on the village nature trail or over a hill to discover the hidden valleys of Ang Vong.
Hien Hao Villlage
Hien Hao village is on the road from the ferry landing to Cat Ba Town. The village is an ideal base for exploring the charms of rural Vietnam. Some of the villagers welcome overnight paying guests into their homes; they will also provide supper and breakfast on request. Visitors can wander along the coast, trek through fields and orchards, make longer treks into the many nearby valleys, and explore caves studded with sparkling crystals.
Lan Ha BaySoutheast of Cat Ba islands, tourists are attracted by a fjord like landscape: emerald waters surrounded by tower karst with tiny isolated beaches, ideal for kayaking. Tourists can rent kayaks through specialized travel agents in Hanoi and Cat Ba or on-site.
