CAT BA ISLAND

Cat Ba National Park is located on Cat Ba Island, 150 km east of Ha Noi. The park covers approximately 200 sq km, and includes both marine and forested areas.

One cannot leave Ha Long Bay or Do Son without going to Cat Ba Island. It is the home of over 600 kinds of plants including Bang, Goi Nep, Sang Le and Kim Giao trees. The fauna living on the island is also diversified; it is the home of rare wild white-headed langurs, deers and macaques, to name a few. Cat Ba’s marine reserve is comprised of sea turtles, lobsters, coral, oysters and dolphins.

From Hanoi, one can travel to Haiphong by train or bus, and from there take aboat to Cat Ba.

HA LONG

Ha Long Bay, located north of Vietnam’s East Sea (South China Sea), is 165 km east of Ha Noi, in Quang Ninh Province. The Bay, one of the most famous Vietnamese tourist attractions, has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Ha Long Bay covers an area of 1,500 sq.km. among the several beaches along its winding coastline is Bai Chay, located just north of Cat Ba island. The reserve of marine life in the bay is flourishing and offers great potential for snorkeling. The area is filled with thousands of islands of all shapes and sizes; most getting their names from their unusual shapes, such as Voi Island (elephant), Ga Choi Island (fighting cocks) and Mai Nha Island (roof).

A wide variety of birds and animals including bantams, antelopes, monkeys and iguanas live on the islands. Pearls and coral are also commonly exploited, unfortunately, often to the extreme.
Ha Long Bay is a wonderful destination, offering grand and charming beauty.

There are many ways to get to the area: by bus, train or by boat. Other famous sites such as Cat Ba island. Do Son and the Yen Tu mounatains are also in the vicinity.

TRA CO

Tra Co Beach can be reached by boat from Hai Phong or Hong Gai, by minibus from Hong Gai and by motorcycle from Mong Cai. It is one of the most charming beaches in Vietnam, located just next to the border with China.

Tra Co includes 15 km of white sand beach, situated on outer edge of the island. The coastline is bordered by sand dunes in which densely populated villages are located. The beach is shaded by sandalwood trees, protecting villages from wind and sand.

The average temperature in Tra Co is 23oC, although it tends to drop well below this between December and March. The hottest months are June and July when temperatures reach 26 and 28oC.

SAM SON BEACH

Sam Son Beach is a famous resort located 16 km east of Thanh Hoa, in Thanh Hoa Province. The 10 km-long beach’s impressive landscapes and the local’s hospitality make it a popular vacation destination. Much delicious seafood such as lobster, cuttlefish and trout are available in the area.

The Truong Le Mountains, shaped like an enormous snake winding its way to the sea, reach the water at Co Giai Island. Here lies Doc Cuoc Temple, supposedly built in remembrance of a giant who cut his body in two. One part went out to sea to kill monsters and other stayed on land to protect the villagers.

CUA LO BEACH

Cua Lo, located 20 km from Vinh in Nghe An Province, was built in 1994. It is 7 km long and joins Nghi Huong to Nghi Hai, it is one of the nicest beaches in North Vietnam with white sand and clear blue water. Not too far away are three islands: Hon Ngu, Hon Chu and Hon Mat.

Once in Cua Lo, tourists can visit the islands by boat, climb mountains, dive and visit historical and literary sites such as the temple in honor of Nguyen Xi in Nghi Hop Commune.