Cat Ba Island, Cat Ba

I'm sure Cát Bà Island was once a beautiful place, and will be again, but for us it was one giant building site. I was expecting beach bars and bamboo huts, but instead it looked more like Blackpool/ Whitley bay. May give it another try in a few years when the beaches are finished.

The Largest island in Ha Long Bay. Cat Ba, while in Ha Long Bay, is a "separate identity" which includes about 360 islands in its archipelago! It is also the most populated island, with about 13,000 people in 6 communities and another 4,000 in various floating villages. About 1/2 of the island is delineated as a National Park. There are many hotels [large and small] and fine, sandy beaches. I stayed for 5 nights and was very pleased to have done so!! There are interesting restaurants, natural as well as man made attractions, motor scooters for rent-- and lots to see and do! It adds ever so much to one's visit to Ha Long Bay. It has also been awarded TripAdvisor's "Certificate of Excellence". I hope that this Review has been helpful.