As someone passionate about exploring every corner of the country, I’ve always reserved a special place in my heart for Cat Ba – where unspoiled beauty evokes a deep love for our maritime homeland.
To avoid the crowds during summer or holidays, I usually visit Cat Ba during the off-season, leaving the island for visitors from afar to enjoy its sea-and-sky splendor. In April, the weather is pleasantly warm, with southern breezes starting to blow, but the sea remains calm – ideal for travelers who fear seasickness. Instead of going through the often-congested Got ferry terminal (Hai Phong), I prefer traveling from Quang Ninh via Tuan Chau port, taking the Gia Luan ferry to Cat Ba.
A car (under 9 seats) ticket currently costs 300,000 VND/way. Though the ferry ride takes over an hour, it's smooth, scenic, and rarely delayed. Sailing across the bay feels like a cruise, offering magnificent views of towering cliffs, shimmering sea, and the interplay of sun and cloud in the fading spring sky. April sunshine glistens on the waves, gilding the water’s surface.
The ancient rocky cliffs, their striations like a history book of our frontier land, rise majestically from the sea. At their feet, waves carve niches into the stone, creating jagged silhouettes. Above, the mountains form fantastical shapes, especially when their reflections dance across the green-blue waters.
From Gia Luan to Cat Ba center, the road winds through the national park – once ravaged by typhoon Yagi, now partly reborn. I was moved to see green shoots sprouting anew, symbolizing the resilient spirit of our nation rising after hardship.
Climbing to the top of Ngu Lam in Cat Ba National Park, I took in the panorama of forest, mountain, and sea, and could only whisper: “Breathtaking.” Nature here is a grand symphony, where every leaf and breeze tells a story of this sacred land.
From that awe, verses welled up from within me:
“Amid the ancient woods, I hear the sea breeze,
Whispering like waves singing in the trees.
Spring in Cat Ba, sun flooding the skies,
Like my heart, full of longing for your eyes...”
Leaving the park and heading toward town, the paved road winds like a snake across the grass. Houses now stand close together, cafes and homestays bustling – a far cry from the desolate island it was decades ago. Fish were abundant, but rice and vegetables were scarce. Today, Cat Ba welcomes visitors from around the globe.
At night, I rented a boat for squid fishing. All you need is a light, a rod, and a lure. Under the green water, you can see squids chasing after the bait. If you’re not prone to seasickness, heading further out brings more squid and better catches. Freshly caught squid, boiled and dipped in wasabi – tender, sweet, and unforgettable.
Amid this scene, my love for the homeland deepens – love for the salty breeze, for the ocean’s bounty, for the quiet devotion of the fishermen who guard our waters.
Drifting at sea under the starlit sky, the squid-fishing lights shimmer like a floating city. Distant hums of engines, wind, waves, and the faint echo of songs create an unforgettable symphony.
Dinner on board, with freshly caught seafood, surpasses any restaurant meal. Boiled squid, steamed shrimp, fish soup with sour bứa peel, pineapple, and herbs – light, delicious, and satisfying. The fresh sea air is rich in oxygen, lifting the spirit and clearing the mind.
After a restful night in Cat Ba’s pure air, we boarded a boat to explore Lan Ha Bay. Mountain and sea scenes unfold like a movie – groups of foreign tourists dive into turquoise waters, explore sandy shores and mysterious caves.
We lunched right on the beach with shellfish collected along the shore. Some caves were hidden, requiring crawling in to find secret gardens. In places, visitors stacked stones as keepsakes.
Cat Ba is not just a scenic spot. To me, and to many Vietnamese, it is part of our flesh and blood – a source of pride and love for our beautiful, resilient country. I only hope that its environment will continue to be protected, so Cat Ba remains one of the most beautiful bays on Earth and a living symbol of Vietnam’s strength and grace.