Cat Ba lures tourists in autumn and winter with mysterious beauty
Tourism exploitation in the low season has always been a difficult problem for northern localities. Yet Hai Phong’s Cat Ba, with its captivating beauty, has become a bright spot.
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Pure and contemplative beauty
After a lively summer, the number of visitors to Cat Ba decreases from early September. This is also the common situation of northern tourism, which is seasonal in nature. However, encouragingly, the number of visitors to Cat Ba in autumn and winter has been increasing year by year since the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is not by chance that Cat Ba still attracts tourists during the low season. The highlight of Cat Ba’s tourism products is the group of eco-tourism products – the factor that creates a difference between Cat Ba and Ha Long as well as many other island destinations in Vietnam such as Bach Long Vi, Co To, Cu Lao Cham, Phu Quy, Con Dao, and Phu Quoc.
Therefore, in addition to exploiting summer tourism, Cat Hai special zone also focuses on developing autumn-winter tourism to improve seasonality in Cat Ba, while introducing to friends at home and abroad the hidden beauty that only autumn and winter in Cat Ba can offer.
In summer, the hot weather drives tourists to the sea for vacations, leading to overcrowding, hotel shortages, soaring prices, and unstable service quality. By contrast, traveling in autumn and winter avoids these problems.
Not only enjoying many incentives in accommodation and service prices, visitors to Cat Ba at this time can also experience a peaceful, romantic beauty that is very different from the bustling, noisy summer season.
Unforgettable experiences
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Cat Ba gathers typical ecosystems of Vietnam, such as primeval forests, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, cave systems, and tidal lagoons. It is also home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. Among them are 60 plant species and 22 animal ones listed in the Vietnam Red Book, notably the Cat Ba langur – the most endangered primate in the world.
Cat Ba also has Lan Ha Bay, a member of the club of the world’s most beautiful bays, with more than 400 large and small islands and pristine beaches and mysterious caves. Resting on deserted beaches and islands, conquering mountain peaks and caves in the cool weather of autumn and winter is an ideal choice for travelers.
Cat Ba’s autumn-winter temperature is usually 1 – 2 degrees Celsius higher than inland, so it is not too cold. The clear blue sky is ideal for sightseeing or joining eco-tours without much effort.
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In autumn and winter, visitors also have more time to explore and reflect on historical and cultural sites such as Quan Y cave – a field hospital hidden deep in Khe Sau valley; Ech (Frog) pond with the croaking of thousands of wild frogs that make visitors feel close to nature.
Travelers should not miss Cai Beo archaeological site with the country’s oldest fishing village, or the peaceful Viet Hai ancient village isolated from modern hustle.
Visitors can also immerse themselves in the tranquil scenery while walking in Cat Ba National Park and explore its lush nature with countless species of flora and fauna, discovering Kim Giao forest – Ngu Lam peak, Lien Minh ancient village with forests of myrtle flowers, raspberries and deserted valleys, and enjoying the specialty dish of Cat Ba – Lien Minh chicken.
In addition, the natural, charming, and mysterious beauty of a region where forests, mountains, sea, and islands harmonize has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site (together with Ha Long Bay). With winding coastal roads, forest trails, and island connections, all green and refreshing, Cat Ba offers unique and fascinating check-in spots for every visitor in autumn and winter.
Especially, this year, Cat Ba welcomed the appearance of the Cat Ba central bay tourism and commercial service area project by Sungroup. With a total investment of more than 12.7 trillion VND, many key items have been completed, creating a large-scale and high-quality entertainment space in the heart of Cat Ba’s tourist site.
Highlights of the project such as a central square, a public international-standard artificial beach, pedestrian streets with Vui-fest night market and vibrant service chains on both sides…, completed and put into operation from the summer of 2025, are highly appreciated by visitors. This will be a destination that enhances experiences and keeps tourists staying longer in Cat Ba this autumn and winter.
NGUYEN CUONG