Cat Ba island – Women’s Island

Vietnam owns many beautiful islands with great potentials for tourism, Cat Ba island is one of these. Cat Ba Island means “Women’s Island” (Cat meaning sandy and Ba meaning women), and it lies just right next to Ha Long Bay.

Cat ba island or Cat Ba bay comprise of 366 limestone islands spanning 260km2 of the Cat Ba Archipelago, the main town is the largest island in the bay and approximately half of its area is covered by a National Park.

In more recent history, Cat Ba Island was inhabited mostly by Viet-Chinese fisherman and was largely influenced by both the French and American wars. The Island was a strategic look-out point and bombing during the wars often forced local residents to hide among the Island’s many caves.

Cat Ba islands are also homes to the highly endangered Cat Ba langur, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists the Cat Ba langur as one of the most critically endangered primate species of the World, due to its small population size and restricted range. Only 65 langurs currently survive in the wild whilst an additional two live in the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre at Cuc Phuong National Park.

There has been a conservation project from Germany called: Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP) and Münster Zoo, since 1999 has helped with communication and works to sustain the lives of this endangered species, see more here: www.catbalangur.org

Cat Ba now seeks UNESCO World Heritage recognition, in 2013, the dossier was carefully prepared to showcase the Cat Ba archipelago’s biodiversity and natural beauty.

A trip can be arranged just to Cat Ba island or via Halong Bay, with cruise, kayak and trek in the national park, time frame for this would be ranging from 2-4 days to learn in depth about this beautiful island.

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Author: Footprint Team

Always full of travel spirit and laughter. Our expertises are shown not only through knowledge of the destination but also experience working in the tourism industry for over 15 years.