Cat Ba Island summer

Haiphong region, Vietnam

By Francisco Morais

July 17^th, 2019

Summer transforms Cát Bà into Vietnam’s adventure capital. The island fills with visitors escaping the heat of Hanoi and Haiphong, drawn by limestone cliffs, turquoise bays, and the promise of open water. Days begin with kayaks gliding through Lan Hạ Bay, weaving between karst towers, and end with swims at Cat Co’s sandy beaches, where the sea is warm and the air heavy with salt. The island’s rhythm in summer is faster, louder, more crowded — yet the scenery never loses its pull

Cát Bà’s appeal lies in its variety. Hikes through the National Park reveal dense forests and hidden viewpoints, while offshore, Monkey Island offers a mix of quiet coves and playful chaos. For the adventurous, rock climbing and deep-water soloing on the cliffs above the bay turn the landscape into both playground and challenge. At the same time, ferries, fishing boats, and cruise ships crowd the harbors, a reminder that this is not just wilderness but also one of Vietnam’s busiest summer destinations

The town itself becomes a stage for contrasts. Neon signs and seafood restaurants line the waterfront, while just behind them, narrow alleys lead to markets selling fruit, herbs, and the day’s catch. Families gather at night along the promenade, children chasing each other as vendors grill squid and clams. The atmosphere is festive, but beneath it runs the same current that has always defined the island: life shaped by the sea

Summer on Cát Bà is not about solitude — it is about immersion. The ferries are crowded, the beaches busy, the streets alive with visitors from across Vietnam and beyond. Yet in the middle of it all, there are still moments of stillness: a kayak drifting in a quiet cove, the view from a mountain ridge, the sound of waves against the limestone cliffs. These fragments remind you why the island endures as both a refuge and a spectacle, a place where nature and human energy collide in the heat of summer