The park at a glance
Cat Ba National Park protects forest and marine areas on Cat Ba Island, part of the Hai Phong archipelago. The island, the national park and the whole archipelago are three different things, so a ticket for one is not a ticket for the others. This is an independent guide, not the park's own website.
The park sits inside a wider protected landscape. UNESCO lists the World Heritage site as Ha Long Bay-Cat Ba Archipelago, and Cat Ba joined it through the 2023 boundary extension. The biosphere reserve is older and was recognized in 2004. For the other side of that listing, see our sister guide to Ha Long Bay.
Entrance fees by trail (2026)
Hai Phong's fee decision of 10 December 2025 has applied since 1 January 2026. It lists the general park entry and several trails as separate lines.
| Ticket line | Adults | Children from 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Cat Ba National Park, general entry | VND 160,000 | VND 80,000 |
| Center, Kim Giao, Ngu Lam, Trung Trang | VND 120,000 | VND 60,000 |
| Dong Ninh Tiep, Tien Duc | VND 80,000 | VND 40,000 |
| Phu Long, mangrove forest, Thien Long | VND 80,000 | VND 40,000 |
Do not add the lines together. Each is a separate tariff position, and the ticket desk tells you which one covers your route. Children under 6 enter free. A discount for Vietnamese citizens aged 60 or over exists, but there is no blanket senior or student discount for foreign visitors. Some websites quote a flat VND 80,000 for adults. That does not match the route-based tariff above, so confirm the price at the gate.
Our picks: Cat Ba National Park
A half-day hike, a full day with cycling and kayaking, or a bay day with a bike ride in Viet Hai.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Cat Ba National Park hike with cycling and kayaking
A day of 8.5 hours with a hiking guide, park entry, bike or e-van in Viet Hai, boat to Cai Beo, kayaks and water. Lunch is not included; you can bring your own food.
Check availability →
Lan Ha Bay day tour with cycling, kayaking and lunch
Nine hours with hotel pickup on Cat Ba, entry fees, a bike or electric vehicle, kayak, swimming, lunch and water. A Hanoi bus is booked separately for $12 per person.
Check availability →Cat Ba National Park half-day guided hike
Four hours with an air-conditioned transfer, a local guide and water. National park and Trung Trang cave tickets are included.
Check availability →Cat Ba hiking and Lan Ha Bay tours
Guided national park hikes and boat days on Lan Ha Bay, with live prices and availability.
Ngu Lam Peak and the main trail
The best-known walk is the route from the park center via Kim Giao to Ngu Lam and on to Trung Trang. A local guide estimates about 1 hour for the climb to Ngu Lam. Fitness, heat and wet rock change that a lot, so treat it as a rough figure and start early.
Ask at the ticket desk about the current trail length and whether you need a guide for your route before you set off, and carry water.
- Wear closed shoes with grip. Forest paths get slippery after rain.
- Bring water, a hat and insect repellent.
- Stay on the marked trails and take your rubbish with you.
The long walk to Viet Hai and the bay
For autumn and winter 2026, regional press describes a route from the park center via Ao Ech to Viet Hai village, then by boat into Lan Ha Bay. One visitor account in that report puts the walk at more than 5 hours on foot. Viet Hai is presented as a base for community tourism that links walking, cycling and boat trips.
Ask a local operator or your accommodation about the transfer, meals and the last boat back before you commit. The bay side of the trip is covered in our Lan Ha Bay guide.
The Cat Ba langur
The park describes the Cat Ba langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus) as endemic to the Cat Ba archipelago and critically endangered. Seeing one is a matter of luck. Nobody can promise a sighting on the Ngu Lam walk, and a chance encounter is not a safari.
The head of the langur conservation project advises watching animals you meet by chance calmly. A commercial local site adds common-sense visiting tips: do not feed animals, do not damage plants and keep noise down. Those are visitor suggestions, not a complete rulebook. Keep well back from any animal you meet.
Opening hours, getting there and the season
A local visitor site gives opening hours of about 07:00–17:00 daily, subject to season and weather. Check the last entry time at the gate, and plan to be on the trail well before the afternoon. The entrance is about 13 to 15 km (8 to 9 mi) from Cat Ba Town, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by motorbike or taxi. There is no fixed taxi fare, so agree the price first. Our getting there guide explains how to reach the island itself.
Climate normals for Hai Phong, 1991–2020, are the closest published guide. From May to September the rainfall is far higher, with August averaging 361 mm. October averages 88 mm and highs of about 85°F (29.5°C). December to February is cooler, with daily highs around 68 to 70°F (20 to 21°C). These are averages, not a forecast, and wet or hot days happen in every month.
Combine the park with other stops in our things to do guide, and see where to stay for the best base. If you also plan a cruise on the Ha Long side, our sister site compares Ha Long Bay cruises.
Cat Ba National Park: frequently asked questions
How much does Cat Ba National Park cost in 2026?
The general park entry is VND 160,000 for adults and VND 80,000 for children from 6. The Center, Kim Giao, Ngu Lam, Trung Trang trail is VND 120,000 and VND 60,000. Two other trails cost VND 80,000 and VND 40,000. Children under 6 are free.
How long does the Ngu Lam Peak hike take?
A local guide estimates about 1 hour for the climb. Fitness and weather change that, so allow extra time for the descent and for rests.
Will I see a Cat Ba langur?
Probably not. The species is critically endangered and lives only in the Cat Ba archipelago. If you spot one by chance, watch quietly from a distance and never feed it.
Do I need a guide?
Rules can change, so ask at the ticket desk about your route. A guide is worth considering if you want help with the trail and wildlife.
When is the park open?
A local visitor site gives about 07:00–17:00 daily, depending on season and weather. Check on the day, and arrive early.
Can I walk from the park to Lan Ha Bay?
Regional press describes a route via Ao Ech and Viet Hai village, then by boat. One visitor account puts the walk at more than 5 hours. Confirm the boat return with a local operator first.