Cat Ba Archipelago dubbed as Garden of Eden
VOV.VN - World-leading travel news source Travel Off Path has described Cat Ba Archipelago in the northern port city of Hai Phong as a Garden of Eden which has yet to be touched by the masses.
According to the website, with a population of around 18,934 permanent residents, it is located within Lan Ha Bay, the lesser-known yet equally beautiful biosphere reserve neighbouring the world-famous Ha Long Bay.
It noted that upon visiting the destination, travelers will have the chance to admire monumental limestone karsts rising out of emerald waters, jungle-clad peaks home to diverse wildlife, and unspoiled beaches that barely see any littering.
Travel Off Path also revealed that numerous reviewers on TripAdvisor have praised Cat Ba for its laid-back atmosphere, peaceful environment, friendliness of locals, and overall sense of exclusivity.
“Located within short driving distance of Cat Ba Town, the main settlement, the string of Cat Co beaches, numbered 1 to 3, are becoming highly sought-after for their pristine white sands, turquoise seas, and breathtaking ocean views,” the source adds.
According to the website, the entirety of the island is also a protected natural preserve, forming the Cat Ba National Park, where delineated trails lead to stunning viewpoints, boasting vistas of the coast, as well as the karst-dotted bay in the distance.
“Natural wonders aside, Cat Ba is criminally underrated for its culture: a tight-knit island community, family ties here run deep, and visiting will feel more like being welcomed into someone's home, with genuine smiles and hearty food,” says Travel Off Path.
According to the travel news source, one of the island's many ‘floating' villages, Cai Beo, is one of the oldest settlements of its kind nationwide, where humble wooden dwellings are built directly over the water.
It therefore suggested that visitors should come to affordable, family-run eateries to enjoy Pho at a price of US$1 and other Vietnamese delicacies.
“To our surprise, despite its paradisaical appeal, it is just as cheap, if not cheaper, than other tropical hotspots in Southeast Asia,” it concludes.
Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago recognised as World Geological Heritage
The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has recognised Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago in the northern province of Quang Ninh and neighbouring Hai Phong City as a world geological heritage site.
