Cat Ba National Park

National Park in Ha Long Bay

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Christophe95

Cat Ba National Park, nestled on the northeastern coast of Vietnam, spans across Cat Ba Island, the largest within the 367-island Bat Ba Archipelago. The park extends over 102 square miles (263 sq km), including 35 square miles (90 sq km) of inshore waters.

This expansive park makes up the majority of the island’s area. The terrain is dominated by limestone-based rugged hills, with the highest peaks soaring to approximately 1,600 feet (600 m). These hills and valleys are densely forested, featuring a mix of primary, secondary, and mangrove forests.

The undulating landscape includes numerous narrow valleys flanked by steep, vegetation-covered hills. Although some hills reach up to 1,600 feet (500 m), the majority stand at about 660 feet (200 m).

Cat Ba National Park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 1,500 plant species, including 118 tree species. Notably, the park boasts 160 plant species known for their medicinal properties, underscoring the area’s ecological value.

The park’s wildlife is equally diverse, featuring 32 mammal species, 20 reptile and amphibian species, and 78 bird species. Common wildlife sightings include deer, squirrels, macaque monkeys, and civets. Trekking through the park not only offers a chance to immerse oneself in lush jungles but also to encounter rare wildlife, such as the white-headed langur, considered the rarest primate in the world.

Designated a World Heritage Site, Cat Ba National Park showcases some of the most dramatic limestone karst landscapes in the region, making it a quintessential part of the Ha Long Bay area.

The Cat Ba National Park appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Ha Long Bay!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!