In recent years, tours in Cat Ba island have been popular with both domestic and foreign visitors. The tours give tourists a chance to help the locals plant trees and harvest fruits, or just ride a bicycle around the villages and Cat Ba National Park observing daily life on the island.
Reaching Cat Ba island has become easier thanks to a growing number of transportation options. The most popular is the speed boat, which requires little more than an hour to bring tourists from Hai Phong to Cat Ba, where they can relax on long sandy beaches, explore unspoiled islets of primeval natures and enjoy the clean air. Bui Trung Nghia, Chairman of Cat Hai district’s People’s Committee says local people have joined with investors to develop tourism. "Tours have developed rapidly and gained positive results in recent years. These include adventure tours, hiking, resort services, and boat excursions. We plan to develop ecological tours on the island’s scenic spots", said Nghia.
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| Cat Ba island |
Cat Ba National Park |
The lush gardens of Tran Chau, Gia Luan and Xuan Dam communes make Cat Ba island ripe for ecological tours. Deep in the Cat Ba biosphere reserve is the 7 hectare Suoi Goi resort with its 10 bungalows of traditional Vietnamese design. Pham Manh Khai, who lives in Xuan Dam commune says: "Suoi Goi resort is the first tourist product of Xuan Dam commune. It has helped to raise local people’s awareness of tourism and its great economic potential. The development of this resort has generated jobs for many locals".
Nguyen Manh Hung, one of the resort’s investors says that by keeping the forest ecosystem intact, planting more flowers and creating green spaces, he wanted to create a romantic space for visitors. "Most travel companies on Cat Ba Island focus on exploiting local marine resources, but we want to tap into the forests, ecological sites and local lifestyle. We want to bring tourists closer to nature and get them involved in environmental protection", said Hung.
Suoi Goi resort |
Many visitors to Cat Ba are interested in cycling up the mountains, planting trees and harvesting fruit. Doing a farmer’s work, they wear boots and gloves, carry ploughs and shovels up the hillside to plant trees. It’s tiring but exhilarating. "I’m French with Vietnamese ancestry. I was born and raised overseas, so I can’t speak my mother tongue. I’m in Vietnam on my honeymoon. I enjoy staying at this tourist site very much. It’s a romantic place. These work activities are meaningful to me because I’m doing something to protect the environment. I will bring my children here and tell them that I planted this tree years earlier", said Benedicte, a French tourist..
In the afternoon, tourists enjoy cycling along the path around the foot of the mountain, visiting the National Park or popping into a local family’s house to learn how they live and what their culture is like. Tourism on Cat Ba island is new but is starting to attract a lot of tourists.
Lan Anh
Suoi Goi resort |