Cat Ba Island means "Women’s Island" (Cat meaning sandy and Ba meaning women). Legend has it that many centuries ago, three women of the Tran Dynasty were killed and their bodies floated all the way to Cat Ba Island. The residents of Cat Ba built a temple for each woman, and the Island soon became known as Cat Ba.
Spanning 260 km2 (100 sq mi) with a surface area of 285 km2 (110 sq mi), Cat Ba is the largest island in the Cat Ba Archipelago of Vietnam's Ha Long Bay, about 10 km South East of Halong bay. This island belongs to Haiphong city– one of the most developing cities in Vietnam. The large majority of the population can be found in Cat Ba Town which is located at the southern tip of the Island (15 km south of the national park) and is the commercial center on the Island.
The island has a wide variety of natural ecosystems including limestone karsts, tropical limestone forests, coral reefs, mangrove and sea grass beds, lagoons, beaches and caves. Cat Ba Island is one of populated islands in Ha Long Bay with nearly 13,000 inhabitants from six different communes. Cat Ba Island is the giant green carpet contains many mysterious and attractive things. The Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve 3rd Vietnam is now recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in the world.
Cat Ba Island has become the adventure-tourism capital of Vietnam. Visiting this charming island, visitor can kayak and take boat cruises through Ha Long Bay and the Cat Ba Archipelago, hike through the national park, mountain bike around the Island. Tourist could stay at Monkey Island Resort for real relax time on private beach, explore the Island's many caves, swim on Cat Co 1, 2, or 3… Many visitors often visit the island in summer to avoid heat, pollution of the city. With its stunning scenery, its association with Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Island has become a major travel destination for foreign and Vietnamese visitors, attracts tourists from around the world.
