Most ideal points for scuba diving in Vietnam

Diving in Hon Mun Island - Nha Trang

Red lionfish

Hon Mun Island is famous to fans of scuba diving. It is possible to dive and contemplate the beauty of more than 300 species of coral reef and thousands of species of fish. Divers will be lured into the diverse marine creatures like a colorful picture. Most visited diving areas in Hon Mun are Fisher man bay, Small hill, Small wall, South rock, South reef, Moray beach, Pipe beach, Lobster beach, Mamahanh beach, Madona rock, Rom wall, Hard rock, Small rock, and Big wall.

Diving in Son Tra Peninsula

Son Tra Peninsula

It is no doubt Son Tra Peninsula is a favor bestowed by the nature. In Son Tra Peninsula, there is a diverse natural reserve of various, specious flora and fauna system. Only by diving deeper under the sea can divers see a totally different under sea world full of colors. Also, divers have a chance to listen to sounds of coral reef which are developing strongly and wildly. Here is not just the home to strange coral reef species, but also the shelter of many fish species. That is a wonderful experience on dipping in the turquoise water, looking at vivid and different-in-shape coral reef and many fish species.

Diving in Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc is an ideal destination for anyone who wishes to escape from the bustling and busy city life. Phu Quoc Island is also a wonderful place for natural exploration, sightseeing, fishing, swimming and diving. Beaches in Son Tra Peninsula have smooth sand fields, deep and clear sea water. This is a primitive area. Divers as tourists can take part in diving tours in Son Tra near the northwest of the island, or around a small southern archipelago. The best time for scuba diving in Vietnam is from May to July when sea is calm and clear with the outlook of 20-30m. During November - February annually, not many people join divingtours in Vietnam because of strong waves and billowy sea.

Diving in Cat Ba Island

Lan Ha Bay

Cat Ba Archipelago consists of 367 islands, including Cat Ba Island. This island is located in the south of Halong Bay, off the coast of Haiphong City and Quang Ninh province, about 30 km from Haiphong City, and about 25 km from Halong City. Cat Ba Island is recognized as the world biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Cat Ba Island is a beautiful and romantic island, located at an average latitude of 70 m above the sea level (in the range of 0-331 m). Under reef around the foot of island, there are red coral reefs, specious marine creatures such as abalone, pearl, spiny lobsters along with colorful fish, bringing second-to-non "garish beauty".

Diving in Halong Bay

Halong Bay

Not just appealing tourists by yellow smooth sandy beaches, turquoise waters, charming islands, Halong Bay is also famous for being one of the most outstanding aquariums in Vietnam. Just diving down 20 meters, divers can enjoy the entire breathtaking scenery of the huge aquarium. Multifold beauty of untouched coral reefs continuously stretches with all sorts of red coral, or antler coral... Tourists can also be an opportunity to get delight with all kinds of colorful fish. Tourists as divers can feel delight in playing with various species of fish. Sometimes, divers can meet fish weighing 7-8kg, or huge anchovy’s herds with an area of over 1 square kilometers crossing your eyesight. Those who are fans of adventures can diver deeper to explore undiscovered coral reeves.

Diving in Hoi An

Cu Lao Cham Island

Cu Lao Cham Island (Hoi An) is the lengthened part to the southeast of Bach Ma - Hai Van - Son Tra area, where geologists call it "Hai Van complex" formed about 230 million years ago. The history of earth crust’s volatility formed interesting a fault system, making this undersea complex become the habitat of many marine species. Therefore, Cu Lao Cham Island was zoned officially by international and Vietnam organizations, and the marine protected area was established. Tourists can travel to the island by speed boat, and approach one of three destinations for diving at Bai Bac Beach: Hon Dai, Hon Tai, or Hon Mo. In addition, tourists should choose some diving forms: shallow dive with propellers, deep snorkel and dive with the boiler to explore rich marine ecosystems in this region - where there are up to 135 species of coral, 202 species of fish, 84 different special seafood, including many pearl, shrimp and fish species in the Red Book of Vietnam.

A wonderful and interesting under sea world in Vietnam is looking forward to your exploration. Let’s AloTrip (a travel agent with its official site of AloTrip.com) solve your problems of transportation and other information about these destinations. Visitors can travel to these above places by road, water, or taking cheap Vietnam flights.

Source: AloTrip

Cat Ba Island should be your next family trip

Cat Ba Island is the largest island in Halong Bay. The rugged, craggy and jungle-clad island is one of the most family-friendly vacation spots in Vietnam. It is no doubt that the island is becoming more modern with hotels and services booming, but many attractions in Cat Ba Island are still untouched, including idyllic Lan Ha Bay. Beloved for white smooth sandy beaches and abundance of natural treasures and wildlife, Cat Ba Island is an ideal destinations for families in Vietnam holidays this summer.

How to get there

Cat Ba

If traveling by coach/long shuttle to Cat Ba, the simplest and shortest way is getting on a Hoang Long coach from Hanoi to Cat Ba. Besides, travelers can get the island by speed boat at Ben Binh tourist wharf, after getting off the bus at Lac Long Bridge.

If traveling by motorbikes, you drive to Hai Phong City, and then ask for direction to Dinh Vu - Ninh Tiep Ferry, and Cai Vieng Ferry. It takes from two or two and a half hours to reach the island. Car and motorbikes can can be loaded by these two ferries. There are six big ferries and six smaller-size one working with 37 turns/day and the capacity of nearly 2000 passengers. Dinh Vu Ferry is open from 6:30 to 17:00 with the frequency of 1 hour/turn, while that at Cai Vieng Ferry is 30 minutes/turn, open from 6:00 to 18:00. The distance from the ferry terminal to the town center is about 20km.

Those from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island can travel on Tuan Chau Ferry running to Gia Luan pier. Though traveling with Tuan Chau ferry can be somehow convenient, it wastes quite much waiting time if traveling during May and August, sometimes it is overloaded. If arriving late, you have to wait for one to two turns. There is another way to save time for those who want to visit Cat Ba after Halong Bay tours. It is boat transplantation. The Tuan Chau ferry is often closed at 15:00. Thus, there is no chance to reach Cat Ba Island after 15:00 every day from Halong Bay by boat.

Where to stay

Cat Ba Sunrise Resort

Some popular hotels in Ca Bat Island are Cat Ba Beach Resort, The Whisper of Nature Bangalow, Sunrise Resort, Cat Ba Palace Hotel, Hai Long Hotel Cat Ba, and Hung Long Harbour Hotel Cat Ba Island... There are two traveling seasons in Cat Ba Island: low season and high season. During low season, the hotel rate is about 150,000 - 300,000 VND (7-14 USD)/room. During high season, the rate fluctuates from 300,000 - 500,000 VND (14 - 23USD). To know more information of hotels in Cat Ba Island, you should call first. If you come here during low season, you do not have to book in advance, just come here and ask directly.

What to do

Beach in Cat Ba

Swimming

Almost tourists come to Cat Ba in summer to enjoy the cool and turquoise sea water. There are two most famous beaches near Cat Ba Town: Cat Co 1 Beach and Cat Co 2 Beach (about 1km from the town center). These beaches captivate tourists as their spacious and comfortable. Besides, Cat Co 3 Beach or Tung Thu Beach is a great choice for your family when enjoying Vietnam tours in Cat Ba Island. Yet, Tung Thu Beach does not have too much waves like other beaches, as the beach is surrounded by islets. To make your family vacation more interesting and unforgettable, you should hire a boat to explore Lan Ha Bay, enjoy beaches in the bay or Monkey Island, and free kayaking. Unlike beaches near Cat Ba Town, beaches in Lan Ha Bay are more beautiful and less crowded.

Sightseeing

Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay is located in the south of Halong Bay. Initially, you will see Lan Ha Bay looking like Halong Bay; yet, the bay still has its own unique features. There are some small islands with sand fields at the foot of limestone mountain blocks. Here, you can drop by to wander along the sand fields and enjoy the cool sea water of these pristine beaches, visit Cai Beo Floating Village - the village has been existing for thousands of years, or drop by Three Peaches Island and Monkey Island.

From Lan Ha Bay, tourists can travel to Viet Hai Fishing Village by boat; it takes about 45 minutes. It is possible to travel by motorbikes or bicycles through 6km of forest road to reach the village. Some tourists having good health condition can approach Viet Hai Fishing Village on foot. The village is surrounded by high mountains and old jungles of Cat Ba National Park. Notably, there are few domestic tourists coming the village, yet Viet Hai increasingly attracts foreign tourists. Local people in Viet Hai Village remain their "pristine" life, though there are convenient restaurants and stores for tourists.

Village in Cat Ba

Families can hire motor-taxi to Cannon Fort near Cat Co Beaches to contemplate the entire view of Cat Ba Island from high above. From the Cannon Fort, Cat Ba Island appears wonderfully and put all your senses in sight of the island's beauty. Cat Ba Island is grasped all in your view. At sunset, the beauty of this bay is more breathtaking.

Like its name, Monkey Island is the home to hundreds of lovely monkeys. Here is an ideal place for your kids to be lured into the interesting time of exploring more about the nature. Cat Dua Beach in Monkey Island is the most beautiful and cleanest beaches in Cat Ba Island. In front of the beach, there are majestic mountains, creating a striking scenery. The distance from Cat Ba Town to Monkey Island is about 2km as the crow flies. You can book a book at Monkey Island Resort and then experience the friendly-nature life in this island.

Biking

Cat Ba Town

Your family can hire double-bike or motorbikes to running along the coastal road and enjoy the fresh atmosphere. The bike rental rate for four people is 30,000 VND/hour (about 1.5USD/hour). Yet, there are no vehicles allowed entering the town on weekend; therefore, walking is the best choice. Some tourists adoring to wandering along the roads connecting three most popular beaches to feel the cool of sea wind and free your mind.

Exploring

Cat Ba National Park

The world's biosphere reserve - Cat Ba National Park with a diverse and untouched flora and fauna system is one of the most should-not-miss attractions in Cat Ba Island. You and your family members can have great experiences on forest trekking and riding bicycles int he forest. This is a great opportunity to meet wild rare animals and plants. Some specialties in Cat Ba National Park are premium honey and unique local tea...

Beautiful Cat Ba Island will be in my mind forever

Cat Ba Island is truly an ideal destination to explore the beauty of nature and enjoy seafood which still keep intact flavor of sea. You can also experience activities like sailing kayak, cycling round foothill and climbing mountain.

Cat Ba Island Overview

To escape from the summer heat of Hanoi, my friends and I decided to take a trip to Cat Ba Island in weekend days. After 3 hours in bus, we arrived in Tuan Chau of Ha Long Bay. The first thought when setting foot there was that nothing was better than the sea in summer. The gentle sea breeze bringing the salty flavor dispelled all the summer heat. We caught a ferry leaving Tuan Chau Island to our destination, Cat Ba Island. A ferry in afternoon gave us an opportunity to contemplate the beauty of Ha Long Bay in brilliant sunshine.

Arriving in Cat Ba, we chose Hung Long hotel because the hotel had a nice view of the sea. After some times for relaxing, we went on a boat to Lan Ha Bay. During time on the boat, a chef instructed us to make some simple desserts. It was so interesting that I was happy although I could not make any dish. Lan Ha was a breath-taking bay with blue water, spotless white sand, and superb mountain ranges surrounding. We excitedly sailed kayaks, a kind of narrow boat with a double bladed paddle, to visit some small islands nearby.

Lan Ha Bay

After having fun with sailing and swimming, we moved to Monkey Island Cat Ba. And it was the first time I had experienced contemplating the sunset on the sea. What a spectacular scene! The sun was like a ball of fire, which was swallowed slowly by the darkness. The light glimmered over the horizon, and then it limped off. We had dinner on the deck of the boat. Almost all dishes were seafood. The flavor of seafood there was different from that of restaurants in cities we had eaten before. It was saltier but fresher. There were many kinds of seafood as well, from shrimp, crab, and jellyfish, to many fishes species I did not know their names. Enjoying seafood and watching the sunset would be an unforgettable memory in my life. The night on Cat Ba was quite bustling but after 11 pm, the island returned to its original calm. The coastal city fell asleep deeply among whispering waves.

Monkey Island

In the next morning, the tour guide took us to visit Cat Ba National Park. The atmosphere there in the morning was extremely cool and fresh. We energetically climbed “Ngu Lam” peak. Getting to the peak, enjoying brisk wind blowing in my face and contemplating mountainous scenery were memorable experiences. On the way back to our hotel, we visited Cat Hai Island, also cycled round the foothill.

After three days travelling on Cat Ba Island and visiting Ha Long Bay, we bade farewell to the island. Finishing the trip, I definitely miss a land of strange-shaped mountains, clean blue sea and funny naughty monkeys. I will have a come back this beautiful island in future. For sure!

Source: http://www.alotrip.com