Just a few hour bus ride from Hanoi lies the magical island of Cat Ba. Here, you will find humongous untouched jungles and the beautiful beach destination of Halong Bay.
In recent years, Cat Ba has become more of a developed area thanks to increased interest from tourists. This means there is lots of accommodation available, including the buzzing Woodstock hostel. The hostel is located right on the beach and is vegan friendly and dog friendly too. There are plenty of activities and everybody is extremely social and up for a good time. It’s not ideal if you want an undisturbed sleep but if you are looking for a quick getaway with good vibes and delicious food at less than $4 a night, Woodstock is the place.
The jungle is just 15 minutes by bike from most hostels and is a 1km hike to the peak point. The climb is tough but the view is one of the most breathtaking you will ever see. Close by the jungle are multiple caves which are definitely worth exploring.
If you just have a couple of days to explore Cat Ba, do the jungle hike on day one and go to Halong Bay on day two. For $20, you can go on a boat tour (lunch included) and explore the bays, snorkel and even go kayaking. The best part is that you will be ready to get the bus back to the city by 4 pm.
