In just 24 hours, I found myself fully immersed in the true rhythm of summer on Cat Ba Island in Hai Phong city - where the golden sunshine doesn’t tire me out, but instead unlocks dreamy, almost surreal scenes and visual feasts that make my heart skip a beat.
Immerse in nature
I started from the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, and it only took me about 2 hours by bus to reach Hai Phong. My adventure to Cat Ba island started with a 15-minute journey on the Sun World Cat Ba cable car - the tallest cable car tower, connecting Cat Hai Island to Cat Ba. The feeling of being suspended above the sea, taking in sweeping views of the ocean is really magical. The Cat Hai station felt like stepping into a vintage shipyard, while the Phu Long arrival station brought cool ocean vibes with its sea-creature-themed interiors. On the island, I chose an environmentally friendly electric bus, which helped me explore the center of Cat Ba in the most comfortable way.
Once I landed on Cat Ba, I chose a kayak to explore Lan Ha Bay. I paddled through cool, quiet sea caves, floated on crystal-clear water, and was wrapped in the sound of gentle splashes and the salty scent of the sea. After that, I retreated to Cat Co 2 beach - the most peaceful beach on the island. No crowds, no chaos, just soft sand curving around limestone cliffs and water so clear it felt unreal. I lay under a palm tree, listened to the waves... and accidentally fell asleep in that rare, delicious kind of summer silence.
That evening, I wandered into Cat Ba town, where the night scene came alive. Food stalls started firing up their grills, smoke curling from seafood skewers, people laughing and clinking glasses under warm yellow lights. I ordered many must-try dishes such as grilled geoduck with scallion oil, salt-roasted mantis shrimp, grilled horseshoe crab… Each bite tasted like the ocean and felt like home. The food at the night market holds tourists back with the fresh taste of the ocean and a very unique sense of familiarity.
The moment of "touching the galaxy"
During my 24 hours in Cat Ba, the moment that I will always remember is when I witnessed the strange phenomenon in Lan Ha Bay. That night - around 7 PM - I chose a kayak and paddled toward the quietest, most untouched corners of the bay. The water was unbelievably still, like a giant sheet of black silk. The bay's water surface was as calm as a giant black silk sheet, without a single loud noise - except for the gentle sound of oars stirring the water and the praise "wow, the night sea in Cat Ba is so beautiful" from each of us tourists.
And then, suddenly - as if someone had sprinkled magic over the sea - streaks of glowing blue light appeared beneath the waves, like a galaxy flowing right under our feet. With just a gentle stir of the water, thousands of tiny, twinkling dots erupted like magic - and in that moment, Cat Ba became the "million-view destination" on social media.
Locals call it “luminous ocean” - a mysterious glow created by bioluminescent plankton when disturbed. But to me, it wasn’t just a sight to behold - it felt like a sea-born miracle you simply have to witness at least once in your life. While this phenomenon has been spotted in places like the Maldives, Puerto Rico, and Japan, what makes Cat Ba’s glowing waters truly special is the untouched serenity of Lan Ha Bay and its quiet, hidden beaches - places where city lights haven’t yet dulled the magic of nature.
So if you ever find yourself in Cat Ba, don’t miss the chance to go bioluminescence hunting. Summer - especially from May to August - is the perfect season to witness this glowing wonder. But here’s the secret to catching it at its best: head out on a moonless or new moon night, when the sky is dark, the sea is calm, and the water is crystal clear. Trust me, if you’ve ever dreamed of touching the galaxy, this is the closest thing to stepping into the galaxy. And once you’ve seen it - it’s the kind of magic that stays with you forever.
Additionally, I heard from some friendly locals that this summer, Cat Ba is about to launch the Symphony of Green Island show - a one-of-a-kind jetski and light show featuring dazzling laser and special effects right on the bay - something you won’t find anywhere else in Northern Vietnam. Last year, I saw this same show in Phu Quoc and it was really amazing. And that’s not all, the VUI-Fest Night Market, designed as a “green market”, promises to create a fresh and to inspire a vibe for visitors who care about both fun and sustainability.
Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? I’ve already marked Cat Ba as a must-return destination - not just for its stunning beaches, but because it’s waking up with the true spirit of summer: vibrant, creative, and full of feels.