The Pearl Island’s Coastal Transformation: A Year Later, Visitors Are Struggling to Recognize the Scenic Spot

As summer approaches, beach destinations are a top choice for travelers, especially in the northern region of the country. In particular, Ha Long Bay, Do Son in Hai Phong, and various other large and small islands in the area are popular choices.

Cat Ba Island, located in the Cat Ba archipelago, is also a leading tourist attraction. In 2024, the National Tourism Administration recorded over 3.6 million visitors to Cat Ba, with a total revenue of more than 3.3 trillion VND from accommodation and catering services. Cat Ba is often referred to as the “jewel of the northern sea” due to its diverse natural landscape, encompassing beaches, forests, mountains, and numerous offshore islands waiting to be explored.

While Cat Ba is well-known, some visitors have been surprised by recent changes to the island. Specifically, some tourists have shared images and videos on their personal pages, showcasing how parts of the island’s coastline are being transformed by new developments.

“The central beach area of Cat Ba Island looks different compared to last year when I visited. It seems like a bustling resort and entertainment area is emerging here,” said tourist Ngoc Han (42 years old, from Hanoi). In fact, the area being referred to is Xanh Island Cat Ba – a beach tourism and resort urban area project built to international standards by Sun Property (a member of Sun Group).

Developing Tourism Services While Preserving Natural Beauty

In August 2024, the Xanh Island project on Cat Ba Island officially commenced construction, marking a significant turning point in the sustainable tourism development strategy for the area. According to the corporation’s website, with a total investment of approximately 12,500 billion VND and a scale of nearly 50 hectares, Xanh Island is expected not only to transform the face of Cat Ba tourism but also to introduce the “Net Zero” ecological tourism model – the first environmentally friendly tourism model in Vietnam.

Xanh Island is precisely located in the center of Cat Ba town, overlooking Cai Gia Bay. The project is planned as a “luxury tourism urban area,” including: a park with a green experience street, a symbolic waterfall, a fountain, and a grass field; an art performance area; a night market; 5-star and 4-star hotels; resorts; serviced apartments; townhouses; commercial areas… along with numerous entertainment and recreational facilities for both tourists and local residents.

Notably, 60% of the total project area is allocated for green and community spaces. “This place is designed as a seaside resort village, where architecture and nature blend to create a ‘precious’ and ‘rare’ feng shui landscape,” quoted from the Sun Group Cat Ba website.

Additionally, surrounding the project are not only the turquoise blue sea but also lush green trees and natural grass fields interspersed with low-rise architectural structures. These elements create a balanced and harmonious whole, preserving the natural beauty that nature has bestowed upon Cat Ba Island, the northern jewel. This is also the trend that modern ecological tourism is aiming for – development without compromising the environment.

Currently, in addition to high-speed boats and ferries, tourists can also access Cat Ba Island via a cable car system, also invested by Sun Group. On the island, electric cars and electric buggies will be further expanded to serve tourists and reduce negative impacts on the ecosystem.

Although it is not yet completed, the project has already given Cat Ba Island a completely new look, promising to be a highlight that attracts more domestic and international tourists to the “jewel of the northern sea.”

What Does Cat Ba Have to Offer?

As mentioned earlier, Cat Ba boasts a variety of elements, including beaches, forests, mountains, ecosystems, and diverse and rich local cultures, just waiting to be discovered.

First and foremost is the Cat Ba National Park, the largest ecological conservation area in northern Vietnam, with its diverse primeval forest ecosystem. Visitors can go trekking through the forest, conquer the Ngulam Peak, or simply breathe in the fresh air, listen to the birds chirping, and observe the rare white-headed langur, the symbol of the island.

After exploring the forest, visitors can take a boat trip to Lan Ha Bay, known as the “forgotten paradise” next to the famous Ha Long Bay. Lan Ha Bay stands out with its hundreds of limestone islands amid emerald green waters, creating a poetic and rare landscape. Kayaking through caves like Sang Cave and Toi Cave, swimming at Van Boi and Van Ha beaches, and visiting ancient and floating villages will be unforgettable experiences.

In the evening, the central area of Cat Ba town takes on a different ambiance. The small seaside streets are bustling with restaurants and cafes serving delicious seafood such as conch, song fish, lobster, and horseshoe crab… While enjoying the cuisine, visitors can also relax to the gentle sound of waves, feeling the peace of the island.

Moreover, renting a motorbike and riding along the island’s cross-island road is a worthwhile experience, offering winding mountain roads, panoramic views of the bay from above, and stops at beautiful beaches like Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, and Cat Co 3. Each beach has its unique charm, featuring white sandy shores and clear blue waters.

With the harmonious combination of nature, sea, mountains, forests, and local cultures, Cat Ba is truly a worthwhile destination for all travelers to explore and experience.