(VOVworld)- This year, many tourists have come to Cat Ba to experience the adventure of sealing mountain cliffs, hiking in the national forest, kayaking and mountain biking. These trips provide tourists with new experiences and improve their health.
In recent years, Cat Ba has introduced a wide range of tours for both domestic and foreign tourists offering them mountain climbing, diving, kayaking, wind surfing, trekking and bicycling. Le Manh Kien, Director of Ghe Xanh, one of two travel companies that offer adventure tours in Cat Ba says: “Although this type of tourism has become common in Western countries, adventure tours are quite new in Vietnam. Our company chose Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay for diving tours and tours of caves and grottoes, which can only be reached by kayak and have underground exits”.
Mountain climbing is the favorite tour of the tourists. There are many beautiful mountain cliffs in Cat Ba including one on Tien Ong island in Lan Ha Bay.
Cat Ba Island is a venue for developing a wide range of tours through the year. Developing adventure tourism has helped travel companies increase their revenue and boost overall tourism development. Prior to the National Tourism Year featuring the Red River Delta, Hai Phong authorities invested in infrastructure- transportation, electricity, and accommodations and introduced new tours to exploit local tourism potential. Cat Ba was selected as a venue for adventure tours because of its mountain landscapes, which are good for mountain climbing. Local people have been encouraged to join the tourism business. Nguyen Quoc Toan in Lien Minh commune says: “I remember the first time I met foreign tourists. They laughed when I spoke because I pronounced the words incorrectly. I have tried to improve my English to talk to foreign tourists”.
Staying in local people’s houses in Lien Minh commune is another option for tourists, who like to visit Vietnam’s countryside, discover local people’s culture and lifestyle and taste local cuisines like goat, chickens, honeybees and vegetables. Pham Thi Nga in Lien Minh says: “My family entered the tourism business in 2003. At that time, there were only a few tourists and they only stayed for lunch. Now, my family hosts tourists over night, prepares dinner or parties for them and organizes camp fires”.
Strolling around fishing villages and tasting local seafood is another option for Cat Ba tourists. Cat Hai district is planning to develop tours of fishing villages, which offer tourists a chance to work as fishermen on Lan Ha Bay.
Cat Ba is famous not only for beautiful islets, and long sandy beaches but also for exploring, satisfying one’s curiosity and getting physical exercise. The experience of conquering mountain cliffs out in the sea, diving deep into the sea and riding around winding roads is incomparable.
Lan Anh