Cat Ba - a new yet familiar 'travel taste'

Siargao Island, Philippines - Photo: SG

According to a report by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a destination that wants to go global cannot rely solely on landscape or climate. The lasting appeal of a place is determined by three pillars: unique natural and cultural resources, convenient connecting infrastructure, and unique tourism products that can shape the experience.

In an era where international tourists are looking for more than just “beautiful photos”, a destination needs to be able to evoke emotions, so that each return visit is different.

Just like Jeju (South Korea) gradually escaped the shadow of being a "satellite" destination of Seoul thanks to knowing how to "tell" stories associated with nature, people and indigenous culture; like Okinawa (Japan) developed a separate tourism line connecting the sea, music and cuisine.

Or Siargao (Philippines) has become a global destination for wave enthusiasts thanks to its community-based surfing experiences. All of these islands do not choose the "show off" direction but follow the path of "personalizing the experience".

In Vietnam, an island is following that same path - quietly emerging from its "cocoon" to become a more widely known name in the world: Cat Ba.

Discover Cat Ba: Magical leverage from natural language

Cat Ba National Park - Photo: SG

Located in the core area of ​​Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba, recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage, Cat Ba has no shortage of beauty to conquer any lens.

More than 360 large and small islands, primeval forests stretching to the water's edge, pristine beaches and the extremely rare Cat Ba langur - all like a symphony of creation.

But in a world of mouse clicks and thousands of destinations with the same promise of “blue sea - white sand - golden sunshine”, nature alone is not enough. So how to tell about that beauty, in a way that makes global tourists listen - and want to step inside the story.

The change of Cat Ba started from the approach journey. If in the past, going to the island was a challenge that made many domestic and international tourists hesitate, the appearance of the three-wire cable car line across the sea holding the record of "The cable car line with the highest cable tower in the world" from the mainland to the island has helped "change the game".

Cat Ba is responding to the world's green tourism trend - Photo: SG

Not only does the travel time shorten to 15 minutes, it also offers one of the most beautiful aerial views of the bay in Vietnam. It’s not just about “infrastructure,” it’s about “the experience from the start.”

On the island, the electrified transport system within the Green Island Central Bay City, developed by Sun Group, is a systematic step towards green tourism.

According to Booking.com, 76% of international visitors prioritize destinations with sustainable elements. And Cat Ba is responding to this trend, not just with slogans but with actions: electric buses, electric buggies, plastic-free public spaces, and infrastructure planning associated with ecosystem conservation.

New chapters told in entertaining and artistic language

Cat Ba will have more large-scale entertainment and art experiences from this summer - Photo: SG

For a destination to “speak” to the world, it needs to have “universal” languages: music, lights, performances, cuisine.

In the summer of 2025, Cat Ba will launch "Symphony of the Green Island", a large-scale Jetski fireworks show on the sea of ​​Vietnam with a total investment of nearly 200 billion VND.

It is expected that 20 Jetski athletes will perform fireworks simultaneously to aim to set a Guinness World Record on the opening night in May.

But what makes this show different is the story line with strong Asian colors - the legend of the Cat Ba crane fairy through the flow of the five elements. A fairy tale told through sound, light, fire, water and the body movements of the world's extreme sports "superstars". No CGI, no post-production effects, all real - on a splendid stage of the ocean.

A "tourist lifestyle" is taking shape on Cat Ba Island - Photo: SG

Not stopping at a show, the new experiential ecosystem at the Green Island Central Bay City is shaping a "new tourism rhythm" for the island. The morning opens at the "brand new" Cat Ba beach, nearly 1km long, the only one on the island with a towering "coconut forest", a rare sight on northern beaches.

In the evening, visitors can "get drunk" at Sun Bavaria Cat Ba Gastro Pub with a glass of craft beer while watching fireworks on the sea and the VUI-Fest night market with music, street food and a true festival atmosphere.

Cat Ba is learning to do what many successful destinations have done: turn experiences into emotions. Turn trips into stories. Instead of welcoming groups of visitors who arrive and then leave in a hurry, Cat Ba is inviting them to stay longer to experience every beat of the day.

According to tuoitre.vn

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/cat-ba-gu-du-lich-moi-ma-quen-154756.html