The northern port of Haiphong may be an important industrial and commercial center but a mere 100 kilometer drive away there is another side to the local landscape.

There are some beautiful locations such as Cat Ba Island, Do Son Beach, Du Hang Pagoda and Voi Mountain which all make a trip to this part of Vietnam a rewarding excursion.

Built in 1672, Du Hang Pagoda has been renovated many times; the pagoda has a two-storey gate, a statue of the Goddess of Mercy in the courtyard, many statues of Bodhisattvas, guardians and wooden goddesses and ancient furniture.

The bells out the front are also very interesting and it is worth a visit to experience the tranquility at the old sanctuary.

Hang Kenh Communal House is a boat-shaped house which is renowned for a beautiful facade, carved frames and pillars of precious wood. It was also built in the 17th century and its central section is dedicated to worship King Ngo Quyen and his generals.

Meanwhile, Voi Mountain located 20 kilometers from the center of the city nearby Lach Tray River boasts numerous caves which are home to many stalactites.

Cat Ba Island is a mandatory site for tourists and is the largest island in the group. It is roughly 140 square kilometers and is known for its ideal climate, stunning beaches and biodiversity. Most notably, Cat Ba National Park was recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2003.

Tourist’s first impressions of Cat Ba are the endless green of the forests and the limestone walls of the islands. The bizarre rock formations are sculpted by millenniums of erosion by water. The island also has coral reefs, sandy beaches, freshwater wetland areas, mangrove forests and willow swamps.

The highlight of the island is Cat Ba National Park which is home to 300 species of fauna and flora. The white-headed langurs that live on Cat Ba are one of Vietnam’s most endangered primates.

The park, which takes up more than half of the island’s area, is endowed with a diverse ecosystem and many types of habitats. After discovering the wildlife, visitors can cool off on the beach and play in the waves. The most popular beach is Cat Co beach which draws a crowd on holidays and weekends with cruising boats available for hire.

There are many mysterious caves and monkey islands around waiting for exploration. For people who like to hike, Ngu Lam Mountain at a height of 225 meters has a watchtower which makes a stunning vantage point for a panoramic view of the island.

Trung Trang Cave near the peak is dedicated to the worship of a princess who first came to the island and discovered the site.

And a trip to Cat Ba Island can be separated or combined with a visit to Halong Bay as this is the largest island in the Cat Ba Archipelago that consists of 350 limestone outcrops adjacent to Halong. Tourists can take a hydrofoil departing from Hai Phong Seaport to reach Cat Ba.

Do Son is a stunning beach located in ideal topography which is easily accessible via local transportation. It is a small peninsula formed by the stretch of Rong Mountains to the sea. The harmonious mix of mountain ranges and hills with pine tree forests cover the beach area like a blanket. (Source: SGT)