- Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba is an island of approximately 140 sq.km in
Ha Long Bay , NorthernVietnam . It is commonly used as an overnight hotel stop on inexpensive package tours toHa Long Bay run by travel agents fromHanoi .Cat Ba is the largest island in the Bay and approximately half of its area is covered by a National Park, which is home to the highly endangered
Cat Ba Langur . This golden-headedlangur is rarely seen, as fewer than 100 specimens are thought to survive in the wild, although it is the subject of a well-organised conservation programme. The Park covers both land and marine areas and has a highbiodiversity , although it is at risk from too rapid an increase in tourism. Other mammals in the Park includecivet cats andoriental giant squirrels . Many tour operators include an option of trekking in the National Park or canoeing on three-day tours; shorter tours generally only stay overnight in the small town of Cat Ba (population about 8,000) or on boats moored in Cai Beo bay, about 2km away from Cat Ba town. Cat Ba itself is attractively situated around a bay teeming with small boats, many of which belong to pearl or shrimp farmers, and can become very busy at weekends and during public holidays. The promenade has illuminations and a large fountain which only plays after dark; it is backed by a strip of cheap hotels and bars, but dominated by the woodedlimestone hills behind. The island is a national park of Vietnam and was recognized by UNESCO in December 2004 as a Biosphere reserve of the world.External links
* [http://www.catbalangur.org/Langur.htm The Cat Ba Langur.] Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project. Accessed
2008-07-15 .
* [http://www.seacology.org/projects/individualprojects/VIETNAM_catba2002.htm Seacology Cat Ba Langur Project]Seacology
* [http://www.ecofriendlyvietnam.com Good reputation tour operator and boat company]ee also
*
Cat Ba National Park
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