In July, with accommodation support from Cat Ba homestay, The Responsible Travel Club of Vietnam (RTC) has organized a 3 days/2 nights trip to Cat Ba to uncover a new Cat Ba with its most authenticness. Cat Ba, in the recent years, has gained its reputation in the domestic market with typical attractions: beach, line-up restaurants & hotels, and yet, karaoke bars; which as a result has ruined the image of a bound-to-be ecotourism destination. In the matter of fact that marine environment in Cat Ba has been significantly polluting with the constant increase of tourist flows every year. This beautiful little island is facing the same old problem as its world-wide known neighbor, Ha Long Bay. For such reason, the RTC team has packed and headed to Cat Ba island, with the hope of bringing back what defines Cat Ba with its best authenticness.
10 people in the team hopped in the daily local bus as our choice of transport to Cat Ba, to avoid the added carbon emission to the environment. Cat Ba Homestay welcomed us with its image of a truely local home: tradional countryside architecture house (3 gian 2 trai design), bonsai, flowers, herb and vegetables planted all around the playground, “finger lickin’ good” tradional home-made meals with fresh fish and just-harvested vegetables. Located away from the hustle bustle town, Cat Ba homestay is a be-true & stay-true model homestay that meets the requirements of resposnble travellers for a real-taste of local.
Traditional house & Green all around & RTC team
Typical bedding in the countryside
Home-made meals with totally local & fresh ingredients
The tranquility of Cat Ba
Creative trash-bins everywhere at Cannon Fort and they did their job perfectly well
Bicycle – our all time favorite mean of transport for truely discovering trips
The team swimming time in the secluded beach
In 3 days, the RTC team has experienced a total different side of Cat Ba, a charming island with its great treasures. More importantly, seeing the contrast between the downtown Cat Ba tourism and the calm-as-its-sea Cat Ba uptown has urged the team to work harder in promoting and generating the positive impact of responsible travel to more and more customers. At least, RTC’s 10 tour operator members joining the unforgettable journey have understood well to make some change in their tour offers to adapt as many practices in responsible travel as possible.
Lan Chi