Trung Trang Cave: Easy Walk-Through Cave on Cat Ba Island
By Jimmy Nguyen, Founder & Director of Asia Travel Expert Co., Ltd.Trung Trang Cave (Động Trung Trang) is an easy walk-through limestone cave about 300 m long beside the cross-island road on Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong, near the headquarters of Cat Ba National Park and about 13–15 km from Cat Ba town. It is known for stalactites, lit chambers and a short, flat path. A visit takes 20–30 minutes; tickets are sold at the entrance.
Status (checked October 2026): open daily in daytime as normal. The national park’s central-route ticket, which includes Trung Trang Cave, is 120,000 VND per adult and 60,000 VND per child aged 6+ (2026); prices can change, so check at the gate; bring a torch in case parts of the lighting are off.
Why Trung Trang Cave is worth seeing:
- Easy access right by the main road through the national park.
- Short, simple walk through a cave with stalactites and stalagmites.
- Pairs perfectly with a hike in Cat Ba National Park.
- Cool escape on hot summer days.
Trung Trang Cave at a Glance
| Vietnamese name | Động Trung Trang (Hang Trung Trang) |
|---|---|
| Location | Trung Trang, Cat Ba National Park, Cat Hai Special Zone, Hai Phong city |
| Distance | About 13–15 km from Cat Ba town on the cross-island road |
| Length | About 300 m, walk-through with two openings |
| Recognition | Within Cat Ba National Park (1986) and the UNESCO Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago (2023) |
| Opening hours | Daytime, daily |
| Ticket | Sold on site; prices change, so check locally |
| Time needed | 20–30 minutes |
| Best time | Any time of year; midday in summer for the cool air |
| Nearby | National park trails, Viet Hai Village, Hospital Cave |
| Find it | Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Cat Ba National Park on Wikipedia |
Is Trung Trang Cave Worth Visiting?
Yes, as a short stop while exploring Cat Ba by road. It is not as grand as the big caves of Halong Bay, but it is easy, cheap and right on the way to the national park trails.
- Best for: families, cyclists and scooter riders crossing the island.
- Skip if: you have already seen Sung Sot or Thien Cung and want something bigger.
- Short on time: combine it with the national park in one half-day.
Background of Trung Trang Cave
Trung Trang lies in the heart of Cat Ba Island, where the headquarters of Cat Ba National Park are located. The park was established on 31 March 1986 to protect limestone forest, mangroves and inshore waters, and is home to the critically endangered Cat Ba langur. The cave was formed by water dissolving the limestone over a very long period and has been opened for visitors with a path and lighting.
What to See at Trung Trang Cave
1. Stalactites and Stalagmites
Lit formations hang from the ceiling and rise from the floor, some shaped like animals or figures.
2. The Walk-Through Passage
The path runs about 300 m from one opening to the other; some low sections require you to duck.
3. Cat Ba National Park
Across the area are the park headquarters and trailheads into the forest. Hire a park guide for longer hikes.
Tickets and Opening Hours
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Sold at the entrance; price set locally and subject to change |
| Hours | Daytime, daily |
| Guide | Not needed for the cave; recommended for national park hikes |
120,000 VND per adult, 60,000 VND per child aged 6+ (Cat Ba National Park central-route ticket, 2026); check at the ticket booth when you arrive.
How to Get to Trung Trang Cave
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cat Ba town | Scooter, taxi or bicycle along the cross-island road | About 20–30 minutes by road |
| Cai Vieng / Gia Luan piers | Road across the island | About 20–30 minutes |
| Hanoi | Road + ferry to Cat Ba, then road | About 3–3.5 hours |
See our Cat Ba Island guide for the journey to the island.
Best Time to Visit Trung Trang Cave
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Summer (May–August) | Hot outside, pleasantly cool inside |
| Autumn (September–November) | Good for combining with forest hikes |
| Winter (December–February) | Cool and misty; the cave is comfortable year-round |
| Time of day | Late morning or early afternoon, between hikes |
Local Expert Tips for Trung Trang Cave
These tips come from years of arranging Halong and Lan Ha tours for international travellers.
- Bring a small torch and wear shoes with grip.
- Watch your head in low sections.
- Combine with a national park hike and lunch in Cat Ba town.
- Ride carefully: the park road has steep bends. Read our Halong travel tips too.
Trung Trang Cave vs Sung Sot Cave
| Trung Trang Cave | Sung Sot Cave | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | On Cat Ba Island, by road | Halong Bay, by boat |
| Size | Small, about 300 m walk | Very large chambers |
| Crowds | Low to moderate | High |
Our view: Sung Sot is the showpiece; Trung Trang is a quick, easy add-on on Cat Ba.
Nearby Attractions
- Cat Ba Island – national park, beaches, Cannon Fort.
- Viet Hai Village – cycling valley.
- Lan Ha Bay – limestone islands and beaches.
- Ao Ech Area and Dark and Bright Cave – in the bay.
Halong Area for First-Time Visitors: Where Trung Trang Cave Fits
If you spend two nights on Cat Ba after Hanoi, use one day for Lan Ha Bay and one day on land: Trung Trang Cave, the national park and Viet Hai.
Plan your trip with our Halong Bay travel guide and Halong Bay and Cat Ba tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trung Trang Cave
1. Where is Trung Trang Cave?
Trung Trang Cave is on Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong, beside the cross-island road near Cat Ba National Park headquarters.
2. How far is Trung Trang Cave from Cat Ba town?
Trung Trang Cave is about 13–15 km from Cat Ba town, around 20–30 minutes by road.
3. How long is Trung Trang Cave?
Trung Trang Cave is about 300 m long and can be walked through in 20–30 minutes.
4. How much is the ticket for Trung Trang Cave?
Trung Trang Cave is covered by the Cat Ba National Park central-route ticket, 120,000 VND per adult and 60,000 VND per child aged 6+ (2026), sold at the entrance; prices can change, so check locally.
5. Is Trung Trang Cave worth visiting?
Trung Trang Cave is worth a short stop when crossing Cat Ba, though it is smaller than Halong Bay’s big caves.
6. What are the opening hours of Trung Trang Cave?
Trung Trang Cave is open in daytime every day.
7. Is Trung Trang Cave suitable for children?
Yes. Trung Trang Cave has a short path, though some low sections require care.
8. How do I get to Trung Trang Cave?
Reach Trung Trang Cave by scooter, taxi or bicycle along the main road from Cat Ba town.
9. Is Trung Trang Cave inside Cat Ba National Park?
Yes. Trung Trang Cave lies in the Trung Trang area of Cat Ba National Park, where the park headquarters are.
10. Do I need a guide for Trung Trang Cave?
No guide is needed for Trung Trang Cave, but one is useful for national park hikes.
11. What should I bring to Trung Trang Cave?
Bring a torch and shoes with grip to Trung Trang Cave.
12. Is Trung Trang Cave part of the UNESCO site?
Trung Trang Cave is on Cat Ba Island, within the UNESCO site Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago since 2023.
13. Can I combine Trung Trang Cave with Viet Hai Village?
Yes. Trung Trang Cave and Viet Hai Village fit into the same day on Cat Ba.
14. Is Trung Trang Cave crowded?
Trung Trang Cave is usually quiet except on summer weekends.
15. What is the best time to visit Trung Trang Cave?
Trung Trang Cave can be visited all year; it is especially pleasant in hot summer weather.
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