Unprecedented Crowds at Cat Ba Island

After the operator announced a 50% discount on the cable car tickets to Cat Ba Island, the number of visitors reached a record high. On June 2nd alone, more than 5,300 visitors were recorded, breaking the previous record.

Following the news that the cable car ticket to Cat Ba Island (Hai Phong) was reduced to only 50,000 VND per trip (a 50% discount), a large number of tourists from various provinces flocked to Cat Ba for early summer fun.

On Sunday, June 2nd, over 5,300 tourists took the cable car to Cat Ba, breaking the record set in July 2023 with over 4,900 visitors.

Some photos showing the crowded scene at the Cat Ba cable car station during the discount period appeared on social media, surprising many people.

Mai Huong, who lives in Kien An, Hai Phong, took the opportunity to experience the discounted cable car.

"The cable car line was crowded but not overly congested. Next time, my family will continue to use this means of transportation to Cat Ba," she said. The female tourist noted that the view from the cable car was beautiful, and there was no fear of traffic jams as with the ferry.
 

Cat Ba Island is about 60 km from the center of Hai Phong city, a famous tourist destination in the North and loved by many. To reach this archipelago, visitors must take a ferry or cable car. The number of tourists traveling by personal vehicle to Cat Ba is quite high, causing frequent congestion at the ferry terminals, especially during holidays, Tet, and weekends.

A representative from Cat Ba SunWorld Co., Ltd, the operator of the Cat Ba cable car, stated that the new pricing policy aims to create a positive effect, changing the travel habits of tourists to and from Cat Ba Island.

Since the implementation of the discounted ticket policy, the cable car line has become more attractive, welcoming over 1,000 visitors daily. On weekends, the number of visitors increases to 3,000-5,000. Specifically, on Friday, May 31st, there were 4,338 visitors, Saturday, June 1st, saw 3,551 visitors, and Sunday, June 2nd, saw 5,343 visitors, an increase of over 200% compared to the same period last year.

The cable car is a safe, convenient, and fast means of transportation, suitable for individual tourists or groups who enjoy the cable car experience, avoiding congestion and long waits in the hot weather. The discount on the cable car tickets has changed tourists' behavior, reducing the load on the Dong Bai - Cai Vieng ferry line.

Visitors can buy tickets online through the operator's system or directly at the counter. The waiting time for the cable car is about 5-10 minutes, longer on weekends. From Cat Hai station, it takes about 8-12 minutes to reach Phu Long station (Cat Ba).

The two stations have total areas of 9,120 m² and 4,894 m² respectively, featuring modern architecture, spacious lobbies, and equipped with safety systems, providing comfort for tourists waiting for the cable car. Visitors traveling by personal vehicle can park at the parking system next to the station. Upon arrival at Phu Long station, visitors can use taxis, shuttle buses, or rent self-drive vehicles to explore and have fun on Cat Ba Island.

In the first phase, Cat Ba SunWorld Co., Ltd. has put into operation the Cat Hai – Phu Long three-wire cable car line with a total length of 3,955 meters, a capacity of 4,500 passengers per hour, comprising 60 cabins with a capacity of 30 passengers per cabin, and a maximum speed of 8 meters per second, enabling rapid transportation of tourists. This modern three-wire cable car line was installed by Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group from Austria, a leading global manufacturer and installer of cable car systems and cabins.

From May 27 to August 31, the cable car to Cat Ba Island is offering a 50% discount, reducing the price to 50,000 VND per trip, with free tickets for children under 1 meter tall.