A Complete Guide To Cannon Fort Cat Ba Island Vietnam
Cat Ba island is a beautiful gem in Northern Vietnam, with scenic beauty and historical value. Visiting the island, you should not miss a trip to Cannon fort – a historical area.
What to see and do in Cannon fort?
This article is a complete travel guide to Cannon fort Cat Ba Vietnam, including tips on how to get there, entrance fees, things to see, and what to pack.
About Cannon fort Cat Ba Island Vietnam
Cannon fort, also known as Point 177, is a historic area located on the top of a hill with a height of 177m.
This historical area includes the battlefield of large artillery guns and the system of military tunnels and ditches built in the 40s of the 20th century.
The cannon fort has become a historical witness contributing to the establishment of glorious success.
It accompanied the army, and Cat Ba people underwent two fierce wars against the French and the Americans.
Best places to stay in Cat Ba island
You can find several hotels along the coast in Cat Ba town. I’ve visited Cat Ba island several times and stayed at different places.
I love Cat Ba Oasis Bungalows. The food at the cafe is tasty, and the service is superb. The pool is a bonus.
If you’re looking for a place to stay near Cannon fort, Cannon fort Cat Ba is a great option. The hotel is clean and has an excellent location for cycling. The staff is accommodating, and the breakfast is delicious.
How to get to Cannon fort
Getting to Cat Ba island
Taking a bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba island is the easiest way. Frequent buses depart daily from Hanoi, and the journey takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.
You can book online bus tickets here.
Read more: How to get around Vietnam.
Getting to Cannon fort
You can walk, ride a motorbike, taxi, or carpool to the top of the hill. The road is quite nice and easy to walk/ ride with an eye-catching view.
After purchasing the ticket, you can follow the paved road to the left of the parking lot to get to the Battle Artillery.
Cannon fort Cat Ba entrance fee
The ticket fee for cannon fort is 40,000 VND per person.
Things to see in Cannon fort Cat Ba
The observatory
One of the must-see spots in Cannon fort is the Observatory. You’ll have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Cat Ba archipelago from many angles.
Located at the foot of the mountain are two of the most beautiful beaches of Cat Ba – Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2. Far away, floating on the water waves are Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay islands.
It was foggy and a bit rainy on the day I visited, so I didn’t have a chance to see the sunset at Cannon fort. However, the locals said it was amazing!
The counterscarp
Below is the photo of the counterscarp. It was built of stone, plastered with molasses and sand, and has a thickness of about 60cm.
The canons
Following the wall, you will see cannon numbers 1 and 2.
The No. 2 cannon is not far away from the 1st cannon but has lost many parts, and it’s not as intact as the No. 1 one.
U-tunnel
Another thing to see in Cannon fort is the U-tunnel.
This tunnel section in the mountains has spacious space, enough for the whole group of people to cross.
The tunnel leads to the management zone and the bunker built of solid concrete blocks. All of these shaggy features give a striking impression of significant historical evidence.
Artillery
Outside of the tunnel, you’ll find the bunkers for artillery shells. They are still intact through times.
Other places to visit in Cat Ba island
Cat Ba island has many interesting attractions that you should not miss. Besides a trip to Cannon fort, you can take a day hiking up to Ngu Lam peak in Cat Ba national park or exploring Trung Trang cave and Hospital cave.
