Cát Bà Island is home to towering limestone mountains, primeval forests and shimmering blue beaches. Photo everland.vn

Thanh Hà

Summer means it's time for the sea, sun and sand. Cát Bà Island should be a top choice for holidaymakers due to its convenient location, stunning natural beauty and two Guinness world record shows.

After about two hours by car from Hà Nội to Hải Phòng and another 45 minutes on a speedboat, we reached the island — the largest of the Cát Bà archipelago — which welcomed us with clear blue seas, white sand beaches and a lush, green environment.

While the kids couldn't wait to jump into the cool water, the adults lazily lounged on beach chairs, drinking coconut juice and enjoying the atmosphere.

Recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Cát Bà is home to rare species, including over 80 golden-headed langurs. Curious to see one of the world's most critically endangered primates, we booked a short tour to trek in Cát Bà National Park, which is also well known as a pristine natural sanctuary with its rugged limestone landscapes, dense tropical forests and rich biodiversity.

The UNESCO biosphere reserve on Cat Ba Island is known for its diverse wildlife, lush tropical forests and beautiful hiking trails. Photo vinwonders.com

As one of the largest protected areas in northern Việt Nam, the park offers a unique blend of adventure and tranquillity.

Once in the jungle, we are surrounded by stunning landscapes. We come from this 'wow' to that 'wow' moment, mouths open in wonder as we see towering limestone cliffs, discover hidden caves and wade into the crystal-clear streams on the way.

Under shadow of ancient trees, we find vibrant wildlife. Our guide shows us a variety of medicinal plants among the nearly 1,600 forest species and tells us how people use them. She also points out birds, insects and animals that we pass by.

According to the guide, there are 58 threatened or endangered species in the forest, including civets, reticulated pythons and cobras, all listed in the Red Book. The golden-headed langurs only appear occasionally, but sometimes lucky visitors can catch those rare moments. She herself has been travelling in the area for a decade, but has only seen them several times, she said.

Half a day spent trekking feels great for white-collar workers with children, like us. Although it is a physical challenge, we gain a great sense of accomplishment as the fresh air and peaceful atmosphere rejuvenates our minds and bodies.

After heading back to the sea in the afternoon, we enjoy kayaking.

Kayakers explore the breathtaking landscape of Lan Ha Bay and Cát Bà Island. Photo paradisevietnam.com

Kayaking is another easy-to-learn sport, and anyone can do it after a dozen minutes of instruction from the tour guide. You can either paddle the boat slowly or quickly, depending on your talent.

It's yet another fun, active way to explore the other side of Hạ Long Bay, the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Visitors can paddle the serene waters and admire limestone cliffs, mangrove forests and secluded beaches through various routes and options like Lan Hạ Bay, Việt Hải and Cái Bèo fishing villages, Frog Lake and the coastline around Cát Bà Town.

The Cái Bèo fishing village impresses me the most with a rare sense of peace. Hundreds of floating houses on the sea create a unique landscape. Those who have plenty time can visit the fish farms and try squid or net fishing with local fishermen. Fresh seafood from the farms is an attractive reward for the journey.

Fireworks lit up the sky during the Symphony of the Green Island. Photo kkday.com

Then, it's show time. The main reason for our trip took place in the evening: the must-see Symphony of the Green Island, which set two Guinness world records.

The show is based on local folklore, a tale about fairies descending to earth. It features jet skis, flyboards, fireworks, lasers and land-based performances, as artists portray the elements and the four seasons, tying it all together.

The artistic show includes extreme water sports, light displays and fireworks at sea. It marks a new milestone for Cát Bà and the domestic entertainment tourism industry.

An athlete performs on a flyboard during the Guinness world record show.

The first performance is by an individual who completed the ‘Most backflips on a flyboard in one minute’. Flyboard freestyler and flydancer Tomasz Kubik successfully performed 43 backflips in just 60 seconds, surpassing the previous world record of 41. The number of flips was monitored using multi-angle video recording, an independent panel of witnesses and a rotation counter system employing angular velocity sensors.

For the group record of ‘Largest jet-ski formation launching fireworks’, 20 jet skis executed complex manoeuvres while maintaining speed, safety and precise firework ignition, synchronised with musical beats, laser lights and water effects.

A beautiful fireworks display, combined with light, water and music, makes the show unforgettable.

In the interval, the audience is served with a unique combination of water, music, and light choreography, a jet-ski performance and traditional art. The jet-ski racers move like real dancers, interacting directly with the water, and the electronic background music system adds atmosphere with the sounds of the Vietnamese zither and bamboo flute.

Meanwhile the sky is suddenly lit up with a brilliant fireworks display. Light, sound, water and fireworks blend into a lively concert, giving the audience overwhelming emotions and an unforgettable memory.

Jet-ski drivers during the show.

My group was very happy and excited with the complexity and sophistication of the show, especially in terms of its technology and vivid atmosphere. It was so impressive that we had to stand up to applaud almost the entire time.

My suggestions are to book tickets in advance to choose a good seat, arrive before 7pm to avoid being late, prepare a camera to capture the sparkling moments and remember that the show will only be performed until early September. VNS

Artists perform in the show, which is based on a local folk tale of fairies descending to earth.