Cat Ba National Park hiking tour: Hospital Cave and Ngu Lam Peak

Climb to Ngu Lam Peak and walk through a hidden wartime hospital carved into the mountain.

A half-day guided hike through Cat Ba National Park on the island of Cat Ba, Vietnam, combining a climb to Ngu Lam Peak with a tour of Hospital Cave, a three-story medical facility built during the war. The tour takes 4.5 hours total, includes an air-conditioned vehicle pickup from your hotel, drinking water, and an English-speaking guide. Moderate fitness is required for the stone steps and forest trails.

The experience

Hospital Cave sits 300 meters deep inside the mountain, a three-story structure with 17 separate rooms built between 1963 and 1965 during the war. You walk through the natural cave where stalactites hang from the ceiling and water drips audibly from above, the cool air and confined space making the scale of the construction clear. The cave itself is the artifact: no reconstruction, no museum layer between you and what was built there.

The main climb takes you up hundreds of stone steps and forest trail to Ngu Lam Peak, a round trip of 2 hours. At the top, the view opens across the primeval forest on the surrounding islands. On the way down, you pass through the flora and fauna specimen gallery in Cat Ba National Park, where the forest itself becomes the guide: birds singing, insects calling, and the occasional movement of mink, squirrels, or monkeys in the canopy. The whole hike is 4.5 hours from start to finish.

Your guide speaks English and meets you at your hotel, where an air-conditioned vehicle picks you up and brings you back. Drinking water is included. The tour is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns, and you'll need at least moderate fitness for the sustained climbing and uneven terrain.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking guide.
• drinking water.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 80 years) · Youth (9 to 15 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cat Ba Freedom Tourism and Trade

Is this one for you?At 4.5 hours, this tour fits into a half-day schedule, leaving your morning or afternoon free for other activities on Cat Ba. The climb requires moderate fitness and is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

Traveler reviews

4.83★★★★★★★★★★

72 verified traveler reviews

5 ★64

4 ★6

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 15 years); Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Hospital Cave and why was it built there?

Hospital Cave is a three-story medical facility with 17 rooms built into the mountain between 1963 and 1965 during the war. It was constructed deep inside the mountain for protection, and you walk through the natural cave passages to see the rooms and understand the scale of the structure.

How long does it take to climb to Ngu Lam Peak and back down?

The round trip to Ngu Lam Peak takes 2 hours, with hundreds of stone steps and forest trail on the way up. The descent passes through the flora and fauna specimen gallery before returning to the starting point.

What animals might I see or hear in the forest?

You may hear or spot mink, squirrels, and monkeys in the canopy, along with birds singing and insects calling throughout the hike. The forest sounds are part of the experience as much as the views.

Does the tour include meals or snacks?

Drinking water is included, but food is not part of the tour. You should eat before the hike or bring snacks if you prefer.

How does pickup work?

Your guide meets you at your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and brings you back after the tour ends. The pickup is included in the booking.