Cat Ba Souvenirs: Unique Things To Bring Home After Your Cat Ba Trip

I. Cat Ba Island specialty foods

1. Cat Ba Honey from national park

Cat Ba Honey (Vietnamese name: Mật ong hoa rừng Cát Bà) is one of Cat Ba Island's most famous things to bring home. This honey is entirely pure, unpasteurized, and derived from the pollen of various flowers in the national park, gathered by the bees themselves. In addition to hiking and exploring the Cat Ba National Park, you can also observe the wild honey collection process and buy some as a Cat Ba souvenir.

It’s available for less than 200,000 VND per liter (about 7 USD). The Cat Ba Honey, with its golden hue and smooth texture, has numerous benefits for beauty and health, making it a great Cat Ba souvenir to take back home.

2. Coconut cookies

One of the must-buy Cat Ba souvenirs is the coconut cookie (bánh chả dừa in Vietnamese). Similar to the coconut cookies of Ben Tre or Chau Doc in southern Vietnam, the coconut cookies from Cat Ba are locally made from fresh coconuts sourced from the island.

These biscuits are baked and packaged, making them easy to pack and take home as a souvenir after your Cat Ba trip. With their distinctive coconut aroma, these biscuits are both sweet and slightly creamy. Biting into one, you'll enjoy its crunchy texture, perfect to pair with a cup of green tea.

This Cat Ba specialty is also very affordable. A packet of coconut biscuits costs between 20,000 and 25,000 VND (around 1 USD). It’s an ideal gift to savor the delightful coconut flavor unique to Cat Ba.

II. Cat Ba seafood products

1. Dried squid

When shopping in Cat Ba, seafood products are a must, especially dried squid (known as mực khô in Vietnamese). Cat Ba's dried squid is renowned for its freshness and safe preparation, making it an increasingly popular specialty among travelers who want to take it home after their stay.

The process of making dried squid starts with squid fishing at night on Cat Ba Island. Early the next morning, fishermen lay them out to dry in the sun to preserve their freshness. No preservatives are used, ensuring strict food safety standards.

Visitors who buy dried squid can enjoy it by grilling it, and then tearing it into small pieces to dip in chili sauce. This snack is also popular with wine or beer in Vietnam, thanks to the chewy, sweet texture of the squid, which pairs well with beer.

Dried squid from Cat Ba is sold by weight, with prices ranging between 500,000 and 700,000 VND per kilogram (around 28 USD).

Tip for buying dried squid in Cat Ba: choose those with a pinkish powdery layer on their surface and a firm, elastic texture, as these are likely the best-quality squid to buy after your trip to Cat Ba.

2. Cat Ba dried mackerel

Similar to dried squid, dried mackerel (called cá thu một nắng in Vietnamese) is one of the must-buy products in Cat Ba. Once fished from the sea around Cat Ba, the mackerel is skillfully processed by fishermen into a highly regarded local specialty.

The finest mackerels, fresh and flavorful, are carefully selected, rinsed in saltwater, and sun-dried for a day to eliminate strong odors. However, unlike other dried fish, they don’t become tough. No extra seasonings are added, preserving its natural taste for visitors to fully enjoy.

Moreover, dried mackerel is rich in nutrients and protein, boosting the immune system and health, making it a meaningful Cat Ba gift. However, since it contains no preservatives, it’s important to store it in the refrigerator after your trip, then cook it by frying or preparing a mackerel-tomato dish.

3. Cat Hai and Van Van fish sauce

If mackerel and squid aren’t ideal for a long-haul flight, you might consider bringing back Cat Hai or Hai Van fish sauce (Cát Hải or Hải Vân in Vietnamese) after your trip to Cat Ba. This brand, with over 100 years of history, is very popular among locals. The fish sauce is made through a meticulous process—from ingredient selection and preparation to fermentation, distillation, and packaging—to ensure a clean, pure, non-toxic product.

However, fish sauce from coastal regions and islands like Cat Ba is saltier and has a stronger aroma than regular fish sauce, so it’s recommended to dilute it more to suit your taste. Cat Ba fish sauce sells for around 200,000 VND per liter (approximately 7 USD).

III. Cat Ba typical souvenirs

1. Shell wind chimes

If you’re looking for Cat Ba souvenirs, shell wind chimes are a popular and fitting choice. What makes these chimes unique is their harmonious decoration with shells collected from Cat Ba Island, allowing you to feel the sea breeze of this beautiful island.

You can find these wind chimes in various shapes and colors of shells at souvenir shops on Cat Ba Island. Prices vary depending on the craftsmanship of the chimes but remain very affordable.

2. Bracelets, keychains, t-shirts

In addition to wind chimes, shells can also be transformed into charming souvenirs such as bracelets, necklaces, and keychains on Cat Ba Island. There are many souvenirs in Cat Ba to choose from, based on your preferences and budget.

T-shirts printed with photos or phrases about Cat Ba Island are also an ideal option for you or the person receiving this gift, helping to showcase the beauty of the island.

3. Decorative items

While shopping on Cat Ba Island, you will be impressed by items made from shells and mother-of-pearl, creating beautiful decorative pieces such as model sailboats, lamps, and other typical representations of Cat Ba. These are also meaningful Cat Ba souvenirs to consider.

We hope this article has answered your questions about Cat Ba souvenirs. From local treats and typical seafood products to souvenirs that capture the charm of Cat Ba Island, there are plenty of options to consider. If you have further questions, feel free to contact Autour Asia, your Vietnam travel company!