Cost problem
Booking a hotel room 1 month ago, Ms. Pham Thanh Tam (Xuan Phuong ward, Hanoi) and a group of friends traveled by personal vehicles to Cat Ba on the morning of August 21.
At that time, we were only allowed to leave our accommodation schedule when there was an official letter prohibiting the two-way transportation of tourists from the mainland to the island and vice versa. My friends and I decided to go to Cat Ba, but before the developments of storm No. 4, the People's Committee of Cat Hai Special Zone issued an official letter prohibiting tourist ships, boats, and fishing vessels from going to sea from 7 am this morning," Ms. Tam informed.
To limit costs incurred during the time they had to stay on the island, her group moved to a 3-star hotel with a lower price. According to Ms. Tam, accommodation establishments in Cat Ba all have support policies for tourists who cannot return to the mainland.
Although the resort where I booked initially supports tourists 50%, compared to the outside price, it is still quite high. We don't know when we can return, so we contacted to book a 3-star hotel outside. Prices from more than 600,000 VND/room, now it's 400,000 VND/room to support tourists staying on the island," Ms. Tam shared.
As for Mr. Duong Hong Quan - a tourist traveling by personal motorbike from Thai Nguyen to Cat Ba - said that he and his girlfriend planned to travel here from August 21-23. Because they had booked rooms in advance and the ferry was still operating on August 20, both decided to move to the island.
If the ferry cannot operate again, we will have to rent more hotel rooms for 1-2 days to ensure safety," Mr. Quan said.
Mr. Hoang Van Dao - a tour guide taking tourists to Cat Ba - said that due to the impact of storm No. 4, the plan to return to the mainland had to be changed.
According to the plan, my group of guests will return to the mainland on August 22. However, due to the impact of storm No. 4, I proactively booked more rooms outside at preferential prices so that the group would have a place to rest while waiting for the ferry to resume operation.
On the first day to the island, the weather was sunny, so the group of guests could still visit some locations. Starting from yesterday, the weather turned to rainy and windy, the group of guests mainly stayed at the resort. Today, when the ferry stopped transporting, I rented a hotel outside for about 500,000 VND/room, waiting for the latest announcement," Mr. Dao shared.
Accommodation establishment provides 100% free room rate
Sharing with Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Ngo Van Danh - owner of homestay and experience tour - said that all tourists who have booked rooms and are staying at the establishment are 100% free of room fees.
Other expenses such as food and living on the island will be paid by tourists. Our homestay will provide free accommodation until information is available that the ferry will resume operation. If tourists have needs, they can have meals with their families without additional expenses," Mr. Danh said.
According to reporters' records, as of 5 pm on August 22, in Cat Ba, prolonged heavy rain appeared with strong winds. Faced with bad weather diễn biến, most tourists limited going out, proactively staying in accommodation facilities to ensure safety.
Implementing Official Dispatch No. 1850/UBND-NNMT dated August 21, 2026 of the City People's Committee on responding to tropical depressions that may strengthen into storms and heavy rain; The City Civil Defense Command announces the prohibition of some activities in the river mouth and sea area:
Prohibit tourist ships, ships, and boats exploiting aquatic products from going to sea; tourism and entertainment activities in sea and island areas; exploitation, farming, and fishing activities and other activities in river mouths, coastal areas, offshore from 07:00, August 22, 2026.
The removal of the ban on tourist ships, ships, and boats exploiting seafood going to sea; tourism and entertainment activities in sea and island areas, exploitation, farming, and fishing activities and other activities in river mouths, coastal areas, offshore areas returning to normal immediately after receiving the final news about storm No. 4 (provided by the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting at website address: https://www. nchmf. gov. vn/kttv/) or when there is another direction from the City Civil Defense Command.
