Cát Bà Cannon Fort

Cát Bà Cannon Fort sits on a 177-metre hill directly above Cát Bà town, originally built by the French colonial administration and later occupied and expanded by the Japanese during their 1940–1945 occupation of Indochina. The fort includes several large coastal defence cannons still in their original mounts, concrete bunkers, ammunition stores, and a tunnel system dug into the hilltop limestone.

The fort has been closed to visitors long-term as of late 2025 - access is blocked at the entrance and entry is not permitted. Visitors looking for panoramic views over Lan Hà Bay and Cát Bà town should head to the Radio Tower viewpoint nearby, which has become the practical alternative since the closure.

The fort road begins near the main harbour in Cát Bà town and climbs steeply through vegetation to the hilltop. The entrance is currently blocked. For the Radio Tower viewpoint alternative, follow the same road uphill until you reach the barrier blocking the fort entrance, then look left for the paths leading up to the tower.

The fort is currently inaccessible. If it reopens in future: the complex has several concrete platforms with original coastal defence cannons, bunkers, ammunition stores, and a partially accessible tunnel system. The views from the fort perimeter cover Ha Long Bay to the north, Lan Hà Bay to the south, and Cát Bà town directly below. For now, the Radio Tower viewpoint 550 metres away offers similar elevated views over Lan Hà Bay without the closure issues.

Do not plan your Cat Ba itinerary around Cannon Fort - it has been closed long-term since late 2025 with no confirmed reopening date. The Radio Tower viewpoint nearby is the current best alternative for sunset views over Lan Hà Bay. See /locations/radio-tower-cat-ba.