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Visiting Cannon Fort, Cat Ba Island: Everything You Need to Know

Visiting Cannon Fort, Cat Ba Island: Everything You Need to Know

Cannon Fort is a military work of great historical significance on Cat Ba island. Not only that, but this is also an ideal destination for tourists who love nature and want to admire the majestic and poetic beauty of Cat Ba from above. This is the most beautiful sightseeing place near the center of Cat Ba town.

Where is Cannon Fort?

Cannon Fort is located at 239 Cai Beo Street, Cat Ba town, about 3km from Cat Ba town center. To come here, visitors can catch a taxi or motorbike.

Cannon Fort, also known as Entrenched Fortification 177, this place has an altitude of 177m above sea level, including tunnels, military trenches, and 2 large anti-marine cannons leftover from 1940.

Thanks to its prime location on 3 sides facing the sea, it is a favorable condition for Vietnamese troops to defeat the enemy. It’s also from here visitors can see a part of the East Sea. Coming here, visitors can not only admire the seascape with majestic mountains but also witness the historical memorabilia of the Vietnamese heroic war.

The famous relics on Cannon Fort

Cannon Fort is also a place to store many historical vestiges from the 40s of the 20th century such as an observatory, a bunker, a traditional room, a love room, etc.

  • Anti-sea cannons: These are two large anti-sea cannons with a weight of up to tens of tons each - a highlight that attracts a lot of attention from visitors.
  • Observatory: Located on the highest point of the Fort, this is an ideal place for visitors to admire the majestic natural beauty of Cat Ba from above.
  • Bunker: During the war, the bunker was the place where revolutionary soldiers lived and sheltered. Currently, it is like a miniature history museum - a place to store all military weapons of important historical significance.
  • Traditional room: A place to keep memorabilia from the difficult struggles of the people on the island such as weapons, models, guns, photos, etc.
  • Love room: Named for being the place where soldiers and their loved ones met after many days apart - also a place to encourage a great fighting spirit.
  • U-shaped tunnel: An atomic bomb-proof bunker with a high-dome structure, accommodating up to 500 people. Lưu ý: Nơi này rất tối, bạn nên mang theo đèn pin khi tham quan.

Activities on Cannon Fort

  • Visiting historical relics: Explore solid trenches, ammunition storage, and military airport remains that reflect the heroic history of the nation.
  • Admiring the panoramic view: Enjoy the breathtaking view of Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2 beaches, small islands resembling green pyramids, and the floating houses on the bay.
  • Sunset watching: Admiring the sunset over the bay in a quiet, romantic atmosphere at the Fort is one of the most memorable experiences for visitors.
  • Coffee and view: On the fortress area, there is Fort Coffee where you can sip a cup of coffee while utilizing long-range binoculars to enjoy the landscape.

Important travel tips

Cannon Fort has been closed to visitors since 2019, but you can still visit when coordinating with the guard station on the way to the Fort. Visitors should prepare their own drinks and snacks as there are no active services in this area.