Lan Ha Bay with Cat Ba Island

An Marine Treasure

The Lan Ha Bay is favored by nature with more than 100 small and secluded sandy beaches resembling “blue sea straits.” Many sandy stretches extend amidst rocky mountains, serene and without large waves, making them ideal beaches for travelers who enjoy swimming. In May 2020, the Association of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World awarded Lan Ha Bay a certificate, placing it among the top most beautiful bays. This is a must-visit route for those who come to Cat Ba Island.

Beautiful seasons

Lan Ha Bay experiences all four seasons in accordance with the weather patterns of the northern region. Typically, from May to August is summer, characterized by calm seas, clear blue skies, abundant sunshine, and gentle winds—perfect conditions for swimming and exploring the bay on cruises. This period also sees the highest influx of tourists. From around September to November, the bay becomes tranquil, suitable for those seeking a peaceful retreat in a serene environment. The weather is cool during this time, and swimming is still possible. The remaining months are ideal for travelers interested in experiencing activities within the forest and breathing in the fresh, crisp air. Free local tour guide Hanoi would like to inspire you to explore beautiful corner of the Heart of Vietnam. From Hanoi to Cat Ba Island you could consider about some transportations.

 

 

Transportation

The means of transportation for sightseeing in Lan Ha Bay are various types of boats. Travelers will arrive at Cat Ba Island and then purchase tickets for boats at Beo Pier, located in the center of the island, to explore Lan Ha Bay. The one-way ticket prices are 80,000 VND for adults and 40,000 VND for children.
For those traveling in groups, it’s possible to rent an entire boat. For a group of 10 to 20 people, the rental prices range from 1.6 million VND to 5 million VND per boat. Groups of 25 to 50 people will find rental prices from 2.2 million VND to 7 million VND per boat. The rental price depends on the type of boat and the duration of the tour.

Some Lan Ha Bay Tour Routes

1: Beo Pier – Fishing Village – Monkey Island
2: Beo Pier – Monkey Island – Turtle Islet – Viet Hai Harbor – Three Peaches Islet – Dark Cave – Bright Cave
3: Got Pier – Gia Luan – Tra Bau – Ang Cong – Dark Cave – Bright Cave
4: Cat Ba Tourism Center Pier – Cat Ong Island – Thien Ung Pagoda

Accomodation

Lan Ha Bay used to have numerous spontaneous accommodation areas on its islands. However, since the end of 2022, these places have all been dismantled to contribute to the preservation of the marine ecosystem. Let accompany with Hanoi One trip to receive our guide’s recommendations to fulfill your itinerary. 
Currently, tourists can choose hotels on Cat Ba Island with views of the bay. Premium accommodations include Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort and Hotel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery. These two establishments are 1 km apart, connected by a mountainous road along Cat Co Beach.

 

 

Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort consists of three buildings overlooking Lan Ha Bay, comprising 756 rooms located at Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2 Beaches. The resort features a skywalk, event and conference facilities, a four-season swimming pool, high-speed water slides, and thrilling activities such as parasailing, water sliding, jet skiing, and kayaking. Room prices start from 2 million VND per night.
Hotel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery is a boutique hotel with an Eastern style. All rooms have balconies with views of Lan Ha Bay. It is the most luxurious hotel in the Cat Ba area, offering amenities such as a terrace restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, a bar, a rooftop pool, a spa area, a fitness room, and a private beach. Room prices start from 3.5 million VND per night.

Cruise tours

Freedom Island Retreat on Freedom Island is a rare accommodation enclave amidst the bay. This is a place with beautiful surroundings, featuring a unique beach with two sides separated by a small stretch of sand. Travelers can walk from one side to the other to admire different landscapes. This destination primarily attracts foreign visitors and those who love pristine experiences.
Overnight cruises on Lan Ha Bay offer a diverse selection, including popular names like Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan, Mon Cheri, Scarlet Pearl, Stellar of the Seas, and Paradise Grand. These cruises are equipped with modern amenities, providing comprehensive services for travelers, including all meals. The typical itinerary is 2 days and 1 night or 3 days and 2 nights, with prices per night per person starting from 2.5 million VND.

Cat Ba National Park

Cat Ba National Park is located in Cat Hai district, and it stands as one of Vietnam’s largest special-use forests. Currently, Cat Ba National Park is preserving a diverse range of marine ecosystems, terrestrial forests, mangroves, and rare animal species. In 2004, Cat Ba National Park was recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve.

 

 

Tourists can choose to hike the mountains for 4-8 hours or opt for shorter trails lasting around 2 hours. Walking, cycling, motorcycling, or driving for 2-3 hours are also popular choices. Visitors can trek through Kim Giao forest, ascend to the Ngự Lâm peak for a panoramic view of the national park, observe nocturnal wildlife, explore caves, and follow trekking routes to the Viet Hai village.
Entrance tickets are priced at 40,000 VND for adults and 20,000 VND for children.

Viet Hai Village

Viet Hai Village is situated within Cat Ba National Park, in Cat Hai Island district, opening up to Lan Ha Bay. The village can be reached from both the forest and the bay directions. Due to its location within the forest, the winding road leading to the village used to see very few visitors. Viet Hai was almost entirely secluded from the outside world. Currently, Viet Hai is starting to receive tourism investments and has become an attractive destination for many tourists, both domestic and international. It is particularly ideal for cycling tours or trekking tours close to nature.

Monkey Island

Monkey Island is the second-largest island in the Cat Ba Archipelago, located in the middle of Lan Ha Bay. Formerly known as Cat Dua Island due to the abundance of wild pineapple trees, Monkey Island is currently home to more than 20 monkeys. These monkeys often come down to the beach, where tourists feed them, and they are generally friendly. However, at times, they may take items from visitors, or if not cautious, they can accidentally cause harm to tourists.

Luon Cave

Luon Cave is nestled among the enclosed islands in the bay, opening to the sea through a narrow entrance about 4 meters wide, 3 meters high, and 100 meters long. The emerald water inside the cave is surrounded by four mountainous walls, covering an area of nearly 1 square kilometer. Fossils of freshwater shells can still be found on the rock walls. Such caves are not abundant in Lan Ha Bay. It’s an ideal location for kayaking, offering tourists a tranquil natural experience as they paddle through the entrance of Luon Cave by boat.

Van Boi Beach

This Beach stretches along the protruding part of a mountain range, where many tourists come to explore activities such as kayaking and swimming. Van Boi Beach boasts a stunning natural landscape with smooth white sandy shores, clear blue sea, and a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere.

 

 

Cai Beo Ancient Fishing Village

Cai Beo Fishing Village is located within the Cat Ba Archipelago, in Cat Hai Island district. In 2009, Cai Beo was recognized as a national-level monument, ranking among the largest ancient fishing villages in Vietnam. Presently, it is home to over 500 households engaged in fishing and aquaculture in the bay. To reach Cai Beo Fishing Village, tourists depart from Cat Ba Island, traveling approximately 20 km to encounter the village clusters rising and falling on the water’s surface, closely arranged like a miniature city.

Bright Cave – Dark Cave

This area is on the water’s surface, stretching 70 meters through the mountain, approximately 12 km from Beo Pier. To visit the cave, tourists often have to paddle in small boats or kayaks. This Cave is an unmissable destination for sightseeing and relaxation on Lan Ha Bay. Especially for those stay overnight on cruise ships. It is also a popular stop for day trips exploring Lan Ha Bay.

Dining

Cuisine in the Lan Ha Bay region is predominantly seafood, with favorites including abalones, sea cucumbers, groupers, clams, shrimp, and various types of snails. Seafood can also purchase as souvenirs, approximately from 500,000 to 700,000 VND for a pair of abalones. It is around 200,000 to 250,000 VND per kilogram of sea cucumbers.
In the past, Lan Ha Bay had many aquaculture farms offering seafood for on-site consumption by tourists. However, currently, visitors will have to dine onshore, or organize their own BBQ meals on permitted beaches. They could be on such as Monkey Island or Freedom Island.

Note

When consuming seafood in the Lan Ha Bay area, it’s advisable for tourists to inquire about prices beforehand. Especially it is during the peak summer months from May to August. Only swim in authorized areas, and remember to wear a life jacket when swimming further out to ensure safety. If you are in Vietnam and interested in discovering more about Hanoi – the capital and its significance, we invite you to join us at Free Walking Tours Hanoi. We’ll take you across the building, and provide you with a unique perspective of the city. Book now and don’t miss out on this amazing experience.