Discover Lan Ha Bay and Enjoy a Dream Vacation

Cat Ba is a familiar destination for travel enthusiasts in Northern Vietnam. It is known as the "pearl of the Gulf of Tonkin," with hundreds of large and small islands, bays, and a diverse mountainous ecosystem creating a stunning and majestic natural landscape.

Among its attractions, Lan Ha Bay is considered a majestic destination with an unparalleled poetic beauty. With its lush natural scenery and pristine environment, you will have the chance to explore this beautiful "hidden gem" and enjoy a dream vacation in a peaceful setting. The bay is a complex of over 400 islands and many fine sandy beaches. It also boasts a diverse ecosystem and pristine landscapes, making it a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

1. Where is Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba?

Lan Ha Bay is located to the east of Cat Ba Island and south of Ha Long Bay, covering an area of up to 7,000 square meters. With its pristine beauty and numerous undeveloped beaches, Lan Ha Bay has become an ideal stop for those who enjoy wild and tranquil settings. Visitors to Lan Ha can not only admire its stunning landscapes but also engage in various sea activities and explore the local fishing villages.

2. When is the best time to visit Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba?

Lan Ha Bay, located in the Cat Ba archipelago in Hai Phong, experiences the distinct four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter typical of Northern Vietnam. Each season offers its own unique beauty, sometimes vibrant, other times serene and picturesque. Depending on your preferences and schedule, you can visit Lan Ha Bay at any time of the year.

However, the most popular time for tourists is from April to June. During this period, the weather is clear, sunny, and the sea is calm, making it ideal for boating, swimming, and exploring the bay.

From September onwards, the weather starts to transition into autumn and winter. This is not a peak tourist season, so Lan Ha Bay becomes quite peaceful and quiet. It is a great time for those looking for a relaxing getaway in a tranquil setting. This period is also suitable for sea activities such as kayaking, surfing, and hiking.

3. Transportation to Lan Ha Bay

Traveling to Hai Phong

By Plane

To visit Lan Ha Bay, you can travel by various means such as buses, planes, or trains. If coming from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, or southern provinces, you can fly to Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong.

By Bus

There are many bus trips from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay, running every 15-20 minutes. You can easily catch a bus at Nuoc Ngam Bus Station or Gia Lam Bus Station. Choose a bus that goes to Ben Binh for convenient transfer to a ferry to Cat Ba.

By Train

If you have more time and want to enjoy the scenery on the way, you can take a train to Lan Ha Bay. There are 4 trains daily to Hai Phong, with a travel time of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.

Traveling to Cat Ba

From Hai Phong city center, take a cable car to Cat Ba Island with ticket prices of 200,000 VND (approximately $8.00 USD) for adults and 150,000 VND (approximately $6.00 USD) for children.

Then, buy a ferry ticket at Beo Wharf in central Cat Ba to Lan Ha Bay, with prices starting from 80,000 VND (approximately $3.20 USD) for adults and 40,000 VND (approximately $1.60 USD) for children.

Ferry to the Bay

You can buy ferry tickets directly to the bay at Ben Binh. Prepare well to avoid seasickness. The fare to Lan Ha Bay is around 30,000 VND (approximately $1.20 USD) per person.

Speedboats and Cars to the Bay

Take a boat along the river to the final stop, Cai Vieng, and then take a bus to the island center. This method reduces the risk of seasickness.

4. Beautiful Hotels and Guesthouses for Visiting Lan Ha Bay

If you only plan to visit Lan Ha Bay for a day and move to other locations the next day, you might consider staying at hotels in Hai Phong city or Cat Ba for convenience. For a luxurious vacation, you can choose from high-end options such as Heritage Cruises Cat Ba Archipelago, Ere Cruises, Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort, or Somerset Central TD Hai Phong City. Prices start from 1,900,000 VND (approximately $75.70 USD) per room per night.

Discover our beautiful overnight option on Scarlet Pearl Cruise.

5. Attractions

Lan Ha Bay Floating Market

If you've traveled to the Mekong Delta, you might imagine the floating markets of that region. However, the floating market in Lan Ha Bay is smaller in scale, primarily consisting of fishermen managing their fish and shrimp rafts. You can visit this market to buy seafood as souvenirs.

Cua Van Fishing Village

Cua Van Fishing Village is nestled beside the limestone mountain of Va Gia, in a calm bay area. It attracts visitors with its brightly colored floating houses scattered across the bay. The life of the fishermen here is very peaceful, with over 300 families engaged in seafood fishing. With its charming and picturesque beauty, Cua Van Village in Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba is listed among the 16 most beautiful ancient villages in the world.

Nam Cat Island

Nam Cat Island is about a 15-minute boat ride from Lan Ha Bay. The island features pristine, tranquil, and charming landscapes. It has three wooden stilt houses and six bamboo huts, allowing you to fully enjoy the fresh natural air of the sea region.

Monkey Island

Monkey Island, also known as Cat Dua Island due to the abundance of pineapple plants, is now called Monkey Island because it is home to over 20 monkeys brought by the rangers of Cat Ba National Park. The monkeys are quite friendly and often enjoy interacting with visitors. Monkey Island has two beaches, Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2, with crystal-clear waters suitable for swimming and kayaking.

Luon Cave

Luon Cave in Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba, is a famous tourist spot known for its stunning photo opportunities. Try kayaking around the cave to fully appreciate the beautiful scenery. Luon Cave is considered a masterpiece of the bay.

6. Activities

In addition to cruising and admiring the natural wonders, one of the most popular activities in Lan Ha Bay is participating in water sports and outdoor experiences.

Swimming and Snorkeling:
Lan Ha Bay offers numerous beaches and snorkeling spots. You can easily find a place to swim in the refreshing blue waters and explore coral reefs and marine life.

Recommended Location: Monkey Island Resort (on Monkey Island)
Price: 600,000 - 1,000,000 VND (approximately $23.90 - $39.83 USD) per person

Kayaking:

Kayaking is one of the most popular activities among visitors to Lan Ha Bay. You can paddle while enjoying the lush natural scenery and explore small islands on your own.

Recommended Locations:

- Manh Nu Floating House: Beo Wharf, Cat Ba Town, Hai Phong City
- Cat Ba Venture: 223 1/4 Street, Cat Ba Town, Hai Phong City
- Monkey Island (Cat Dua Island)

Price: 50,000 - 100,000 VND (approximately $1.99 - $3.98 USD) per boat per person, with no time limit

Rock Climbing:

If you enjoy adventure, try rock climbing to scale the cliffs and view the bay from above. There are various difficulty levels available, suitable for different skill levels.

Recommended Locations:

- Ba Trai Dao Island
- Dau Be Island
- Beo Wharf Cliff