Visit Lan Ha Bay by cruise to admire its tranquil beauty, explore a lot of limestones caves, and relax on untouched white sandy beaches.
Possessing hundreds of large and small islands with varied green vegetation all year round, a network of pristine underground streams and caves, many fine golden sand beaches have sketched a peaceful ink painting and romance about Lan Ha Bay. It has always been compared to a lovely silk strip that is woven by clear blue sea water.
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1. About Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay is on the coast of the beautiful Hai Phong city, about 30 km from the city center. It is located east of Cat Ba Island and is an adjacent bridge between Cat Ba Island and the world-famous wonder Ha Long Bay. From the jetty of Cat Ba Island, it takes about 30 minutes to take the boat to Lan Ha Bay.
The bay's area is over 7000 hectares; however, of which more than 5400 hectares are under the management of the UNESCO biosphere reserve Cat Ba National Park.
Lan Ha Bay consists of a fairly unspoiled archipelago with about 300 densely packed large and small islands, with many unique shapes and covered with green trees, creating a huge, fanciful picture.
Lan Ha Bay is not only endowed with beautiful and charming natural landscapes but also contains many typical ecosystems, notably cave ecosystems, tidal ecosystems, coral ecosystems, soft bottom ecosystems, and saltwater lake ecosystems.
Lan Ha Bay is also an area that has experienced a long history of geological development about 18,000 years, outstanding and extensive in pyramidal and pyramidal karst topography.
Thanks to the unique features of nature, culture and biodiversity, in 1986, Lan Ha Bay was ranked as a National Park on the Sea by the Vietnamese Government. In 2004, the Bay was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve and in 2012 was ranked as a special national scenic spot.
2. Interesting Places to Visit in Lan Ha Bay
2.1 Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island, the largest island in Lan Ha Bay, offers breathtaking landscapes with its emerald waters, lush mountains, and stunning beaches that entice adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. Visitors can explore the diverse wildlife in Cat Ba National Park, go kayaking through mesmerizing caves, or relax on the pristine sands of its picturesque beaches. With vibrant local culture, delicious seafood, and unforgettable sunsets, Cat Ba Island promises an unforgettable escape that you won't want to miss!
Cat Ba Island with beautiful Cat Co beaches
In which, there are some attractive places on Cat Ba island, such as:
- Cat Ba Town: Cat Ba Town is a small town on Cat Ba island, where it is a tourist center with many hotels and restaurants along with other services for tourists. From Cat Ba Town, guests can visit Lan Ha Bay, swim at Cat Co Beach, trek in Cat Ba National Park,…
Charming Cat Ba town in Cat Ba Island
- Cannon Fort: The Cannon Fort in Cat Ba is not far from town, located on a hill with an altitude of 177m, and includes large cannons, a system of trenches built in the 40s of the 20th century. This place not only has great historical value but is also a place to admire the bay as well as enjoy the beautiful sunset over the sea.
Cannon Fort in Cat Ba Island - a great view of the Lan Ha Bay
- Cat Co Beaches: Cat Co beaches are located in Cat Ba town, 500-800m from the town center. Consisting of 3 beaches with fine white sand and clear blue sea. This is a place of unspoiled and poetic natural beauty, really great for a beach vacation.
Beautiful clear water at Cat Co beach in Cat Ba island
- Viet Hai Village: Viet Hai is an ancient village located deep in the Cat Ba National Park with several dozen households. Surrounded by mountains and forests with extremely unspoiled natural landscapes and hospitable people, Viet Hai village is almost completely separate from modern life. This place is chosen to be visited by many international and domestic tourists.
The typical houses in Viet Hai Village - Cat Ba Island
- Cat Ba National Park: 15km from Cat Ba town with an altitude of 150m, this is a place to preserve 741 species of plants and 282 different species of animals. Cat Ba National Park is also recognized by UNESCO as the World Biosphere Reserve. Visitors will have interesting experiences when exploring this place as well as trekking up to Ngu Lam mountain.
The stunning landscape of Cat Ba National Park
- Caves system in Cat Ba Island: Cat Ba Island is really an interesting place to explore. In addition to the beaches and national forests, this place also has mysterious and beautiful cave systems, such as Trung Trang Cave, Hoa Cuong Cave, and Thien Long Cave, or beautiful and historic caves, such as Army Hospital Cave, which was used as a hospital during the war.
2.2 Van Boi Beach
The beautiful unspoiled beauty of Van Boi Beach on Cat Ba island is a hidden beauty that impresses visitors with the natural scenery of mountains, rocks, and green forests surrounding nature. It is an ideal place for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.
The beauty of pristine Van Boi beach
2.3 Three Peach Beaches (Ba Trai Dao) in Lan Ha Bay
One of the outstanding destinations in Lan Ha Bay is Ba Trai Dao Beach. Consisting of 3 mountains about 20m high that look like giant peaches from afar, at the foot of the mountain are three pristine beaches with smooth white sand and blue water. This place is really great for kayaking and toothpick activities amidst unspoiled and peaceful nature.
Three peach beaches in Lan Ha Bay - Vietnam
2.4 Monkey Island and Beach
This is a small island in Cat Ba archipelago, about 3km from Cat Ba center and takes about 15 minutes by boat. On Monkey Island, there is a 1km long beach called Cat Dua beach with fine white sand and clear, calm sea water. There are a few dozen monkeys on the island, so it is called Monkey Island. However, these monkeys are very mischievous. Visitors are advised to keep an eye on their belongings and not go near the monkeys.
Like other beaches, this is an ideal place for swimming, kayaking, and spending the night because simple bungalows are available for visitors right on the island.
The wilderness of Monkey Island beach
2.5 Cai Beo fishing village
Located right next to Cai Beo pier is Cai Beo fishing village. This is the largest ancient fishing village in Vietnam with more than 300 households. Cai Beo fishing village is located in the middle of the karst limestone mountain in Lan Ha Bay, 1.5km from the center of Cat Ba town. Visiting Cai Beo, visitors can learn about the life of this ancient fishing village as well as enjoy the beautiful scenery of nature and the locals.
Gorgeous Cai Be fish village - the most ancient fishing village in Vietnam
3. Things to Do in Lan Ha Bay
3.1 Enjoy cruise trips in Lan Ha Bay
Coming to Lan Ha Bay, an activity that cannot be missed is enjoying a cruise tour. Maybe it's just a few hours on the boat to enjoy the scenery and swim, or it can also be the overnight cruise trip to spend the night in Lan Ha Bay. On those cruises, visitors will have the opportunity to approach closer to nature with various interesting activities such as squid fishing, discovering limstones caves, swimming and so on.
A Luxury Heritage cruise trip in a beautiful green bay
3.2 Trekking in Cat Ba National Park
One of the attractive activities in Lan Ha Bay is trekking in Cat Ba National Park. In fact, this is a combination of a trip to Lan Ha Bay and a visit to Cat Ba National Park. It is 15km from the center of Cat Ba town, and visitors need to travel by car or motorbike to the gate. From there, they will trek in the unspoiled natural forest on a moderate slope to explore nature and exercise. The end of the trekking is reaching the Ngu Lam peak, offering a great panorama view of the Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay.
Trekking in Cat Ba National Park to the Ngu Lam Peak
3.3 Rock climbing at karst mountain in Lan Ha Bay
Tourism activities for adventurous travelers. Both physical training and climbing skills. At the same time, this is also an approach to the beautiful nature of Lan Ha Bay.
Some tour operators arrange rock climbing tours in Lan Ha Bay. They will guide you through basic skills and notes during climbing. They will also provide visitors with safety skills and specialized equipment for climbing standards, such as shoes, helmets, safety belts, and climbing ropes. Please do not worry if this is your first time climbing the mountain; you will be guided in detail by the tour guide.
For those who love the adventurous activities - Rock climbing in Lan Ha Bay
3.4 Swimming on pristine beaches in Lan Ha Bay
The experience of swimming on a pristine beach with blue water and fine white sand is authentic in Lan Ha Bay. Many small beaches located close to the foot of the limestone mountains in the bay are great places for vacationers.
Enjoy the relaxing moment at the beach in Lan Ha Bay
3.5 Do kayaking in Lan Ha Bay
Kayaking on Lan Ha Bay is the most popular activity and also an activity to reach the peaceful pristine beaches, explore Lan Ha Bay in detail and full of experience.
Any boat trip on Lan Ha Bay includes a Kayak. Visitors just need to book in advance, or many cruises include the kayak in the package. However, for the best experience, you should book a private boat with a kayak. You can go to any corner of Lan Ha Bay.
Overnight private cruises from $422/cabin
A beautiful place to enjoy kayaking
3.6 Have fun with fishing activities in Lan Ha Bay
Fishing in Lan Ha Bay is an interesting activity, usually used by tourists who have a lot of time and are on vacation to relax.
Visitors will get on a fishing boat to go deeply into Lan Ha Bay and drop fishing in beautiful places and lots of fish. Combined with kayaking and swimming, fishing activities in Lan Ha Bay are the most interesting. Caught fishes can be processed into dishes right on the boat or you can visit the fisherman's raft to cook.
Besides, squid fishing services from some overnight cruises are also worth trying!
4. Hotel and Resort in Lan Ha Bay
4.1 Hotels on Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island is one of the tourist centers of northern Vietnam in general and Lan Ha Bay in particular, so there are many restaurants and hotels on the island, from budget to high-class.
Tourists visiting Lan Ha Bay can stay overnight on the cruise but can also stay overnight at the hotel or combine both for their Vietnam trip. On Cat Ba Island, there are some hotels as follows:
- Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort – 5 star
- Hotel Perle d'Orient Cat Ba Mgallery – 5 star
- Cat Ba Island Resort and Spa – 4 star
- Cat Ba Paradise Hotel – 3 star
- Hung Long Hotel Cat Ba – 3 star
Read more: Cat Ba Island Hotels - The 9 Best Places to Stay on the Island
4.2. Resorts on Cat Ba Island
#1 Nam Cat Island Resort – 3 star
Located in Lan Ha Bay, Isolation from the mainland will surely satisfy your exploration passions. With a journey of 30 minutes by motorboat from Beo Pier to Lan Ha Bay, you will admire the beautiful island with a system of wooden houses hugging the cliffs and overlooking the sea, with a variety of services such as kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, etc. campfire, at night we can also fish on the waiting house of the pontoon.
Peaceful Nam Cat Island Resort in the Lan Ha Bay
#2 Castaway Island Cat Ba – 3 star
Located on a small island with a modest area in Lan Ha Bay, Castaway Island Resort with its captivating beauty is one of the places that many domestic and foreign tourists are interested in. The resort is built by extremely eco-friendly bamboo materials. Castaway owns many large bungalows, lying on the white sand beach like a gentle hand reaching out to embrace the calm blue sea.
An isolated Castaway Island Cat Ba resort in Lan Ha Bay
#3 Monkey Island Resort – 3 star
Monkey Island Resort is an isolated resort in Cat Dua 2 beach, Cat Dua island (also known as Monkey Island)—an island located about 2km east of Cat Ba town. Monkey Island Resort has 29 rooms designed in a bungalow style with mainly natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and leaves. The rooms are fully equipped and comfortable. It is a great place for a beach vacation.
Monkey Island Resort - A great place to relax and enjoy the sunrise and sunset every day
5. Best time to visit Lan Ha Bay
Weather in Lan Ha Bay is like other destinations in the north of Vietnam, divided into 4 seasons:
- Spring from February to April: This is the time when many tourists choose to visit Lan Ha Bay. Occasional drizzle, but the weather is cool, sunny and clear. The average temperature is 18 - 26 degrees Celsius. It is an ideal time to cruise on the bay and participate in sea activities.
- Summer from May to August: This is the peak season of domestic tourism, the temperature is high, so going to Lan Ha Bay and sunbathing will be more interesting. Swimming in the clear blue water in the fine white sands with an average temperature of 30-36 degrees Celsius will be great. However, the summer sometimes has unexpected thunderstorms, causing the schedule and activities in Lan Ha Bay to be affected.
- Autumn from September to October: This is the peak season for foreign tourists to visit Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay. The sky is clear and the weather is cool, with very little rain, the average temperature is from 20-30 degrees Celsius. Many tourists choose activities such as trekking in the peaceful nature of Cat Ba island, kayaking and bathing in the middle of Lan Ha Bay. A time for romantic getaways with family and friends.
- Winter from November to January: This is a time of many holidays of the year, and Lan Ha Bay also welcomes many tourists to enjoy a holiday on this occasion. Winter in the bay with a relatively pleasant temperature of about 14-22 degrees, not too cold, but it may be foggy.
6. How to get to Lan Ha Bay?
To get to Lan Ha Bay, first, you should notice that the way from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay is divided into 2 stages: from Hanoi to Hai Phong or Ha Long City, and getting to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong or Ha Long City.
6.1 From Hanoi to Hai Phong or Ha Long City
There are several options for transportation that visitors can choose from:
- By air: This option is limited to Hai Phong only. Flights are available directly to Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) in Hai Phong. This option is the fastest but might not be the most cost-effective, especially considering the additional travel time to Lan Ha Bay from the airport. Consider this if time is your most valuable constraint and budget is less of a concern.
- By private car: It is about 130km from Hanoi to Hai Phong, so it takes about 2-3 hours, depending on traffic. While this is an expensive option, it offers convenience, speed, privacy, and a safer travel experience, especially for those traveling with luggage or large groups.
- By limousine/shuttle bus: Many cruises include transportation from Hanoi in price, but this isn't always the case, so please carefully check your booking details. Limousine buses provide a more affordable alternative to private cars, but because you are joining other guests, your time on the shuttle bus is much longer than on a private vehicle.
- By train: Trains run regularly from Hanoi to Hai Phong. This option offers a scenic journey but requires additional travel time as you'll need a connecting bus or taxi to reach Ha Long City (if that's your destination). The overall journey time will be longer than flying or driving.
6.2 Getting to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong or Ha Long City
- From Cat Ba Island: For those who want an authentic or different trip, they can start from Ben Beo Pier to Lan Ha Bay.
- From Hai Phong: Some cruises start the route to Lan Ha Bay from Got Pier in Hai Phong City. From here, you can start your discovering trip with lots of cruise options.
- From Ha Long City: Most cruises depart from Halong International Cruise Port or Tuan Chau Port, range from low-budget to premium luxury cruises, from day-trip to multiple-day cruise tours.
However, it is advisable that you book cruise trips in advance, especially in the peak season because cruises are always full at this time.
7. How to choose Lan Ha Bay Cruise?
To choose the best Lan Ha Bay Cruise, there are some notes you should take for your consideration:
- Determine your cruise duration: Consider how long you want to spend exploring this stunning bay. Most overnight cruises offer options for 2 or 3 days. It is highly recommended you select a cruise that best fits your overall travel plans, but the more time you spend, the more opportunities to dive into beautiful scenery and local culture.
- Set your budget: Cruises in Lan Ha Bay come in various price ranges, typically categorized from 3 to 5 stars. It’s important to establish a budget that works for you.
- Choose the boat size: Decide whether you prefer the grandeur of a larger boat or the intimacy of a smaller vessel. Bigger ships, which usually depart from Got Pier in Hai Phong or Tuan Chau Pier in Ha Long, often offer luxurious amenities and more social opportunities. In contrast, smaller boats departing from Beo Pier on Cat Ba Island provide a cozy experience with a strong sense of privacy and authenticity.
- Explore the itinerary and activities: Different cruises offer various itineraries, including kayaking, swimming, and visiting fishing villages. Review the activities included in each cruise package to ensure they align with your interests. Consider what you hope to see and do while on the water, as this can greatly enhance your trip.
- Read reviews and recommendations: Before traveling somewhere, doing some research is advisable. You can look for reviews from other travelers who have taken the cruises you’re considering. Their experiences can provide valuable insight into the quality of service, the friendliness of the crew, and the overall enjoyment of the trip.
8. Best Lan Ha Bay Cruises
8.1 Best 3-star cruises in Lan Ha Bay
- Venezia Cruise - starts from USD 183 per person
- Hera Classic Cruise - starts from USD 198 per person
8.2 Best 4-star cruises in Lan Ha Bay
- UniCharm Cruise – starts from USD 291 per person
- Cat Ba Cozy Boutique Cruise - starts from USD 196 per person
- Crown Legend Cruise - starts from USD 194 per person
- Le Journey Premium Cruise - starts from USD 170 per person
- Le Journey Halong Cruise - starts from USD 159 per person
UniCharm Cruise
8.3 Best 5-star cruises in Lan Ha Bay
A cabin of Grand Pioneers Cruise
- Elite of the Seas Cruise - starts from USD 488 per person
- Stellar of the Seas Cruise - starts from USD 423 per person
- Orchid Premium Cruise - starts from USD 522 per person
- Le Théatre Cruise - starts from USD 275 per person
- Ambassador Signature Cruise - starts from USD 370 per person
- Indochine Cruise - starts from USD 294 per person
- Mon Chéri Cruise - starts from USD 265 per person
- Grand Pioneers Cruise - starts from USD 338 per person
- Hermes Cruise - starts from USD 338 per person
See more: Halong Bay/Lan Ha Bay Cruises Travel Guide 2024-2025
8.4 Some charter cruises in Lan Ha Bay
- Cat Ba Prince Private Boat (03 cabins) - stars from USD 468 per person
- Cat Ba Princess Private Boat (02 cabins) - stars from USD 542 per person
Charter junk cruises in Lan Ha Bay
9. Lan Ha Bay Cruise Itineraries
This is the cruise itinerary for visiting Lan Ha Bay. Most cruises have the same activities, but some will have small differences, so we will list the popular itinerary for a Lan Ha Bay cruise.
9.1 Lan Ha Bay Cruise in 1 day
08:00 AM: Pick up guests at Ben Beo Pier at Cat Ba island and go through Cai Beo fishing village with simple rustic floating houses on the blue water background, where the natural beauty blends with the life of the people here.
The boat will take visitors deeply into Lan Ha Bay to participate in activities such as kayaking and swimming and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the limestone mountains on the bay.
12:00 AM: Lunch on the boat with local seafood. After lunch, the boat will take tourists to three peach beaches or other beautiful beaches in Lan Ha Bay.
Explore Monkey Island and beautiful Cat Dua Beach before returning to Ben Beo Pier to end the one-day trip boat trip in Lan Ha Bay.
9.2 Lan Ha Bay Cruise 2 days 1 night
Day 1: Pick up and check in cruise at the pier. The cruise will take the tourists to explore Lan Ha Bay.
Lunch will be served on the cruise. After lunch, enjoy kayaking and visit the fishing village in the bay.
In the afternoon, check out the beach: Van Boi or Three Peach. These are all pristine and clear beaches in the middle of the bay.
Dinner on the cruise and overnight in Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy services and interesting activities on the cruise, such as squid fishing.
Experiencing squid fishing on a Lan Ha Bay Cruise
Day 2: Experience a Tai Chi session, then enjoy breakfast on the cruise. First, visit Monkey Island. Some cruises offer other activities, such as exploring Viet Hai village or discovering the caves in Cat Ba island.
Lunch will be served before returning to the pier, ending the 2-day overnight cruise in Lan Ha Bay.
9.3 Lan Ha Bay Cruise 3 days 2 nights
Basically, some destinations will be the same as 2 days, 1 night; however, depending on the cruise, the activities will be different and extend some more.
Day 1: Pick up and check in on the cruise
Explore Lan Ha Bay, lunch on boat while cruising to Vung Kiem Lam, Tra Bau area, fishing village in Lan Ha Bay.
Enjoy kayaking and swimming in the bay.
Dinner and overnight on boat.
Day 2: Explore beaches and Viet Hai Village
After breakfast, continue to discover the Lan Ha Bay.
Enjoy swimming and relaxing at the Three Peach Beach or other beaches before lunch.
In the afternoon, reach the Viet Hai pier and enjoy cycling or get on an electric car to Viet Hai Village in the middle of Cat Ba island. Visit the village, get some local interactions, and return to the boat for dinner.
Overnight on boat.
Day 3: Immerse in beautiful Monkey Island, then end the trip
In the morning, have breakfast on the boat, then cruise to Monkey Island. Enjoy swimming and wandering around the island until lunchtime on the boat.
The boat will return to the pier and end the cruise trip in Lan Ha Bay.
Depends on each cruise, the itinerary will be different with some other activities in Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. Tourists should check with the cruise or local travel agencies directly for a detailed itinerary of each specific cruise.
We hope this travel guide is helpful for you. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below or contact IZITOUR.com directly via email: sm@izitour.com or WhatsApp: +84 382 536 266 for instant assistance.
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02 Comments
Italy
Hallo could you tell us the price for a cruise 1 or 2 nights January 13 for a family of 4 Persons ?
Vietnam
Hallo, please visit our Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay cruises in this link: http://izitour.com/it/crociere/crociere-baia-di-halong. The price is the final price you can book, no hidden fee. Best regards,
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