Lan Ha Bay lies south of Ha Long Bay, around Cat Ba Island, in Hai Phong province. It is the same seascape of limestone pinnacles rising from green water, with about 300 to 400 islets against nearly 2,000 for Ha Long Bay, but far fewer boats. In 2023 it joined the UNESCO listing of Ha Long Bay, which is now called "Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago". You kayak in lagoons, swim from small beaches and sleep on board; an overnight boat here generally costs a little less than in Ha Long Bay.
Highlights
Junks and karst pinnacles
As in Ha Long Bay, but with far fewer boats: according to a specialist guide, a typical morning has 5 to 10 boats at a site, against 50 or more in front of Sung Sot Cave. Cruises anchor in sheltered coves, which makes for calm nights.
Kayaking in the lagoons
The Ba Hang and Tra Bau lagoons are reached by kayak, sometimes through a tunnel in the rock, in 45 to 60 minutes. The bottom is rocky: bring water shoes. Kayaking should be included in the price; an extra advertised separately is a warning sign.
Ba Trai Dao beach ("Three Peaches")
A swim stop of about 30 minutes on a small sandy beach between two pinnacles. On day cruises leaving from Cat Ba it is one of the usual stops.
The fishing village of Viet Hai and the floating villages
Depending on the route, the trip stops at Viet Hai village or at the Cai Beo floating village for about thirty minutes. It is a contact with life in the bay, more authentic than the shop stops of Ha Long Bay.
Departures from Cat Ba or Hai Phong
Most day cruises leave from Cat Ba (Ben Beo port, 10-15 minutes by taxi from the town, or the Got pier) between 8:30 and 9:30 and return between 16:00 and 17:00. Overnight cruises from Hanoi board at Got or at Cat Ba depending on the boat.
Practical info
Tips
- From Hanoi, a day in Lan Ha and back means 13 to 14 hours, almost all of it by bus: the sensible solution is to spend a night on Cat Ba or take a 2-day, 1-night cruise. A Hanoi package (transport, boat, return) costs about 80 to 130 $ for the day; a day boat booked in Cat Ba costs about 450,000 to 650,000 VND (about 45 to 75 $) with the meal and kayak, and booking on the spot often costs 10 to 20 $ less than online. Beware of prices below 35 $ and choose a group of fewer than 25 people. Skip the Monkey Island stop: it is described as a tourist trap. To compare with Ha Long Bay, read our page on Ha Long Bay and our guide 2-day, 1-night cruise in Ha Long and Lan Ha. Prices come from recent travel guides and operator listings and should be confirmed when booking.
How to get there
Lan Ha Bay, south-east of Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong province. From Hanoi a "limousine" bus takes about 2 hours to Hai Phong, then a crossing by speedboat (5 to 10 minutes) or ferry (25 to 35 minutes) leads to the island, and a shuttle reaches Cat Ba town in 30 to 40 minutes: allow 3h30 to 4h30 and about 280,000 to 350,000 VND in all. From central Hai Phong a fast boat reaches Cat Ba in 45 to 60 minutes. Overnight cruises offered from Hanoi almost always include the bus and boat transfer.
Opening hours
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