In this guide
Cat Ba Island: The Gateway to Lan Ha Bay
Cat Ba is the largest island in the Halong Archipelago. While Halong Bay is often congested with cruise boats, the southern waters of Lan Ha Bay offer the same jaw-dropping scenery of karst cliffs and sandy coves in a much quieter setting.
Lan Ha Bay Boat & Kayaking Tours
One-day boat tours of Lan Ha Bay leave from Ben Beo harbor on Cat Ba Island. They are significantly cheaper than Halong cruises (around $25-$35 USD including lunch and kayaking).
- Kayaking through Caves: Most tours stop at the Bright & Dark Cave (Hang Sang Toi), a tidal cave system that you can paddle through to reach a hidden lagoon surrounded by sheer cliffs.
- Monkey Island & Floating Villages: Visit Cai Beo, one of the oldest floating fishing villages in Vietnam, with floating homes and fish farms.
Cat Ba National Park Hikes
Cat Ba National Park covers over half of the island and is home to the critically endangered Cat Ba Langur. The most popular hike is the trek to Ngu Lam Peak, which offers a dramatic view over the green forest canopy. The hike takes about 1.5 hours round-trip.
How to Get to Cat Ba
Take a direct bus-ferry-bus package from Hanoi (usually booked through agents or online platforms). The bus takes you to Got Port in Hai Phong, you cross via speedboat, and another bus takes you to Cat Ba Town. Total travel time is around 3.5 hours.
Written by PlanMyOffbeat Team
Independent, verification-first travel guides for offbeat trips.
