Vietnam / Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay / Cat Ba (Lan Ha Bay)Cat Ba (Lan Ha Bay)
The Quieter Side of Ha Long Bay
The largest island of the Ha Long–Cat Ba archipelago, half of it a national park, facing Lan Ha Bay: the same limestone seascape with fewer boats, small beaches you can kayak to, and rock climbing. Buses from Hanoi drive onto the short car ferry, so it is reached in one ticket. Cat Ba town is a cheap base for boat days; book a Lan Ha day boat rather than one bound for Ha Long.
Highlights
- Lan Ha Bay kayaking
- Boat day to secluded beaches
- Cat Ba National Park trek
- Cannon Fort sunset view
- Rock climbing on sea cliffs
- Viet Hai village by bicycle
- Floating fish farms
- Seafood on the harbour front
Things to do
- Lan Ha Bay boat day with kayaking and swimmingMorning · 7h
- Cat Ba National Park trek to Ngu Lam peakMorning · 3h
- Cannon Fort at sunsetEvening · 1h 30m
- Deep-water soloing or guided rock climbingAfternoon · 4h
- Cat Co beaches and the cliff walkAfternoon · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: April – June, September – October
Worth knowing
Cruises Suspended in Storms
⚠️ When a storm or tropical depression is forecast, the authorities stop all cruises and boats in Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, often at a day's notice, and they have been quicker to do so since a tourist boat capsized in a sudden storm in July 2025. Most likely July to September. Book a cruise with a free date change or refund, and keep a spare day in Hanoi.
Worth knowing
Tet: Closures and a Travel Rush
Tet (Lunar New Year) falls on 6 February in 2027. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and fares rise; for three to five days after, many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close. Check the date for your year, book transport a month or more ahead, and expect higher prices.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) — Vietnam's biggest holiday. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and prices rise as everyone travels home; for three to five days after New Year's Eve many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close, while temples and flower markets are at their liveliest. Book transport a month or more ahead, or avoid travelling in the days either side.