Travel tips for Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba 2024

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Lan Ha Bay in Cat Ba is a familiar name on the map of Vietnam's sea and islands, voted by international tourists as a must-visit destination when coming to Vietnam. The travel experiences of Lan Ha Bay below will help you have an enjoyable and economical trip.

1. Where is Lan Ha Bay located?

Lan Ha Bay is located in Hai Phong City, to the east of Cat Ba Island. It serves as a bridge to Lan Ha Bay, which covers an area of over 7,000 hectares and features around 400 densely packed islands, mostly made of limestone. Shaped like a crescent, it is surrounded by smooth white sandy beaches, creating a magnificent yet poetic landscape.

In September 2023, the Cat Ba Archipelago in Hai Phong City was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. With this recognition, Lan Ha Bay has become a more attractive destination than ever. Tourists visit to enjoy the pristine, peaceful beauty of the thousands of large and small islands in the area.

2. Ideal time to visit Lan Ha Bay

The weather here is quite pleasant as it is surrounded by the sea, with an average temperature of 25-28°C. Each season has its own unique beauty, so you can plan your trip based on your schedule and preferences to have the most suitable experience.

April to September: is the peak and most ideal time when both domestic and international tourists visit the most. The weather is beautiful, with temperatures that can exceed 30°C, making it perfect for swimming and recreational activities on Lan Ha Bay.

October to March: is not the peak tourist season, so Lan Ha Bay is quite peaceful. However, Cat Ba is just as beautiful as in the summer. This period is suitable for tourists who enjoy relaxing in a tranquil setting. During this time, it is visited by many international tourists, with the main activities being surfing and taking cruises to sleep on the bay.

3. How to get to Lan Ha Bay

To get to Lan Ha Bay, you first need to travel to Cat Ba Town. From Hanoi, it takes about 3.5 hours to reach Cat Ba. If you don't have your own vehicle, you can consider taking a bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba.

--> Bus Hanoi to Cat Ba

Afterward, you will move from the center of Cat Ba Town to Ben Beo Harbor. The transportation options include:

- Taxi: Approximately 200,000 VND per trip for up to 4 people.

- Motorbike: Around 20,000 VND per person.

Once at Ben Beo Harbor, you can purchase tickets to visit Lan Ha Bay for approximately 80,000 VND per person. Depending on your budget and preferences, here are popular ways visitors choose to explore Lan Ha Bay:

Motorboat rental: Approximately 500,000 VND per motorboat, rented from local fishermen in the surrounding villages of the bay. With this option, you manage all activities independently, as it lacks guided assistance. This method is less commonly chosen due to its complexity and lack of guidance.

Cruise tour: There are many cruise tour options available here, starting from an attractive price of 380,000 VND (including admission ticket to the bay). With this tour, you get to visit various famous spots and participate in enjoyable activities depending on the itinerary. Many people choose this option because it includes a prepared itinerary, reasonable price, and comes with a tour guide.

Lan Ha Bay tour options for your reference:

---> Sunset tour of Lan Ha Bay (3 hours)

---> Lan Hạ Bay full - fay tour (6 hours)

---> Overnight cruise tour to explore Lan Ha Bay (2 days, 1 night)

4. Points of interest to visit in Lan Ha Bay

Popular attractions and landmarks that many tourists love and visit in Lan Ha Bay include:

4.1. The fishing village of Cai Beo

This is a floating village with over 300 floating fisherman's houses. The residents here mainly make a living from fishing and aquaculture. Visitors can admire the floating houses bobbing on the water, observe the coastal livelihoods, and experience the interesting daily life of the locals in this area.

4.2. Monkey Island

Monkey Island, a small gem nestled in Lan Ha Bay near Cat Ba, is home to over 20 monkeys. It is located approximately 1 km from the center of Cat Ba, accessible by a direct flight path.

Exploring Monkey Island, tourists are captivated by the playful and intelligent monkeys. The island also features two pristine beaches, Cát Dứa 1 and Cát Dứa 2, with long stretches of white sand and clear blue waters. This destination is ideal for those seeking untouched nature, pristine sea, and the experience of encountering playful monkeys.

4.3. Three Peach Beach

Ba Trai Dao Beach, a seaside paradise in Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba, is one of the beautiful beaches in the bay with smooth white sandy shores and clear blue waters.

4.4. Van Boi Beach

Van Boi Beach is a place where many tourists come to explore activities such as kayaking, swimming, and more. The beach offers stunning natural scenery with long stretches of smooth white sand, clear blue waters, and a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere.

4.5. Dark & Bright cave

It is a famous tourist destination known for its stunning photo opportunities. Tourists often paddle through limestone formations of various shapes. The picturesque scenery unfolds before your eyes, truly a masterpiece on the bay.

5. Activities and recreational options on the bay

5.1. Kayaking

Exploring Lan Ha Bay by kayaking is a fantastic way to admire the majestic beauty of its beautiful islands. The kayak will take you to calm waters where you can participate in this activity.

5.2. Snorkeling

With many beautiful beaches around Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island, tourists can enjoy swimming and immerse themselves in the cool seawater. The diving spots here have depths ranging from 4-5 meters, ideal for observing coral reefs and other marine creatures.

5.3. Visiting floating fish farms

Visiting floating seafood farms directly on the bay to purchase fresh seafood on-site.

5.4. Night squid fishing

When you book an overnight cruise tour, you'll experience this exciting activity. Under dim lights, guests participate in an exhilarating night squid fishing excursion, competing to see who can catch the most squid.