Lan Ha Bay Travel Guide A-Z: Transportation, Activities, Sightseeing, Local Cuisine
🗺️ Lan Ha Bay Travel Guide A-Z: Transportation, Activities, Sightseeing, Local Cuisine
📍 Location: Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba, Hai Phong 🏔️ Features: Over 100 small and secluded sandy beaches 🏝️ Recognition: Top beautiful bays in the world (2020)
Lan Ha Bay is blessed by nature with over 100 small and secluded sandy beaches like “green sea inlets”. Many sandy beaches stretch between rocky mountains, peaceful and without large waves, making them ideal swimming spots for visitors who enjoy swimming. In May 2020, the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club Association awarded Lan Ha Bay a certificate as one of the most beautiful bays. This is a must-visit route for anyone coming to Cat Ba Island.
Lan Ha Bay from above. Photo: Pham Huy Trung
See more: Cat Ba travel guide
🌤️ Best seasons
🔥 Summer (May - August):
- Calm sea, clear blue sky
- Lots of sunshine and wind
- Suitable for swimming and cruising
- Peak tourist season
🍃 Autumn (September - November):
- Peaceful bay
- Cool weather
- Suitable for relaxation
- Still possible to swim
❄️ Winter - Spring (December - April):
- Cold weather, less sunshine
- Suitable for forest exploration
- Breathing fresh air
- Fewer tourists
Lan Ha Bay has all four seasons according to northern weather. Typically, from May to August is summer, with calm seas, clear blue skies, lots of sunshine and wind, suitable for swimming and cruise experiences, exploring the bay. This is also the peak tourist season. From around September to November, the bay is peaceful, suitable for those who like to relax in a quiet space. The weather is cool during this time, and swimming is still possible. The remaining months are suitable for visitors who want to experience forest activities and breathe fresh air.
Lan Ha Bay from above. Photo: Quy Coc Tu
🚗 Transportation
Buy tickets at Beo pier in the center of Cat Ba Island to visit Lan Ha Bay. If traveling in a group, you can rent a private boat to optimize your experience.
Transportation options
The means of transportation to explore Lan Ha Bay are boats. Visitors will go to Cat Ba Island and then buy boat tickets at Beo pier in the center of the island to visit Lan Ha Bay.
Boat ticket prices
- One-way ticket: 80,000 VND (adult), 40,000 VND (child)
- Private boat rental (10-20 people): 1.6 - 5 million VND/boat
- Private boat rental (25-50 people): 2.2 - 7 million VND/boat
If traveling in a group, visitors can rent a private boat. For groups of 10 to 20 people, the rental price ranges from 1.6 million to 5 million VND per boat. For groups of 25 to 50 people, the rental price ranges from 2.2 million to 7 million VND per boat. The rental price depends on the type of boat and duration of the tour.
Beo Pier, the departure point for tourist boats visiting Lan Ha Bay. Photo: Tam Anh
Lan Ha Bay tour routes
🎯 Route 1: Beo Pier - fishing village - Monkey Island
🎯 Route 2: Beo Pier - Monkey Island - Turtle Rock - Viet Hai Bay - Three Peach Islands - Toi Cave - Sang Cave
🎯 Route 3: Got Pier - Gia Luan - Tra Bau - Ang Ong Cam - Toi Cave - Sang Cave
🎯 Route 4: Cat Ba Tourism Center pier - Cat Ong Island - Thien Ung Pagoda
See more: Boats and tour routes in Lan Ha Bay
🏨 Accommodation
Lan Ha Bay previously had many spontaneous accommodations on the islands. However, since the end of 2022, these places have had to be removed to help conserve the marine ecosystem.
Accommodation types
🏨 Hotels on Cat Ba Island
Visitors can choose hotels on Cat Ba Island with views of the bay.
🌟 Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort
- Location: Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2 beaches
- Rooms: 756 rooms
- Facilities: Skywalk, all-season swimming pool, water slides, kayaking
- Room price: From 2 million VND/night
🌟 Hotel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba - MGallery
- Type: Boutique hotel with Asian style
- Features: All rooms have balconies overlooking the bay
- Facilities: Restaurants, bars, rooftop pool, spa
- Room price: From 3.5 million VND/night
🏝️ Freedom Island Retreat (Tu Do Island)
Tu Do Island with two-sided beach. Photo: Shenelle Rodrigo
- Features: Rare accommodation in the bay
- Beach: Two-sided sea, separated by a small sandbar
- Customers: Mainly foreign guests and those who love wilderness experiences
Freedom Island Retreat on Tu Do Island is a rare accommodation in the bay. This place has beautiful space, with a special beach that has two sides of the sea, separated by a small sandbar. Visitors can walk from one side to the other to admire different scenery. This destination mainly attracts foreign guests and those who love wilderness experiences.
⛵ Overnight cruises
Overnight cruise on Lan Ha Bay. Photo: Lux Cruises
- Names: Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan, Mon Cheri, Scarlet Pearl, Stellar of the seas, Paradise Grand
- Features: Modernly equipped, full services, including all meals
- Itinerary: 2D1N or 3D2N
- Price: From 2.5 million VND/person/night
There are many overnight cruise options on Lan Ha Bay, with popular names such as Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan, Mon Cheri, Scarlet Pearl, Stellar of the seas, Paradise Grand. These cruise ships are modernly equipped with full services for visitors, including all meals. The typical itinerary is 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights, with each night per person from 2.5 million VND.
🏘️ Viet Hai Fishing Village
Viet Hai Fishing Village is a suitable accommodation for those who love exploring nature.
Viet Hai Fishing Village is a suitable accommodation for those who love exploring nature. The village doesn’t have large hotels, visitors can stay at homestays such as Viet Hai Lan, Lan, Lotus, Whisper Nature bungalow, Long Phuong hotel. Room prices range from about 200,000 to 700,000 VND.
🎯 Things to do
Visit according to routes to optimize time and experience. Some highlights not to be missed include Cat Ba National Park, Viet Hai village, Monkey Island, Luon Cave.
🌲 Cat Ba National Park
- Location: Cat Hai district
- Area: One of Vietnam’s largest special-use forests
- UNESCO: World Biosphere Reserve (2004)
- Entrance fee: 40,000 VND (adult), 20,000 VND (child)
Cat Ba National Park is located in Cat Hai district. This is one of Vietnam’s largest special-use forests. Cat Ba National Park currently conserves many marine ecosystems, terrestrial forests, mangrove forests, and rare flora and fauna. In 2004, Cat Ba National Park was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve.
Visitors can choose to hike for 4-8 hours, or take shorter routes of about 2 hours. Walking, cycling, motorbike or car for 2-3 hours is also a choice for many people. Visitors can trek through Kim Giao forest, climb to the top of Ngự Lâm peak to enjoy the panoramic view of the national park, watch wildlife at night, explore caves… The trekking trail will lead visitors to Viet Hai village.
🏘️ Viet Hai Village
Cycling in Viet Hai Village. Photo: Kieu Duong
- Location: Within Cat Ba National Park, Cat Hai island district
- Features: Opens to Lan Ha Bay
- Suitable tours: Cycling, nature trekking tours
Viet Hai Village is located within Cat Ba National Park, in Cat Hai island district, opening to Lan Ha Bay. The village can be reached from both the forest and bay directions. Because it’s located in the forest, the winding road meant that very few people visited the village in the past. Viet Hai was almost completely isolated from the outside world. Currently, Viet Hai is beginning to be developed for tourism and is becoming a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. This is particularly an ideal destination for cycling tours or nature trekking tours.
🐒 Monkey Island
- Location: In the middle of Lan Ha Bay
- Number of monkeys: About 20
- Note: Be careful with belongings, may injure visitors
Monkey Island is the second largest island in the Cat Ba archipelago. Monkey Island is located in the middle of Lan Ha Bay, and was formerly called Cat Dua Island because there were many wild pineapples on the island. Currently, there are about 20 monkeys living on the island. They often come down to the beach, are fed by tourists and are quite friendly. However, sometimes they may take visitors’ belongings or, if not careful, may injure visitors.
🐍 Luon Cave
Kayaking in Luon Cave on Lan Ha Bay. Photo: Tam Anh
- Features: Cave entrance 4m wide, 3m high, 100m long
- Lake: Brackish, surrounded by four mountain sides
- Area: Nearly 1 km²
- Experience: Ideal for kayaking
Luon Cave is located between enclosed islands on the bay, with access to the sea through only one cave entrance about 4 m wide, 3 m high, 100 m long. The brackish water lake in the cave is surrounded by four mountain sides, covering an area of nearly 1 km2. On the rock walls, fossilized freshwater snail shells can still be found. This type of cave is not common in Lan Ha Bay. This is an ideal place for kayaking. Tourists can experience the peaceful natural space after passing through the entrance of Luon Cave by boat.
🏖️ Van Boi Beach
- Location: Along the protruding part of a mountain range
- Features: White fine sand beach, clear blue sea water
- Activities: Boating, swimming
Van Boi Beach is located along the protruding part of a mountain range, where many visitors often come here to explore boating and swimming activities. Van Boi Beach has beautiful natural scenery with white fine sand beaches stretching, clear blue sea water, peaceful and serene space.
🏡 Ancient Cai Beo Fishing Village
Cai Beo Fishing Village. Photo: Pham Huy Trung
- Location: Cat Ba archipelago, Cat Hai island district
- Recognition: National relic (2009)
- Population: Over 500 households
- Distance: 20km from Cat Ba Island
Cai Beo Fishing Village is located in the Cat Ba archipelago, Cat Hai island district. In 2009, Cai Beo was recognized as a national relic, one of Vietnam’s largest ancient fishing villages, currently home to over 500 households engaged in fishing and cage fish farming on the bay. To reach Cai Beo Fishing Village, visitors will depart from Cat Ba Island, travel about 20 km further to see the floating villages bobbing on the waves, clustered together like a small city.
See more: Rare fish farms in Lan Ha Bay
🕳️ Sang and Toi Caves
- Location: On the water surface, 12km from Beo pier
- Length: 70m through the mountain
- Transportation: Rowing boat or kayak
Sang and Toi Caves (also called Sang - Toi Caves) are located on the water surface, 70 m through the mountain, about 12 km from Beo pier. To visit the cave, tourists usually have to row or kayak. Sang and Toi Caves are a must-visit destination for tourists visiting and staying overnight in Lan Ha Bay, especially for guests staying overnight on cruise ships. This is also a popular stop for boats taking visitors to explore Lan Ha Bay during the day.
🧗 Sports activities
- Rock climbing: Dozens of spots on islands and mainland
- Kayaking: Experience on the bay and in caves
- Convenient locations: Toi - Sang caves, Luon cave, Secret cave, Three Peach beach
Rock climbing on the sea in Cat Ba is an activity that attracts tourists, especially foreign visitors. There are dozens of climbing spots on islands in Lan Ha Bay, on the mainland and around the Cat Ba area. Here there are steep rock faces that challenge those who love this adventurous sport.
Foreign visitors kayaking on Lan Ha Bay. Photo: Lux Cruises
In addition, visitors can swim and kayak. To have a convenient position for boating, you should rent a boat to sightsee or buy a kayaking tour. Usually, boats will take you to calm areas near the shore to make rowing easier and also to ensure safety. Some convenient locations include Toi - Sang caves, Luon cave, Secret cave, Three Peach beach…
🍜 Dining
Characteristic seafood
The cuisine in Lan Ha Bay area is mainly seafood, with species such as sea cucumber, razor clams, grouper, mud crabs, shrimp or various types of snails being most popular.
- Sea cucumber: 500,000 - 700,000 VND/pair
- Razor clams: 200,000 - 250,000 VND/kg
- Grouper, mud crabs, shrimp, snails: Prices vary by season
The cuisine in Lan Ha Bay area is mainly seafood, with species such as sea cucumber, razor clams, grouper, mud crabs, shrimp or various types of snails being most popular. In addition, seafood can be purchased as souvenirs, with reference prices of about 500,000 to 700,000 VND per pair of sea cucumbers, 200,000 to 250,000 VND per kg of razor clams.
Dining locations
In the past, Lan Ha Bay had many seafood farms for visitors to eat on-site. However, currently, you will have to eat on shore, on Cat Ba Island or buy seafood and organize BBQ meals on permitted beaches such as Monkey Island or Tu Do Island.
Currently, you will have to eat on shore, on Cat Ba Island or buy seafood and organize BBQ meals on permitted beaches such as Monkey Island or Tu Do Island.
📷 Lan Ha Bay Photo Album
Below is a collection of beautiful images of Lan Ha Bay for your reference:
🏝️ Tu Do Island and Landscapes
Tu Do Island and Landscapes
🚤 Cruises and Water Activities
Cruises and Water Activities
🐒 Monkey Island and Ecosystem
Monkey Island and Ecosystem
🌅 Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise and Sunset
⚠️ Notes
Weather conditions
- 🌤️ Summer: Prepare sunscreen, hats, protective gear due to strong sun
- 🌡️ Winter: Bring warm clothes as temperatures can drop low
- 🌧️ Rain and storms: Monitor weather forecasts, avoid traveling during rainy season
Safety and transportation
- 🚢 On board: Follow safety instructions, wear life jackets when kayaking, speedboats
- 🧴 Swimming: Wear non-slip sandals, don’t swim far, only swim at permitted beaches
- 💰 Buying seafood: Always ask for prices before buying, especially during peak summer from May to August
- ⏰ On time: Arrive at the pier on departure time
Costs and booking
- 💵 Average cost: 300,000 - 800,000 VND/day/person for day visits
- 💰 Accommodation cost: 200,000 - 3,500,000 VND/night depending on type
- 📅 Book early: Especially during holidays and weekends
📝 Conclusion
Lan Ha Bay is one of the world’s most beautiful bays, offering visitors unforgettable experiences with beautiful natural scenery, pristine beaches and diverse tourism services. With thorough preparation and choosing the right sightseeing option, a trip to Lan Ha Bay will surely be a memorable experience.
Prepare thoroughly and plan carefully for a complete trip to this “world’s most beautiful Lan Ha Bay”.
📍 Important note: Respect the environment, don’t litter, protect natural heritage for future generations.
Author: Tam Anh
