Cat Ba is the largest island in the Ha Long Bay archipelago and the smarter alternative to a standard Ha Long cruise. A rugged national park, Lan Ha Bay's quieter limestone waters, hidden beaches, and a genuine fishing town at its centre - with far fewer tourists than the main Ha Long circuit. Base yourself here to kayak Lan Ha Bay, trek the national park, and get the same dramatic karst scenery without the floating hotel crowds.
Best Months to Visit
Highlights
What To Do
Places to Visit · 7 spots
Suggested Itineraries
Morning: join a kayak tour of Lan Ha Bay - dramatically fewer boats than Ha Long, better for swimming and exploration. Afternoon: Cat Co 1 or Cat Co 3 beaches for swimming. Evening: seafood in Cat Ba town. Optional: bioluminescence night kayak tour (~$28 USD) - a guide leads you through the bay in darkness to see plankton glow in the water. Book in advance, runs most nights. Only worthwhile if you're not exhausted from the day.
Hospital Cave first (free) - the Viet Cong's wartime underground hospital, genuinely fascinating. Then buy the 120,000 VND ticket for Trung Trang Cave and the national park summit trek (Ngu Lam Peak). Optional: continue the full 12km jungle trek through to Viet Hai Village (160,000 VND, ~5–6 hours one way) - only if you have the energy and an early start. Arrange a boat back from Viet Hai rather than trekking back.
Arrive, drop bags, swim at Cat Co beach. Cat Ba town for evening seafood and cold bia hoi. Optional: bioluminescence night kayak tour (~$28 USD) - book on arrival if interested, runs most nights. A relaxed first day is the right context for this.
Full day kayak through Lan Ha Bay. Viet Hai is an isolated fishing village accessible only by kayak through a sea cave or jungle cycling trail - one of the most memorable experiences in northern Vietnam. Rest well tonight - tomorrow is active.
Morning: Trung Trang Cave and summit trek (120,000 VND ticket). Hospital Cave is free - do it on the way. Afternoon: Radio Tower for panoramic views over Lan Ha Bay - one of the best viewpoints on the island. Ferry back to Hai Phong or Ha Long City.
Getting There
Fast ferry or slow ferry from Hai Phong port. Hai Phong is 1.5 hours from Hanoi by bus.
Take a taxi/Grab to the Sunworld cable car terminal. One-way cable car ticket: 70,000 VND. Recommended: buy the combo (one-way cable car + shuttle bus to Cat Ba town centre) for 110,000 VND.
Speedboat from Tuan Chau pier. Good option if combining with Ha Long Bay cruise.
Combined bus + ferry ticket available from Hanoi. Most direct option for travelers coming straight from Hanoi.
Budget per Day
Lan Ha Bay kayak tour: 300,000–500,000 VND. National park + Trung Trang Cave combo ticket: 120,000 VND. Full jungle trek to Viet Hai: 160,000 VND. Hospital Cave: free. Bioluminescence night tour: ~$28 USD.
Plan Your Trip
Practical Info