Like Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay is also one of the well-known destinations on the island travel map of Vietnam. The island impresses tourists with its pristine and peaceful beauty with many islands in different shapes and sizes. Coming here, you will have a chance to immerse yourself in nature and discover local people’s daily life. Let’s explore Lan Ha Bay with Handspan Travel Indochina!

General information about Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay, located on the East of Cat Ba Island, is about 30 kilometers from Hai Phong city center. The bay has a total area of more than 7,000 ha, with 5,400 ha under the management of Cat Ba National Park. 

Lan Ha Bay

Coming to Lan Ha Bay, you can find many islets in different sizes and shapes. It’s time for you to use your imagination and admire various limestone mountains and caves, such as Guoc Islet, Doi Islet, Ham Rong Cave, Ca Cave, etc. All of them are covered with green trees or vegetation, no matter how big, or small they are. 

Besides caves and islets, you will see long sandy banks stretching along the mountains, ideal for swimming or lying on the sandy beaches. Under the crystal turquoise seawater are colorful coral beaches such as Van Boi, Van Ha, etc. The calm seas, such as Sen Island, Cu Island, Monkey Island, etc., are places to dive and see corals. 

How to get to Lan Ha Bay

To get to Lan Ha Bay, you will have to transfer to Cat Ba Island first. From Hanoi, you can take a tourist bus directly to Cat Ba, travel by train to Hai Phong and travel to Cat Ba from Hai Phong, and get to Halong and transfer to Cat Ba.

If you travel by tourist bus, it will take about 3,5 hours. There are many buses for you to choose from, such as Daiichi Bus, Cat Ba Express, Good Morning Cat Ba, etc. Whereas, if you decide to travel by train, it will take you more time, as you will have to transfer from the railway station to Pha Binh Harbor and take a ferry, high-speed boat, or hydrofoil to Cat Ba. Another way to move from Hanoi to Cat Ba is through Tuan Chau Harbor in Ha Long. Once you get to Tuan Chau Harbor, you can take a boat or ferry to Cat Ba, which takes you about 30 minutes. 

High-speed boat from Tuan Chau to Cat Ba

Hydrofoil to Cat Ba

For more information, you can refer to the post: How to get from Hanoi to Cat Ba. 

From the Ben Beo Port in Cat Ba, you can hire a private canoe, boat, or tender to explore Lan Ha Bay. Let’s start your journey after buying a ticket at VND 80,000. 

Spots to visit in Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay possesses various natural spots that you should not miss. Let’s refer to some well-known places in the bay below. 

Cua Van Fishing Village

Cua Van Fishing Village is located in a calm seawater area of Lan Ha Bay, nestled on the limestone mountains of Va Gia. The fishing village attracts tourists with the peaceful scenery, colorful floating houses on the bay, and the rustic life of local people. 

Cua Van Fishing Village

Coming here, in addition to admiring the magnificent scenery of the bay, you can join many exciting activities. You will have a chance to experience the daily life of fishers here, from rowing to netting and fishing. Besides, you can learn and see many historical artifacts, and documentaries of coastal people in the Cua Van cultural center. 

Fish netting in Cua Van Fishing Village

Nam Cat Island

Nam Cat Island is a small island in Lan Ha Bay, about 5 kilometers to the Southeast of Cat Ba Town’s center. The island possesses a 500-meter beach that has a wide slope and is surrounded by many small islands. Thanks to the long white sandy beach, crystal-clear seawater, and mountainous landscape, Nam Cat Island is ideal for immersing yourself in nature. Besides, the waves here are pretty slight; therefore, you can easily kayak around the island and visit other small islands, such as Sen Island, Cu Island, Doi Island, etc.  

Nam Cat Island 

Monkey Island (Dao Khi)

From the Ben Beo Port, boating through Cai Beo floating village and some small islets for 10 minutes, you will reach Monkey Island. Coming to the island, you will catch up with many naughty and lovely monkeys on the way.

Monkey Island

Monkeys on Monkey Island

Besides, Monkey Island possesses two beautiful natural beaches: Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2. While Cat Dua 1 is longer, broader, and more crowded, Cat Dua 2 is smaller but more private. Also, if you are an adventurous lover, you can climb to the peak of the mountain here to have a panoramic view of Lan Ha Bay with hundreds of small and large islets. 

Van Boi Beach

Van Boi Beach is among the most tranquil beaches in Cat Ba Island you should visit. The beach impresses every tourist with its crystal-clear seawater, pristine landscape, undulating mountains, and stretching forests. 

Van Boi Beach

Coming here, besides immersing yourself in the cool water, you can also enjoy kayaking and admiring the magnificent natural landscape of Lan Ha Bay. Van Boi Beach is an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling. You will have a chance to see different kinds of colorful fishes here, such as betta fish, Orange spotted Spinefoot, starry triggerfish, etc.

Dark and Light Cave

The Dark and Light Cave area, about 12 kilometers from Ben Beo Port, is ideal for kayaking with many underground cave systems. There are four caves in this area, including Dark & Light Cave, Doi Cave, and Sua Cave. Dark Cave is the largest but relatively narrow and dark, while the other three caves have high cave arches.

The journey to explore all four caves is more than five kilometers, lasting about one and a half hours. Kayaking through the caves, you will feel amazed by the vast water area surrounded by majestic high limestone mountains. Also, you will have a chance to admire hundreds of beautiful stalactites. 

Besides these above spots, Lan Ha Bay still has many beautiful islands and islets. Let’s take a boat and explore exciting places in Lan Ha Bay yourself!

Things to do in Lan Ha Bay

Coming to Lan Ha Bay, besides visiting the fantastic spots, you can also join these exciting activities below. 

Swimming, diving, and snorkeling

Lan Ha Bay is ideal for immersing yourself in the cool water, thanks to many charming beaches with sandy banks stretching along. Also, there are many beaches where you can go snorkeling. Besides the diverse coral system with rich and colorful species, you can also admire different kinds of fish when joining this activity. 

Snorkeling in Lan Ha Bay

If you are interested in scuba diving and snorkeling in Lan Ha Bay, do not hesitate to contact Handspan’s consultants. 

Kayaking

Kayaking is one of the wonderful experiences in Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island you should not miss. When kayaking, you will have a chance to wriggle through small islands, adore mountains with unique shapes, and enjoy the quiet space. 

Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay

Rock climbing

Rock climbing in Lan Ha Bay attracts both domestic and international tourists, especially those who love adventuring. In Lan Ha Bay, you can find both steep and low cliffs, which are suitable for many people. Dau Be Islet, Ben Beo Port, and Ba Trai Dao Islet are some popular spots for rock climbing that you can refer to. 

Rock climbing in Lan Ha Bay

Taking an overnight cruise

The best way to explore Lan Ha Bay’s beauty is by taking an overnight cruise for two or three days. Below are some cruises that take you to less touristy spots in Lan Ha Bay you should refer to.

• Heritage Cruise

Heritage Cruise attracts tourists with its modern and luxurious design, friendly and professional staff, wonderful rooms, and facilities. Staying on Heritage Cruise, you will have a chance to explore the Da Chong Islet, Ba Trai Dao Beach or Tra Bau, Dark and Bright Cave, with some activities like swimming, kayaking, squid fishing, etc. Besides, you can enjoy many outstanding facilities and utilities on the cruise. 

Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan Archipelago

• Stellar of the Seas

The cruise offers you luxurious facilities and unforgettable experiences in the less touristy areas. Ao Ech, Dark and Light Cave, Ba Trai Dao Island, and Viet Hai Fishing Village are some spots on your journey.

Stellar of the Seas

• Era Cruise

Era Cruise is one of the luxurious cruises in Lan Ha Bay, attracting many tourists. Setting foot on the cruise, you will feel an elegant and delicate space combined with classy services such as an elevator, spa, cinema, fitness, bar, mini-golf course, medical center, etc. 

Era Cruises

For more information about cruises in Lan Ha Bay, you can refer to the post: The top 05 amazing cruises in Lan Ha Bay. 

In conclusion, you have just learned some information about Lan Ha Bay. Hope that you will have an unforgettable trip to Lan Ha Bay with these pieces of information.