Introduction to Lan Ha Bay

If Halong Bay is the famous, bustling queen of Vietnam’s north, Lan Ha Bay is her quieter, wilder sister.

Located just south of Halong Bay and wrapping around the eastern coast of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay shares the same spectacular geology—towering limestone karsts rising from emerald waters—but without the heavy boat traffic.

Here, the water feels cleaner, the pace is slower, and the silence is real. Instead of thousands of tour boats, you’ll see local fishermen rowing bamboo baskets and eagles circling the cliffs.

It is one of the few places where you can still jump off the boat for a swim in the middle of the bay, kayak through sea caves into hidden lagoons, and cycle to isolated villages nestled in the jungle. This Lan Ha Bay travel guide is for travelers seeking the majesty of the Gulf of Tonkin without the crowds.

Quick Facts about Lan Ha Bay

Before diving into details, here’s a quick snapshot to help you understand what makes Lan Ha Bay such a worth experiencing destination.

What’s in Lan Ha Bay?

• The Karsts & Lagoons: Technically, Lan Ha Bay is an extension of Halong Bay, but it counts 400 limestone islands of its own. Unlike Halong, all the islands here are covered in green vegetation, giving the landscape a lush, wild feel. The bay is a maze of lagoons and “sea lakes”—bodies of water completely enclosed by cliffs, accessible only by kayak or small sampan boats.
• Dark & Bright Cave (Hang Sang Toi): This is the bay’s most iconic natural wonder. It is not a walking cave, but a water cave. You paddle a kayak or sit in a bamboo boat rowed by a local to pass through a long, dark tunnel. On the other side, you emerge into a silent, enclosed lake surrounded by high cliffs filled with orchids and mischievous macaques.
• Cai Beo Floating Village: Dating back 7,000 years, Cai Beo is one of the oldest floating fishing villages in Vietnam. As your boat cruises past, you’ll see a floating world of raft houses, fish farms, and families who live their entire lives on the water. It’s a fascinating, living piece of heritage that feels worlds away from modern life.
• Cat Ba Island: Lan Ha Bay hugs the coast of Cat Ba, the largest island in the Gulf of Tonkin. Most travelers combine a bay cruise with a stay on the island to explore Cat Ba National Park, hike to Ngu Lam Peak for panoramic views, or visit the historic Hospital Cave used during the war.
• Viet Hai Village: Deep within the national park and accessible only by boat or a challenging trek, Viet Hai is a secluded village surrounded by jungle-clad mountains. It is a “valley of silence” where you can cycle along paved paths, watch water buffalo graze, and see traditional wattle-and-daub houses.

How to plan a trip to Lan Ha Bay

How long to stay

• 1 – 2 days: Classic choice for a cruise, this gives you enough time to kayak, swim, and sleep amidst the karsts.
• 3 – 4 days: Offers more flexibility. You can choose to spend two nights on the boat to reach further corners of the bay, or combine one night on the boat with one night on Cat Ba Island to trek the national park and explore by land.

Best time to visit Lan Ha Bay

Money & Connectivity

• On Cruises: You can usually pay for drinks and extras with a card
• On Cat Ba Island: ATMs are available in Cat Ba Town, but cash is king for street food, mototaxis, and small shops.

Local Etiquette

• Plastic Waste: Lan Ha Bay is striving to be eco-friendly. Avoid bringing single-use plastic bottles on board; most cruises provide refill stations.
• Respect Local Customs: Remove your shoes when entering a family home or temple. It is also polite to ask for permission before taking photos of locals.

How to Get to Lan Ha Bay

Getting here is different from the traditional Halong route. You will likely travel via Hai Phong City rather than Quang Ninh.

• By Bus + Ferry: Tourist buses and “limousine vans” run daily from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Hai Phong.
  • Route: Hanoi → Got Pier (Hai Phong) → Speedboat/Ferry → Cat Ba Island (Cai Vieng Pier) → Bus to Cat Ba Town/Ben Beo Pier.
  • Total Time: Approx. 3.5 – 4 hours.
• By Private Car: You can hire a private car from Hanoi directly to Got Pier (where many luxury cruises depart) or Tuan Chau Marina (if your specific boat uses the Halong route to access Lan Ha).
  • Note: Always check your cruise voucher to see exactly which pier they depart from.
• By Train: For a slow travel experience, take the train from Hanoi to Hai Phong. From Hai Phong station, take a taxi to the ferry terminal to cross over to Cat Ba.

Best Things to Do in Lan Ha Bay

From quiet kayaking routes to gentle overnight cruises, Lan Ha Bay offers experiences that highlight its calm waters, dramatic limestone scenery, and slower pace of travel.

1. Spend the Night on a Boutique Cruise

Waking up to the sun rising over the limestone karsts is magical. Lan Ha cruises are generally smaller, newer, and more luxurious than the older fleets in Halong Bay.

2. Kayak through Lagoons

The water here is calm and perfect for paddling. Glide through rock arches and into hidden lagoons where the only sound is your paddle hitting the water.

3. Swim at Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches) Beaches

Unlike Halong Bay (where swimming is restricted), Lan Ha Bay allows you to swim freely in designated areas. Ba Trai Dao is a cluster of islets with small, pristine sandy beaches that emerge at low tide.

4. Cycle to Viet Hai Village

Hop off your boat and onto a bicycle for a 5km ride through the jungle tunnel to this isolated village. You can dip your feet in a stream where “fish massage” (fish nibbling your skin) is a fun local tickle.

5. Trek in Cat Ba National Park

Head inland to hike the Ngu Lam Peak trail. It’s a steep climb, but the view from the top—looking down over the jagged green mountains—is one of the best in Vietnam.

6. Rock Climbing

With its sheer limestone cliffs and deep water, Lan Ha Bay is a world-class destination for Deep Water Soloing (climbing without ropes and falling into the water) and sport climbing. Moody Beach and Butterfly Valley are top spots.

7. Explore Hospital Cave (Quan Y Cave)

A fascinating look at wartime history, this three-story hospital was built inside a cave to protect soldiers from bombings. It’s an engineering marvel with operating rooms and a cinema, still perfectly preserved.

8. Visit Trung Trang Cave

Located within Cat Ba National Park, this cave stretches 300 meters through the mountain. It features impressive stalactites and a resident colony of bats, offering a cool, adventurous break from the jungle heat.

What to Eat in Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay’s iconic meals are fresh seafood.

• Tu Hai (Geoduck): A rare, phallic-shaped clam that is a local delicacy, usually grilled with scallion oil.
• Be Be (Mantis Shrimp): Steamed with lemongrass and beer, this shell-fish is sweet and firm.
• Sam (Horseshoe Crab): Grilled or made into a sweet and sour salad. Locals always eat them in pairs for good luck.
• Green Mussels: Grilled with peanuts and spring onions, a classic seaside snack.

Travel Tips for a Smooth Trip

We want your trip to be as incredible as possible, so here are a few insider tips:

• Pack Light: If you are taking the bus-ferry combo, hauling a giant suitcase is difficult. A backpack is best.
• Check the Weather: Cruises can be cancelled by the Port Authority if a storm is approaching (especially July–August).
• Book in Advance: Boutique boats have few cabins (often only 10–20) and sell out weeks ahead.

Where to Go Next?

• Ha Long Bay: Often combined with Lan Ha Bay on the same cruise route, offering iconic limestone karsts and classic seascape views.
• Hanoi: Around 3–4 hours by road, Vietnam’s cultural capital where history, street food, and daily life come together.
• Ninh Binh: After Hanoi, continue to Ninh Binh (around 2 hours by road) for dramatic limestone landscapes (known as Halong Bay on Land), riverboat rides, and peaceful countryside temples.

Not sure where to go next? Let us help you customize your Vietnam Journey

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Tours in Lan Ha Bay

At Ginkgo Voyage, we prefer Lan Ha Bay over the crowded routes of Halong. We select smaller, boutique boats that focus on quiet anchorages, deep nature access, and sustainable practices. Whether you want a private charter or a luxury cabin, we help you find the rhythm of the bay.

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