Lan Ha Bay
Vịnh Lan Hạ
A bay east of Cat Ba Island, connected to Ha Long Bay. It has denser islands, more beaches, and fewer boats. Kayaking through sea caves and visiting floating fishing villages are its highlights.
Lan Ha Bay lies south of Ha Long Bay, east of Cat Ba Island. It is administratively part of Hai Phong City. Its roughly 300 square kilometers of sea contain about 400 islands and more than 100 small beaches. In 2023, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage site along with the Cat Ba archipelago. Compared with the core area of Ha Long Bay, the islands here are more densely packed, the water is clearer, and there are far fewer boats. In recent years it has become a top choice for overnight cruises and backpackers. Typical activities include kayaking through the low “Hang Sang Toi” (Dark & Bright Cave) into a lagoon surrounded by cliffs, swimming at the beaches of Monkey Island (Cat Dua) or Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach Island), visiting the floating fishing villages of Cai Beo or Viet Hai and their aquaculture rafts, and climbing or diving from cliffs at the base of the rock walls (Deep Water Solo; Cat Ba Island is a well-known climbing destination in Asia). Ways to visit: take an overnight Lan Ha Bay cruise from Hanoi (boarding at Got Pier, about $150–300 for 2 days and 1 night), or stay on Cat Ba Island and book a day boat trip from Ben Beo Pier (about 300,000–500,000 dong, including kayaking and lunch). Lan Ha Bay entry fees are collected by the cruise company (about 80,000–150,000 dong). Note: sailing is suspended during the summer typhoon season. Kayaking through caves must be done at low tide, so follow the crew's instructions. Sunscreen and a waterproof bag are essential. Do not feed the fish in the floating villages.
Opening hours
Follows cruise schedule (day boat approx. 08:00–16:30)
Nearby sights
- Viet Hai Village
- Cat Co Beaches
- Cannon Fort
- Cua Van Floating Village
- Me Cung Cave
- Hospital Cave
- Cat Ba National Park
- Sung Sot Cave