Hanoi, Cat Ba, Lan Ha Bay & Ninh Binh Tour

Stay in Cat Ba Town to cruise Lan Ha Bay, then head to Ninh Binh to explore karsts and caves on this short Northern Vietnam route.

Replace the overnight Halong Bay cruise with a stay on Cat Ba Island. Spend two nights on the island and take a day boat and kayak tour of Lan Ha Bay, which is less crowded and offers a more relaxed pace. On the fourth day, transfer to Ninh Binh to climb Hang Mua (Mua Cave) mountain, and on the final day, enjoy a boat ride in Trang An before returning to Hanoi. This route involves multiple transfers and is ideal for independent backpackers who prefer not to spend their entire trip on a boat.

Typhoons can occur from July to September, which may cause cruise and ferry cancellations.

Day by day

Day 1 · A Day in Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi（Hanoi Old Quarter、Hoan Kiem Lake、Hỏa Lò Prison、Temple of Literature）

Explore the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake on foot. Take a taxi to Hoa Lo Prison (about 10 minutes).

Stay: Old Quarter (36 Streets)

Day 2 · Hanoi to Cat Ba Island

Ha Long Bay（Cannon Fort、Cat Co Beaches）

Take a combined bus-and-ferry transfer from Hanoi to Cat Ba Town (about 3 to 4 hours). Hire a taxi or rent a motorbike after arriving on the island.

Combined transfer schedules vary depending on sea conditions; it is recommended to confirm one day in advance.

Stay: Cat Ba Town

Day 3 · Lan Ha Bay Cruise & Kayaking

Ha Long Bay（Lan Ha Bay、Viet Hai Village）

Take a day cruise from Cat Ba Town harbor, spending about 6 hours at sea, including kayaking.

Stay: Cat Ba Town

Day 4 · Cat Ba to Ninh Binh & Mua Cave

Ninh Binh（Hang Mua (Mua Cave Viewpoint)）

Take a shuttle minibus from Cat Ba to Ninh Binh (about 4 hours). Climb Hang Mua in the evening to watch the sunset.

Stay: Tam Coc

Day 5 · Trang An Boat Ride & Return to Hanoi

Ninh Binh（Ninh Binh (Trang An / Tam Coc)、Hoa Lu Ancient Capital） → Hanoi

Ride a bicycle or take a taxi to Trang An harbor in the morning for a 2-to-3-hour boat ride. Return to Hanoi by car in the afternoon (about 2 hours).