Lan Ha Bay: Day Trip vs. Overnight Cruise Option

6 thoughts on “Lan Ha Bay: Day Trip vs. Overnight Cruise Option”

1. 

   United States

   Ewa I says:

   Hi, how much did you pay for each tour? thanks

   11 months ago at

   Reply
2. 

   Vietnam

   Active Member David Nguyen says:

   I do think a day trip from Cat Ba is more than enough.

   12 months ago at

   Reply
3. 

   Germany

   Tina B says:

   Keen to hear what you ended up doing? As we are in a similar situation and heading out in April with 2 kids.

   12 months ago at

   Reply
   • 

     Italy

     Post Author queensy83 says:

     Replying to Tina B

     @Tina B Hello Tina,

     We ended up staying one night in a floating village near Cat Ba and doing a 2 day/ 1 night cruise in Lan Ha Bay. We had a great time and we love the cruise experience.

     Here I send you the information:

     Day 1: bus Hanoi to Cat Ba with CatBaexpress. Arrival at 11 am. Went to Cat Ba Ventures office for a half day trip to Ngu Lam Peak and some caves. The trip started at 1 pm and ended at 5 pm. Return to Cat Va Ventures and transfer to Ben Beo Harbour for the boat to the floating village.

     Accomodation in floating vilage: “Eco Floating Farmstay Cai Beo”. We booked through Booking.com

     Day 2: transfer by boat from floating village to Ben Beo Harbour where the Lan Ha Bay cruise picked up us.

     Day 3. End of the cruise and drop off at Cat Ba Ventures from where we took a Minivan to Ninh Binh with other travellers.

     The half day trip in Cat Ba, the 2 day/1 night cruise and the transfer Cay Ba- Ninh Bin was arranged by Cat Ba Ventures. We contacted them through whattsup and booked it directly from them. As far as I remember we paid everything when we arrived to Cat Ba on day 1.

     In the cruise, you explore Lan Ha Bay and some parts of Ha Lkng Bay. You do kayak and swimming in different parts of the bay. The food was good. We are happy we did it.

     Wish you a good trip!

     12 months ago at

     Reply
4. 

   The Netherlands

   Travel Expert ctm7944 says:

   I stayed 3 nights on Cat Ba Island earlier this year. And I did a Day Cruise of Lan Ha Bay.

   The activities are easy to do, if you choose. The kayaks are for 2 people each. The caves are flat & easy to walk.

   And yes, you have an option to not do activities and stay on the boat. Or wander around the dock/pier area.

   It’s not really a dilemma; just a decision: Do you want to spend a night on a boat? And do you want to allot that much of your time to a cruise? I did not want to do either.

   This is the Lan Ha Bay Day Cruise I did:

   https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293924-d11430240-r888785169-Good_Morning_Cat_Ba-Hanoi.html

   https://goodmorningcatba.com/day-trip-ha-long-lan-ha-bay/

   I preferred to spend my time on Cat Ba Island doing other thing:

   Hiking Cat Ba National Park

   https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g737051-d6677777-r888748309-Cat_Ba_National_Park-Cat_Ba_Hai_Phong.html

   Trung Tram Cave

   https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g737051-d14109039-r888694110-Trung_Trang_Cave-Cat_Ba_Hai_Phong.html

   Cannon Fort

   https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g737051-d5113963-r888681460-Cannon_Fort-Cat_Ba_Hai_Phong.html

   Cat Co Beaches

   https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g737051-d8071306-r888755606-Cat_Co_1_Beach-Cat_Ba_Hai_Phong.html

   There are lots of restaurants. Some markets to explore. Plenty of Grocery stores to buy snacks+ beverages.

   One of the Markets

   https://www.bestpricetravel.com/travel-guide/cat-ba-market.html

   Some of the Restaurants I ate at:

   https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g737051-d16694857-r889404447-The_Little_Leaf_Restaurant-Cat_Ba_Hai_Phong.html

   https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g737051-d14007725-r889309013-Casa_Bonita-Cat_Ba_Hai_Phong.html

   https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g737051-d5494198-r889284817-Cat_Ba_Oasis_Bar-Cat_Ba_Hai_Phong.html

   How I got there: Cat Ba Express

   https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293924-d12529983-r888778798-Cat_Ba_Express-Hanoi.html

   I did a round trip journey from/back to Hanoi. But you can also use them to get to Cat Ba from Ninh Binh+ Tam Coc. Or to go to Ninh Bình or Tam Coc afterwards.

   Where I stayed: Thuy Anh Hotel

   https://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g17518099-d24984492-Thu_Anh_Hotel_Restaurant_Tour_Information-Cat_Hai_Hai_Phong.html?src=888364952

   Do whatever is best for you and your family!

   12 months ago at

   Reply
5. 

   Hong Kong

   ArchiBrisbane says:

   Did you look at the itinerary provided by your cruise company? These cruises seem packed with activities – kayaking, cave exploration etc. Your 7 year old may be perfectly able to participate in them all, however if not, an adult would need to stay with the child and find a different activity. If that was the case, then a night trip may be not the best plan?

   Archi [cruising in March]

   12 months ago at

   Reply