Cat Ba Island, lying in the Gulf of Tonkin, off the northeast coast of Vietnam, is a favourite travel destination for foreign and domestic tourists alike. Roughly equidistant from two of northern Vietnam’s largest industrial cities – Hai Phong (to the west) and Ha Long (to the north) – Cat Ba Island is, nonetheless, one of the country’s star natural attractions, and part of the world-famous Halong Bay. Geographically, though, Cat Ba is essentially the southernmost extent of the string of limestone islands stretching all the way from the Chinese border near Mong Cai down through Halong Bay. Although Cat Ba is one of the largest islands in Vietnam, because the terrain is so rugged, its population is only around 16,000. From Cat Ba to Halong Bay Ferry. The first and foremost option is to take a ferry from Gia Luan port (Cat Ba Island) to Tuan Chau Island, and then Halong Bay. Cat Ba to Halong Bay Ferry – Tan Chau Island is the important and fastest seaway in the area. There are 5-7 ferries per day, which takes around 45 minutes per trip. If you want to take a cruise tour, you should choose Halong. I find that Halong bay tours has quite a few cruise tours. However, Cat Ba is also very beautiful with unspoiled beaches and stunning landscapes. If coming Cat Ba, you may visit Lan Ha bay, Monkey island. Report inappropriate content azurest94 Berlin, Germany Level Contributor 68 posts Day 01: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Island (L) This morning we will depart Hanoi at 8.00am for more than 3 hour driving through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. On the way, we will stop for taking pictures of Vietnamese farming and refreshments. Roughly equidistant from two of northern Vietnam’s largest industrial cities – Hai Phong (to the west) and Ha Long (to the north) – Cat Ba Island is, nonetheless, one of the country’s star natural attractions, and part of the world-famous Halong Bay. A large, green and rugged island (most of which belongs to a national park), Cat Ba’s iwL9jCp. 1. Explore Cat Ba National Park Visitors trekking in the dense jungle of Cat Ba National Park 15km from Cat Ba Town to the northwest, Cat Ba National Park covers almost half of the island. The park is regarded as one of the most famous tourist attractions in Cat Ba Island, comprising a variety of stunning landscapes and marine ecosystems. To be found there are enormous tropical rain forests, freshwater lakes, secluded sandy beaches, coral reefs, and an abundance of rare enter the park, you need to buy an entrance ticket of VND/person at the main gate. There are a couple of things to do in Cat Ba National Park. Amongst those, you’re highly recommended to take a short hike to the top of Ngu Lam Mountain for a panoramic island view. From Cat Ba Town, it is easy to rent a car, a motorbike or even a bicycle from your hotel to get to Cat Ba National Park. A motorbike rental fee is priced at around VND and you need to fuel the vehicle you travel from Halong Bay, get on a boat or Tuan Chau ferry to Gia Luan Harbor and from there take a taxi to the Cat Ba National Park about 10km. 2. Visit caves Hospital Cave Entrance Caves in Cat Ba Island are renowned for primitive beauty and multi-shaped stalactites and stalagmites. Some of the most famous names are Hospital Cave, Trung Trang Cave, Hoa Cuong Cave, and Phu Luong you’re in Cat Ba National Park already, don’t skip a chance to explore the 300-hectare Trung Trang Cave, one of the largest caves on the island. The cave houses a number of stalactites in various shapes, more than a dozen of standing stones, and dense history buffs are advised to visit Hospital Cave, a bomb-proof hospital built inside a cave during the Vietnam War. The cave is located about 13km from Cat Ba Town Center and it takes a short drive to the cave. The cost is around VND/round trip. The cave entrance fee is VND/person. 3. Bike ride around Viet Hai Village Travelers are biking to Viet Hai Village Photo Shutterstock Located in the center of Cat Ba National Park, Viet Hai Village is the largest floating village in Viet Nam. The village attracts throngs of tourists for its pristine landscapes and friendly locals. The best way to explore Viet Hai Village is taking a bike ride around the village to see floating houseboats, spectacular surroundings, and know more about the peaceful life of people Cat Ba Town, you can rent a private boat in Cai Beo Port or a 45-minute boat VND/person to reach the village. If you are in Cat Ba National Park, you can join a 6-km trekking tour through jungles, valley, and Ao Ech area to Viet Hai Village. The hard trek requires endurance and several gears such as shoes and insect best time to visit Viet Hai Village is from April to September with the sunny and favorable weather conditions. 4. Visit Cai Beo floating village Cai Beo floating village from above A must visit if you want to see the real local life! Cai Beo Fishing Village is only 2 km from Cat Ba Town, in the proximity of Ben Beo Port a 10-minute drive. You can easily get there by taxi or a motorbike. Upon arrival, options available to explore the village are renting a small fishing boat or in the early 19th century, Cai Beo boats Vietnam’s oldest ancient village, which is home to about 300 floating houses and 600 inhabitants. Local people here are very hospitable and hardworking. They mostly make a living by fishing and raising fish. Apart from a rich history and friendly locals, Cai Beo floating village appeals to visitors for picturesque sceneries and rustic ambiance. 5. Admire sunset at Cannon Fort Cannon Fort One of the most popular attractions in Cat Ba Island Perched atop a hill, Canon Fort, another name of High Point 177, is the most famous historic relic of Cat Ba Island. The site was built in the 20th century and consists of a battle of two big guns and a tunnel meters high above the sea, Canon Fort is the best spot to admire sweeping views of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay, and especially the sunset. Only 2 km from Cat Ba Town, you can easily go to the place by motorbike in about 15 time 800 AM – 1700 PM dailyEntrance fee VND/adult and VND/childSightseeing by the observatory costs an extra of 5000 VND/person. 6. See langurs on Monkey Island Monkey sitting on tree on Monkey Island! Monkey Island is located in the Nam Cat area of Lan Ha Bay, only 1km from Cat Ba Town. The tiny 5-km-round island is covered by green trees and sandy beaches in the front. However, what attracts visitors the most when visiting Monkey Island is a flock of more than 20 species of monkeys. You can not only come and see those monkeys but also feed Island is accessible by a 15-minute boat ride from Beo Harbor passing the natural beauty of the island. 7. Visit Lan Ha Bay Lan Ha bay from above! In the south of Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay spreads across an area of more than 7000 ha. Picture-postcard sceneries, limestone grottoes, and crystal clear beaches make Lan Ha Bay a must-visit destination for any tourists to Halong Bay area. Lan Ha Bay is home to a lot of famous tourist spots namely Cat Ba Island, Tung Gau area, Cat Dua also called Monkey Island, Dark & Bright cave, and Ba Trai Dao Beach. As you reach the bay, you can enjoy a variety of fun-filled activities such as kayaking, swimming, rock climbing, and visit floating Cat Ba Island, you need to rent a boat at Ben Beo Port to go around Lan Ha Bay. The price is about – VND/boat for six people. 8. Go rock climbing in Cat Ba Island Cat Ba island as some of the best spots for rock climbing in Vietnam! Rather than ordinary activities, venture lovers will find Lan Ha Bay more appealing with rock climbing tours that allow them to conquer some of the hardest crags. You can join this sport at several spots in Halong Bay including Offenheimer’s Creation and Slo Pony Wall at Tiger Beach – the first area to develop rock climbing activity, Butterfly Valley, and Ben Beo Wall. All the walls have climbing features such as tufas, pockets, and water-sculpted rock formations. See our detailed guide on rock climbing in Halong bay and Cat Ba entrance fee normally costs US$ VND or is sponsored by Asia Outdoor. 9. Kayak through Dark & Bright Cave Most cruises in Lan Ha Bay offer kayaking service at no extra charge! Dark and Bright Cave belongs to the bordering area of Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay. This is one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay area, featuring a lot of stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes and clear waters. While Dark Cave is long and dark, the Bright Cave is much shorter and brighter. Both create a perfect getaway for any adventure seekers to travelers are recommended to rent a boat to kayak through the tunnel as well as take a photo hunt around the cave. Alternatively, it is also possible to row a bamboo cave is accessible all year round. However, the best time to visit is in spring and autumn when the sky is clear, full of sunshine, the temperature is mild, and there are fewer rains. 10. Go swimming at Cat Co beach Crystal clear water at Cat Co beach. With an array of secluded and untouched beaches, swimming is a can-not-miss experience when visiting Cat Ba Island. Unlike other touristy beach areas, Cat Ba beaches are very clean and quiet. TIP If you want to avoid the domestic tourist crowds, September and October are the best months to visit.Amongst those, 3 Cat Co beaches including Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, and Cat Co are the most attractive to beach bums. The beaches are next to each other and all have loungers for sunbath, umbrellas, and stalls for drinks. Especially, kayak is available at Cat Co 3 beach with a price of the center of Cat Ba Town, the beaches are easily reached on foot or by a motorbike taxi around VND. 11. Join a diving tour to see coral reefs Snorkel off the island Photo Shutterstock Visitors who love to discover the marine world are welcome to take a dive tour to enjoy various coral reefs in Cat Ba Island. The island is best known for red coral reefs that shelter a lot of sea creatures such as pearls, lobsters, and can book the diving tour at the Scuba Diving Center in Monkey Island Resort. It costs VND for a 30-minute scuba diving trip with an instructor. Using a snorkel costs VND extra. 12. Explore Cat Ba nightlife Rowdy and diverse nightlife in Cat Ba island Cat Ba nightlife is more tranquil and decent compared to other vibrant destinations. However, you can still get wonderful experience as Cat Ba Island is full of local specialties and exotic things to try at night. Don’t miss a chance to savor Hai Phong’s rice noodle soup with crab meat, the special local food, at some food stalls on the sidewalk or rent a bike to ride around the quiet road of the town. The price is around VND/ can check out some pubs in Cat Ba Town namely Quiri Pub Cocktail & Restaurant and Oasis Bar 2. Level Contributor 1 post 5 reviews 5 helpful votes Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi, I want to do the bay, not sure wether to do Cat Ba or Ha Long Bay. I'm going in september and heard it was prohibited to take a swim? Also, i;m with a motorcycle so I don't have to start in Hanoi which place should I ride to to book a tour? Level Contributor 1,585 posts 3 reviews 5 helpful votes 1. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Cruises on Halong bay is more well-equipped than those on Cat Ba island. Most cruises starts their program from Hanoi, so Hanoi is the best place to book a tour. Or you can book it online. Level Contributor 298 posts 11 reviews 5 helpful votes 2. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago If you want to take a cruise tour, you should choose Halong. I find that Halong bay tours has quite a few cruise tours. However, Cat Ba is also very beautiful with unspoiled beaches and stunning landscapes. If coming Cat Ba, you may visit Lan Ha bay, Monkey island. Level Contributor 68 posts 4 reviews 3. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago A cruise seems to be suitable with traveling Halong bay. If you want to travel with a motorbike, you can visit Cat Ba island. Drive to the ferry and bring your motorbike to this island, then you can discover Cat Ba island with it. 4. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Level Contributor 108 posts 18 reviews 10 helpful votes 5. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi, You have motobike so I think Cat Ba island is better! You may drive to Tuan chau then take ferry to Gia Luan harbor Or Drive to Dinh Vu port Hai Phong, then take speed boat to Cai Vieng harbor, drive to Cat Ba town. Now u can be free to explore Cannon fort, hospital cave, national park, beach then do Lan Ha bay boat tour with kayaking and snorkeling Hope this help Phuong HaiPhongTours 6. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Level Contributor 10 posts 8 reviews 3 helpful votes 7. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Really easy to book a tour on arrival on cat ba too, loads of options. We went a few weeks ago and the bay was pretty quiet, one area with a bit of rubbish but generally clear seas which was the two reasons we wanted to avoid ha long bay. Cat Ba would be pretty cool to explore on the bike too and should be easy enough on ferry which is cheaper than the hydrofoil. Not sure about not being able to swim in September, maybe email a tour company and take what they say with a pinch of salt bearing in mind they might say what you want to hear. 8. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi!! I'm going for Halong Bay from Hochiminh and will be dropping at Hai Phong Airport. Where's the place i should book my hostel at? Cat ba? or anywhere else? I'm confused..is haiphong = cat ba? 4 posts 9. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 5 years ago Hi, i have a question, I cant decide in between going on a cruise to Ha long or just going to Cat ba spend time on the island and from there take a boat to board around ha long, any suggestions? Thanks Sebastian Level Contributor 2 posts 4 reviews 10. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 5 years ago sebastianburd Did you get any information on this? Edited 5 years ago Get answers to your questions about Halong Bay Recent Conversations Peony cruises 756 am Halong Bay - Full Day Cruise or Less? Jun 07, 2023 Does anyone know the site ' Jun 05, 2023 Hanoi & halong bay Jun 02, 2023 Nostalgia Cruises Jun 01, 2023 Best 8 hours day cruise halong May 31, 2023 Real 3 Days - 2 Night Cruises May 30, 2023 Halong Bay / Lan Ha 1 nt/2d cruise May 28, 2023 Halong bay cruise full day trip or more? May 25, 2023 1N cruise May 20, 2023 Day Tour Halong Bay - Day trip from Hanoi May 19, 2023 Sun world tips/ reviews pls May 18, 2023 Small boat tour in Cat Ba May 16, 2023 hanoi to Halong May 16, 2023 More Halong Bay Topics Taxi fare between Hanoi and Halong Bay? When is the best time to visit Hanoi and Sapa? A Class Cruise Company Imperial Junk Cruise - some lessons learnt the cheapest decent Halong bay cruise? Galaxy Cruise Ha Long Bay - Ginger Cruise Halong bay by end December Golden Lotus Cruise Halong Bay Cruise, budget backpackers Level Contributor 1 post 5 reviews 5 helpful votes Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi, I want to do the bay, not sure wether to do Cat Ba or Ha Long Bay. I'm going in september and heard it was prohibited to take a swim? Also, i;m with a motorcycle so I don't have to start in Hanoi which place should I ride to to book a tour? Level Contributor 1,585 posts 3 reviews 5 helpful votes 1. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Cruises on Halong bay is more well-equipped than those on Cat Ba island. Most cruises starts their program from Hanoi, so Hanoi is the best place to book a tour. Or you can book it online. Level Contributor 298 posts 11 reviews 5 helpful votes 2. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago If you want to take a cruise tour, you should choose Halong. I find that Halong bay tours has quite a few cruise tours. However, Cat Ba is also very beautiful with unspoiled beaches and stunning landscapes. If coming Cat Ba, you may visit Lan Ha bay, Monkey island. Level Contributor 68 posts 4 reviews 3. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago A cruise seems to be suitable with traveling Halong bay. If you want to travel with a motorbike, you can visit Cat Ba island. Drive to the ferry and bring your motorbike to this island, then you can discover Cat Ba island with it. 4. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Level Contributor 108 posts 18 reviews 10 helpful votes 5. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi, You have motobike so I think Cat Ba island is better! You may drive to Tuan chau then take ferry to Gia Luan harbor Or Drive to Dinh Vu port Hai Phong, then take speed boat to Cai Vieng harbor, drive to Cat Ba town. Now u can be free to explore Cannon fort, hospital cave, national park, beach then do Lan Ha bay boat tour with kayaking and snorkeling Hope this help Phuong HaiPhongTours 6. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Level Contributor 10 posts 8 reviews 3 helpful votes 7. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Really easy to book a tour on arrival on cat ba too, loads of options. We went a few weeks ago and the bay was pretty quiet, one area with a bit of rubbish but generally clear seas which was the two reasons we wanted to avoid ha long bay. Cat Ba would be pretty cool to explore on the bike too and should be easy enough on ferry which is cheaper than the hydrofoil. Not sure about not being able to swim in September, maybe email a tour company and take what they say with a pinch of salt bearing in mind they might say what you want to hear. 8. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 6 years ago Hi!! I'm going for Halong Bay from Hochiminh and will be dropping at Hai Phong Airport. Where's the place i should book my hostel at? Cat ba? or anywhere else? I'm confused..is haiphong = cat ba? 4 posts 9. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 5 years ago Hi, i have a question, I cant decide in between going on a cruise to Ha long or just going to Cat ba spend time on the island and from there take a boat to board around ha long, any suggestions? Thanks Sebastian Level Contributor 2 posts 4 reviews 10. Re Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba where to start 5 years ago sebastianburd Did you get any information on this? Edited 5 years ago Get answers to your questions about Halong Bay Recent Conversations Peony cruises 0756 Halong Bay - Full Day Cruise or Less? 07 June 2023 Does anyone know the site ' 05 June 2023 Hanoi & halong bay 02 June 2023 Nostalgia Cruises 01 June 2023 Best 8 hours day cruise halong 31 May 2023 Real 3 Days - 2 Night Cruises 30 May 2023 Halong Bay / Lan Ha 1 nt/2d cruise 28 May 2023 Halong bay cruise full day trip or more? 25 May 2023 1N cruise 20 May 2023 Day Tour Halong Bay - Day trip from Hanoi 19 May 2023 Sun world tips/ reviews pls 18 May 2023 Small boat tour in Cat Ba 16 May 2023 hanoi to Halong 16 May 2023 More Halong Bay Topics Anyone heard or used "Et - Pumpkin Travel"? Weather July/August Booking with Indochina Junk Prince IV review IndoChina Junk Halong Bay Red Dragon vs Dragon's Pearl? Halong Bay to Hanoi Airport ???? When is the best time to visit Hanoi and Sapa? scuba diving in halong bay Ha Long Bay in February - kayaking Galaxy Cruise This post will provide you with essential information about taking a speedboat, ferry, or bus from Halong to Cat Ba island in terms of schedules, prices, booking methods, and the pros and cons of each way of transfer. However, currently, you can only transfer from Halong to Cat Ba island by ferry and bus due to the closure of the speedboat Trip overviewRoute mapTrip informationRouteDistanceTravel timePriceHalong Bay Tuan Chau - Cat Ba island14km - 50 minutes by ferryVND non-vehicleHalong city - Cat Ba island50km 31mil from Halong city to Cat Hai town2 hours by busVND way2. Speedboat FastestSpeedboat is the quickest way to transfer from Tuan Chau terminal Halong Bay to Gia Luan port Cat Ba island. This service is provided by Paradise Express. This newest high-speed boat helps shorten the travel time from 45 minutes to only 15 information about Paradise Express speedboatNumber of speedboat 01Number of seats 198Transfer time 15 minutesEstimated price wayHow to bookTickets can be purchased directly at the ticket counter or you can book through various ways as belowHotline 0906 099 606 Viber, Whatsapp, ZaloEmail info at Tuan Chau Harbour to Cat Ba Island Image Skytoursvietnam Schedule and priceRouteTuan Chau to Cat Ba Island Gia Luan HarbourOne-way per personDeparture Time0715150,000 VND0830150,000 VND1030150,000 VND1300150,000 VND1430150,000 VND1600150,000 VND3. FerryA very popular option to get to Cat Ba island is to take the ferry. Tuan Chau ferry terminal is located on Ngoc Chau street, Tuan Chau ward, Halong city. Brought into operation in 2009. This is the only ferry terminal to Cat Ba island from Quang Ninh leave daily from the Tuan Chau ferry terminal with a frequency of 5 - 7 trips and it takes around 40 to 50 minutes to get to Gia Luan port. The ferry can carry other vehicles alongside passengers. To access the center of Cat Ba Island, you need a further 30-minute transfer following the path to Cat Ba national ride is quite relaxing and enjoyable with scenic views of the bay and surroundings. Baggage is included. The price of a ticket is around 80,000 VND to 90,000 and priceRouteTerminalSchedule DurationLow season1st October - 29th AprilPeak season30th April - 30th SeptemberHalong Bay - Cat Ba IslandTuan Chau ferry terminal - Gia Luan port730, 1130, 1500730, 900, 1130, 1330, 150050 minutesCat Ba Island - Halong BayGia Luan port - Tuan Chau ferry terminal900, 1300, 1600900, 1130, 1300, 1500, 160050 minutesHow to bookTo book your ticket, you can contact the ferry operator directly, through email, or Tuan Chau App IOS, AndroidTel 0203 3842134Hotline 0934 367 555Email tapdoantuanchau general, ferry is a very easy way to travel with comfortable seating, toilets on board and a bar where some food can be Halong bay view from ferry Photo Many locals are using ferry as a convenient way of transit Photo Price list for Tuan Chau-Cat Ba Ferry Photo DescriptionPrice/personPassengers with no vehicle80,000 VNDPassengers with motorbike90,000 VNDCars 9 seater or smaller480,000 VNDVans 9-15 seats520,000 VND4. BusBus is another alternative option you can take for a scenic drive from Halong city to Cat Ba island. The total transfer time is about hours. From Halong city, bus operators will take you through Quang Yen - Ha Nam - Cat Hai town and then access the center of Cat Ba to bookYou can opt for Son Tung bus specializing in Halong Bay - Cat Ba island route. The ticket price is around VND - Cat Ba island130002253 688 699Cat Ba island - Halong7000979 495 4965. Compare Halong Bay - Cat Ba island modes of transportModes of transportationProsConsPriceSpeedboatFast as it takes about 15 minutesMore expensive than taking ferryLower capacity than wayFerryEnjoyable ride with nice scenery on the wayHigh capacity of passengers and vehiclesSlower than speedboatMore crowdedVND - without vehicleBusRelaxing and convenient without having to take the ferry Quite long transfer time Limited way6. The reverse route Cat Ba island to Halong BayBy ferryTuan Chau - Gia Luan ferry provides frequent reverse schedule from Cat Ba island to Halong city at 900, 1300, 1600 during low season 1st October - 29th April and two additional trips at 1130 and 1300 per day during peak season 30th April - 30th September.For booking, you can contactTel 0203 3842134Hotline 0934 367 555Email tapdoantuanchau busSon Tung bus provides two buses between Cat Ba island and Halong city every day. The reverse route Cat Ba - Halong departs at 700 from Ben Beo port - Cat Ba center - Cat Hai - Ha Nam - Quang Yen - Halong city. You can call hotline 0979 495 496/ 02253 688 699 or email taxisontung to book the service. Level Contributor 91 posts 22 reviews 4 helpful votes Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 6 years ago Any thoughts or reccomendations as to which option I should go with on the next few days? Either an overnight junk in Halong Bay or stay at Cat Ba and organise Lan Ha cruise from there. I like the sound of Cat Ba but am torn as have always wanted to see the famous Halong Bay. Is Lan Ha Bay just the same in terms of scenery/activities to do as Halong Bay? Is Halong Bay still busier at this time of year compared to Lan Ha? Many Thanks Level Contributor 2,494 posts 120 reviews 48 helpful votes 1. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 6 years ago If you do overnight on boat some cruise still pass through Lan Ha Bay, it is small Bay. Overnight on boat is quite interesting, they do offer some activities as visiting famous caves, cooking class and kayaking. Cat Ba Island is worth to visit too, only crowed in summer holiday. If you stay in Cat Ba hotel, you can rent daily boat to Lan Ha Bay and do kayaking there. You can choose overnight on boat or stay at Cat Ba island, both are worth to visit 2. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 6 years ago This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Level Contributor 9 posts 28 reviews 10 helpful votes 3. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 5 years ago SelinaAlison Hello.....which cruise did you choose - and how was it? Lorraine 4. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 5 years ago Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum posting guidelines with prohibiting self-promotional advertising or are forum guidelines? Level Contributor 9 posts 28 reviews 10 helpful votes 5. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 5 years ago Level Contributor 13 posts 3 reviews 29 helpful votes 6. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 5 years ago If you would like to have the peace of mind and stay away from touristic Halong, it's much more better to start your trip in Catba island. Most cruises here include the visit to both Lan Ha and Halong bays as well Level Contributor 167 posts 175 reviews 168 helpful votes 7. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 4 years ago To have the peace of mind and stay away from the very crowded area, Lan Ha bay and Catba island are the best choice for now. All the best 8. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 4 years ago Hello Travelers, I am travelling to halong Bay for one night. I cannot decide if I should stay in CAT BA Island for Halong City? Level Contributor 15,919 posts 40 reviews 32 helpful votes 9. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 4 years ago Ankit, That would depend on what you plan/want to do, and also the time of your travel. Cat Ba is better off avoided during major holidays and summer weekends. Cheers, John 10. Re Halong Bay vs Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay 4 years ago Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guideline limiting each user to a single forums screen are forum guidelines? Get answers to your questions about Halong Bay Recent Conversations Peony cruises 756 am Halong Bay - Full Day Cruise or Less? Jun 07, 2023 Does anyone know the site ' Jun 05, 2023 Hanoi & halong bay Jun 02, 2023 Nostalgia Cruises Jun 01, 2023 Best 8 hours day cruise halong May 31, 2023 Real 3 Days - 2 Night Cruises May 30, 2023 Halong Bay / Lan Ha 1 nt/2d cruise May 28, 2023 Halong bay cruise full day trip or more? May 25, 2023 1N cruise May 20, 2023 Day Tour Halong Bay - Day trip from Hanoi May 19, 2023 Sun world tips/ reviews pls May 18, 2023 Small boat tour in Cat Ba May 16, 2023 hanoi to Halong May 16, 2023 More Halong Bay Topics Taxi fare between Hanoi and Halong Bay? When is the best time to visit Hanoi and Sapa? A Class Cruise Company Imperial Junk Cruise - some lessons learnt the cheapest decent Halong bay cruise? Galaxy Cruise Ha Long Bay - Ginger Cruise Halong bay by end December Golden Lotus Cruise Halong Bay Cruise, budget backpackers Cat Ba Island is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam in my opinion, but it’s also a spot many travellers miss off their itinerary in this country… and what a shame. 1 Because Cat Ba Island has a lovely national park at its heart – a great place to enjoy some nature time and day hiking And… 2 Because it’s from Cat Ba Island that you can score the best deals for the perfect Halong Bay alternative! As I’m sure you know, Halong Bay is the UNESCO-listed, insta-famous, jaw-dropping landscape everyone has on their Vietnam bucket list But did you know that it costs hundreds of dollars to enjoy a boat trip here? I know, crazy! If, like me, this mad price tag has you baulking at the idea of Halong Bay, then don’t despair! Read on to learn how you can experience this magnificent scenery for a fraction of the usual price care of a trip to neighbouring Cat Ba Island. Related Posts 15 Things to Do in Vietnam You Can’t Miss Top 17 Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City Your Complete Southeast Asia Packing List This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you. Why Visit Cat Ba Island? I think I’ve spelt it out pretty clearly in the title and the intro of this article but, in case you need a recap, the main reason to visit Cat Ba Island is that it makes for the perfect budget alternative to Halong Bay. If, like me, you’re horrified by the idea of paying hundreds of dollars for a crowded cruise in this part of Vietnam, then listen up, because you really need to start researching Cat Ba Island boat trips instead. Located right next to Halong Bay – it’s the next province along – Cat Ba essentially looks exactly the same as the UNESCO-listed version but just isn’t as famous. If you want to kayak this country’s most famous landscape without the crowds and half the trash, then you need to visit Cat Ba Island. If you want to tick a Halong Bay landscape off your bucket list, but don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars, then you need to visit Cat Ba Island. And if you’re getting a bit tired of the hectic cities of Vietnam and want to escape the pollution and noise of Hanoi, then you need to visit Cat Ba Island. Because Cat Ba Island really is the spot to do all of those things and more, which certainly makes it one of the top places to visit in Vietnam! Where is Cat Ba Island? So let’s start with the obvious, where is Cat Ba Island? Essentially on the coastline closest to Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam – Cat Ba Island lies in the northeast of this country, in a province called Hai Phong, where it sits within Lan Ha Bay. Halong Bay is located in Quang Ninh province, which is just south of Hai Phong. Why I’m explaining this is because, geographically, Lan Ha Bay which surrounds Cat Ba Island, is the same as Halong Bay – it’s just not called Halong Bay because of an arbitrary provincial border! But let’s be clear, the landscape looks exactly the same… because it is! The same dramatic limestone islands and aqua-turquoise waters. The same misty, ephemeral beauty. The same snap-tastic, dramatic, magical, spellbinding charm. Lan Ha Bay just happens to have a different name! And because of this, the price of trips to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island are less than half, actually make that less than a quarter, of what they are to Halong Bay. “What’s in a name?”, you might ask. Turns out, quite a lot! Because not only are trips to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba a mere fraction of the cost, they also boast a mere fraction of the crowds and a mere fraction of the chaos compared to Halong Bay too! An absolute win in my book! How to Get to Cat Ba Island? So, if this sounds like good news to you, then the first key bit of info you’ll need to know, is how to get to Cat Ba Island. And the main thing to be aware of here is that the launch point for all transport to Cat Ba Island is Hanoi. So first, get yourself to Hanoi, either via international or domestic flight, or via local bus, which is a more economical and better environmental option and no hardship, because the buses in Vietnam are excellent. As always, I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals and the excellent 12Go to book my buses in Southeast Asia, because you can directly compare services, journey times, prices and pay securely for your tickets all at once – simples! So once you get to Hanoi and I recommend Little Charm Hostel there if you need to spend the night FYI, I strongly suggest you use Cat Ba Express to get to Cat Ba Island. There are 2 companies that run the bus / boat service from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay, but the Cat Ba Express is by far the better option. With better buses and organisation and no this isn’t sponsored! I’d definitely recommend going with them and not their competitors. A return journey from the Cat Ba Express office in Hanoi, via a bus, a boat and then another bus to Cat Ba island AND back cost me just $28 USD. Learn more including Cat Ba Express’ departure times and how to reserve a place via their website here. Otherwise, if you want to compare journeys from Hanoi, check out the great travel site Bookaway, who will handily give you tons of options and times to get to Cat Ba Island, so you can make the best choice. Where to Stay on Cat Ba? I highly recommend basing yourself in Cat Ba Town when you stay on this island, especially if you are a solo or budget traveller. That’s because this town is where most amenities are, and where most other travellers stay, so you might feel a little isolated staying anywhere else. Plus, Cat Ba Express will ferry you straight to Cat Ba Town when you reach the island and then drop you off at the door of your accommodation – so it was a no brainer in my opinion! For budget travellers, Secret Garden Hostel is a great option here and I love their veggie café and family dinner vibes. However, you can’t book ahead and just have to turn up, so it can be a bit risky. As such, you may want to stay at Luna’s House Hostel instead, which is just up the road and which you can book in advance – pretty essential during high season here. Luna’s is where I stayed during my time on Cat Ba Island and the location, plus rooftop café, made it a good solid option. Dorms are pretty cosy, but have privacy curtains and individual fans which are a blessing in the humidity let me tell you! Things to Do on Cat Ba So the main thing to do from Cat Ba Island, and why most travellers head there, is to cruise Lan Ha Bay… obviously! But first I want to tell you about the other things there are to do on Cat Ba Island, including the great national park that lies at its centre. I highly recommend spending at least 2 nights on the island if you can, 3 would be even better, because this will give you enough time to experience a day trip to Lan Ha Bay and a day in the national park here. I recommend the following itinerary as a good starting point… Day 1 Arrive on Cat Ba Island from Hanoi and prepare trips for the following days Day 2 Hike in Cat Ba National Park Day 3 Take a Lan Ha Bay day trip Day 4 Return to Hanoi When it comes to hiking in Cat Ba’s National Park, you can either enjoy a self-guided day trip or take an organised excursion. The basic premise is the same, you take an early bus from Cat Ba Town to the western edge of the national park, walk across it, stop to enjoy the high lookout point in the middle, and then continue onto the coastal edge of it. From here you can pick up a boat, which will take you back to Cat Ba Town and give you a mini glimpse into the sort of scenery you can enjoy the next day of your boat trip. As always, I recommend you download the local resource onto your phone before setting off on any independent hikes. How to Score a Budget Halong Bay Trip? And now we come to the crux of it all, because there’s no question that the best thing to do in Cat Ba Island – the reason most people come here and the whole reason I wanted to write this article – is to experience the ideal Halong Bay alternative! And I achieved it, here’s how… Ok, ok, as we’ve discovered, the offshore landscape here isn’t technically Halong Bay, it’s Lan Ha Bay. But honestly, I challenge you to see a photo from both and to be able to tell the difference, aka you won’t be able! So now it’s time to call upon the services of good old Cat Ba Express again, who have a handily-located office right along the waterfront road in Cat Ba Town. Here you can book your day trip to Lan Ha Bay. Costing just $23 USD, yes you heard right, that’s just $23 USD, you can spend an entire day in this famous landscape for an absolute steal of a price. Tours take place on local junk boats, which are a bit like large barges, and normally include a trip to see how locals live out here on their boats, as well as snorkelling opps, photo stops aplenty and, best of all, a chance to kayak in a part of the bay that forms a sort of lagoon and had not another tourist in sight. That’s right, not another tourist. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Halong! There’s also lunch and morning tea included in your Lan Ha day trip too. Sound like a bargain? I think so friends! And even more so, when I heard horror stories about the insane boat crowding, horrendous amounts of trash and generally awful experiences from everyone I spoke to who had sailed Halong Bay instead. Annnnnd, let’s not forget, paid ridiculous amounts for! In contrast, day trips to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island are relaxed, affordable, accessible and short. You get to see and snap those amazing limestone islands without the hordes of people, or the tragic trash levels, and you even get to kayak and snorkel in and around them too. What a result! If you want to know more about how I budgeted, and how much I spent on my trip to Vietnam, then check out this post I wrote that details all my costs and expenses over 2 weeks. Things to Know About Your Trip… It’s important to know that in this tropical country of Vietnam it can be cloudy and rainy at almost any time of the year. I visited Cat Ba Island and Hanoi during April – technically one of the few months in which it is meant to be dry weather in both the north and south of Vietnam – but let me tell you, it was not dry in Cat Ba Island or Hanoi! In fact, it rained heavily most days I was there and, from what I could tell, this actually seems to be pretty common! Dry season tch! As such, you’ll def want to come prepared when you visit Cat Ba Island with a thin light rainjacket and some warm layers and long-legged pants. Sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent would also be good things to pack, as would some swimwear, towel and a dry bag. There are ATMs on Cat Ba island, but it’s probably not a bad idea to bring what you need money-wise with you from Hanoi too. Book your transport to the island with Cat Ba Express at least one day in advance and reserve your accommodation and boat trips in advance too during the high season. Finally, bring a big smile safe in the knowledge you will have saved yourself a fortune on visiting and seeing one of the world’s most iconic landscapes! You’re welcome! Get Your FREE Checklist Now!ULTIMATE FEMALE SOUTH EAST ASIA PACKING LISTJust enter your details below and I'll email it you - simple!Information will be sent to the email provided above Mini Travel Guide to North Vietnam When to Visit North Vietnam? Vietnam is a pretty tricky country to get right climate-wise! For a start, it has several of them! And the north is an especially precarious one to nail! The spring months of March and April are meant to be the best ones to visit north Vietnam but, as I mentioned in this article, when I visited at this time of year it rained every day, so y’know… The other best time to visit this part of the country is during the autumn season between September and October, so that’s worth giving a go! The months I’d avoid heading to the north of Vietnam in would be the mega-humid summer from May to August, and the cold wet winters from November through February – don’t think they’d be very fun at all! Best Travel Insurance for North Vietnam I’d never even consider travelling to Vietnam without proper coverage and always recommend travel insurance from World Nomads who I’ve used throughout my time in this country and beyond. I love that they cover a wide range of adventure activities – which is definitely needed for a country like Vietnam – as well as their great customer service and the fact that you can easily claim or extend your coverage while you’re still abroad, online. Alternatively, if you’re a remote worker or digital nomad seeking travel health insurance, look no further than Safetywing’s great Nomad Insurance policies. These guys will cover you at some seriously great prices. 5 Packing Essentials for North Vietnam 1 Lonely Planet Guidebook – The Vietnam Lonely Planet is excellent and very helpful for any trip to this country with lots of top tips and recommended places to eat. 2 Walking Shoes – There’s likely to be a lot of walking in Vietnam, especially around those temples and cities. As such, I advise packing a pair of good runners, like these New Balance trainers, which were perfect for my time here. 3 European & British Power Adapters – Vietnam has a mix of power outlets, but generally opts for a mix of the European and British ones, so make sure you come prepared with a Skross world adapter. 4 Camera and Lens – I love my Sony A6000 mirrorless, which was ideal for capturing the colour, chaos and cuisine and charm of Vietnam. 5 Travel Scarf – A great multi-purpose travel item that can be used to safely store valuables, as well as cover your shoulders while you explore many of Vietnam’s top sights, a travel scarf is a must for me! How to Save When you Spend in North Vietnam When it comes to paying for things in Vietnam, you want to ensure you’re not being charged overseas transaction fees or getting poor exchange rates when using your card abroad, which is why I always take my Wise Card away with me wherever I travel. The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups and no sneaky transaction fees, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card in Vietnam… and it links easily with Google and Apple pay – sold! Get yours here. SAVE IT TO PINTEREST! And there you have it, my full travel guide to Cat Ba Island – the spot to head to if you want to experience Halong Bay for a fraction of the price. Is this great budget travel alternative now on your list? Tell me all in the comments below…

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