Destinations

Lan Ha Bay: Travel guide to the Pearl Paradise Island

Sister to superstar Halong, the quieter and more isolated Lan Ha Bay offers plenty in her own right, particularly in the form of white sandy beaches. Both bays are best explored via overnight cruises. Lan Ha Bay which is located in the south of Ha Long Bay and the East of Cat Ba Island is becoming a popular destination in recent times. This island is more than 7,000 hectares with over 400 large and small islands and many unexploited beaches. The attraction of Lan Ha Island is its wild beauty, quiet space that is very suitable for those who want to find a new space for relaxation.

There are many attractive destinations in Lan Ha Bay and below are some famous places that you can’t miss:

CUA VAN FISHING VILLAGE

Cua Van fishing village is a unique wonder of fishermen. This is the stop that travelers will often stop by in their journey to explore Lan Ha Bay. This village is located about 12 kilometers from Ben Beo (about 1,5 hours by train). You can directly participate in boating, netting and fishing with lassies in the village.

 

 

NAM CAT ISLAND

Nam Cat Island is a small island in Lan Ha Bay, about 5 kilometers to the Southeast of Cat Ba Town’s center. The island possesses a 500-meter beach that has a wide slope and is surrounded by many small islands. Thanks to the long white sandy beach, crystal-clear seawater, and mountainous landscape, Nam Cat Island is ideal for immersing yourself in nature. Besides, the waves here are pretty slight; therefore, you can easily kayak around the island and visit other small islands, such as Sen Island, Cu Island, Doi Island, etc. 

 

 

MONKEY ISLAND

Tourists often take a boat from Ben Beo to Monkey Island and it will take about 10 minutes to go through Cai Beo, pass a flew small island and then head straight to Monkey Island. This is an ideal destination for your Lan Ha bay Trip because the sea water here is very clear and blue, along with two beautiful beaches: Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2. You can also explore the monkey homes here which will surely bring many memorable experiences.

 

VAN BOI BEACH

Van Boi Beach is among the most tranquil beaches in Cat Ba Island you should visit. The beach impresses every tourist with its crystal-clear seawater, pristine landscape, undulating mountains, and stretching forests. Coming here, besides immersing yourself in the cool water, you can also enjoy kayaking and admiring the magnificent natural landscape of Lan Ha Bay. Van Boi Beach is an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling. You will have a chance to see different kinds of colorful fishes here, such as betta fish, Orange spotted Spinefoot, starry triggerfish, etc


If Ha Long Bay area is a traditional sightseeing tour, Lan Ha Bay is a lesser-known destination. With a wild and unique beauty, Lan Ha bay is called as a newly discovered gem, bringing a luminous beauty that captivates many visitors. Tourists can not only take Lan Ha Bay tour during the day but also can participate in overnight cruise tours.

Best time to travel:

With a cool and fresh climate. Tourists can travel to Lan Ha Bay at any time of the year. However, domestic tourists often travel to Lan Ha Bay from April to October, while international visitors often visit Lan Ha from November to March.

What to eat in Lan Ha Bay?
Seafood here is very diverse and rich such as sea crabs, Giant Clam, horseshoe crab, lobsters, sea snakes... However, the delicious specialties that you must definitely enjoy when coming to Lan Ha are Fried crab with salt, sea sam grilled, baked lobster with egg sauce, poached lobster with wine, grilled shrimp, steamed shrimp,…

How to travel Lan Ha Bay?

To travel to Lan Ha Bay, you go to Ben Beo from the center of Cat Ba Island, where you can buy tickets to visit the bay and then hire a boat to go to the places you want. If you only go around the bay, near the shore, but not far, you should rent a motorboat from the local people for convenience.

In addition, an option chosen by many tourists is Lan Ha Bay tour in cruise. The best way to explore Lan Ha Bay’s beauty is by taking an overnight cruise for two or three days. If you choose to explore Lan Ha more than one day and night - Sightseeing and exploring the bay, sleeping on the ship is a great choice. With this tour, you not only experience the best services but also immerse yourself in nature day and night. You will enjoy seeing the beautiful caves by kayaking. There are some cruises that take you to less touristy spots in Lan Ha Bay you should refer to such as Heritage Cruise; Stellar of the Seas or Era Cruise...

If you like to discover new things, you will be attracted by climbing tours, camping, overnight on the island… There are many small but clean beaches, you can choose your favorite place, immerse yourself in the clear blue water.

Discover Lan Ha Bay promises to be the most interesting and unforgettable journey. So let contact us then we will help you book a suitable tour.