Short answer
Choose Viet Hai for a car-free valley reached by boat, Khe Sau or Tran Chau for quiet garden homestays near the park, or a floating homestay for a night on the water. Book ahead and bring cash.
01Viet Hai and valley homestays
A handful of families run homestays and bungalows in the car-free Viet Hai valley and in the quiet valleys bordering the national park, often serving home-cooked meals from their gardens.
Lan Homestay
$Viet Hai village · Family-run bungalows
Bungalows in the car-free Viet Hai valley surrounded by karst walls, with breakfast included. The family can organise speedboat pick-up from Ben Beo.
Check Availability & RatesCat Ba Serena Homestay & Swimming Pool
$$Khe Sau village (near Hospital Cave) · Valley homestay & pool
A highly rated family lodge with a swimming pool set against the limestone hills near Hospital Cave and the national park road.
Check Availability & RatesTran Chau Garden Home
$Tran Chau valley · Garden homestay
Peaceful rooms in a green garden setting in Tran Chau, a short ride from both Cat Ba Town and the cave sights.
Check Availability & Rates02Floating homestays
Some families in Cai Beo and elsewhere in the bay rent rooms on their raft houses. You fall asleep to the sound of water and wake up among the fish farms. Facilities are basic: simple bathrooms, fans, limited electricity, and mosquitoes. A few are bookable online; others through tour operators.
03Etiquette
- Remove shoes inside
- Ask before taking photos of family members
- Respect quiet hours
- Pay in cash and tip for good meals
?Questions people ask
Is it safe to sleep on a floating homestay?
Generally, yes, in calm weather. Storm warnings mean guests are moved ashore.