Cat BaIsland & Lan Ha Bay guide

02Chapter overview

The bays around Cat Ba

East and south of Cat Ba Town lies a labyrinth of limestone islands, lagoons and fish farms. Lan Ha Bay is the part that belongs to Cat Ba, and it merges seamlessly into Ha Long Bay to the north. This chapter covers what is out there and how to see it.

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Fact sheet

Main bay
Lan Ha Bay
Area
Over 7,000 ha of water
Departure point
Ben Beo pier
Status
Part of the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago World Heritage Site
Day fee
≈ 80,000 VND per adult
Best months
April to June, September to November

Short answer

Lan Ha Bay is the main reason to visit Cat Ba: the same karst scenery as Ha Long, fewer boats and better kayaking. Boats leave from Ben Beo pier, 2 km east of town.

6Pages in this section

  1. 01Lan Ha BayCat Ba's own bay: karsts, lagoons, beaches and fish farms. How to visit.
  2. 02Ha Long Bay from Cat BaCan you see Ha Long Bay from Cat Ba? Routes, limits and smarter options.
  3. 03Cai Beo floating villageAn ancient fishing settlement on rafts beside Ben Beo pier.
  4. 04Monkey IslandTwo beaches, a steep viewpoint climb and cheeky macaques, 15 minutes by boat.
  5. 05Ba Trai DaoThe 'three peaches' beach between three islets, a tide-dependent swim stop.
  6. 06Dark and Bright CaveKayak or row through a low cave passage into a hidden lagoon.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins mark approximate locations.

01Lan Ha or Ha Long?

There is no wall between the bays. Ha Long Bay belongs to Quang Ninh province and Lan Ha Bay to Hai Phong, and the administrative line runs through the islands north of Cat Ba. In practice, Lan Ha is smaller and closer to Cat Ba Town, with more small beaches, more fish farms and generally fewer cruise boats. Since 2023 they share a single UNESCO World Heritage listing. Our Cat Ba vs Ha Long page compares them in detail.

02How to explore

  • Day boat trips from Ben Beo pier, usually with kayaking, lunch and a swim stop. See Boat trips.
  • Overnight cruises for sunset and sunrise on the water. See Overnight cruises.
  • Kayaks rented by the hour near Ben Beo and Cai Beo, or included in tours. See Kayaking.
  • Private local boats for families and groups who want their own route and timing.

03Fees

Visitors to Lan Ha Bay pay a sightseeing fee set by the local authorities. In recent years the published rate for the main day route was 80,000 VND per adult and 40,000 VND per child, with lower fees for short routes such as Monkey Island and higher, per-night fees for overnight stays (around 300,000–500,000 VND per adult). Tour prices usually include it; if you hire a private boat, check who pays. Children under six or shorter than 1.2 m are free.

?Questions people ask

Is Lan Ha Bay better than Ha Long Bay?

Not better, but different: quieter, closer to Cat Ba Town and with more small beaches and kayaking spots. Ha Long has the bigger caves and the larger cruise fleet.

Can I visit Lan Ha Bay without a tour?

Yes, by renting a kayak near Ben Beo or hiring a private boat. Independent kayakers should stay close to the busier channels and avoid going out alone.