Would you like to include Ha Long Bay in your Vietnam trip but are looking for an alternative to the crowds and expensive cruises that dominate this breathtaking bay with its incredible limestone formations?
Cat Ba Island is the answer!
Located in Lan Ha Bay, the southwest section of Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba is an island well-connected to the mainland. Here, you’ll find plenty of accommodations and the opportunity to explore Ha Long Bay on affordable day boat trips, which are much less impactful on the environment (and your wallet) compared to traditional cruises.
Lan Ha Bay is often considered a budget-friendly and less crowded alternative. Its landscape is practically identical to Ha Long Bay, with the added bonus of outdoor activities on land, thanks to the beautiful national park that covers the island.
We spent three days and three nights on Cat Ba, including one night in a floating house in the Cai Beo fishing village. We planned to explore the island’s interior and the Cat Ba National Park, but scorching temperatures, a sleepless night for Dice, and my frustration for not planning this leg of the trip properly led us to sacrifice a day of inland exploration in favor of some rest in our cool hotel room.
Why Choose Cat Ba Over Ha Long Bay?
First, Cat Ba is less crowded. While it’s still bustling (it was actually the busiest stop during our Northern Vietnam trip), it’s nothing compared to the chaos of Ha Long Bay itself.
Second, it’s more affordable. There are countless accommodation options and boat tours available, and even combined, they’ll cost about half of a standard cruise.
Lastly, choosing Cat Ba helps reduce your environmental impact on this delicate ecosystem, which already suffers greatly from overcrowding and the massive environmental footprint of Ha Long Bay cruises. While you’ll still board a motorized boat to explore the bay, its impact is much smaller compared to a floating hotel equipped with kitchens, water heaters, and air conditioning.
Boat Tours from Cat Ba
Being a responsible traveler means opting for solutions that respect the surrounding environment as much as possible. Staying on Cat Ba Island and taking a day boat tour of the bay is the most environmentally friendly way to visit Ha Long Bay.
Many boats depart from Cat Ba with various itineraries. Some focus on the southern part, staying in Lan Ha Bay, while others venture north into Ha Long Bay. Prices usually range between €25-30 for a full-day tour, including lunch and a kayaking session. Boats generally depart between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. and return around 4:00 p.m., just before sunset. Numerous agencies offer these tours, so there’s no need to book online in advance (which often results in higher prices).
On our boat, there were about 30 people, but there was plenty of room for everyone. We chose a tour that covered both Lan Ha and Ha Long Bays, with stops at a government-run fishing village, a kayaking session through two caves into a small lagoon where we could swim, and a lovely emerald beach that was very clean (unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for other spots we passed along the way).
The food on board was delicious and plentiful, with vegetarian options as well. Everyone seemed very satisfied!
Other Activities on Cat Ba
A large portion of Cat Ba Island is part of the Cat Ba National Park, where you can enjoy various treks to discover the local flora and fauna, including over 1,500 plant species and more than 200 bird species. The best way to explore is by renting a scooter, but always exercise caution and make sure to have travel insurance!
One of the most popular and fairly challenging treks leads to Viet Hai Village, which can also be reached by bike and is nestled within the park’s lush nature.
Cat Ba is also home to numerous caves, some of which are open to visitors. These include Hospital Cave, which was used as a refuge for Viet Cong leaders and a hospital during the Vietnam War, and Trung Trang Cave, featuring spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, and bat colonies.
If you’re a fan of panoramic views, don’t miss Fort Cannon, said to offer breathtaking views, especially at sunset. However, during our visit, the site was officially closed. While I found some online suggestions to sneak in through a gap in the fence, I didn’t think it was worth breaking the rules for a photo.
Cat Ba also has some beaches accessible with a 25-minute walk from the town center or via golf carts shuttling between the beaches and town. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend the three main beaches—Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, and Cat Co 3—as the water was murky, the waves strong, and the narrow stretches of sand crowded with people.
Instead, consider booking an excursion to the islands in the archipelago, such as Monkey Island, which reportedly has a nice beach—though you’ll have to share it with some cheeky monkeys.
Where to Stay on Cat Ba
The liveliest area, where most hotels, restaurants, and shops are located, is Cat Ba Town, particularly along the waterfront and the main loop road.
Accommodations are generally affordable, especially in the low season. We spent two nights at Eco Hotel Cat Ba, which cost around €20 per night with breakfast. Located near the junction for Cai Beo Port, the hotel was clean, offered laundry services, and had a great breakfast with made-to-order omelets. It was also conveniently across from Yummy 2, a restaurant with a wide selection of dishes, fair prices, and credit card acceptance.
Across Cat Ba, you’ll also find plenty of budget-friendly options, including hostels, homestays, and unique accommodations immersed in nature.
However, the option I highly recommend is spending a night in a floating house in the bay! We stayed at Eco Floating Farm Stay Cai Beo, and it was hands down the most memorable part of our Cat Ba and Ha Long Bay experience. It cost around €65 per night, including breakfast and boat transfers.
Getting There
There are several ways to reach Cat Ba, depending on your itinerary. We traveled from Hanoi to Cat Ba and then continued to Ninh Binh. Each time, we opted for the bus-and-ferry combo via Haiphong, a port city famous for its banh mi cay—narrow baguettes filled with a type of pâté. I loved them and, unfortunately, only found them in this area!
You’ll find many options for booking transport in Vietnamese cities or through your accommodations. However, if you prefer to book in advance and pay by credit card, I highly recommend 12go, a website I’ve used multiple times in Vietnam and Thailand.
A word of advice: check whether the ferry leg involves a speed ferry or a slow boat. Choose the hydrofoil if possible—it’s far more reliable, stable, and frequent. During high season, our overloaded slow boat nearly sank, and we had to be rescued!
Some companies offer the chance to skip the port altogether by taking the Sun World Cable Car, which connects the mainland to Cat Ba in just 15 minutes, passing over the bay. The ticket costs 50,000 dong.
If you’re already in Ha Long City, you can take a ferry from Tuan Chau, the port where Ha Long Bay cruises depart. This route takes about two hours and crosses Ha Long Bay, making it a longer journey but a unique local experience.
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– 10 days itinerary in Northern Vietnam
– Ninh Binh, the HaLong of the land
