Best Things To Do In Lan Ha Bay

Located in the south of the famous Halong Bay and the east of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay features the magnificence of the small and large islands with many interesting shapes. Not being well-known to tourists like Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay is also one of the most beautiful bays near Halong Bay in Vietnam. This promised to be an attraction for tourists who want to discover beautiful Vietnam.


With a cool and fresh climate, Lan Ha Bay is ready to welcome tourists at any time of the year to enjoy comfortably outdoors activities like swimming, kayaking, boating. So here are the best things to do in Lan Ha Bay!

Lan Ha Bay Overview

1. Some Attractions In Lan Ha Bay

1.1. Nam Cat Island

Nam Cat Island is an ideal destination for those who adventurous travelers. Nam Cat Island attracts tourists through four surfaces of nature, exotically charming forests, and sea surrounding. The beach’s length is about 500m with white sand and calm water, which is suitable for swimming, kayaking, fishing, and scuba diving safely. In addition, there are 3 large wooden stilt houses and 6 bamboo motels allowing you to immerse yourself with nature here. You can have an opportunity to enjoy the seafood of Cat Ba and also explore the serene waters with small fishing villages here. Nowadays, tourism in Nam Cat Island is developing, which contribute to preserve and honour the hidden beauty of the island.

Nam Cat Island

1.2. Monkey Island

Taking a boat from Ben Beo for 10 minutes, you can reach Monkey Island (also called Cat Dua Island in the past). At present, there are more than 30 monkeys here under the range of Cat Ba National Park. Tourists can play with them, and feed them with bananas, apples, or candies. The monkeys are very funny to climb and play with those who visit Monkey Island.

Monkey Island

1.3. Van Boi Beach

Van Boi is one of the great places to relax with white sand and clear water you can see to the bottom. The waves are rather quiet, which is good to dive the coral and swimming. Also, you can relax with bathing on the beach and watching the beauty of the coral. You may feel impressed by this natural landscape and the surrounding cliffs. The beach seems to be escaped from the modern life with noise and bustle. 

Van Boi Beach

1.4. Rua Island (Turtle Island)

Opposite to Van Boi Beach, there is a small island with the shape like the turtle swimming on the water surface. It is like a masterpiece in the “forgotten paradise”.

Turtle Island

1.5. Cannon Fort

Built from 1942 as a look-out point, Cannon Fort is at a 177-meter high hilltop overlooking Lan Ha Bay. It is an ideal place for trekking up to see the panorama view of Lan Ha Bay. From Cannon Fort, you will have a chance to see the scenic views of the bay in particular, and of Cat Ba Island in general with tiny houses and fishing boats.

View from Cannon Fort

2. Things to do in Lan Ha Bay

If you visit Vietnam and Hanoi you may take a day trip from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay or an overnight trip on a Lan Ha Bay Cruise.

If you do not have much time, Lan Ha Bay Day Trip from Hanoi can be a good option for you. different from Halong Bay Day Trip, when you take a day trip to Lan Ha Bay you will have a full day on the cruise.

While a day trip to Halong Bay you will need about 7 hours on the bus and you only have about 4 to 6 hours on with the cruise trip you will have about 8 hours for the day trip to Lan Ha Bay because it only takes about 4 hours for the transfer.

If you have more time then Lan Ha Bay overnight cruises will be a good option for you, it can be 3 days 2 nights on Lan Ha Bay, or 2 days 1 night on Lan Ha Bay Cruises.

Refer to some top-rated and recommended cruises in Lan Ha Bay

2.1. Kayaking

With hundreds of small sandy beaches and islets, Lan Ha Bay is one of the paradises for kayaking. Those who love kayaks will be interested in the clean and calm water and the wild nature of Cat Ba Island. Some popular places for kayaking in Lan Ha Bay are Cai Beo Floating Village, Van Boi Beach, and Monkey Island… Discover the wild nature here and have the best experiences in the bay.


Lan Ha Bay Cruise with kayaking


2.2. Swimming in Lan Ha Bay

When visiting Lan Ha Bay, swimming is one of the best activities that you should not miss. There are a lot of small lovely beaches such as Van Boi Beach and Monkey Island for you to enjoy swimming. Clear and warm water will bring you comfortable feelings in the beautiful bay.

Swimming in Lan Ha Bay

2.3. Rock climbing in Lan Ha Bay

Touching the limestone by rocky climbing is an interesting experience when visiting Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. Even you are a beginner or intermediate and advanced climbers, the guides will set up the rope and all protective equipment, and follow you on the routes to ensure that it is safe. You will get the most adventurous experience during your wonderful trip in Vietnam. 

Rocky Climbing in Lan Ha Bay

2.4. Visiting fishing village and floating market 

Located on Cat Ba Island, Viet Hai Fishing Village has about 80 households, which is surrounded by mountains. The villagers mainly live on fishing, farming and breeding. It is developed to become an eco-tourism and cultural tourism for both Vietnamese and foreign tourists coming to visit. Visiting the village, you will have a chance to experience the fishing life in Lan Ha Bay.

Viet Hai Village

Move to Cai Beo Floating Village, near Ben Beo Harbor, it is the oldest and the most remarkable floating village in Lan Ha Bay. The village consists of about 300 floating houses living mainly by fishing and seafood farming. You can get there by a small boat or kayaking. Taking a closer look and experiencing the local life here is very interesting and memorable in your trip to Lan Ha Bay.

Cai Beo Floating Market

2.5. Playing and staying at a private beach

If you prefer relaxing to discovering the bay, you can choose for yourself one of a few private beaches including bungalows to stay overnight. You can book a tour package on a cruise or just book a room to have much more time for relaxing activities such as sunbathing, playing beach football, playing beach volleyball, swimming, or kayaking.

Many Lan Ha Bay tours from Hanoi await, reach out to Incredible Asia Journeys now to plan your trip with hot deals and promotions!

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