When Traveling Is Caring ❤️
Vịnh Lan HạNorthern Vietnam20.75° N · 107.08° E
The quieter neighbour of Ha Long Bay, with sheltered lagoons, small sandy coves and some of the best kayaking in Vietnam. Here is how it differs, how to get there and how to spend your time.
Lan Ha Bay lies just south of Ha Long Bay, off the eastern shore of Cat Ba Island in Hai Phong province. The karst towers are the same, but the bays here are smaller and more enclosed, with lagoons you can only reach by kayak and pale little beaches tucked between the cliffs. In 2023 UNESCO extended the Ha Long Bay listing to include the Cat Ba archipelago, so Lan Ha now shares World Heritage status with its famous neighbour.
What makes Lan Ha different is the pace. Fewer boats sail here, so anchorages are quieter and you are more likely to paddle into a cove with nobody else around. Days are built around the water: kayaking, swimming, a bamboo boat through a fishing village and lunch on deck, rather than queuing for caves.
Cat Ba Island adds a land side to the trip, with a national park, hiking trails and the peaceful village of Viet Hai. This guide covers how Lan Ha compares with Ha Long, how to get there from Hanoi, what to do and when to come.
Every journey below is private and tailor-made, combining Lan Ha with Hanoi, Ninh Binh or Cat Ba Island at the pace you prefer.
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Lan Ha is not simply "Ha Long without the crowds". It is a different kind of trip, built around paddling, swimming and slow time on the water. Here is what to expect.
Ha Long is open water with famous caves and many boats. Lan Ha is a maze of sheltered inlets and lagoons, which makes it better for paddling and swimming and quieter at anchor.
Most trips include at least one paddle through low arches into hidden lagoons. Guides lead the way, the water is usually calm, and beginners manage well in double kayaks.
Small sandy beaches such as Three Peach Beach sit between the cliffs and are reached only by boat. They are pretty rather than grand, and some get busy at midday, but a swim here is a highlight in the warmer months.
Most boats leave from piers on the Hai Phong side, reached by expressway and a long sea bridge, about 2.5 hours from Hanoi. Others sail from Cat Ba Island. Some cruises start in Ha Long and cross into Lan Ha.
The experiences our travellers enjoy most, in order of what we would not miss.
Paddle under low limestone arches into enclosed lagoons ringed by cliffs and forest. This is the reason most people choose Lan Ha, and the light is best early or late in the day.
Spend a night at anchor among the karsts, with fewer neighbouring boats than in Ha Long. Two nights lets you explore further without rushing.
A small, pretty beach of pale sand between steep islands, reached only by boat. Lovely for a swim, though it can be busy around lunchtime in summer.
A pair of water caves known locally as Hang Sang Toi, explored by kayak or bamboo boat. Paddling through the dark passage into the bright lagoon beyond is a memorable moment.
Lan Ha still has working fish farms and floating homes. Visit by bamboo boat with a local rower and see how families live on the water.
Forested hills covering much of Cat Ba Island, home to the critically endangered Cat Ba langur. Trails range from short walks to a steep half-day hike to a lookout.
A quiet farming village inside the national park, reached by boat and a short walk or bike ride. Rice fields, karst walls and almost no traffic.
A hilltop with old wartime gun emplacements and wide views over Cat Ba Town and the bay. A short drive or steep walk from town, best near sunset.
Three small beaches just outside Cat Ba Town, linked by a cliffside path. Handy for a swim if you stay on the island, but busy with domestic visitors in summer.
Calm, sheltered water makes Lan Ha one of the nicest places in the north to swim from a boat between May and October.
A cave on Cat Ba that was used as a secret hospital during the American War. An interesting short stop on the drive across the island.
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Customise My TripLocal specialities worth seeking out, and when the locals eat them. Your guide will know the best places to try each one.
Add a food experience →Most travellers drive from Hanoi on the Hanoi to Hai Phong expressway, then cross the sea bridge to piers near Cat Hai, where the boats depart. Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong has domestic flights and is about an hour from the piers. You can also reach Cat Ba Island by ferry and stay on land.
Your base on the water, with meals, cabins and kayaks on board.
Best for: Overnight staysThe best way to reach lagoons and arches the bigger boats cannot enter.
Best for: ExploringEasy rides to Viet Hai village and along quiet island roads.
Best for: Cat Ba IslandHandles the drive from Hanoi and the pier transfers.
Best for: TransfersPlaces that pair well with Lan Ha Bay, with approximate travel times.
April to June and September to November are usually the best months, warm enough to swim with a good chance of clear skies. July and August are hot and busy with domestic holidaymakers, and summer is also storm season, when sailings can be suspended. December to February is cool, grey and too chilly for most swimmers, but the bay is at its quietest.
A general guide. Weather varies from year to year, and we plan each route around the season.
Quick answers from our local team. Anything else, just ask your travel specialist.
Ask us on WhatsAppIt depends on what you want. Lan Ha is quieter, with better kayaking and small beaches. Ha Long has the famous caves and viewpoints and the widest choice of boats. For travellers who want calm water and time to paddle and swim, we usually suggest Lan Ha.
By road, about 2.5 hours on the expressway to Hai Phong and over the sea bridge to the piers near Cat Hai, where most boats leave. We arrange a private car with driver, and can include Cat Ba Island or a stop in Hai Phong if you like.
One night on a boat covers the highlights. Two nights gives you more kayaking, a beach stop and a slower pace. If you would also like to hike in Cat Ba National Park or cycle to Viet Hai village, add a night on the island.
Yes, and it is one of the best places in the north for it. From about May to October the water is warm and calm, and most boats stop for a swim or at a small beach. In winter the water is too cool for most people.
Generally yes. The water is sheltered, guides lead the group and most people paddle in double kayaks. You should be comfortable in the water and wear the life jacket provided. Tell your crew if you would rather take a bamboo boat instead.
Yes. In 2023 UNESCO extended the Ha Long Bay listing to include the Cat Ba archipelago, which takes in Lan Ha Bay. Cat Ba was already a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
April to June and September to November usually offer the best balance of warm water and clear skies. Summer is busy and can bring storms that stop sailings. Winter is quiet and cool, with misty views.
A boat gives you sunset, sunrise and quiet anchorages, which is the classic experience. Staying on Cat Ba suits hikers, cyclists and anyone worried about seasickness, with day trips out into the bay. Many travellers do one night of each.
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