Lan Ha Bay Halong Bay
As one of the unspoiled neighboring bays offering the same stunning scenery as Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay is just to the South but without the crowds. Cruising here, you’ll feast your eye on the marvelous beauty of the natural scenery of more than 400 islands.
- Where is Lan Ha Bay? Gulf of Tonkin, South of Halong Bay, Vietnam.
- Located to the East of Cat Ba Island, spreads over an area of more than 7.000ha (5.400ha are under the management of Cat Ba National Park).
- Wide known as a perfect kayaking spot for its wild beauty and clear water.
- Having around 400 islands and 139 beaches that have not been exploited much.
A perfect destination for those looking for a serene trip
Is Lan Ha Bay worth visiting?
Lan Ha Bay has steadily gained popularity in recent years due to its primitive magnificence and less-crowded attractions. Just 30 minutes by boat from Cat Ba island, you’ll be indulged in the calm sea among the breathtaking landscapes of the bay. Here, lots of lagoons and caves haven’t been discovered yet. Therefore, if you prefer an off-the-beaten-track location, this attraction is an ideal place to unwind and get lost in nature.
The islands here are densely forested with a hundred species of flora and fauna. That combines with white sandy beaches stretching along the rocky mountains, and peaceful fishing villages make for an excellent alternative to Halong Bay for a nice swim, fun kayaking, or learning about locals’ lifestyles.
A scenic part of the bay
Among three bays in Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay is considered to have the best water quality for kayaking and good conditions for rock climbing. Travelers can easily get on a kayak, sail through the towering limestone islands, witness the natural scenery, and enjoy the quiet space. If tired, you can visit the small white sand beaches and relax or go swimming in the clear, emerald water.
Lan Ha Bay Cruise
Many cruise lines offer various Lan Ha Bay 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day tours with splendid experiences for many customers. A range of activities awaits you to join: kayaking to explore the bay, participating in a cooking class, visiting fishing villages, etc.
If you are interested, these are some of the Top cruises to this beautiful bay by BestPrice Travel:
| Cruise | Route | Price from/pax |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Pearl 5* | Light Cave - Frog Pond - Ba Trai Dao - Viet Hai Village | US $173 |
| Mon Cheri 5* | Dark & Bright Cave - Viet Hai Village - Cat Ba Island - Trung Trang Cave | US $168 |
| Peony 4.5* | Dark & Bright Cave - Viet Hai Village - Frog Pond Area | US $149 |
| Sena 4* | Dark & Bright Cave - Viet Hai Village - Frog Pond Area | US $144 |
| Era 5* | Tra Bau - Viet Hai Village - Ba Trai Dao - Dark & Bright Cave | US $162 |
* Note: These are the routes of the 3-day tour
Scarlet Pearl Cruise in Lan Ha Bay
Things to do
- Enjoy a tranquil swimming experience:
You shouldn’t miss the chance to go swimming at emerald beaches in Frog Pond, Van Boi, or Ba Trai Dao Beach. Immerse in the calm water and catching the magnificent scenery will relieve your ténion after a long day of sightseeing.
- Explore amazing caves:
There’re plenty of beautiful caves for you to explore, but the most stunning grottos are Bright & Dark Cave, right on the border of Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay. It’s possible to access this wet cave by kayak or by local bamboo boat. Inside this cave is an amazing system of stalactites that will make your imagination go wild.
Rowing boat to visit Magnificent cave
- Go kayaking:
Most Lan Ha Bay cruises include kayak activity in some popular areas like Ba Trai Dao Island due to its natural beauty and calm water. You can get more privacy while exploring these places. Take your time to feel the clear water as well as marvel at coral reefs and seaweed below the paddle.
If you are interested, let's visit this complete guide about Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay.
- Visit floating fishing villages:
Traveling to Van Boi or Cai Beo fishing village is one of the activities that you shouldn't miss. Tourists may rent a boat to visit houses rearing fish in rafts and learn about local life. Aside from that, guests may freely appreciate the bay's lyrical landscape and taste delicacies produced from fish, shrimp, and other local ingredients.
Witness local life in the floating village
- Cycling in Viet Hai village:
Don’t forget to visit Viet Hai village - a community eco-tourism destination and take a cycling tour. Bike through the narrow winding road, enjoying the fresh air, and admiring the green nature around will be an interesting time.
- Trek in Cat Ba National Park:
This national park is more than 40 square miles and is the home of many endangered species, including the gold-headed langur. There’s a variety of trekking routes but the most likely activity included in your cruise itinerary is an excursion to Trung Trang Cave.
The best time to travel to Lan Ha Bay
Overall, September to November is considered the ideal time to visit Lan Ha as the weather at this time is mild, cool, and pleasant. Don't miss this chance to join amusing outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking, hiking, and cruising.
The weather in Lan Ha Bay is similar to that of Northern Vietnam in general. The bay's summertime is hotter and rainier, with the greatest chance of storms from June to August. With that, you may not travel to the bay during this period to avoid bad weather conditions.
Autumn is the best time to enjoy the fresh air
How to visit Lan Ha Bay?
- By booking a cruise
As stated above, you can choose many ships to visit Lan Ha. You shouldn't miss this chance to book with BestPrice Travel for a tour of this gorgeous bay:
For those who book transfer service, you will be picked up from Hanoi by car, shuttle bus, limousine, or bus organized by your vessel. Lan Ha Bay Cruises leave from two major harbors: Got Pier on Cat Hai Island and Tuan Chau Marina on Tuan Chau Island. Upon you reach the pier, embark on the cruise and start your journey.
- By yourself:
First, you must first move to the center of Cat Ba Town, then take a taxi to Beo Wharf (around 10 minutes), then buy a scenic ticket for 3$ - 5$ and board a boat or motorboat (the price depends on the number of guests and the quality of the boat) to visit Lan Ha Bay.
And this is the end of the Lan Ha Bay travel guide. We hope you can find valuable information and have a clearer vision of this beautiful bay as a whole.
Hoang Huan
Images source: Google
