Most tourists like Lan Ha Bay because of its wild and peaceful beauty, spotted by plenty of large and small islands with different shapes. Visiting Lan Ha Bay, you will experience the feeling of being immersed in nature and discovering the daily life of local fishermen.
Lan Ha Bay, owning an area of more than 7,000m2, is located in the east part of beautiful Cat Ba Island and the south of Ha Long Bay.
With unexploited beaches, Lan Ha Bay has become more and more attractive for leisure and sea activities.
Let’s go to enjoy beautiful views and participate in fun activities here!
Table of Contents:
1. What is the best time to travel to Lan Ha Bay?
Lan Ha Bay has the weather changing into four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season has its own beauty and poetic charm, and it is suitable for various activities.
Winter from Dec to Feb is often cold and not good for swimming. However, islands emerge in the fog in the morning like you are in a fairyland.
From April to June in the summer, the sea is calm, and the sky is clear. The weather is sunny, suitable for swimming and exploring the bay. But, the temperature is high and strong sunlight.
From about September to the beginning of December is Autumn, it is not a very busy tourist season, so Lan Ha Bay is peaceful and suitable for those who like to relax in a quiet space. You can also participate in sea activities such as surfing and climbing.
2. Means of transportation to Lan Ha Bay
To visit Lan Ha Bay, you can depart from 2 main piers, Got Ferry Wharf in Hai Phong City and Ben Beo Wharf on Cat Ba Island.
- Got Ferry Wharf is the place for 4-5 star luxury cruise ships for tourists who prefer luxury service and fewer crowds.
- Ben Beo owns smaller ships, suitable for small groups and families, which many Vietnamese tourists often choose.
So, almost all foreign tourists travel from Hanoi to Got Ferry Wharf in Hai Phong City to start visiting Lan Ha Bay. If you are already in Hanoi, Vietnamdrive can transfer you in a private car to Cat Ba island; from here, you can come to Lan Ha Bay.
Besides a private car from Hanoi, it depends on where you will start, you can choose the flights from Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City to to Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong City, where it’s easy to Cat Ba, then explore Lan Ha bay.
3. Unique points of Lan Ha Bay vs Ha Long Bay
Lan Ha Bay belongs to Hai Phong City and connects with the south of Ha Long Bay, which belongs to Quang Ninh Province. To visit Lan Ha, you start from Cat Ba Island or the ferry terminals near the city center of Hai Phong.
Lan Ha Bay has a beautiful scene, not inferior to the other attractions in Ha Long Bay. Around 300 islands in Lan Ha Bay create charmful landscapes and poetic beaches.
When taking a cruise to visit Lan Ha Bay, you can get closer to the islands on the way than moving on the cruises in Halong. This can help to feel stronger between people’s connection with nature, rocky islands, and the sea.
The price to explore Lan Ha Bay is cheaper than the ticket to visit Ha Long Bay. But moving to Lan Ha Bay is a bit more difficult than traveling to Ha Long Bay because it takes one more boat trip to get here.
4. Prepare necessary luggage for the Lan Ha Bay tour
In addition to personal items according to your needs, you need to pay attention to bringing others while visiting here.
- As with trips to the sea and islands, you prepare bathing suits, swimwear, and towels.
- A pair of sunglasses will make you comfortable when sunbathing in Lan Ha Bay and also prepare a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face from sunburn.
- Carry sunscreen, especially when you come to Lan Ha Bay from April to September every year because the amount of sunshine is large.
- Prepare a pair of light slippers to protect your feet when you walk on sandy areas to avoid a few stones or hard objects on beaches.
- Bring a waterproof bag to store travel items, such as phones and cameras, when swimming or doing beach activities.
5. What to visit and do in Lan Ha Bay
5.1. What to visit in the bay
Luon Cave
Luon Cave is located on Bo Hon Island and in front of the cave of Con Rua Island. The cliffs surrounding the cave stand tall, and the water in the four seasons is clear and calm.
Luon Cave, a masterpiece on Lan Ha Bay, is a well-known tourist destination with beautiful check-in photos. You will be surprised when kayaking to visit the lovely scenery around this place.
Cua Van fishing village
Cua Van fishing village nestles on the Van Gia limestone mountain, surrounded by a calm area. This place owns the typical floating houses floating in the middle of the bay. The life of the locals is tranquil, with more than 300 families engaged in fishing.
Nam Cat Island
Nam Cat Island is about 15 minutes by boat from Lan Ha Bay, with wildness, serenity, and charm. You can fully enjoy the fresh air from the sea nature.
Monkey Island
Monkey Island is also known as Cat Dua Island because there are many pineapple trees – Pineapple is “Dứa” in Vietnamese. However, now the island is called Monkey Island because it is home to more than 20 monkeys brought by the rangers of Cat Ba National Park. They are friendly and often enjoy playing with visitors.
Typically, Monkey Island has 2 beautiful beaches: Cat Dua Beach 1 and Cat Dua Beach 2. The seawater here is extremely clear and suitable for swimming and kayaking.
5.2. What to do in Lan Ha Bay
Swimming and watching corals
With many beautiful beaches in Lan Ha, you can enjoy swimming and immersing in the cool seawater. The diving spots here have a depth of 4-5m, which is suitable for watching corals and other sea creatures.
Kayaking
Lan Ha Bay has become one of the charming places for kayaking in Vietnam. You should buy a kayak tour so that the cruise ships can take you to the calm and beautiful sea region. Then, you both go kayaking and enjoy the incredible scenery here.
Climbing
Climbing is a favorite activity of many tourists, especially international tourists when traveling to Lan Ha. You can find exciting climbing spots around here with craggy cliffs, attractive to those who like adventure. We recommend you book a tour with a travel agent when you want to join this activity.
Enjoy a peaceful night on the cruise
Spending a night on a cruise is an ideal experience. If you have a chance, do not miss staying overnight in this peaceful bay of Lan Ha. You will feel so relaxed while your cruise floats in huge seas surrounded by the whisper of waves. An incredible sunrise comes with you to welcome a new day, making you love life more.
6. Frequently asked questions about Lan Ha Bay
How much is a ticket to visit Lan Ha Bay?
When you buy tickets to visit Lan Ha Bay at piers such as Ben Got or Gia Luan, a one-day-visit ticket costs 80,000 VND/person.
If you stay overnight on the boat, the fee on the bay will be 300,000 VND/person. In addition, you have to pay additional boat and service fees. However, cruise companies often include the overnight cost when selling cruise services.
Please note that this fee can be changed over time!
How many days should I spend visiting Lan Ha Bay?
Lan Ha Bay has a large area. But, just to visit the landscape, you can spend a day to get the most sightseeing here.
However, to experience and feel the peaceful beauty of nature and people in the sea, you should spend at least 2 days and 1 night on the cruise to discover Lan Ha Bay and nearby attractions.
Should I buy a boat ticket to visit Lan Ha Bay in advance?
If you only visit the bay within a day, you may not need to buy in advance. When you arrive at Gia Luan Pier or Ben Got Wharf, you will easily buy tickets for sightseeing. However, the official holidays can be bustling here.
However, if you want to spend a night on the cruise, it’s best to book the all-inclusive cruise service for your trip in advance.
Conclusion
Choosing Lan Ha Bay to spend your holidays can make your vacations in Vietnam more exciting. You may escape from the busy area of Halong Bay, which is similar to the view here.
Now is your turn to explore it!
