Cat Ba Island at a glance
Cat Ba is an island in the Cat Ba archipelago, which belongs to the city of Hai Phong. Three things are easy to mix up: the island, the national park (forest and sea areas) and the whole archipelago are different units. The World Heritage listing for Ha Long Bay together with the Cat Ba Archipelago took in Cat Ba in 2023, and the island has been a biosphere reserve since 2004.
Lan Ha Bay lies east of Cat Ba and south of Ha Long Bay, in Quang Ninh province. Most boat trips into it start from the island. This guide covers Cat Ba and Lan Ha: the bay, the park, the beaches, the way over from Hanoi and where to sleep. It is an independent guide, not run by the authorities, the park or any operator.
What changed in 2026
Where older guides are out of date.
New fees since 1 January 2026
Hai Phong's fee schedule sets charges by route and by length of stay. The bay fee starts at VND 120,000 for adults, and the national park is priced by trail.
Lan Ha Bay fees →Kayaks are uncertain
Two bay operators report a suspension of kayaking and offer bamboo boats or swimming instead, while another still lists kayaks in a day tour. Ask before you book.
Kayaking in Lan Ha →Cable car price list of September
The operator lists VND 70,000 one way for adults and free rides for children under 1 m (3 ft 3 in). One source reports that the cable car is closed on Tuesdays.
Getting there →Shorter ferry days in autumn
From 1 September to 31 December 2026 the Dong Bai to Cai Vieng ferry runs a reduced timetable. The last departure from Dong Bai is at 6 pm, from Cai Vieng at 5:30 pm.
Ferry times →Our picks: Cat Ba tours
A day on Lan Ha Bay with kayaks, a day tour with cycling and a half-day hike in the national park.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lan Ha Bay full-day boat trip with kayaking
Eight hours with lunch, entry fees, kayaks, insurance and guides.
Check availability →
Lan Ha Bay day tour with cycling, kayaking and lunch
Nine hours with hotel pickup on Cat Ba, entry fees, a bike or electric vehicle, kayak, swimming, lunch and water.
Check availability →
Cat Ba National Park half-day guided hike
Four hours with an air-conditioned transfer, a local guide and water. National park and Trung Trang cave tickets are included.
Check availability →Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba tours
Boat day trips, national park hikes and overnight cruises around Cat Ba, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
The five pages of this guide.
Lan Ha Bay
Fees, day-trip examples, kayaking rules and Monkey Island.
Things to do on Cat Ba
Ten experiences from the Ngu Lam hike to the Cat Co beaches.
Cat Ba National Park
Trails, fees by route and the Cat Ba langur.
Hanoi to Cat Ba
Bus, ferry and cable car, with the autumn timetable.
Where to stay
Town, beaches or a quiet bay: which base suits you.
Before you go
Entry rules, money and weather in short. Check the visa rules for your passport before you travel.
| Passport | Ordinary tourist trip | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Visa-free up to 45 days; entry requirements still apply | Measure runs 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028 |
| Switzerland | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028 |
| Austria | Visa required: e-visa or embassy visa | Foreign ministry page, 17 October 2026 |
| United States | Visa required before travel | State Department advisory, 15 September 2026 |
The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days, for a single or multiple entries. The fee is USD 25 for a single and USD 50 for multiple entries, and it is not refunded if the application is rejected. Do not assume extra days beyond the validity printed on your visa.
The currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). Cash is useful for small purchases and street vendors, hotels and tour operators usually take international cards, and a cash reserve makes sense for remote places. For the weather, the long-term averages for the Hai Phong station are the best guide: in October the daily high is 85°F (29.5°C), the low 72°F (22.4°C) and rainfall 3.5 in (88 mm). August is the wettest month with 14.2 in (361 mm).
Beyond Cat Ba
Many visitors pair the island with the classic bay to the north. Ha Long and Bai Tu Long have their own guides, with cruises, caves and the road from Hanoi. Farther south, Hoi An is the usual next stop on a trip through Vietnam, and Sapa suits travelers heading to the northern mountains.
Cat Ba: frequently asked questions
Are Cat Ba, Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay the same place?
No. Cat Ba is an island in Hai Phong. Lan Ha Bay lies east of it and south of Ha Long Bay, in Quang Ninh. Since April 2026 linked trips run through both bays, so check which bay and which fees your ticket covers.
How much does it cost to visit Lan Ha Bay?
In 2026 the sightseeing fee is VND 120,000 for adults and VND 60,000 for children from 6 years without an overnight stay. With one night it is VND 400,000 and VND 300,000. These are fees, not cruise prices.
Can I go kayaking in Lan Ha Bay?
Not reliably. Two operators report a suspension that began in late 2025, while one day tour still lists kayaks. Ask your operator whether paddling is part of your trip on the day.
How do I get from Hanoi to Cat Ba?
Most visitors take a combined bus and boat ticket. One operator gives a total of 3 to 3.5 hours, with standard buses from USD 10.50 (stand September 2026). The cable car and the ferry through Dong Bai are the other crossings.
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your passport. See the table above, and check the rules again shortly before you travel.
Is visitcatba.org the site of the park or the authorities?
No. It is an independent travel guide with no link to the Hai Phong authorities, the national park, any ferry or boat company or any tour operator.