Things to do in Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay

Cat Ba is the largest island of the Cat Ba Archipelago, roughly 150–180 km east of Hanoi, and the practical base for Lan Ha Bay. Lan Ha is not Ha Long Bay: it is a separate, quieter stretch of water, even though the archipelago itself became part of the UNESCO site when it was extended in 2023.

Allow a few hours from Hanoi by road and ferry, so a night on the island beats a rushed day trip. On the water you get boat trips, kayaking and small beaches; on land, the fishing port and the island's own town life. A half-day boat or kayak outing typically costs roughly 15–40 EUR (2026). The classic cruises and heavily visited caves stay with Ha Long.

Summer typhoons can cancel departures, so keep slack in the calendar.