Exploring Lan Ha Bay: A Serene Escape in Northern Vietnam

Lan Ha Bay, located in the northern region of Vietnam, is often eclipsed by the more well-known Ha Long Bay. But this less-known treasure is fast drawing interest for its tranquil environment, glistening clean waves, and unusual appeal. Let MOTOGO Tours discover Lan Ha Bay’s breathtaking splendor.

Where is Lan Ha Bay Located?

Lan Ha Bay is a breathtaking location, on the southern edge of the renowned Ha Long Bay and on the eastern side of Cat Ba Island. Lan Ha Bay, with an area of more than 7,000 square kilometers, is a lovely and untouched part of Vietnam home for many small and large islands. The bay’s immaculate beaches, glistening clean waves, and vivid underwater life draw tourists.

Apart from its natural beauty, the bay boasts various fishing communities where one may observe the manner of life of the residents. Lan Ha Bay provides a variety of activities including boating, kayaking, and seeing the nearby towns for those seeking a distinctive travel experience while providing a real window into the coastal life of northern Vietnam.

Best Time to Visit Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay, in northern Vietnam, has four different seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Every season has an own appeal, thus the bay is a year-round travel destination. Still, your tastes and travel schedule will determine the perfect moment for your visit.

For visiting Lan Ha, the summer months from April to June are regarded as the busiest. Perfect for a leisurely boat trip or a day on the beach, the weather is pleasant and bright during this period with calm seas and clear heavens. The mild breeze and blue heavens make the summer months perfect for kayaking or leisurely boat cruises to view the nearby islands.

Since September marks the end of peak travel, the area gets calmer. For those looking for a more calm and serene experience, now is the optimum time. The temperature is still nice, hence you can avoid the thrills by kayaking, snorkelling, or trekking.

How to Get to Lan Ha Bay

Getting to Hai Phong

Getting to Lan Ha Bay starts with first heading to Hai Phong, a big northern Vietnamese port city. Several ways of mobility exist to reach Hai Phong from Hanoi:

• By Bus: Many buses depart every 15 to 20 minutes from different bus stops such Nuoc Ngam or Gia Lam, running routinely from Hanoi to Hai Phong. Usually the trip takes two to three hours. Choose a bus going to Ben Binh station to simplify boat catching from Cat Ba.
• By Air: Several domestic airlines travel to Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong, if you’re pressed for time. Once at the airport, you can ride a bus or taxi to the ferry station and carry on toward Cat Ba Island.
• By Train: From Hanoi to Hai Phong, ride a train for a more picturesque and relaxed travel. There are four daily departures and a 2.5 to 3 hour train journey. This choice lets you savor the scenery passing by.

Getting to Cat Ba Island

Once in Hai Phong, you can get a ferry to Cat Ba Island. Here are your choices:

• Ferry to the Bay: Ben Binh Port sells tickets straight-forwardly. Usually costing roughly 30,000 VND per person, the ferry trip to Lan Ha takes around thirty minutes. If you prone to seasickness, it’s advised to have good health and motion sickness medicines.
• Speedboat and Bus Combination: Another choice is to ride a speedboat from Hai Phong to Cai Vieng, then grab a bus to Cat Ba’s town centre. If you wish to avoid seasickness on the boat voyage, this is perfect.

Must-See Attractions at Lan Ha Bay

Floating Market of Lan Ha Bay

Should you have visited the floating markets in the Mekong Delta, the floating market at Lan Ha Bay will pique your same curiosity. Small in scope, this market is humming with local fisherman offering just caught seafood. For some of the freshest seafood as mementos for your loved ones, visit this little market.

Cua Van Fishing Village

Nestled in the quietest section of the harbor, near the base of the Van Gia limestone mountain, Cua Van Fishing Village With its colorful floating homes, this charming town provides a unique window into the modest, quiet life of more than three hundred fishing families. Cua Van’s calm appeal and natural beauty have helped it to rank among the sixteen most attractive ancient towns worldwide.

Nam Cat Island

About fifteen minutes by boat from Lan Ha Bay, Nam Cat Island is a calm haven unspoiled by business activity. The island provides a real getaway into nature with its immaculate beaches, peace & quiet, and few classic wooden stilt homes. Anyone wishing to relax in a peaceful, perfect setting will find it here great.

Monkey Island

Known as Pineapple Island, or Cat Dua Island, Monkey Island boasts a troop of more than twenty monkeys imported from the Cat Ba National Park under the direction of park rangers. Often interacting with visitors, the lighthearted monkeys are sociable. Two lovely beaches on the island, Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2, let you swim, sunbathe, or try kayaking over glistening clean waves.

Luon Cave

Renowned for its spectacular limestone formations and breathtaking beauty, Luon Cave is one of the most visited tourist destination in Lan Ha Bay. An amazing experience, kayaking over the cave provides breathtaking views of the nearby rivers as well as the caverns itself. Often characterized as a masterwork of nature, the cave provides a serene and magnificent atmosphere.

Van Boi Beach

Along Lan Ha Bay’s foothills of the mountain range, Van Boi Beach is another treasure. Perfect for kayaking, swimming, or just lounging by the shore is this location. The beach is perfect for relaxing and appreciating the natural beauty of the bay because of its pure white sand, glistening clean waves, and calm environment.

Things to Do in Lan Ha Bay

Explore the Unspoiled Islands

There are many dozen islands in Lan Ha Bay, each unique. While some islands offer great beaches excellent for leisure, others are good for hiking. Perfect for swimming and snorkelling, the water around the islands presents an opportunity to explore the rich underwater life hidden under surface level.

Visit the Floating Villages

One of the most unique experiences in Lan Ha Bay is visiting the floating villages. Living on the water, these little, remote villages have businesses and homes built atop floating platforms. Here you can observe daily activities of fishermen and their families as well as learn about the Bay’s traditional ways of life.

Few hundred individuals living in the floating communities of Lan Ha Bay earn their living cultivating seaweed and fishing. Seeing these communities allows you to catch a glimpse of the modest, environmentally friendly style of life that has endured here for many generations.

Swimming and Snorkeling in Clear Waters

Lan Ha Bay is a great place for swimming and snorkelling since it boasts of several breathtaking beaches. The bay boasts many coral reefs, which provide ideal circumstances for underwater research; the water is pure and clear. From vivid fish to brilliant coral, this location, with depths ranging from 4 to 5 meters, is ideal for observing a great range of marine life.

Kayaking Through the Calm Waters

Among the most often used sports in Lan Ha Bay is kayaking. Visitors can join guided trips to reach peaceful, sheltered locations with breathtaking views. Many kayakers appreciate paddling across Me Kong Cave and the Dark and Light Caves. Kayaking is an amazing experience at these sites since they offer the ideal mix of adventure and natural beauty.

Rock Climbing

Lan Ha Bay presents some amazing chances for rock climbing for adventure seekers. Steep cliffs in the area around Cat Ba draw climbers seeking a challenge. There are several paths fit for all levels regardless of your degree of experience climbing. Rock climbing in Lan Ha is a worthwhile exercise combining adventure with the amazing views from the top.

Local Delicacies of Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay is well-known for its cuisine as much as for its natural beauty. Many fresh seafood restaurants around the bay capture the distinctive tastes of the sea. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this scrumptious cuisine when traveling to this breathtaking location:

Tu Hai (Turtle Clams)

In Lan Ha Bay, tu Hai is a beloved treat. Common ways to make tu Hai are grilled with green onions, steamed, or cooked into a delicious soup. Any lover of seafood should definitely try this dish since the meat is flavorful, chewy, and soft. Tu Hai can be rather costly given its scarcity; prices range from 50,000 to 70,000 VND per clam.

Be Be (Spiny Lobster)

Another great meal at Lan Ha Bay is be be, sometimes known as spiny lobster. Nearly every restaurant in the neighborhood offers it, whether steamed, grilled, fried, or even soups. Large, plump, juicy lobsters with a sweet and delicate taste abound. A great gift for guests, the meat is tender and keeps its original flavor when cooked.

So Huyet (Blood Cockles)

In Lan Ha Bay, so huyet is a common meal particularly barbecued over an open flame. Often eaten with a cool lager, these shellfish are delicate and bursting with taste. Huyet can thus also be prepared as a porridge, stir-fried with tamarind, or presented with a hot dipping sauce. Whatever the cooking method, So huyet is always a crowd-pleasers.

Ghẹ Xanh (Green Crab)

Another treat often seen in Lan Ha are green crabs. Usually steamed, the crabs are presented alongside a tart tamarind sauce or in a rich seafood stew. For those who like a simpler, more delicate seafood meal, the meat is sweet, juicy, and reviving. Ghẹ Xanh is a must-try whether eaten on a mixed seafood dish or by itself.

Ban Mai (Scallops)

Ban Mai is a popular seafood delicacy in Lan Ha Bay, known for strengthening bones and easing back discomfort. Grilling Ban Mai with green onions is the finest way to bring out its inherent taste and sweetness. A great and healthy dinner is created when grilled over charcoal since the meat gets smokey and soft.

Bach Tuoc (Octopus)

Serving octopus grilled, steamed, or stir-fried, Lan Ha Bay is well-known for its fresh and savory cuisine. Popular among seafood aficionados, the meat is firm, delicate, and bursting of taste. Grilling the octopus over an open flame will help you to appreciate it since it lets the natural sweetness show.

Travelers looking for adventure, leisure, and great local food will find heaven at Lan Ha Bay in Cat Ba. Lan Ha presents an amazing experience whether your interests are in the great seafood, kayaking over the bay’s glistening clean waters, or exploring the little floating market.