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Exploring Lan Ha Bay: A Serene Escape in Northern Vietnam

07:30 - 12/12/2025

5/5 - (2 votes)

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.

What is the location of Lan Ha Bay?

Lan Ha Bay is a beautiful hidden gem on the southern edge of the famous Ha Long Bay and on the eastern shores of Cat Ba Island. Lan Ha Bay is a peaceful, untouched part of Vietnam that covers more than 7,000 square kilometers. It has hundreds of large and small islands that rise gently from the emerald sea. Its beautiful beaches, clear waters, and colorful underwater world make for an irresistibly beautiful scene that draws travelers in like a soft whisper from nature.

The bay is home to traditional fishing villages that are a great place for travelers to see how life goes on along the coast. Lan Ha Bay offers peaceful boat rides, quiet kayaking trips, and close cultural encounters for those who want a truly authentic travel experience. These activities give you a glimpse into the soul of northern Vietnam’s coastal heritage.

Best Time to Visit Lan Ha Bay

In northern Vietnam, Lan Ha Bay has all four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. The bay is a great place to escape all year round because each season has its own beauty. When you visit is up to you and what kind of trip your heart wants.

The bay slowly warms up from April to June, which is the most colorful time of year. The weather is nice and bright, the sea is calm, and the skies are high and clear. It’s a great time for leisurely boat rides, relaxing on the beach in the sun, or drifting peacefully in a kayak as the wind wraps around you.

The bay gets quieter after September, when the crowds start to thin out. This is the best time for travelers who want peace and quiet. The weather is still nice, so you can go kayaking, snorkeling, or hiking in peace, all without the crowds of peak season.

How to Get to Lan Ha Bay

Getting to Hai Phong

The first step on your trip to Lan Ha Bay is to get to Hai Phong, a busy port city in northern Vietnam. There are a few ways to get there from Hanoi:

By Bus: Buses leave stations like Nuoc Ngam and Gia Lam every 15 to 20 minutes, making the trip to Hai Phong easy and smooth in about 2 to 3 hours. If you choose a route that goes to Ben Binh Station, it will be much easier to get to Cat Ba by boat.
By Air: If you don’t have much time, a few domestic airlines fly directly to Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong. You can take a short taxi or bus ride from there to the ferry terminal, where your trip to the island will begin.
By Train: The train from Hanoi to Hai Phong is a more relaxing and beautiful way to travel. With four departures a day and a trip that lasts only 2.5 to 3 hours, it’s a calm way to see the scenery as it goes by.

Getting to Cat Ba Island

Getting to Cat Ba Island from Hai Phong is easy and pleasant once you get there:

Ferry to the Bay: You can easily get ferry tickets at Ben Binh Port. It costs about 30,000 VND per person to cross the water, and the trip takes about 30 minutes. If you get sick from motion, get ready for a comfortable ride.
Speedboat and Bus Combination: You can also take a speedboat from Hai Phong to Cai Vieng and then a bus to Cat Ba Town. This choice is better for people who want to spend less time on the open water.

Must-See Attractions at Lan Ha Bay

Floating Market of Lan Ha Bay

If you’ve ever walked through the Mekong Delta’s floating markets, the Lan Ha Bay floating market will make you want to know more. This market is smaller and more personal, but it has the honest energy of local fishermen selling their fresh seafood. It’s the best place to get gifts for loved ones back home that are fresh, smell good, and have the spirit of the sea.

Cua Van Fishing Village

The beautiful Cua Van Fishing Village is hidden away in the quietest part of the bay, at the foot of the Van Gia limestone mountain. Its colorful floating houses drift peacefully on the water’s surface, making a beautiful picture of simple life on the coast. More than three hundred fishing families live in this peaceful village. Its calm beauty has made it one of the sixteen most beautiful ancient villages in the world.

Nam Cat Island

Nam Cat Island is only 15 minutes by boat from Lan Ha Bay. It feels like nature is hugging you. The island has beautiful beaches, quiet, and a few charming wooden stilt houses that make you think of simpler times. It hasn’t been developed for business. It is a place where travelers can relax and find peace deep in their souls.

Monkey Island

Monkey Island, which is also called Pineapple Island or Cat Dua Island, is home to a lively group of more than twenty monkeys that park rangers brought over from Cat Ba National Park. These friendly monkeys are playful and curious, and they often interact with visitors, which makes the experience even better. Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2 are two beautiful beaches on the island where you can swim, sunbathe, or kayak over clear, sparkling waters.

Luon Cave

Luon Cave is one of Lan Ha Bay’s most beautiful places to visit. Its limestone formations are stunning and its beauty is otherworldly. Kayaking through the cave is like a dream come true. You glide under tall cliffs, hear the soft echo of water, and see nature’s raw beauty. Luon Cave is often called a natural masterpiece because it has a calm, almost holy atmosphere.

Van Boi Beach

Van Boi Beach is another hidden gem that is located at the base of Lan Ha Bay’s mountain range. The beach is great for kayaking, swimming, or just relaxing by the water because of its soft white sand, clear water, and peaceful atmosphere. It is a place where time seems to slow down, making you want to relax and take in the bay’s beautiful, gentle beauty.

Things to Do in Lan Ha Bay

Explore the Unspoiled Islands

There are dozens of islands in Lan Ha Bay, and each one has its own quiet charm and personality. Some have soft, private beaches that are great for relaxing slowly and daydreaming, while others have rough trails and wide views that call to hikers. The water around the islands is crystal clear, which makes it impossible to resist swimming and snorkeling. There is a colorful, lively world of coral and life just below the surface that is waiting to be found.

Visit the Floating Villages

Going to the floating villages in Lan Ha Bay is one of the most memorable things you can do there. These peaceful communities are built on floating platforms in the water, where homes, boats, and businesses all float with the tide. You can see how fishermen and their families go about their daily lives here, and you can also learn about the bay’s long-lasting, traditional way of life.

A few hundred people depend on fishing and growing seaweed, which are simple and sustainable ways of life that have been passed down through the years. When you visit these communities, you get a real look at a simple, eco-friendly way of life shaped by the sea.

Swimming and Snorkeling in Clear Waters

Lan Ha Bay is a swimming and snorkeling paradise because it has so many beautiful beaches. The water is very clear, which makes it easy to see the beautiful coral reefs that are perfect for exploring underwater. You can see colorful schools of fish, bright coral formations, and a surprisingly diverse marine ecosystem at depths of just 4 to 5 meters.

Kayaking Through the Calm Waters

Kayaking is one of the most popular things to do in Lan Ha Bay, and for good reason. Visitors can take guided tours that take them to quiet, hidden parts of the bay with stunning views. Many tourists enjoy paddling through Me Kong Cave and the Dark and Light Caves, where adventure and the soft, poetic beauty of nature come together perfectly.

Rock Climbing

Lan Ha Bay has exciting rock climbing spots for people who want to have fun. Climbers of all skill levels are drawn to the tall limestone cliffs near Cat Ba. There are routes for both beginners and experienced climbers that will push your body and give you amazing views from the top. Rock climbing here is a thrilling mix of excitement and wonder.

Local Delicacies of Lan Ha Bay

The food in Lan Ha Bay is just as well-known as the scenery. Fresh seafood is the main dish at local restaurants, and it tastes like the sea. While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to try these amazing dishes:

Tu Hai (Turtle Clams)

Tu Hai is one of the best foods in Lan Ha Bay. People love Tu Hai because it has a rich flavor and a soft, chewy texture. It’s often grilled with green onions, steamed, or simmered into a fragrant soup. Because it is so rare, it can be expensive—usually between 50,000 and 70,000 VND per clam—but seafood lovers should never miss it.

Be Be (Spiny Lobster)

Be be, or spiny lobster, is another popular dish. Almost every restaurant in the area serves it, either grilled, steamed, fried, or as part of rich soups. These big, juicy lobsters have sweet, tender meat that keeps its natural flavor even when seasoned or cooked simply. They also make a great gift for people who want to taste the sea.

So Huyet (Blood Cockles)

So Huyet is a local favorite, especially when cooked over an open flame. These soft shellfish are full of flavor and go great with a cold beer. You can also cook them into porridge, stir-fry them with tamarind, or serve them with a spicy dipping sauce. So Huyet is always a hit, no matter how you make it.

Ghẹ Xanh (Green Crab)

Another popular dish in Lan Ha Bay is ghẹ xanh, or green crab. The meat is sweet, juicy, and very fresh. It is often steamed and served with tangy tamarind sauce, or it is simmered into rich seafood stews. Crab lovers should definitely try Ghẹ Xanh, whether they eat it by itself or as part of a mixed seafood feast.

Ban Mai (Scallops)

Ban Mai scallops are highly valued in Lan Ha Bay because they taste great and are good for your health. They can help strengthen bones and ease back pain. When you grill them with green onions over charcoal, they smell smoky and sweet, which makes them impossible to resist.

Bach Tuoc (Octopus)

People also love Lan Ha Bay’s fresh octopus, which can be grilled, steamed, or stir-fried. The meat is firm but tender, and it has a lot of natural flavor. A lot of people like it grilled over an open flame because it brings out its sweet taste and amazing smell.

Lan Ha Bay is a paradise for travelers looking for adventure, relaxation, or unforgettable local flavors. Lan Ha is a place that feels both magical and very real. You can enjoy fresh seafood, paddle across sparkling waters, or explore a charming floating village. The experience stays with you long after you leave its shores.

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