Discover also: Phu Quốc.
⚠️ Timetables, prices and access conditions may change without notice, for reasons beyond our control (season, weather, decisions by operators, venues or local authorities). Before every trip, check the information with the relevant authorities and service providers. Entry requirements and local rules (reserves, quotas) are subject to the same caveat.
South of famous Hạ Long Bay, Cát Bà is the largest island in an archipelago of nearly 400 limestone islands and islets. Less crowded than its neighbour, Lan Hạ Bay unfolds jungle-covered karsts, hidden beaches and floating villages. Since 2023, the Cát Bà archipelago has been listed together with Hạ Long Bay as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the island, a national park protects the tropical forest and one of the rarest primates on Earth, the Cát Bà langur.
A jungle island in a listed seascape
Cát Bà belongs to the city of Hải Phòng, about 150 km east of Hanoi. More than half the island is covered by Cát Bà National Park, created in 1986 (about 17,000 ha, partly marine), itself at the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designated in 2004.
The small town of Cát Bà, in the south of the island, gathers hotels, restaurants and boat departures; the Cát Cò beaches are a few minutes’ walk away. Opposite lies Lan Hạ Bay, with its floating fish farms and the old fishing village of Cái Bèo.
Bay, forest and villages
The classic outing is a boat trip in Lan Hạ Bay: caves, lagoons, islets and swimming, by day or on an overnight cruise. Kayaking is now restricted by the authorities and often replaced by bamboo boats: check before booking. Cát Bà is also one of Asia’s great rock-climbing destinations, with more than 400 routes and deep water soloing.
On land, hike through the national park to Ngự Lâm Peak, visit the Vietnam War Hospital Cave and reach the remote village of Việt Hải by bike or boat.
Direct flight to Hanoi, then bus and boat
Vietnam Airlines flies non-stop from Paris to Hanoi (about 11 h 30, daily). From Hanoi, combined bus + boat tickets reach Cát Bà in 3 h 30 to 5 h 30. You can also go via Hải Phòng (train or Cát Bi airport), then take the speedboat or the Cát Hải – Phù Long cable car, almost 4 km long. On the island, scooters, electric buggies, taxis and Grab are enough.
Spring and autumn
The best periods are mid-April to early June and October to November: calm sea, clearer skies and fewer crowds. Summer is hot (up to 34 °C) and rainy, with a risk of typhoons from July to September; winter is cool (15 to 20 °C) and often misty. Avoid Vietnamese weekends and public holidays, which are very busy.
Cát Bà at a glance
| Location | Gulf of Tonkin, south of Hạ Long Bay, about 150 km from Hanoi |
|---|---|
| Area | Cát Hải zone ≈ 325 km²; national park ≈ 17,000 ha |
| Population | ≈ 32,000 (Cát Hải zone) |
| Language | Vietnamese; English in tourism |
| Time difference | UTC+7 (no daylight saving) |
| Currency | Đồng (VND) |
| Access | Direct Paris–Hanoi flight, then bus and boat (3 h 30 to 5 h 30) |
| Entry | 45 days visa-free for French citizens until 14/03/2028; e-visa beyond |
| Electricity | 220 V, plug types A and C |
Your questions answered
Do I need a visa?
Citizens of France and several other European countries can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days until 14 March 2028, with a passport valid for six months after entry. For longer stays, apply for an e-visa (up to 90 days) only on the official portal evisa.gov.vn. Check the rules for your nationality.
How do I get to Cát Bà from Hanoi?
The easiest way is a combined bus + boat ticket (3 h 30 to 5 h 30), sold by several companies from the Old Quarter. You can also reach Hải Phòng by train or car, then take the speedboat from Bính port or the Cát Hải – Phù Long cable car. From Hạ Long, a ferry links Tuần Châu to Gia Luận in about an hour.
Can I go kayaking in Lan Hạ Bay?
Local authorities have restricted kayaking in Lan Hạ Bay, replaced at some sites by rowed bamboo boats. Some operators still offer it: check when booking.
When is the best time to go?
From mid-April to early June, then in October and November: calm sea and fewer crowds. Summer is hot and rainy, with a risk of typhoons from July to September; winter is cool and often misty.
Header photo: Lan Hạ Bay and Hạ Long Bay — Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
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