⚠️ 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.
Daily direct Paris–Hanoi flight, in about 11 h 30, and domestic flights to Hải Phòng.
Official websitevietnamairlines.com→Combined bus + boat tickets from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, in 3 h 30 to 5 h 30, and bay tours.
Official websitecatbaexpress.com→Almost 4 km over the sea in about ten minutes, with the world’s tallest cable-car pylon; stops in strong wind or fog.
Official websitesunworld.vn→Travel advice from the French foreign ministry: 45-day visa exemption for French citizens, e-visa beyond.
Official websitediplomatie.gouv.fr→How long does it take to get to Cát Bà?
Allow about 11 h 30 of direct flight between Paris and Hanoi, then 3 h 30 to 5 h 30 by bus and boat. With transfers, the travel day often exceeds 18 hours: plan a night in Hanoi on arrival.
| Route | Duration | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Paris → Hanoi | ≈ 11 h 30 | Direct flight, Vietnam Airlines |
| Hanoi → Cát Bà | ≈ 3 h 30 to 5 h 30 | Combined bus + boat ticket |
| Hải Phòng (Bính port) → Cát Bà | ≈ 45 min to 1 h | Speedboat |
| Cát Hải → Phù Long | ≈ 10 min | Cable car, then 17 km by road |
| Hạ Long (Tuần Châu) → Gia Luận | ≈ 1 h | Ferry, then 30 min by road |
Entry formalities
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. Otherwise, an e-visa of up to 90 days can be requested only on the official portal evisa.gov.vn: beware of intermediary websites. Check the rules for your nationality. On arrival, withdraw đồng at the airport ATMs; cards are accepted in hotels, less so in small restaurants.
When to go?
From mid-April to early June and in October–November, the sea is calm and the sky often clear. Summer is hot and rainy, with a risk of typhoons from July to September: boats may then be suspended. Winter is cool and misty. Avoid Tết (late January or February) and long Vietnamese weekends, which are very busy.
Are there direct flights from Europe?
Yes: Vietnam Airlines flies daily non-stop from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Hanoi in about 11 h 30. Cát Bà is then reached by bus and boat.
How long from Hanoi to Cát Bà?
3 h 30 to 5 h 30 with a combined bus + boat ticket, depending on the route and connections.
Do I need a visa?
French citizens and several other European nationalities are exempt for stays of up to 45 days until 14 March 2028. Otherwise, apply for an e-visa on evisa.gov.vn.
Can I come from Hạ Long Bay?
Yes: a ferry links Tuần Châu, in Hạ Long, to Gia Luận, in the north of Cát Bà, in about an hour; then allow 30 minutes by road to town.
Cát Bà has no airport. You arrive via Hanoi, linked non-stop to Paris by Vietnam Airlines, then reach the island by bus and boat. Hải Phòng airport (Cát Bi), closer by, is served by domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang or Phu Quốc.
Header photo: View from Cannon Fort — Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons