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Day tripsDay trips on Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay day cruise: Cat Ba boats vs Tuan Chau day ships

A Lan Ha Bay day cruise comes in two kinds: a small boat from Ben Beo on Cat Ba Island, or a big day ship from Tuan Chau in Ha Long that sails into Lan Ha. Sleep on Cat Ba and you get more bay for less money; come from Hanoi and the Tuan Chau ships are the easier day.

Two kinds
Cat Ba boats from Ben Beo · day ships from Tuan Chau
Price on platforms
from $28 (Cat Ba) · from $38 (Tuan Chau ships)
Time on the water
about 7–8 hours
From Hanoi
a 12–15-hour day with the bus
Bay fee
120,000 VND per adult, usually included
Kayaking
official suspension since Nov 2024, check your date
Life jackets
required for all passengers on board since June 2026

Updated October 16, 2026Facts checked against official sourcesContains affiliate links

Day cruises: what you can book

9 options · Prices checked on October 16, 2026

Platform

See everything on GetYourGuide →See everything on Klook →

A Lan Ha Bay day cruise is the cheapest way to see the karst towers, caves and lagoons east of Cat Ba Island without paying for a cabin. The catch is that the label covers two very different products. One is a wooden or mid-size boat that leaves Ben Beo pier (bến Bèo, "bến" means pier or wharf), 2 km from Cat Ba town, and spends the whole day in Lan Ha. The other is a large day ship that checks in at Tuan Chau Marina in Ha Long, sails 1–1.5 hours through Ha Long waters and then spends the middle of the day in Lan Ha.

My short answer: if you are already on Cat Ba or willing to spend a night there, take a Ben Beo boat. It is cheaper, you get more hours in Lan Ha itself, and you skip about five hours of bus. If you have one day and start in Hanoi, a Tuan Chau day ship such as Taliya or Cozy Bay's Tropical is the less tiring choice, and it still reaches the Lan Ha highlights.

Lan Ha Bay day trip: the two kinds compared

Cat Ba boats (Ben Beo) Tuan Chau day ships
Where you board Ben Beo, 2 km from Cat Ba town Tuan Chau Marina, Ha Long
Typical boat 25-guest wooden boats to 99-guest Serenity Premium 199-seat Taliya, Hera's 200-guest day ship
Hours in Lan Ha almost all day the middle of the day, after 1–1.5 h through Ha Long
Platform price from $28 from $38
Direct price 900,000 VND (Cat Ba Expedition), USD 35 (Beka) USD 58 (Tropical incl. bus), USD 119 + VAT (Jade Sails)
From Hanoi pickup 05:15, back 20:30–21:00 pickup 07:00, back about 19:30–21:00
Best for travelers staying on Cat Ba a one-day trip from Hanoi

Lan Ha (vịnh Lan Hạ, "vịnh" means bay) lies in Hai Phong, in the Cat Hai Special Zone (đặc khu Cát Hải, a special administrative zone), while Ha Long is in Quang Ninh. That matters for the bill: the Lan Ha day fee is 120,000 VND per adult, about half of Ha Long's 250,000 VND main routes. It is one reason a "fees included" boat from Cat Ba costs less. For the full comparison of the two bays see Lan Ha vs Ha Long.

See everything on GetYourGuide →See everything on Klook →Prices checked on October 16, 2026

Day cruises from Cat Ba: Ben Beo boats

Almost every Cat Ba day boat leaves from Ben Beo, next to the floating fishing village of Cai Beo, and operators collect you from town hotels. Not on the island yet? See Cat Ba Island and how to get there.

Cat Ba Expedition: the direct benchmark

Cat Ba Expedition sells its Lan Ha day trip for 900,000 VND direct, plus 4% if you pay online. That covers the bay entrance fees, the town shuttle, lunch on board, a double kayak, a small bottle of water and an English-speaking guide. The day: pickup 08:00–08:30, Cai Beo village, a swim or kayak stop, lunch at 11:30, a swim at Ba Trai Dao around 14:00, a fish farm, and back in town 16:00–17:00. Our Cat Ba Expedition review has the rest of its range.

Beka Travel's wooden day boat

The listing called "Beka Day Boat" on GetYourGuide is the day tour of Beka Travel Company Limited, a wooden boat with a toilet and a maximum of 25 guests. It costs USD 35 per adult and 27 per child on the operator's booking widget, and from $34 on GetYourGuide. The route: Ben Beo at 09:00, past Cai Beo, the Dark and Bright Cave and lagoon around 11:00, lunch at 12:30 near the Lan Ha–Ha Long boundary, a swim at Ba Trai Dao around 14:30, then a fish farm with a short cooking class. Beka adds USD 10 on Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year, 30 April, 1 May and 2 September. More in the Beka day boat review.

Serenity Premium and Serenity Grandeur

Serenity is the bigger, smoother option from the same pier. Both boats are sold by Cat Ba Express (Green Lan Ha International Tourism JSC), which also runs a Hanoi–Cat Ba bus; there is no separate Serenity website.

  • Serenity Premium takes up to 99 guests. Its route changes with the season: from 1 September to 27 April it goes to the Dark and Bright Cave and swims at Ba Trai Dao; from 28 April to 31 August it uses Tai Keo cave and adds Viet Hai cycling. Sale price on the seller's site: USD 37 with Cat Ba town pickup, USD 58 from Hanoi.
  • Serenity Grandeur is a large day ship with a deck pool, jacuzzi, water slide and two restaurants. It boards at 11:00, lands at Viet Hai for a bike or electric-car ride to the village, then stops in a lagoon to swim. Sale price: USD 52 from Cat Ba, USD 82 from Hanoi, or from $41 on Klook.

Serenity asks for each guest's name, birth date and address at least 24 hours before departure, because the port authority needs it. Klook still sells a third boat, Serenity Explorer, but its own seller no longer lists it, so ask before you pay. See the Serenity review.

Small local boats and sunset trips

GetYourGuide carries several more Ben Beo boats at the low end: Lan Ha and Monkey Island from $29, the bike, kayak and lunch day from $28, the small-group kayak day from $32 and Captain Jack's boat from $30. They mix the same stops differently: Monkey Island, Viet Hai village, a lagoon, a beach. Compare stops and group size, not just price. Evening boats are a separate product; for those see bioluminescent plankton.

Day cruises from Tuan Chau: the big day ships

Tuan Chau Marina is in Ha Long, about 2.5–3 hours from Hanoi by expressway. Every big day ship below sails through Ha Long waters for 1–1.5 hours before it reaches the Lan Ha sights, then does the same on the way back. You see two bays, but fewer hours in Lan Ha than a Ben Beo boat gives you.

Taliya

Taliya opened in February 2025. It is one large ship with 199 seats, two restaurants, an open top deck and a pool; it is not a catamaran. Its route is fully published: bamboo boat rowed by a local through the Dark and Bright Cave, then a swim (or kayak, where allowed) at Ao Ech, the "Frog Lake". Taliya is sold on all three platforms: today Trip.com is the cheapest at $40, Klook asks $43 and GetYourGuide $53. The ship is the same; the difference is usually the transfer, so check whether the fare includes the Hanoi limousine. Reviews dated before 2025 on any Taliya listing cannot be about this ship. Our Taliya review covers it in depth.

Price check Taliya Cruise on more than one platform Difference: $13
PlatformListingRatingPriceWhere
Trip.com Taliya Day Cruise to Halong Bay & Lanha Bay (Transfer included) 4.8 (12) $40 Lowest See on Trip.com
Klook Taliya Day Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Day Tour 4.9 (310) $43 See on Klook
GetYourGuide Taliya Day Cruise - Lan Hạ Bay: Kayaking, Swimming & Cave 4.8 (811) $53 See on GetYourGuide

Lowest adult price per person in USD, checked on October 16, 2026. Cabin type, dates and what is included differ between listings: open each one before you pay.

Taliya's day from Hanoi (official itinerary)

  1. Hotel pickup in Hanoiabout 2 h by expressway

  2. Check in at Tuan Chau Marinawelcome drink, safety briefing

  3. Lunch while cruisingthrough Ha Long toward Lan Ha

  4. Dark and Bright Cavebamboo boat rowed by a local

  5. Ao Ech (Frog Lake), Lan Haswim, or kayak if allowed

  6. Spring-roll cooking demo

  7. Sunset party on the sundeck

  8. Back at Tuan Chau

  9. Drop-off in Hanoi's Old Quarterthe itinerary may change with weather

Tropical by Cozy Bay

Tropical is Cozy Bay Cruises' Lan Ha day boat, and unlike the other Tuan Chau day ships here it puts you on Cat Ba Island. It boards at Tuan Chau around 11:15, lands at Gia Luan pier, takes guests by electric car to Trung Trang cave and the national park museum, then sails to Tra Bau lagoon to swim, with a water slide and inflatables, and returns for sunset. The operator lists it from USD 58 including the Hanoi bus; Klook sells it from $38 and Trip.com from $41. Klook is cheaper today; check whether the Klook option includes the bus, since inclusions differ. Cozy Bay's other boats sail Ha Long only (see the Cozy Bay review).

Price check Cozy Bay Tropical day cruise on more than one platform Difference: $3
PlatformListingRatingPriceWhere
Klook Tropical Day Cruise: Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island, Trung Trang Cave 4.9 (1,916) $38 Lowest See on Klook
Trip.com Tropical Day Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island Tour 4.6 (24) $41 See on Trip.com

Lowest adult price per person in USD, checked on October 16, 2026. Cabin type, dates and what is included differ between listings: open each one before you pay.

Jade Sails, Hera and the Halong Catamaran

  • Jade Sails is the premium option, boarding at Tuan Chau Lot 24. The operator sells it at USD 119 per person including the Hanoi limousine, the 8-hour cruise, entrance fees, lunch and a rowing boat or kayak at the Dark and Bright Cave, but 10% VAT is extra. Children 4–9 pay 70% and full fare from age 10. Its own site calls it a sailboat; no platform sells it. Details in the Jade Sails review.
  • Hera Luxury Day is a 200-guest ship from Tuan Chau Lot 16, run by the same group as the Amanda and Le Journey overnight ships. The Klook listing is titled Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay (from $64); the operator does not publish the day route, so check which caves are on it. The group's overnight Hera ships are covered in the Hera review.
  • The Halong Catamaran sells a Ha Long and Lan Ha day trip on Trip.com (from $79) with water slides and a swim at Ba Trai Dao. It has few reviews in English so far.

What is included and what costs extra

Most day cruises include the bay entrance fee, lunch, water and an English-speaking guide. The transfer depends on the option you pick (Cat Ba town pickup, Hanoi bus or none), so the same tour can show three prices.

What usually costs extra:

  • Drinks beyond water, and tips.
  • VAT on some direct fares: Jade Sails adds 10%.
  • Online-payment and card fees: Cat Ba Expedition adds 4% for online booking; Jade Sails charges 3.85% by card.
  • Holiday surcharges: Beka adds USD 10 on Vietnamese public holidays; Jade Sails charges extra on 24 and 31 December, Tet and 30 April–1 May.
  • The bay fee on budget tours sold "excluding tickets": add 120,000 VND per adult (60,000 VND per child aged 6 or over, or taller than 1.2 m).

The official fee table for Lan Ha and the national park:

Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba fees
FeePriceWho pays
Lan Ha Bay sightseeing fee (day visit, Cat Ba bays route)Child = 6 years and over or taller than 1.2 m; under-6s free. A cheap Cat Ba day tour sold 'excl. tickets' adds this per adult. Collected by the Cat Ba Bays Management Board.120,000 VND (child 60,000)Included in most cruise and day-boat fares; check the listing
Lan Ha Bay overnight fee (on board)Figures of 300,000 / 500,000 VND seen online are the child rates or the pre-2024 table.1 night 400,000 VND (child 300,000); 2 nights 600,000 (500,000); 3 nights 650,000 (550,000)Usually in the cruise price (Heritage Line lists the Lan Ha admission fee as excluded)
Cat Ba National Park — whole parkOpen 07:00–17:00. Child = 6–14 or taller than 1.2 m; under 6 / under 1.2 m free; 50% off for Vietnamese citizens 60+.160,000 VND (child 80,000)Pay at the park gate unless your tour includes it
Cat Ba National Park — central route (Kim Giao forest – Ngu Lam peak – Trung Trang cave)The usual ticket for Ngu Lam peak. Older 40,000 / 80,000 VND figures are outdated.120,000 VND (child 60,000)Hikers; cruises that stop at Trung Trang cave normally include it
Cat Ba National Park — Ninh Tiep field – Tien Duc cave (incl. Hai Quan peak)80,000 VND (child 40,000)Pay at the park
Cat Ba National Park — Phu Long – mangroves – Thien Long cave80,000 VND (child 40,000)Pay at the park
Viet Hai village — bicycle or electric car from the wharfVillage service prices reported by VietnamNet (May 2026), not an official tariff. No separate village entry fee found.Bicycle about 50,000 VND per person per day; electric car about 150,000 VND one wayIncluded on most 3D2N cruises and Viet Hai day boats
Cat Hai – Phu Long cable car (Sun World)Fixed time slots; closed on some weekdays. Operator fare, not a state fee.Reported 50,000–150,000 VND one way (sources conflict)Independent travellers to Cat Ba
Cannon Fort (Cat Ba town)VnExpress guide, updated 16 Apr 2026 (not a primary source).80,000 VND; electric car +50,000 VNDPay at the gate
Hospital Cave (Hang Quan Y)VnExpress guide, updated 16 Apr 2026; some guides still say 40,000 VND.80,000 VNDPay at the gate
Monkey Island (Cat Dua)Removed from Hai Phong's fee list in 2024 (no landing pier or visitor facilities). Any 'entrance fee' quoted is outdated or a private charge.No state sightseeing feeBoat trip charged by the operator
Ha Long Bay routes (Quang Ninh) — for comparisonQuang Ninh Resolution 51/2025/NQ-HĐND; VHL6–8 from 1 May 2025 (halongbay.com.vn). How the two provinces' fees combine on the 2026 inter-bay routes is not published.Day: VHL1, VHL2, VHL5 250,000 VND; VHL3, VHL4 200,000; VHL6 150,000; VHL7 600,000; VHL8 70,000. Overnight: route 2 550,000 (1 night) / 750,000 (2 nights); routes 3–4 500,000 / 650,000Cruises boarding at Tuan Chau that sightsee on the Ha Long side

Official fees checked on October 16, 2026. Hai Phong People's Council Resolution 47/2025/NQ-HĐND of 10 Dec 2025 (32nd session, XVI Council), in force from 1 Jan 2026; bay rates unchanged from 1 Aug 2024 ↗

Kayaking, life jackets and safety

Kayaking. Kayaking in the Cat Ba bays, which include Lan Ha, has been under an official suspension since 15 November 2024, re-confirmed by the Cat Hai Special Zone in late 2025. No notice lifting it has been published (VnExpress report). Many day boats still list a kayak in their itinerary. Some now offer it only in a designated area (Ao Ech is the one reported), or replace it with a bamboo boat, a tender ride or a swim. At the Dark and Bright Cave, kayaking is reported not permitted, and visits are by bamboo or rowing boat. Ask the operator in writing what you will actually do on your date. Our kayaking guide follows the rule in detail.

Life jackets. On 14 June 2026 two day boats collided at Van Boi in Lan Ha; a wooden boat sank and one tourist died. Since then the Cat Hai Special Zone requires every passenger to wear a certified life jacket from boarding and throughout the trip, with a safety briefing by the crew, and inspections focus on wooden tenders (Tien Phong report). Expect to keep the jacket on.

The boat. Wooden hulls are still legal on these bays. Before you book a cheap boat, ask three things: steel or wooden hull, the year it was built, and the boat's name on your voucher.

Ba Trai Dao. The "Three Peaches" beach was reported closed to access in November 2024, but operators still list a swim there. Treat it as a swim stop when access, tide and weather allow, not as a promise.

Lan Ha Bay day cruise from Hanoi: is it worth it?

Yes, if you have no room for a night away, but it is a long day: Taliya and Tropical run from about 07:00 to 19:45–21:00, with roughly five hours on the bus. Beka's Hanoi option is a 15-hour day (05:15 to 20:30–21:00).

  • One day, starting and ending in Hanoi: a Tuan Chau day ship. The road is shorter, there is no ferry crossing, and the ship is large and stable.
  • Two days with a night on Cat Ba: the bus to Cat Ba, a night in town, a Ben Beo boat the next day, and the bus back. You pay less, you see more of Lan Ha, and you can add the national park or a plankton evening.
  • A night on the water: compare with a 2-day, 1-night cruise. A night aboard gives you sunset, dinner and an early-morning activity, but Day 2 is effectively half a morning. Most big overnight ships also check in at Tuan Chau.
Getting to Cat Ba Island
From → toHowTimePrice
Hanoi Old Quarter → Cat Ba townOld Quarter hotel pickup; about 2 h on the expressway, then the Dong Bai–Cai Vieng crossing (speedboat 5–7 min or ferry 25–35 min) or the cable car, then a bus to your hotel.Combo bus + speedboat, ferry or cable car + bus (Good Morning Cat Ba) Check dates →3–3.5 hUSD 11 bus, USD 15 limousine (return USD 22 / 30); +USD 2 if routed by cable car
Hanoi → Cat Ba townFrom Hanoi 06:00, 07:30/07:45, 10:45, 14:00; from Cat Ba 09:30, 12:30, 15:30, 17:00. The Hoang Long bus + speedboat combo is suspended — do not plan on it.Combo bus + crossing (Cat Ba Express) Check dates →about 3.5 hUSD 13 one way, USD 26 return
Hanoi → Cat Ba townSame road + Dong Bai crossing as the combo buses; compare pickup area and the drop-off point on Cat Ba.Shared limousine van (various agencies) Check dates →3–3.5 h230,000–400,000 VND per person
Hanoi / Noi Bai airport (HAN) → Cat BaCars cannot board the Dong Bai ferry toward Cat Ba 09:00–13:00 on weekends and holidays in summer (9 May–30 Sep 2026); the driver may switch you to the cable car or speedboat.Private car + car ferry Check dates →about 3–3.5 h1,200,000–2,000,000 VND per car (agency range)
Noi Bai airport (HAN) → Cat BaOnly works with the bus timetable; for a late flight take a private car.Airport car to the Hanoi office + combo bus (Good Morning Cat Ba)about 4–4.5 hUSD 19 per car (4–7 seats) to the office, then the USD 13 bus; Cat Ba → Noi Bai USD 29
Hanoi → Hai Phong → Cat BaSpeedboat Ben Binh → Cat Ba about 45–60 min; departures reported 07:00, 09:00, 13:00, 15:00 (back 08:00, 10:00, 14:00, 16:00). Operator and timetable not confirmed officially — check locally.Train to Hai Phong + taxi to Ben Binh + speedboatabout 3–4 h incl. connectionsTrain 70,000–150,000 VND; speedboat 200,000–300,000 VND
Ninh Binh / Tam Coc → Cat Ba townFrom Ninh Binh 07:30, 09:00, 09:30, 13:30, 14:00; from Cat Ba 08:00, 09:00, 12:30, 15:30 (limousine 12:30, 15:30).Tourist bus + crossing + bus (Good Morning Cat Ba) Check dates →4.5–5 hUSD 13 (about 350,000 VND); limousine USD 16 on the return
Hai Phong city / Cat Bi airport (HPH) → Cat BaCat Bi is the closest airport to the Cat Hai piers. The listing linked here runs Cat Ba → Cat Bi.Private car via Tan Vu–Lach Huyen bridge + Dong Bai ferry or cable car Check dates →check with the driver (not confirmed)see listing
Dong Bai (Cat Hai island) ⇄ Cai Vieng (Cat Ba)Daily about 05:00–18:30 (to ~19:00 in peak months). From 1 Sep 2026 the last ferry leaves Cat Ba 17:30 and the mainland 18:00. Stops at about Beaufort 4 wind; holiday queues of several hours have occurred.Car ferry (Bayview Cat Ba) — replaced the Got ferry on 1 Mar 202425–35 minWalk-on 10,000 VND; motorbike 45,000; car under 9 seats 190,000 (secondary sources)
Cat Hai ⇄ Phu Long (Cat Ba) cable carNot every day (closed Tuesdays per VnExpress; Wed–Mon 09:00–11:00 and 13:00–17:00 per Sun Group); fixed slots. Good when the car ferry queues or stops in wind.Sun World cable car, about 3.9 km Check dates →8–10 min, then 20–30 min by road to Cat Ba townFare reported between 50,000 and 150,000 VND one way — check the ticket listing
Tuan Chau (Ha Long) → Gia Luan (north Cat Ba)Sails only in good weather and with at least 30 passengers. 16 Apr–30 Sep from Tuan Chau 07:30, 09:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30; 1 Oct–15 Apr 07:30, 11:30, 15:00. From Cat Ba: summer 09:00, 11:30, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00; winter 09:00, 13:00, 16:00. Usually keeps running when the Dong Bai ferry stops.Passenger and car ferryabout 50 min–1 h 20; then about 30 min by road to Cat Ba townAbout 60,000 VND per passenger (secondary); car about 450,000 VND

Times and fares checked on October 16, 2026; ferries stop in storms and at low demand.

Which pier, and what can go wrong

Your voucher names the pier: Ben Beo boats collect you in Cat Ba town; Tuan Chau ships meet you in Hanoi or at the marina lounge (Hera Lot 16, Jade Sails Lot 24). See the piers guide.

Storms. From June to November, typhoon season can stop everything. Departure permits are halted by the authorities, not by the boat company. On the Hai Phong side the city issues a sea ban (cấm biển) and the Cat Ba ferries stop. On 22 August 2026 more than 1,700 tourists were held on Cat Ba by a ban, and on 13–14 September the car ferry stopped in moderate wind, with queues of 7–12 hours. Beka refunds or reschedules when the port authority bans sailing; Cozy Bay refunds 100% when a tour cannot run. If you have a flight the next day, leave a buffer.

Ferry queues. The car ferry runs between the Cat Hai piers (Dong Bai, formerly Got) and Cai Vieng on Cat Ba. From 1 September 2026 the last boat leaves Cat Ba at 17:30, and holiday-weekend queues can be long.

Crowds. 30 April–1 May, summer weekends and Tet are busy; book ahead.

0 no · 1 poor · 2 good · 3 best
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sun and calm for a day on deckGoodPoorPoorPoorGoodGoodGoodPoorGoodBestBestGood
Low risk of storm cancellationsBestBestBestBestGoodPoorPoorPoorPoorGoodGoodBest
Plankton on evening boats0000GoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood00

PoorGoodBest

October and November are the driest, sunniest months, with the sea still at 25–28 °C. February to April brings drizzle and fog that flatten the views. August is the wettest month. More detail in best time to visit.

Our picks for a Lan Ha day cruise

Best day cruises by situation

1

From Hanoi, wanting Cat Ba too

Tuan Chau ship that lands at Gia Luan for Trung Trang cave, then swims at Tra Bau; 10K+ bookings on Klook.

2

Staying on Cat Ba, wanting comfort

Serenity Grandeur from Ben Beo: Viet Hai village by bike, lagoon swim, pool and slide on board.

3

Staying on Cat Ba, small group

Beka Travel's wooden boat, maximum 25 guests, with a fish-farm cooking class and free cancellation up to 24 hours.

4

From Hanoi, big modern ship

Taliya, opened in 2025: bamboo boat through the Dark and Bright Cave and a swim at Ao Ech.

Check Tropical day cruise datesfrom $38Affiliate link: if you book, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

How to book a Lan Ha Bay day tour

On GetYourGuide most listings allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before and "reserve now, pay later". Klook shows booked counts, and its cancellation rules differ by activity. Trip.com is the third place to check, cheapest for Taliya today. Direct booking can be cheaper but stricter: Jade Sails keeps 100% inside 3 days.

Before you pay, check four things in the listing:

How to check a day-cruise listing

  1. Find the pier. Ben Beo means you must be on Cat Ba; Tuan Chau means a Ha Long start.
  2. Find the named Lan Ha stops: Dark and Bright Cave, Ao Ech, Tra Bau, Ba Trai Dao, Viet Hai or Gia Luan. No Lan Ha names usually means a Ha Long route.
  3. Check the option you are buying: transfer from Hanoi, pickup in Cat Ba town, or meet at the pier.
  4. Ask what replaces kayaking if it is not running, and send the passenger details the operator asks for at least 24 hours ahead.

You can browse every Lan Ha listing on GetYourGuide, Klook or Trip.com. Generic titles such as "the most luxurious day cruise in Lan Ha Bay" (from $53) often hide the boat's real name; ask the seller for it, then look the ship up.

Ben Beo pier1Cai Beo fishing village2Dark & Bright cave3Lan Ha lagoons (approximate)4Ba Trai Dao beach5Viet Hai village6Monkey Island (Cat Dua)7Gia Luan ferry pier8Trung Trang cave9Tuan Chau International Marina10
  1. 1Ben Beo pierPierDirections ↗
  2. 2Cai Beo fishing villageVillageDirections ↗
  3. 3Dark & Bright caveCaveDirections ↗
  4. 4Lan Ha lagoons (approximate)SightDirections ↗
  5. 5Ba Trai Dao beachBeachDirections ↗
  6. 6Viet Hai villageVillageDirections ↗
  7. 7Monkey Island (Cat Dua)SightDirections ↗
  8. 8Gia Luan ferry pierPierDirections ↗
  9. 9Trung Trang caveCaveDirections ↗
  10. 10Tuan Chau International MarinaPierDirections ↗
Diamonds: piers; circles: sights and villages; arches: caves; circles with a wave: beaches; triangles: peaks. · Chart: © OpenStreetMap contributors

Lan Ha Bay day cruise FAQ

Can you do Lan Ha Bay in one day from Hanoi?

Yes. Tuan Chau day ships such as Taliya and Tropical pick up around 07:00 and are back between about 19:45 and 21:00.

How much is a Lan Ha Bay day cruise?

Cat Ba boats start from $28 on GetYourGuide and cost 900,000 VND direct with Cat Ba Expedition. Tuan Chau day ships start from $38 (Tropical on Klook) and go up to USD 119 plus VAT for Jade Sails direct with the Hanoi limousine.

Is the Lan Ha Bay day trip from Cat Ba or from Ha Long better?

From Cat Ba if you can stay a night on the island: more time in Lan Ha, lower prices. From Tuan Chau if you only have one day from Hanoi.

Can you kayak on a Lan Ha Bay day cruise?

Kayaking in the Cat Ba bays has been officially suspended since November 2024. Some boats still offer it in a designated area or replace it with a bamboo boat, tender ride or swim. Ask the operator in writing before you book.

Is the entrance fee included in a Lan Ha day tour?

Usually yes. The Lan Ha day fee is 120,000 VND per adult and 60,000 VND per child. Budget tours sold "excluding tickets" add it on the day.

What happens if the day cruise is cancelled for weather?

The authorities, not the boat company, stop sailings in storms. Operators such as Beka and Cozy Bay refund or reschedule, and platform listings follow their own cancellation terms.

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