The 31 best national parks around Hạ Long Bay

Construction going on atm until 2030 at the front but if you take scooter you see beautiful beaches and coast - it’s just one part of the island when there’s so many other wonderful treasures that the island offers

Lots of construction on main beach - no access to beach and a sky full of cranes….id give this place a miss till they finish the work over the next 5 years. We stayed long enough to do a bay day tour (excellent) but the vibe on the main drag sort of ruined it we left a day early

I excepted more, but Cat Ba island is not really what I thought. Everything in the main island is quite basic, constructions, overpriced restaurants, not good quality seafood (some still nice but not all),… Only thing I can enjoy more is going to see the sea with the boat tour: nice sea with sunny light, you can take nice pictures and can go swimming there too, visit some caves bypass,… Think 3 days is enough to visit there.

Amazing experience in my life time . Thanks for preserving it . Enjoyed each and every moment starting from yatch cruise , swimming , banana boat ride

I really like this place very beautiful and peaceful, on the main island of Cat Ba there is a small town, but quite modern. People here live by seafaring and tourism, they are trying to catch up with the hustle and bustle of tourists from outside arriving on the island. However, the service here is not always good, when experiencing the restaurant here you should pay the price before ordering.

A picturesque place. Peaceful calm, ideally for both couples and family. Best part is it is also very budget friendly. You can spend a week in less than 500 dollars for a couple while staying in good hotels and good food

Island itself is a big disappointment, noisy, dirty and nothing as tropical island. Full of tall ugly resorts. Good part is that can experience Ha long bay on more quiet setting than from Ha long itself one day or 2 days small cruise. So on night on the island is max.

Further north and east of Halong Bay so fewer day trippers. More secluded yet as beautiful as Halong Bay. Tip: if you can spare the time, a 3 day 2 night boat trip gives you time to appreciate the magnificence of this World Heritage area to the fullest

Bai Tu Long is a beautiful area protected by hundreds of islands. The scenery is tranquil and out of this world. I have never seen anything quite like it. I highly recommend a longer 3-day - 2-night cruise to escape the massive crowds within Halong Bay.

Less tourisy than Halong Bay. If you want to get away from the busy and hustle Halong bay, this is area to come. Hundreds of islands here that has no one around and very few boats. Limestone islands shooting up from the calm Emeral color ocean, whether it’s day or night, the beauty of this area is spectacular.

Bai Tu Long Bay is a coastal bay located in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. It consists of hundreds of small and large islands and is situated within the Gulf of Tonkin, in the northeastern region of Vietnam. Bai Tu Long Bay encompasses a sea area belonging to the cities of Halong and Cam Pha, as well as Van Don island district. The bay is bordered by Halong Bay to the southwest, Cam Pha city to the west, the sea to the east, and Co To island district to the northeast. The history of Bai Tu Long Bay is closely intertwined with the heroic chronicles of the Vietnamese people. It is associated with the place name Van Don, a bustling seaport since the time of the Ly dynasty. Nearly 900 years ago, it was a lively trading hub attracting merchants from Champa, China, Japan, India, and other places for exchanging goods. Bai Tu Long Bay is also a place to commemorate the glorious achievements of General Tran Khanh Du and the three Pham brothers (from Quan Lan village), who defeated the fleet of the Yuan Mongol invader Truong Van Ho in 1288. In addition, there is the Cua Ong Temple (also known as Suot Temple) located on the bay, dedicated to Hung Nhuong Vuong Tran Quoc Tang, the third son of the revered Hung Dao Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan.

Bai Tu Long Bay is part of the famous Halong Bay. It is located northeast of Vietnam, at 165 km from the capital Hanoi. The bay comprises approximately 1,600 islands and islets, which forms a remarkable panorama of limestone pillars. Most of the islands are uninhabited. The site’s outstanding scenic beauty, the area is rich with geological magnificence. I suggest everyone not to let local travel agents confuse you about Halong Bay vs Bai Tu Long Bay. They are both part of Bai Tu Long National Park and both part of the pristine Heritage, both bays stand right next to each other and they shared outstanding beauty. Bai Tu Long Bay occupies ¾ of Ha Long Bay. The natural views were magnificent, I loved every minute of it, going from island to island, and enjoying nature! Loved it; we were even allowed to go ashore for a little while to enjoy swimming and relaxing in a small but beautiful beach. In the evening, i truly enjoyed a stunning sunset.

Beautiful bay, very quiet compared to Ha Long Bay and just as scenic, although the small beaches were somewhat dirty, so we couldn't get a good swim until we got to the day boat, after kayaking. We visited it the second day of our 3 days and 2 nights cruise to Ha Long Bay. We only saw two other day boats along or nearby, which made the experience very relaxed. The kayaking was a bit harder than the first day in the fishing village, due to the waves and more open waters, but had some incredible views.

We had an unforgettable experience on on overnight voyage on the Treasure Junk. We had one of the two suites, which aren’t much more expensive than a normal cabin but totally worth it. Regardless of the tour company and boat you chose it’s a similar itinerary of kayaking, cooking class, tour of floating village and plenty of time to soak up the stunning views. What sets Bai Tu Long Bay aside from Ha Long bay is that it’s quieter, with less boats taking the standard route, and so you are more likely to get some amazing photos without another Junk sneaking into your picture. We found the food to be amazing with several courses in each meal, as well as friendly boat staff and a totally brilliant tour guide, booked through Hand Span tours in Hanoi. We did the one night trip and it felt about right... we wanted more but might have found day 2 to be repetitive, although I could have sat on deck and enjoyed the stunning views all day! Book this and you won’t regret it ;-)

We were at this national park the other day. It was a rainy day, hence walking and climbing was not easy as some areas were slippery. Nice view and a nice and peaceful place. The museum was also nice and informative.

🌿 Cat Ba National Park – Amazing Experience! 🌿 Cat Ba National Park was absolutely amazing. The hike up to Ngu Lam Peak was a bit tough at times, but 100% worth the effort. The views from the top were out of this world – lush green mountains, deep valleys, and scenery that feels untouched. If you’re visiting Cat Ba Island and enjoy nature or hiking, this is a must-do. Just bring water, good shoes, and be ready for a climb. Totally unforgettable experience!

Of you want to enter the Walking area, tot need to buy a ticket (120.000), it is also the entrance fee for the caves 1km from the entrance. The park is old, but the nature is beautiful, the "zoo" has some rabbits, Ducks and other easy animals, they don't look happy. The walk to the top is steep, hot and slippery, but real Vietnam jungle and worth it.

Prepare for a lot of steep steps to get a beautiful view to rainforest. Impressive amount of greenery. Allow yourself 1.5 h for relaxed hike with plenty time to enjoying the view on very top. Price is reasonable 120 k

It's possible to hike the trek alone without a guide to Viet Hai Village, but the path is challenging, good shoes, fitness and hiking experience would be good, some bits need to be climbed and throughout thick jungle, watch daylight hours! Takes about 2-3 hours. Ask the woman by the first restaurant after the path ends for a boat taxi back to cat ba, her sister will come pick you up in a small old fisher boat at the harbour 4km away from the village (1 hour walk), best experience to see the iconic islands and floating fisher village without some overcrowded tourist boat tour.

Good for an hour or 2! Hike was not too difficult, any able bodied person can do it. We did it in 45 minutes (me and 2 kids) and there were loads of other children. Bring water as you cannot buy any after the start of the walk (there is a small restaurant at the start, but nothing after that). Long sleeves or trousers not needed I'd say (too hot) but mosquito repellent definitely yes. Beautiful view over the surrounding area. The entry fee is low and includes Trung Trang cave a little further down the road (1 km). There is a small museum with creepy animals, too. Kids loved those ;-)

The trek takes about an hour to reach the top. The trekking experience in itself was good but the view in the end didn’t feel much rewarding personally. +1 for keeping the park free from trash.

We discovered Lan Ha Bay, a less crowded alternative to Ha Long Bay, offering a serene escape for couples. The majestic limestone karsts rising from emerald waters create a breathtaking backdrop. We enjoyed relaxing, swimming in secluded lagoons and exploring hidden caves. The area's colorful culture is evident in the floating villages, where we observed local life. With fewer tourists, Lan Ha Bay provides a more intimate experience of Vietnam's natural wonders. It's an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility and unspoiled beauty in a romantic setting. We paid the tour 650k from our Hotel: The Wave View Hotel. Tour starts 8.30am and finishes at 5pm. Lunch included, plus kayaking, swimming in caves, monkey islands, etc It was great, I'd recommend it!

A wonderful place and a MUST visit if you are touring Vietnam. The Bay area is well organized but not much of a wonder… But if you take the cruise to go around towering islands and spend one night at least on water you will have a wonderful experience worthy for a lifetime. I really enjoyed it. We joined BlueDiamond Cruise. Their hospitality was great and the facilities and activities were very nice. I’m really happy that I joined this trip. Will definitely go there with my family once again. I saw many families with small kids and disabled persons visiting the area taking cruise ships.

Personal impression is that Lan Ha Bay is more beautiful than Halong Bay. The bay is located approximately 30 km from the city center. It is situated to the east of Cat Ba Island and serves as a connecting link between Cat Ba Island and Halong Bay. From the ferry terminal on Cat Ba Island, it takes about 30 minutes to reach Lan Ha Bay by boat. The bay spans an area of over 7,000 hectares, with more than 5,400 hectares falling under the management of the UNESCO-recognized Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve - Cat Ba National Park. Lan Ha Bay has a curved shape, surrounded by over 400 different small and large islands. The name "Lan Ha" means "orchid" and symbolizes the beauty bestowed upon the world. While it may not have as many islands as Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay stands out with its 139 small sandy beaches such as Ang Vem, Cat Dua, Cat Co, Ben Beo, Co Tien, Van Boi, and Van Ha. Lan Ha-Cat Ba Bay is located in the northern tourism region, so the weather here experiences all four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season has its own unique and poetic beauty. Depending on personal preferences and schedules, visitors can plan their time to explore this place accordingly.

This is no longer bay!! They have built over the water and is currently (september 2025) a building site, to be a resort. Very disappointing, no bay, lack of care for the locals and their businesses

Beautiful sightseeing! Glad they still keep it clean and natural. Take a boat, go around, take some nice pictures, watch the local fishing village, kayaking and swimming under the sunshine. Recommended to go on winter to fully enjoy the bay in peace.

Amazing island. We have book a tour from Kitetravel with 15$/person. The tour starts from 8:30am and finish at 4:30pm. The first go to Monkey island and hike to the top for great view. After that go around Lan Ha bay and try kayak and having lunch. Unbelievable price! The tour guide is good English communication and supportive. No more cost required. This tour is a half price compare with Ha Long tour, but the view is more amazing.

A few nautical miles away from the Cat Ba Island, lies the wonderful bay yet to be fully explored, and less crowded, and to a large extent can be called an alternative to the world famous Ha Long Bay. Half-day and full-day packages starting from VND 500,000 are available from Cat Ba Island, and there is a very small beach inside where one can spend an hour or so apart from enjoying the breathtaking views of the bay. One must take a group tour to go here, and it will include the cost of permit. As one passes from the water, one gets to see the sui generis rock formations, and as one goes deeper the hidden caves start coming into the picture. The caves are generally small and need a small boat to get through, and ideally the best way is kayaking, and it's worth the try. Sometimes the water gets shallow while traversing through these caves, and the width becomes narrow with rocks on the way such that there comes a possibility of banging the kayak on the rocks ( although it won't hurt at all ). The waters at times seem to have a bit of litter, and upon inquiring I was told that it comes from Ha Long Bay. If you go further and further, you enter the Ha Long Bay, but a full tour of the same cannot happen in a day from Cat Ba Island.

Amazing experience! We took a ferry boat here and had about 30 mins to explore the caves. Would definitely recommend it if visiting Ha Long Bay!

This cave is located in the Halong Bay area, you need to climb a fairly high staircase to get there. The view from the top of the cave is also very beautiful with a view of Halong Bay. The atmosphere inside the cave is quite dark, but at some points there are colorful lights shining on the cave rocks. There are quite a lot of tourists visiting, since there is no entrance ticket.

Prepare to climb a few flights of stairs. This cave is very welcoming to tourists, focusing more on the views rather than the physical challenges of entering a cave. The cave is well-lit, paved, and safe. No life-threatening route.

Đá Gô Cave in Vietnam is a fascinating natural wonder that combines impressive geology with a sense of quiet mystery. Located in the heart of Ha Long Bay, it is one of the lesser-known caves compared to its famous neighbors, making it a rewarding stop for those seeking something more tranquil. Inside, visitors are greeted by large chambers with dramatic stalactites and stalagmites shaped over millions of years. The rock formations resemble animals, mythical creatures, and abstract sculptures, sparking the imagination of anyone walking through. Soft lighting highlights the textures and colors of the stone, enhancing the otherworldly atmosphere. For photographers, Đá Gô Cave offers unique opportunities. Wide chambers allow for expansive shots, while close-ups of mineral details reveal intricate patterns. The contrast between shadow and artificial light creates moody compositions, perfect for those who enjoy experimenting with low-light photography. Outside the cave, Ha Long Bay’s emerald waters and limestone cliffs frame the entrance beautifully, adding a striking natural backdrop. Though less crowded, Đá Gô Cave is easy to reach on most boat tours around Ha Long Bay. It provides a quiet escape from busier attractions and invites travelers to slow down and appreciate both nature’s artistry and the peaceful environment.

Amazing place! The cave is very large, beautiful, and truly unique. I didn’t expect such an extensive cave system. It's also quite accessible for older visitors, even those around 60. Unfortunately, it was very crowded when we started going up. We were almost at a standstill for about 30 minutes at the beginning, with occasional progress of 1-3 steps at a time. The views are exceptional, and there are some great, unique souvenirs available for purchase.

So overcrowded there must have been 2000 people all turning up at the same time all the your boats somehow think it's a good idea to bring everyone to same attractions at same time as we left there was nobody going in if they just went to the three activitiesin a different order then it might have been enjoyable but felt like we were cattle - also be warned if U don't like inhaling desiel fumes all day long cos the air is terrible my eyes and throat hurt too

I visited Dau Go Cave and was amazed by its impressive stalactites and spacious chambers. The peaceful surroundings made it a great spot to explore and relax.

Taxi dropped me at Trung Trang cave. Ticket was 120k. Young guy at ticket office spoke very good English. He said it takes about 15-20 minutes easy walk. I walked about 100 metres down path then right up stairs to cave entrance. Well lit cave with good path inside. Narrow in one place, turn sideways to get through. Also some low areas, where you will be squatting down or on your hands and knees, depending on how good your knees are. Easy walk. Nice rock formations inside. At the end you will see some Bats on the ceiling of the cave chilling out. There's two types of Bats in the area. You then walk the exit path. There's a cafe near end of the path near the road. Beers and drinks for sale. My taxi driver was waiting for me there and we continued onto the Hospital cave a few minutes away. Not a big cave, but a good little walk.

It was a nice hike and walk through the cave. Super humid but it was fun walking through with my friends. We went with Mon Cherie Cruise and they were pretty good with their services.

This was worth a visit in that it didn't feel like your typical large cave with lots ot stalagmites and stalictites. The entrance is accessed after walking up an external staircase that has great views. You then enter a reasonably spacious cave area. However the route through the caves leads through some quite small passages, some you'll have to crouch to get through, so maybe not best for the very claustrophobic.

All I can say is Wow! I've been in a few caves around Australia from Tassy to WA, and I have seen nothing like this Cave. Very mystical, surrounded by lush green foliage. I avoided the crowds and used a taxi arranged by my hotel Dung Lai Hotel 173. Spent a good part of 45m-1hr in the cave itself. It has many steps, some sections of path where if you are over 5'11 and not flexible your going to have problems, as there are low ceilings and squeeze points. If claustrophobic I would not recommend.

If you’ve visited any other cave anywhere else, this can be easily skipped. Felt nothing special or different about this cave. If you’re buying tickets for the catba national park, the ticket usually includes entry for trung Trang caves too totalling to 120K VND per person, but if you’ve visited any other caves, you can omit tickets for the caves and get the tickets for 80K VND instead.

This place was amazing! The alleged history of the trung Trang sisters made this a must stop for me, and it felt so powerful and eerie to walk where they once walked. I just wish the history was more evident there, because it seemed like everyone else was just there to see a big cave, but they didn’t know the legend of the land and how historic this spot was to cat ba

220 Meter before being the restaurant is the exit without check. If you missed you can still go from there to the cave for free. I just meet one and he missed the day before. Ticket is 120k for cave and the sightseeing walk some km fare. 160k for also the village but there you need the whole day he said.

We took a day cruise with kayaking. It was fantastic and well-organized. We saw some wonderful places, had a good boat, and enjoyed delicious food. The next day, we went trekking and cycling in the national park. They forgot to tell us that the trekking was only a two-hour mountain climb. There's also a regular hike, but they didn't have a group for that that day. We recommend only doing the regular hike. The organizers resolved this miscommunication very well afterward. We had a great guide on both excursions!

I have done a day tour organized by Cat Ba ventures and overall it was absolutely fantastic There were reasonable number of people on the boat and the route that they took was really chill and not busy. Next to that our tour guide Jake was really nice and with a good English. The lunch was great and overall the tour exceeded my expectations.

This tour was absolutely amazing from the get go! Everything was so smooth and felt like a very private personal tour, we were completely alone majority of the day which is amazing if you want to avoid the crowds. The views were out of this world and the kayaking was one of the best activities we have done on our SE Asia travels so far. But the most amazing part was our incredible host Hang. He was just amazing! So knowledgeable about the island and its history. He was also a real entertainer, making the group laugh the whole day and giving us an amazing little magic show. A super bonus was the critically endangered monkeys he helped us spot (both species!) we felt really lucky. Thank you Hang you really made this tour much more special for us!

We went on a tour with Ben in September 2025. At first, we were worried it might be too long – but that was completely unfounded! Two swimming stops, first group at the canoes with nature all to ourselves, plenty of food, an exciting stop at the fishing village, and great value for money. Ben was a fantastic guide – highly recommended!

We were fortunate to have beautiful clear skies and an enthusiastic Jack as our guide. After several less than satisfying experiences on Cat Ba Island, I’m glad we saved the tour for last as this became the highlight of the trip to Cat Ba. A well thought out route where soon-after leaving the hustle of the mainland you’re given the opportunity to swim to a sheltered shore. Later we kayaked through some caves, although hustled back to shelter and shade when we could as the heat was getting intense. The kayaks get a lot of use, I cut myself on mine in my paddling back so be careful. Some reviews have mentioned the life jackets smelling and given the heat and how often they’re used I didn’t expect anything less. Didn’t sour the experience though. The lunch provided was quite easily the best meal we had in Cat Ba. The little crumbed fish bites (please can I have the recipe), the local oysters (best we’ve had in Vietnam), the deep fried spring rolls and the potatoes were amazing. Our on board barista and bartender provided drinks to us all day. His ca phe muoi’s got progressively lazier over the course of the day but his enthusiasm never faltered. The scenery never ends. And the grandeur scale of each limestone island is more beautiful than the last. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows however: the bays’ horizon is peppered with large fishing and container ships, often alongside local fisherman’s much smaller vessels. The pools of rubbish that circle in the ocean currents is heartbreaking, and in the conversation with Jack I realised the sad reality of Vietnams romance with plastic. Often myself and my partner would question if the lifeless shape beneath the surface was a bag or jellyfish—more often it was a bag. Also in our last swimming spot, on one side of the boat the surface was clear—on the other it was littered with bags, bottles, wood, baskets, polystyrene and a rotting fish carcass. The venture through the fishing village with Jacks commentary was insightful and joyful. I didn’t think I’d be walking the plank between pools of large tuna and large grouper. Returning during sunset through the local, larger fishing village, it was fascinating seeing people go about their day-to-day lives. One I’ll consider many a time in the future. My personal highlights were listening and watching the White-bellied Sea-Eagles and Black Kites around the islands. Large, majestic birds of prey with massive wing spans, soaring above the islands and nesting in the cliff sides. Get one tattooed Jack!

We did the 2D1N tour with tour guide Ben. We had a great time. The surroundings were amazing and everything was very well taken care of. We came from Ninh Binh and everything went very smooth with their transport, also the way back to Hanoi. Food and rooms are great. Kayaking was also a lot of fun. Most of the time we were alone in the bay. Really amazing 🤩

Cat Ba Ventures 2d 1n cruise is simply splendid. Our tour guide Jack was the best! He spoke fluent English, was patient, knowledgeable, and friendly. It is uncommon to have a tour guide with such level of professionalism, and it really added to the tour. The room was comfortable and clean with a nice bathroom. Unlike most other cruises, Cat ba ventures doesn’t end early in the morning on the second day, rather continues cruising into Ha long bay, with additional kayaking, cave exploration, and swimming, first returning to port at 3 PM. There are only eight cabins on board, so this is a more personable and peaceful cruise. They distance themselves from the party boats playing loud music. The upper deck has comfortable recliners to relax in while enjoying the tranquility of the Bay and gazing at the beautiful landscape. Unlike other cruises, Cat ba Ventures continues further into Ha long bay on the second day, and you get to see more. I cannot recommend this tour operator enough, they do a phenomenal job. The value for what you get in this tour is unbeatable! If you are sleeping over night in Cat ba island before the tour, I recommend you check out the hotel associated with the company called the moon boutique hotel!

I highly recommend doing this short hike. It's very easy to do it on your own I followed an All Trail circular route. You take the motorbike and leave it at the National Park 's entrance. This ticket is valid for the view point and for the cave that is super nice too. It was warm when I went but I still couldn't see a lot on the top. It was well worth it though the jungle is amazing!!!

Nice hike with beautiful view at the top. Come before 17:00 if you want to see the sunset. The route takes 45min. Go with shoes (no flipflops) because the path is quite steep with sharp rocks. Bring lots of water (you can buy some on the way there is a shop on the path) because its going to be very hot and humid but totaly worth it. There is also 120k entrance fee.

Entry was 120k for the peak + trung Trang cave. The way up is relatively short with amazing views at the top and many butterflies (at least during August) and other small animals on the way. I would bring mosquito repellent.

A roughly 1km hike. Some parts are rather slippery and steep, a little bit dangerous at the top, it will be much more pleasant if you take your time to enjoy the nature and give yourselves time to recover. The view at the top is amazing, definitely worth it. Entrance fee is 120k VNĐ (including entrance to Trung Trang Cave which is about 1km from the National Park's gate), plus 5k if you go there by bike, the parking lot also offers a storage cabinet if you want to leave your backpack behind for the hike (additional 5k for each unit).

I went to climb to viewpoint as it was included in price for cave, markings for track not clear and only made it to seated area in photo, there were a couple of tracks leading in different directions but looked like they hadn't been used for a while. Airing on the side of caution decided to come down rather than risk dehydration, passing out or something even more dire. I found this hard going and I was totally drenched in sweat when returning to ticket office.

The trip is perfect for families and young people who likes challenges. My family and I went to the top of the mountain. The path is around 3-4 km and is very rocky. Highly recommend!!

Getting here is quite challenging, but it's worth the effort, the view is the best, and it's also a good walk down. Best advice: bring plenty of water.

It's a nice alternative if you can't afford a cruise. It takes more or less 50min. Unfortunately, it is not punctual. It says the ferry leaves Ha Long at 11.30 but when we asked the staff they told us it leaves at 12.00.

The budget cruise :), and it lets you stay on Cat Ba island. Ferry departure times are not punctual, the indicated times seems to be the uploading time(see picture). We ferry departure point from the land is on this quiet peninsula/island. we stayed in a comfy hotel next to the ferry, but were bored in the evening with little interesting food options nearby (also food grab refused to deliver here). In Cat Ba there is a bus (50k) downtown, it it’s scheduled to depart shortly after the ferry arrived. ask locals which/where is it, for us it was a short brown bus, and it was unclear where the busstop actually is.

This is a great vietnamese verry and terminal. There is a place to wait in the shadow underneath a roof. Verry departs on time. See the schedule on picture. The route is verry scenic. Be shure you have your own transport or have a taxi waiting at Cat Ba port to bring you to Cat Ba Town. The hotel and taxidrivers both asked 400.000 dong for a ride to Cat Ba Town. It is more expensive as a taxi in Halong.

The ferry isn't very expensive, around 60,000 VND if you walk, and it takes an hour. However, the first departure is around 7:30 a.m., which means you can't book a boat trip in Lan Ha Bay, as most departures are at 8:30 a.m. from the center of Cat Ba. This is absurd, because they probably know this; they should adjust their schedule to take an earlier ferry. The same applies if you want to leave Cat Ba at the end of a tour (the last ferry is around 4 p.m.). Moreover, the speedboats are really expensive, they told us it was 400.000VND/person and I don’t think it is worth it

Tourist Trap – Beware! We were deliberately dropped off 1 km away from the actual ferry terminal, in the middle of nowhere, with no signs, no staff, and no information. As soon as we got out, there were only two taxis waiting — both demanding 10 times the normal price to “take us to the ferry.” At the terminal, people told us things like “no ferry today” and tried to redirect us to buy much more expensive speed-boat tickets instead. It’s very clear that this is a coordinated setup to push tourists into overpriced transport options. If you come here, be extremely careful. ✅ Do not get off anywhere except directly at the official terminal building. ✅ Do not trust drivers who claim the ferry is not running. ✅ Always ask at the official ticket counter. This place needs better oversight — right now, it feels like a trap designed to exploit travelers.

Basic, but perfectly good quality ferry service to Cat Ba island. 100k for a bike with rider; 80k for a foot passenger. Small terminal with the usual cafe and trinkets. Punctual service, so don't lollygag up the road drinking beer minutes before departure (like we did), because they will not hesitate to up anchour whether you're on board or not. Crossing took about 45 minutes I think.

There IS a local bus to Cat Ba town! Be careful: several people (even the ferry ticket seller and some locals) told us there was no bus and tried to sell us a taxi. That’s not true. We waited a few minutes and a minibus showed up – 50,000 VND, goes straight to town. No need to book or buy tickets at a booth – just pay the driver. Don’t fall for the scam. Just wait a bit by the pier.

Nice beach, not very crowded as Bai Chay.

Nice beach, much better than the one in the city. Fresh water, clean and not that crowded. Locker was free , showers are free. Staff all friendly

Nice beach, brand new, kinda secluded, on a quiet side of town. I particularly liked the fact that one can see the cliffs. Downside: very muddy when entering the water, rocks too. No beds to rent, or stalls with drinks.

Its a pretty nice beach with coconut tree backdrop, over looking the islands, only that there was hardly any action around at all

a normal beach of Hongai Ha Long city. yellow sand, many of coconut trees and people

I was literally alone on the beach 11am-2pm on a sunday. Nice clean beach, showers. 👍

A long clean sandy beach with palm trees and a beautiful view of the mountains. The area between the buoys is guarded by a lifeguard. Small seashells sting your feet as you walk so it is a little bit painful. But it is not ideal for swimming. The sea is full of small green algae and there are no showers.

Beautiful place.. Great scenery..

Wonderful

Harbour is as harbours are, functional but not special. Coffee shop and sone merchandise outlets. Other then that, you looking at catching a boat to the islands and that there's plenty of all sorts.

Boarding for the Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long cruises. The ships have waiting cafés close to the pier, as the area is not nice (and even dangerous for kids or older people).

Nice area. We gathered in the waiting building and got served cool herbal tea which was nice as it was fairly hot outside.

You get on the cruise boats from here

Nice waiting area before Halong bay cruise.

Ok

Ok

(Translated by Google) Transfers in Hanoi are increasingly disappointing, customers request to only be taken inside the alley about 2-300m but sitting and arguing with customers that the alley is too small to go through. While the alley is big enough for cars to pass each other in both directions and there is no traffic jam at all, calling the operator also said that if the alley is big then it will be paid. But it must be as big as the street to be considered a big alley??? The staff's attitude is bad and when asked "Do you have any news for me to pay?" they get off in the middle of the road! While I have been using this bus company for 4-5 years, it's not that few, but they treat customers like trash. (Original) Chung chuyển trên hà nội ngày càng thất vọng, khách yêu cầu chỉ chở vào bên trong ngõ khoảng 2-300m nhưng ngồi đôi co với khách là ngõ bé k đi được đường tác. Trong khi ngõ to oto 2 chiều tránh nhau và k tắc 1 tí nào, gọi lên tổng đài cũng bảo ngõ to thì sẽ trả đc. Nhưng chắc phải to bằng ngoài đường mới được cho là ngõ to??? Thái độ nhân viên thì kém nói vs khác là " e có tin a cho e xng đây k?" Là xuống giữa đường luôn đấy ạ! Trong khi đi nhà xe này 4-5 năm r chứ không phải ít mà coi khách như rác vậy má

(Translated by Google) nice car, good price, enthusiastic support and service from call center and driver (Original) xe đẹp, giá tốt hợp lý, tổng đài và lái xe hỗ trợ phục vụ nhiệt tình

(Translated by Google) The drivers are ok but the shuttle bus drivers in Hanoi talk nonsense, forcing passengers to walk in when cars can go in. If people could walk, they wouldn't need the shuttle bus drivers. (Original) Các anh lái xe ok nhưng mấy ông trung chuyển trên Hà Nội nói chuyện bố láo, bắt khách đi bộ vào trong khi ô tô đi vào đc. Đéo mẹ ngta đi bộ được thì đã k cần các ông trung chuyển

(Translated by Google) Thanks to the company, I recently took a trip with Van Don Xanh from Hanoi to Ao Tien port. While stopping at Hai Phong highway, I forgot my phone at the rest stop. Luckily, I asked the driver to contact me. The phone was not worth much money, but I had a lot of important data in it. I found the phone. After that, the bus company was very enthusiastic and helped me send it to Quan Lan island. Thank you Van Don Xanh company. Forever 1 love 1 Van Don Xanh (Original) cảm ơn công ty , vừa rồi mình có chuyến đi xe của vân đồn xanh từ hà nội xuống cảng ao tiên trong lúc dừng nghỉ tại cao tốc hải phòng ngồi có để quên 1 chiếc máy điện thoại tại trạm dừng nghỉ , nhưng rất may mình nhờ lái xe liên hệ hộ , điện thoại không đáng bao tiền mà rất nhiều dữ liệu quan trọng của mình trong điện thoại và rất đã tìm được chiếc điện thoại sau đó nhà xe còn rất nhiệt mình gửi giúp mình ra đảo quan lạn , cảm ơn công ty vân đồn xanh mãi mãi 1 tình yêu 1 vân đồn xanh

(Translated by Google) The car runs smoothly, the driver is friendly, the support hotline is enthusiastic. Overall, I am satisfied and will continue to use the service. (Original) Xe đi êm, lái xe thân thiện, tổng đài hỗ trợ nhiệt tình. Nói chung là hài lòng sẽ tiếp tục sử dụng dịch vụ.

SCAM!!! There is a public boat going to Viet Hai Village for 50 000 and I know that tourists were taking this boat before. We were trying to get on a boat, someone started screaming at the boat driver and after that he didn’t let us go on the boat. They came up with the excuse that tourists are not allowed on the boat and we should pay some local guy for a private trip. They literally won’t let you on a boat, they’re screaming and shouting expecting you’ll buy a private tour from them. It’s like a mafia. I’ve never experienced anything like this in any port or pier in Vietnam. They’ll treat you like a walking ATM. Incredibly frustrating waste of your time. Better not to take part in this madness. Assumption that all tourists are coming form rich countries so they should pay more is just stupid. Travelling is not a luxury activity for the rich people only. If there are double standards for locals and tourists it’s pure racism and classism, and world will always be a messed up place.

Corrupt practices stopping tourists from being able to use local boats Lied to about no local boats From official port staff and pester from private boat captains at ridiculous rates This places needs to be cleaned up before it becomes more of a stain on the rest of the great people of cat ba

I will recount my experience today at this port, specifically regarding the CAT BA-VIET HAI route, which was the one I intended to take. Upon arrival at the port in the morning, we sought to take a day trip to Viet Hai village and return the same day. It is readily apparent online that a public ferry route exists, with a purported cost of 40,000 to 50,000 VND per person per trip. While it is true that the public ferry route operates, it appears to be exclusively for local residents. Individuals not affiliated with the port approached us, offering a private boat taxi service for 800,000 VND one way (approximately $30). We declined, opting instead to board the public ferry alongside other passengers. However, we were denied permission to do so. When inquired about the reason, we were falsely informed that specific documentation was required (contrary to fact, as only a valid visa and passport are necessary). We requested the relevant government-approved document outlining the purported restriction on non-local individuals accessing public ferries. Initially, we were told that such a document existed, but it was subsequently denied to us. This constitutes an entirely fabricated and unlawful practice, devoid of any legal basis. As an attorney, I formally requested a written complaint to be submitted to the embassy, detailing the specific grounds for the port authorities' refusal to assist us. This is a right to which we are entitled, and their failure to comply will be pursued through legal channels in Hanoi, where numerous embassies are located and corruption is reportedly less prevalent. Ultimately, we were informed that the document referencing the alleged law would not be provided, but a formal explanation would be forthcoming. However, despite a two-hour wait, this justification never materialized. This incident constitutes a punishable offense under the laws of Vietnam, encompassing discriminatory practices, deceitful conduct, and a lack of cooperation. I intend to pursue legal action, as previously stated, on the grounds of discriminatory behavior. The purpose of this review is to inform prospective tourists interested in utilizing public ferry services of their rights under the 2013 Vietnamese Constitution. During my travels, I have witnessed numerous instances of irregularities specifically targeting tourists. My objective is to prevent others from falling prey to these practices, particularly the solicitation of "private taxi" services (often unlicensed). By doing so, tourists can access public transportation to which they are lawfully entitled. This route is particularly popular among visitors to Cat Ba National Park who opt to hike to Viet Hai Park. Unfortunately, many will encounter the same issue when attempting to return from Viet Hai port to Cat Ba, being told that the public ferry does not exist or that they lack the requisite documentation. I advise against engaging with these practices. Through further investigation, I have found that prices for these services increase annually. To ensure a safe and enjoyable journey, it is essential to be aware of one's rights. I encourage travelers to educate themselves and exercise their entitlements.

Not the best port, best to have things arranged before with a tour before you show up as there's not really staff to be on hand to provide much knowledge, plus it will also stop you from getting ripped off by one of the locals. Take a look at my photos for some info on the tours available. Most tours start to end around 4pm. There are some nice areas to go and see. You will also see floating villages just when leaving the harbour. Best of luck and happy traveling.

Terminal to get to monkey island. But there is no boat to take you. Unless you have an organised tour, or want to get a local to take you there. This would cost around 500,000 (starting) for 2 people. Negotiate on price, should be able to get it for less. Staff here don’t sell tickets it’s an informal deal with a man with a boat

As was written below you can use local ferry from Cat Ba to the Village Do VietHai for 50K/p. It started at 11:00 and it was parked at right side of the harbour.

We went with the Full Moon party hotel/tour on a all day boat trip. We where picked up at Cat Ba city and drove about 10 minutes to the harbour. It’s has more accommodations then the harbour from Cat Ba to Hai Phong.

Get ready, guys. If there are only two of you standing in the way of a group of entitled (read racist) Korean tourists who believe that sharing a bus with people from another country is some kind of shame, be prepared because the staff will practically demand that you hop off and wait an extra hour. (21 seats on the bus: 19 Koreans, 2 of us.) Never mind that we had already purchased the tickets and boarded the empty bus that was supposed to leave at 5:30. The group that strolled in at 5:45 was apparently “far more important.” They came loaded with attitude too: long faces, judgmental stares, as if we’d committed some sort of civil crime. Absolutely unacceptable.

The food was spoiled, clearly from the previous day — you could taste it straight away. Cold fries, tiny portions for 6 people, absolutely disgusting. The staff served beers as if they were included, then immediately charged us. Zero transparency. The “places to visit”? Completely overcrowded, no real interest at all. Just boats full of tourists dumped in the same spots. Facilities were a disgrace: toilets didn’t even lock, no toilet paper, no way to wash your hands, just a pathetic water jet. And worst of all, the cruise staff disturbed me while I was using the toilet. Totally unacceptable. A complete scam. Avoid at all costs

We were happy to find a cruise boat that could take us on the tour to Ha Long Bay at a reasonable price. The crewmember on board doesn't speak much English, but it is okay! We have visited all the tourist attractions on those islands and see all the rocks we should see. We have a good cruise trip!

We went on the 6hr cruise. We were picked up from accommodation at 8am and returned back home at 5pm. We loved the Hang Sung Sot Cave. Just amazing. Thank you to Hanh for organising this. We were a small group of 22 pax. The Ti Top Island climb was a mission but we came, we climbed and we conquered. The boat is old and slow (I drifted off to sleep on our return journey) but great to see the limestone outcrops up close. Thanks for a great day trip.

We opted for the Ha Binh day cruise, which picked us up from our resort, took us around Ha Long bay and post seeing some interesting tourist spots, dropped us off back. They serve lunch on the cruise, which is alright. Overall it was a nice experience, especially loved the caves they took us to. The price was 650k per person post haggling.

Booked a day Halong Bay tour (through a different company) and we were really pleased with the service that we received through Ha Binh who were the company that actually carried it out. Pick up was super punctual, the guide made sure people understood when to be back on the boat and the seafood lunch was plentiful.

Customer service was very good. Owner attentive and easy to contact. Booked last minute and it was not a problem. Very tasty array of food onboard, great way to see some of the islands and natural beauty on the water of Ha Long Bay. Did the half day tour and it was well worth it (lunch, kayaking or bamboo boat tour, and cave sightseeing, plus all the islands)

Need Much Energy (Visit on April 14, 2024) From the dock, it need to climb the stairs to reach the entrance. It was pretty tiring. But the stairs wasn't steep. Right after enter, visitor could feel the temperature much cooler than at outside. The air was naturally cool, not cooled by air conditioner. The scenery of the cave was amazing. The lighting from lamp helps a lot. Be careful during walking, because some of the areas were slippery. After exiting the cave, visitor must went down using the stairs. This time, there were few souvenirs shop through the path.

(Translated by Google) Arrived on April 18, 2024 (Original) Đã đến vào 18/4/2024

(Translated by Google) The cave is also beautiful, but just like other caves. The path in the cave has been paved with concrete, so it looks less natural. In the summer, entering the cave is so cool, I don't want to go out anymore. (Original) Động cũng đẹp, nhưng giống các động khác thôi. Đường đi trong động đã được rải bê tông, nên trông kém tự nhiên. Được cái mùa hè vào động rất mát, ko muốn ra nữa.

Wonderful and unique experience of rock formations dating back to millions of years !!!

(Translated by Google) Thien Cung Cave in Ha Long has a decoration quite similar to Phong Nha Cave in Quang Binh The cave is small and short enough for you to experience walking around the cave first if you haven't had a chance to visit Phong Nha yet (Original) Động Thiên Cung Hạ Long có cách trang trí khá giống với Động Phong Nha ở Quảng Bình Động nhỏ, ngắn vừa đủ để mn trải nghiệm đi bộ tham quan động trước nếu chưa có dịp ghé Phong Nha

(Translated by Google) 2024.05 visit If the wind is strong, the boat will not sail, so tours will not be possible. (Original) 2024.05来訪 風が強いと船が出ないので、見学ツアーもできないそうです。

(Translated by Google) Wonderful, beautiful (Original) Kỳ quan, đẹp

(Translated by Google) Nice and cool (Original) Đẹp và mát mẻ

(Translated by Google) Thien Cung Cave, a masterpiece of nature, is an attractive destination on Ha Long Bay. This cave is famous for its magical stalactites and stalagmites, creating a splendid space like the palace of the gods. When I stepped inside, I was overwhelmed by the majestic beauty and creativity of nature, with a variety of stone shapes from dragons and phoenixes to animals and plants, all of which were as lively as ever. Real. Thien Cung Cave is not only a unique aesthetic experience but also bears witness to many Vietnamese legends and folk tales, enriching the nation's cultural heritage. (Original) Động Thiên Cung, một kiệt tác của thiên nhiên, là điểm đến hấp dẫn trên Vịnh Hạ Long. Hang động này nổi tiếng với những khối thạch nhũ và măng đá huyền ảo, tạo nên một không gian lộng lẫy như cung điện của các vị thần. Khi bước vào trong, mình bị choáng ngợp bởi vẻ đẹp kỳ vĩ và sự sáng tạo của tự nhiên, với những hình thù đá phong phú từ hình rồng, phượng hoàng đến các loài động vật và cây cỏ, tất cả đều sống động như thật. Động Thiên Cung không chỉ là một trải nghiệm thẩm mỹ độc đáo mà còn là chứng nhân của nhiều truyền thuyết và câu chuyện dân gian Việt Nam, làm phong phú thêm di sản văn hóa của quốc gia.

Boarding with motorbike, they are punctual! You need to park your motorbike at the end of the ticket office corridor. The ticket office worker’s doesn’t give you too much advice of what you should do but it’s ok! 80000dong passenger with motorbike one way

Definitely a ferry terminal. Services Cat Ba island from Ha Long. Definitely the nicer (and longer) way to get to Cat Ba. Food, drinks, beer and ATM available here.

Just a ferry terminal nothing else

Very popular for tourists. A lot of tours travel from there.

This is where you catch the ferry from Tuan Chau to go to Cat Ba.

At 16.00pm there was no ferry from Cat Ba going to the main land Tuan Chau ferry terminal Ha Long. We were there 20minutes before the ferry would leave. We were told, there would be to much streaming but he mented Hightide, on this beautifull day and a breeze! We think there are not enough people going back on that time (16.00h) or the last boat is running at 15.00h but on the sign stands 16.00h If so, why is there no warning in the morning, so we could have taken the ferry on an other time or change the way and take the ferry on the other side of the cat ba island! Even the fisherman knows when it will be hightide. Now we had no choice and had to take a private boat wich cost a lot more! A deception after a nice day!

(Translated by Google) We took the ferry to go back from the island. The journey takes around 1 hour. We were able to transport our motorcycle. To buy tickets you don't need to book, you simply show up at the ticket office, buy the tickets and wait for the ferry to arrive. We paid ₫80,000 for the motorcycle and one passenger and ₫60,000 for one passenger per trip. In addition to transportation, we were able to enjoy the views at a very affordable price. I consider it a good alternative to not paying ₫1,000,000 to spend all day on the boat enjoying the views. Obviously, it is a totally different experience, but this way you can see beautiful nature at a good price. (Original) Tomamos el ferry para ir volver de la isla. El trayecto dura alrededor de 1 hora. Pudimos transportar nuestra moto. Para comprar los tickets no hace falta reservar, simplemente te presentas en la taquilla, compras los pasajes y esperas a que llegue el ferry. Pagamos 80.000₫ por la moto y un pasajero y 60.000₫ por un pasajero por viaje. Además del transporte, pudimos disfrutar de las vistas a un precio muy económico. Considero que es una buena alternativa para no pagar 1.000.000₫ para estar todo el día en el barco disfrutando de las vistas. Obviamente, es una experiencia totalmente diferente, pero de esta forma puedes ver la bonita naturaleza a un buen precio.

(Translated by Google) The view is nice. (Original) 경치가 좋다

(Translated by Google) Great recruitment strategy kk😍 (Original) Chiến lược tuyển sinh đỉnh kk😍

(Translated by Google) Bld (Original) Blhđ