Lan Ha Bay lies south of Ha Long, off the east coast of Cat Ba island in Hai Phong. Like Bai Tu Long it is a quieter alternative to central Ha Long, with hundreds of karsts, small sandy beaches, floating fish farms and good kayaking.
Since 2023 it has been part of the extended UNESCO listing “Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago”. Lan Ha feels greener and more enclosed than Bai Tu Long, and it is the natural choice if you want to base yourself on Cat Ba island.
Top things to do at Lan Ha Bay
Kayak from Cat Ba
Small-group day cruises leave Cat Ba for a full day of kayaking, swimming and beaches.
Cycle Viet Hai village
Some Lan Ha cruises stop at Viet Hai, a village in a valley on Cat Ba, for a bike ride.
How to get to Lan Ha Bay
- From Hanoi: by bus and ferry to Cat Ba, or on a Lan Ha cruise leaving from Ha Long or Hai Phong.
- From Ha Long: Lan Ha cruises leave from the Tuan Chau area.
Insider tips
- Compare it with Bai Tu Long on our travel guide before choosing a cruise.
Best tours & cruises for Lan Ha Bay
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Lan Ha Bay and the bays around it:
Luxury overnight cruise from €98 Hanoi: 2-Day Lan Ha & Ha Long Bay 5-Star Cruise with Balcony
Not Bai Tu Long — this one heads south-west into Lan Ha Bay, the other quiet alternative to Ha Long. We include it because it is one of the best-reviewed five-star cruises in the region and remarkably good value for balcony cabins.
- Private balcony and bathtub in every cabin
- Kayaking and swimming in Lan Ha Bay
- Cooking class and sunset party
Multi-day tour from €197 Hanoi: 3 Days Ninh Binh, Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise
Northern Vietnam’s two great limestone landscapes in one short trip: Ninh Binh on land, then a night on the water in Ha Long and Lan Ha. Thousands of reviews and a sensible pace make it the easiest combination to book.
- A day in Ninh Binh’s rice-field karsts
- One night on a five-star cruise
- All transfers from Hanoi
Day cruise from €28 Lan Ha Bay Full-Day Cruise & Kayak (Small Group)
If you end up on Cat Ba rather than in Ha Long, this is the day on the water to book: a small-group boat through Lan Ha Bay with plenty of kayaking and a very modest price.
- Small group guaranteed
- Kayak through sea caves and lagoons
- Floating village and deserted beaches
