Cat ba or halong bay reddit. 1 night on board probably enough in Ha Long Bay.

Cat ba or halong bay reddit. The rest is called Bai Tu Long Bay, which encompasses a total area of 158 km2, takes up ¾. If you can spend a couple of nights there, on a longer tour so that you get away from the main tourist areas (my tour took in Cat Ba island for example) then it’s so stunning. I did it with Cat Ba ventures Jun 2, 2025 · Hello, Next week, I'm planning my trip to Halong Bay. Any advice Cát Bà Island is the largest of the 367 islands spanning 262. Feb 19, 2025 · Forget the busy waters of Ha Long Bay—the Gulf of Tonkin has a quieter side where you can paddle through turquoise seas, explore hidden lagoons, and hike jungle trails teeming with life. Second one we took the ferry to Cat Ba (quite cheap I think it was 150k Dongs for 2 with moped), drove on the island until the national park and hiked up to Dinh Ngu Lam. If you choose to go this route, please look for companies which incorporate some sort of environmental awareness How can I get the main cruise from Cat Ba Island? From Cat Ba Island to meet the main cruise, you should wait for us at 12. I ended up staying on Cat Ba Island for a few nights and did a boat day trip around Lan Ha Bay and into southern Ha Long Bay and it was perfect. Even the areas with many tourists is beautiful, there are just a lot of Jan 26, 2025 · Lan Ha Bay 1 day tour from Cat Ba Town Lan Ha Bay is endowed with unspoiled and magnificent nature beauty. We want to do a 2 or 3 day cruise in Ha Long Bay, and I prefer to book the cruise when arriving in Hanoi, because you'll likely get a better price, instead of booking it through an online agency. If you choose a cruise Feb 9, 2024 · Bus to Tuan Chau Port (near Halong Bay Port) and then ferry to Gia Luan on Cat Ba, there is a local ferry for 60,000 VND (walker fare). However, most of them are for holiday makers, which doesn't apply to me. However, due to Covid there will very few tourists anyway. Apr 8, 2024 · Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba Island: Which to Visit? Most tourists choose to visit this area by taking an overnight boat cruise of Ha Long Bay. 1K votes, 92 comments. Overall it's fine, but I wouldn't rush to Hà Long Bay. You can easily book tour at hotel or any other tourist agency in the old quarter in Hanoi. From Hanoi I have the option of going to Ninh Binh or to Cat Ba for a total of 3 days. Turns out we could have rented it for a few Go to Cat Ba and Lahn Ha bay instead. I'll have some time to explore the Bay only at the weekend. Skip staying in Ha Long Bay itself. Has anyone being on a Ha Long Bay Cruise recently Do not go for Ha Long Bay. No need to book in advance, just ask at reception when you check in. 3. Then we continued through Cat Ba, visited some caves, and hopped on the ferry again around 4pm back to Ha Long. 30 – 13. Your pictures, questions… Hey me and my wife from Mumbai have a similar itinerary for Vietnam starting from 3rd November. I ended up staying on Cat Ba Island (which is not Bai Tu Long but is Lan Ha bay. Cat Ba is still developing for tourists so you get to ride through quiet countryside roads with phenomenonal views. This year it's especially bad here (I work over in Cat Ba). After that being transferred to the main cruise. Dec 18, 2023 · Initially I wanted to do Halong Bay for obvious reasons, but after researching it, I settled on Cat Ba for more freedom and a less busy experience. I won’t make a recommendation for you, but I was in Vietnam about 2 years ago and took a day tour of Halong Bay out of Cat Ba Island and I absolutely loved it. I'm looking to book a cruise tour of Ha long bay in Vietnam, preferably 2days/1 night to explore the scenery/caves/cat ba island but I hear alot of people having issues such as the boat being different to what was shown and supposed 2 day tours starting at 12am and finishing at 11am the next day so really it's less than 24 hours. We did the full day kayaking trip with Asia outdoors and had a really good time. My cruise went to Lan Ha Bay. It’s also much cheaper to stay on Cat Ba Island (Lan Ha Bay) than it is to stay in Halong town. Flying out of Hanoi end of the month like you and was going to do Halong Bay / Cat Ba but decided to skip it for another time and just stay in Hanoi for longer. The other bay, whose name escapes me, is virtually identical and at some points you can see Ha long bay too anyway. We are in Hanoi next week and want to know whether to spend a night in cat ba or Halong bay? They both looking beautiful and are keen on trekking in cat ba but am concerned we might be missing out if we don't go to Halong bay. 30: travel from hanoi to halong, wait around for the boat, take the boat to the cruise. . Lan Ha Discover the beauty and history of Cat Ba Island, the largest island in Halong Bay and a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Mar 1, 2019 · Most tours from cat ba don't go to have long bay and instead go to another bay directly next too it. Nov 2, 2024 · Lan Ha Bay is a stunning, less-crowded alternative to Ha Long Bay, with its serene waters and dramatic limestone landscapes. I'm visiting Northern Vietnam at the end of the month and will be based in Hanoi. I've heard that the bay, although beautiful, is heavily littered etc. In this article, we will have a look at Halong City, Cat Ba Island and the cruise options to the surrounding islands. This is the easiest to get to from international destinations (usually through Hanoi Airport) and there are plenty of options to do this tour. We can connect and talk more about it in DM. If this is a possible option for you let me know and I can give you more info. I really liked that it took you out of Cat Ba and avoided the overly crowded areas. Jan 17, 2025 · Lan Ha Bay is located here, off the eastern coastline of Cat Ba Island in Northern Vietnam, just 19. Alternatively, we are super down to leave from Cat Ba port and do a Lan Ha Bay tour as well if people thing it’s worth the longer transit time because of overcrowding in Halong. Less scams, better quality, closer, cheaper, and it’s a nice place to be and easy to get to from Hanoi. I could be wrong, but the amenities at Ha Long seemed nicer than on the island, but Cat Ba felt more fun and adventurous. Cat Ba has some nice beaches (although the water quality is average), and some nice national parks to explore. As the largest island in Halong Bay, Cat Ba is known for its lush national park, tranquil beaches, and relaxed vibe. Answer 1 of 9: Hello. This is primarily because Ha Long Bay presents a wider range of attractions and activities. Sep 17, 2018 · When we finally took our day trip to Cat Ba, we both realized we would have rather stayed at a resort on the island. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of Vietnam's unspoiled nature and lesser-known cultural gems. All the research I did, plus consulting with local family, led me to believe there werent any really good cruises of Ha Long Bay, although there may have been some confusion on budget. Find out the best time to visit, what to see and do, where to stay and how to get there. However, the more I see and read about Cat Ba, the more I think it will be just as crowded and touristy. When thinking about the heritage site - Ha Long Bay, most of us might imagine the central part. From what I understood, though, December is a busy month. The bay was really calm, so I didn't get seasick, and we did alot of kayaking and swimming to shore on to beaches as well so I didn't have to stay on a still, rocking boat. You can book boat tours/hiking/kayaking in Ha Long Bay via most of the hotels and hostels for very cheap (about 20usd per person). Ha Long and Sapa used to be beautiful and peaceful, but overtourism has changed those places into something unrecognizable. The 2nd night you can spend on Cat Ba island. In Sapa the children being forced to beg money from tourist and the nature in Ha Long has been heavily polluted. Lan Ha Bay is another alternative to Halong). It's doable but a little rushed. My and my gf are based in Shanghai and are planning a trip to Vietnam and thought it would be cool to bring our bikes and cycle from Hanoi to Cat Ba island then taking 2 days there for climbing / deep water solo and cycling back to Hanoi. I want to go to a nice place for hiking/beach and cat ba seemed like a good opportunity. Cat Ba is one famous tourist destinations in the North of Vietnam. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Choosing between Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island is challenging due to the unique offerings of each destination. I would really recommend doing a 3d/2n - yes, the second day you will not spend on the main boat, but on a day boat, but in our case, that boat went into Lan Ha bay in the morning, and the cruise there was nothing short of breath taking. Many of the beaches are artificial or 'enhanced' by I enjoyed cat ba island ha long bay i havent been back in so long but when i went it was okay but that was a long time ago not sure how much it has developed and changed but they r both good i liked cat ba cuz its a small island n feels nice to stay n hang out n go around on the island and yes 3 day there is plenty enough. Halong City and Cat Ba town offers lots of historical and cultural sights, as well as excellent seafood markets and restaurants. Hello everyone, we are visiting Hanoi from May 1st to May 5th. What is it worth visiting in Hanoi ? I am wondering if 5 days is not too much for Hanoi itself. Have you looked into Cat Ba island? Depending on what you want to do while there and how you like to vacation you might prefer Cat Ba! I like less crowds so Cat Ba was awesome. r/travel is a community about exploring the world. Either Halong Bay or Cat Ba is ok but I suggest you take a overnight cruise Halong Bay- Cat Ba island to see both. You also can go on boat tours that cover the exact same area of Ha Long Bay. We left around 9am, did a nice tour that included lunch and you could buy beers for about $1 each, and we got back to Cat Ba around sunset. Skip Ha Long Bay Vietnam travel hack: Skip Ha Long Bay completely and stay on Cat Ba island. As you can read by my title, I am doubting to go to Cat Ba. Schedule and costs Day 1 8am-1. For those looking to escape the tourist crowds, starting your journey from Cat Ba Island provides a more intimate way to explore the bay. I would definitely go with the 2 night trip for the bicycle ride in Cat Ba. Hi. I did a similar sort of trip and booked from a little agency on Ma May st, it was years ago so probably gone now but most travel agencies will have some sort of package situation you can book a few days before. It's definitely too good to miss, therefore most people go on cruise this explore this magnificent places however, I won't probably be able to afford it. Halong Bay on the other hand you can kayak, hike, enjoy great fresh food, see beautiful sites. I have booked a day tour from Cat Ba Island after researching many cruise ships and its pros/cons. I am landing in Hanoi on 20th October and am immediately heading to Cat Ba for 3 days. Including some cycling through luscious nature and the stunning views of the UNESCO site ha long bay were truly incredible. Currently in Ninh Binh after visiting Ho Chi Minh and Hoi An. Located to the south in the neighboring Lan Ha Bay, this large island offers a quieter and more authentic vibe, without sacrificing the views of Jan 30, 2024 · Our list of alternatives to Ha Long Bay for a tranquil escape. Nice but not thrilling. I have 7 days left to spent, and wanted to do 4 days cat ba and 3 days Hanoi. First day we drove along the bay. Its landscape is virtually identical to Ha Long Bay and is actually part of the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mar 31, 2024 · Taking a cruise from Cat Ba is a very similar experience to Ha Long bay, but less tourists and you don't see some of the caves. Initially I wanted to do Halong Bay for obvious reasons, but after researching it, I settled on Cat Ba for more freedom and a less busy experience. I'll stay there for 7 nights. I'm planning on visiting the Hà Long Bay area in a couple weeks and most people online recommend Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay over Ha Long due to over-tourism in the area. 1. Even though Vietnam isn’t expensive, prices do rack up in popular spots like Halong Bay. Part of Halong Bay's Cat Ba Island provides an alternative viewpoint. May 3, 2018 · As the journey to Vietnam keeps getting closer, I still haven't figured how to approach Ha Long Bay. As I'm a digital nomad, I'll be working most of the time. It’s a fun little island too just zipping around on a scooter, good hikes and climbing if you’re into it. Jan 24, 2023 · After that, I’m torn on either going to Cat Ba to stay for a couple days or doing a day tour from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay before going to Phong Nha. Jan 1, 2025 · You can expect to pay around $40-60 for a Ha Long Bay day cruise, and even more, if you want an overnight cruise, whereas a Lan Ha Bay day cruise only cost me just over $25 (600k VND). Any and all advice is welcome and appreciated, seen Orchid and Peony mentioned a few times but wanted to hear from you guys re: your experience on any of these cruises. Join the conversation and start planning your adventure! Here, we round up 6 of the region’s best destinations to discover besides Halong Bay. This is the reason why I've decided to post my It's quite beautiful. Best Cat Ba Island Cruises Discover the enchantment of Cat Ba Island with our selection of the finest cruises. We have been to Cat Ba the day before, so we had to take the ferry to get to Ha Long. The regulations on who can go where change weekly, sometimes tours from Cat Ba are not allowed to enter Ha Long Bay and vice versa, other times they are, and even then it can vary by company. It was nice to enjoy the scenery. Nevertheless, many travelers find Ha Long Bay to be a more worthwhile destination compared to Cat Ba Island. Mar 14, 2025 · Discover how to enjoy Cat Ba Island in 2025 despite ongoing construction. Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay day tour from Cat Ba Island (Cat Ba boat tour – Lan Ha Bay day cruise) start pick-up at hotel at 07:30 AM and finish at 15:30 or 17:00 in Beo harbor and drop-off in hotel at Cat Ba town. Definitely check out Cat Ba if you want to save a bit. If you go though, it really isn't the same if you don't rent a motorbike which can be intimidating to some people. Or better still, get the cruise to Cat Ba Island and spend a night there, because that way you kill two birds with one stone - you see the beautiful bay, and then get to explore the beautiful island of Cat Ba. For anyone else who’s gone, how does staying on Cat Ba island and doing a day cruise of Lan Ha bay compare to a multi day Ha Long bay cruise? I’ve been told Ha Long can be super crowded and touristy, I’m not sure Cat Ba/Lan Ha is much better but I’d prefer something quieter. I did Hanoi - Halong Bay - Ninh Binh. I have read my articles regarding the best place to stay in Halong Bay. Much more of a cultural experience, plus it's cheaper & better. Cat Ba Island is the wilder little sister of Halong Bay. 30-night: cruise activities Day 2 morning: cruise activities, pack up and Do Night kayaking and Experience Bioluminescence Plankton on Lan Ha Bay of Cat Ba island is an unique and unforgettable adventure to Travellers. Just enough for me. Do you think it's worth it to visit if I'm not doing the cruise or should I skip it? The Cat Ba ventures 2 day 1 night Halong Bay tour was awesome. First time posting here. Will be skipping Sapa due to heavy rainfall and my flight back home is going from Hanoi. Cat Ba Island is the largest of the 366 islands that comprise the Halong Bay archipelago in Northern Vietnam and the only one that hosts a substantial settlement. Our Halong Bay cruise ( 2 nights) included a few hours on Cat Ba island where a bus took us to see a cave. Considering the time of year, would you recommend going to Cat Ba for a couple days, or just doing the Day tour from Hanoi? Jan 5, 2024 · Unless they're trying to contain all the damage and pollution to one area. Hi everyone. 41 km 2 (101. 11M subscribers in the travel community. While the vast majority of Halong Bay's islands are uninhabited vertical rocks, Cat Ba has a few fishing villages, as well as a fast-growing town. Its ok, but honestly id skip it and spent the time on Cat Ba island instead, you can take a boat trip while there and still tour the island. But I’m also To explore Ha long bay, you’re right, staying on Cat Ba is better. For example, you can take a ferry or bus from Halong Bay, or opt for a Limousine car and a public bus from Hanoi and Hai Phong city to the island. Halong Bay has cemented itself as one of the prominent tourist destinations in northern Vietnam. In this post, we share what we learned from our experience on Venezia Cruises 3-day 2-night Lan Ha Bay itinerary and from extensive research on HaLong Bay. The boats leaving from CatBa are not able to actually go up into Halong bay as I understand it, tho the scenery is similar. What is the best value for your money and time on a HaLong Bay cruise? These are our tips and full HaLong Bay cruise review to help you make the best choice. I went to Cat Ba on a backpacker tour a few years ago and that was much quieter, you got to explore some island a bit more by bike and scenery was similar. supposed to be the real tropical paradise stop with beaches and swimming. Reply reply More replies Tricky-Calligrapher • Reply reply meh0175 • The boat trip from cat ba to halong was really cool though. As for booking a cruise, I highly recommend you research beforehand. 1 night on board probably enough in Ha Long Bay. What is the best way to visit Halong Bay ? Is it worth it to go to Cat Ba ? Thank you all. If you want to enjoy the beauty of Ha Long Bay with fewer crowds, check out Bai Tu Long Bay. How can I get the main cruise from Cat Ba Island? From Cat Ba Island to meet the main cruise, you should wait for us at 12. Definitely worth it! I went in December and had your same doubts. There was an excursion to Cat Ba island at 3pm which includes a bike ride (roughly 4 miles round trip) and a short walk through the little town. I only have a week in Vietnam so this was perfect for me IMO. It's important to have reasonable expectations and recognize Halong Bay's distinctive qualities. Situated only 50 km from Hai Phong Center, Cat Ba island is the largest island of 366 islands which lies within the larger area of Ha Long Bay. Go straight from Hanoi to a night on a boat, then Cat Ba Island or another island. Still busy but further from crowds. A cheaper way to see Halong Bay is to get to Cat Ba island on your own (bus/ regular ferry or with a small boat), and then when on Cat Ba, take a day cruise on a boat out to Halong Bay. I'm not planning on doing a cruise at Halong Bay (not a big fan of cruises) but was wondering whether it would be worth it to do a day trip there regardless. You can rent a motorbike/scooter and ride around the island, discover hidden beaches, etc. Ha, no. Plus, you get to explore Cat Ba a bit, which is an amazing island. It has a great landscape, but that's pretty much ruined by the immense number of tourists and increasingly prominent tourist based infrastructure, as well as even increasing amounts of garbage. Could we book a cruise from Cat Ba to Bai Tu & Ha Long Bay that would pick us up on Cat Ba island and drop us off in a different place? We would like to spend 2 nights on the cruise to see more. It’s better to book anything in Halong Bay from Cat Ba Island. It's the same body of water less tourists seemed clean for Vietnam Ha, Long Bay is a crucial experience as a destination in Vietnam, and I'm excited to hear that you're planning a trip there. They also took us to a floating house that the operator owned. But that's not even a half of the bay. Even though Halong Bay may not have the same unspoiled beauty as places like Krabi or Palawan, it nevertheless has a certain allure. Can you see ha long Bay in 2 days or is it best to go for a 3 day cruise to get the full experience? We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. You can get to cat ba from Haiphong, but if you leave from the Halong side the ferry ride is much nicer and you get to see the karsts. 32 sq mi) [1][a] that comprise the Cat Ba Archipelago, which makes up the southeastern edge of Lan Ha Bay in Northern Vietnam and maintains the dramatic and rugged features of Ha Long Bay. Advice needed on Hanoi to Halong Bay (Cat Ba), Vietnam quick trip. Same tour, same bus, same day, different agent. So, we instead opted for Cat Ba with a private tour of the water mixed with some hiking and caves. There's a lot of outdoor activities, like rock climbing on the karsts in the bay, kayaking, etc. I am pretty devastated as mid October supposed to be great time for Ha Long/Lan Ha Bay. Overview and route map Whether you are in Hanoi, Halong Bay, or Hai Phong city, Cat Ba Island remains easily accessible with a variety of transportation options available in 2025. Apr 9, 2020 · But there are great options for hiking, swimming, and rock climbing in the area. Book a cruise to cat ba from Tuan chau port and you’ll be able to see the bay, plus you can do a tour from cat ba. 00 at Gia Luan pier (belongs to the Cat Ba island) where we can pick you up by a speed boat. We compare 2 night and 1 night cruise itineraries as well as HaLong Bay vs. It offers a quieter atmosphere compared to Halong City, making it ideal for nature lovers and adventurers alike. Taking a cruise from Cat Ba is a very similar experience to Ha Long bay, but less tourists and you don't see some of the caves. How bad can it be? Will it really be raining and 0 sun all day? Should I postopne visit to Cat Ba? I can postopne it by 2-3 days but it will cost me money. A multitude of towering limestone islands, mesmerizing cave system, and the shimmering shores of Halong Bay entice a lion’s share of local and foreign sun seekers. I've been to Ha Long Bay a few times myself, and I can tell you that the best way to experience it is by taking a cruise. 5 kilometers southwest of Ha Long Bay. The scenery is as breathtaking, but much fewer ships, much fewer crowds and We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. A pleasure to share a drink once there. Also, looking for recommendations for which cruise to see Ha Long & Bai Tu - is it possible to see both on the same trip if we do 2 nights? Ninh Binh and Ha Long, or if you wanted food tour, then Hai Phong would be better than Ha Long. Full package tour price is only 40$/pax! Dec 16, 2023 · Dive into "ha long bay reddit" and explore authentic experiences, tips, and tales of this UNESCO marvel. Also while itll be warmer than home itll still be pretty cold on the water in February. It's on Lan Ha bay, pretty much the less crowded version of Ha Long Bay. Ha long City Is this a nice destination for a night or two? What is there to do there? Is it a big, ugly city? I am thinking of 1 night in the city, a cruise in Halong Bay and then 2 nights on Cat Ba. If price is not so much of a problem then go and do a tour in Halong bay its self from Halong city, NOT Cat Ba. Once visiting Cat Ba, you can not skip its famous destinations such as Lan Ha Bay, Monkey Island, Cat Ba National Park. The bay right next to Ha Long Bay looks pretty much the same and it's nearly empty. The timetable for this ferry is the following: 7h30, 9h00, 11h30, 13h30, 15h00. Our guide offers tips on avoiding disruptions, finding peaceful spots, and making the most of your trip to this beautiful island. What would your recommendation be for accommodation and quality of cruises in this situation? I traveled to Cat Ba on my own and then just did a daytrip on a boat out into the bay, and I thought that was great. I think technically that part near Cat Ba is not actually called Halong Bay, but it looks still absolutely stunning. And honestly the views you get by taking the ferry from Cat Ba to Ha Long are almost the same as during the Ha Long Bay cruise. However, the weather forecast looks no good. [EDIT part 3] It's been a few days since our trip to Ha Long Bay with Genesis Cruise and we still feel like it was a high point in our trip. Go for Lan Ha Bay . When I went it was the low season and very quiet. I also recommend Lan Ha Bay. I did a day cruise from Cat Ba and it was fantastic. dqiyh rgubwg ysrdh yzwgi kvusoy ncngdq thvzzp xtx uuffws qfamo