Day cruises from Hanoi
4.8/5
644 reviews on GetYourGuide
A premium day on Lan Ha Bay from the Cat Ba side: past the Cai Beo floating village, a bike or electric-car ride to Viet Hai village, then kayaking, swimming and a slide off the boat. Rated 4.8 from more than 640 reviews, from €71.51 (GetYourGuide, 15 Nov 2026); best value if you are staying on Cat Ba.
Starts inHanoi or Cat Ba Town
There are two starts. From Hanoi, pick-up at Old Quarter hotels is 07:00 to 07:30 and the bus takes about three hours, with a scenic coastal stretch from Cai Vieng port to Ben Beo harbour on Cat Ba. From Cat Ba Town, pick-up is 10:15 to 10:30.
The boat sails past Cai Beo, a fishing village of floating houses, then into the heart of the bay among hundreds of islands while lunch is served. At Viet Hai port you switch to an electric car or bicycle for the ancient village of Viet Hai, with time for a fish foot massage, the old houses and the people who live there; reviewers found the ride easy.
Back on the boat, you jump into the water, swim, take the slide and paddle a kayak. The sunset party has fruit, biscuits and tea on the way back to Ben Beo, and the bus returns you to Hanoi or to your Cat Ba hotel.
Our summary of the reviews GetYourGuide shows on the product page.
07:00Hanoi Old Quarter
Pick-up 07:00 to 07:30 (option 1); Cat Ba Town 10:15 to 10:30 (option 2).
Ben Beo harbour, Cat Ba
Board with a welcome drink.
Cai Beo
Sail past the floating fishing village; lunch on board.
Viet Hai village
Electric car or bike, free time.
Lan Ha Bay
Swim, slide and kayak.
On deck
Sunset party on the way back to Ben Beo.
It is the most comfortable way to see Lan Ha Bay in a day from Cat Ba, and one of few to include Viet Hai village. The Taliya yacht reaches Lan Ha from Tuan Chau with a shorter road transfer; the small-group Cat Ba kayak day is cheaper and more active.
Checked against the GetYourGuide listing on 15 November 2026. Prices and options change: the calendar shows the current ones.
The listing’s itinerary gives about three hours by bus from Hanoi to Ben Beo harbour, and the same back.
What to do. If you are going to Cat Ba anyway, book the Cat Ba start and skip the long return drive.
Yes. Option 2 collects you from hotels in Cat Ba Town at 10:15 to 10:30 and brings you back there.
It is a short ride to Viet Hai village, with an electric car as the alternative; reviewers who are not very athletic found it easy.
Swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, sandals and sunscreen, and cash for drinks.
The Taliya yacht to quiet Lan Ha Bay: bamboo boat through Dark and Bright Cave, kayaking at Ao Ech.
Departs from Hanoi Old Quarter · 7 hours on the bay
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
A small-group kayak day on Lan Ha Bay with lunch on an islet.
Departs from Cat Ba Island · About 9 hours
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Ha Long to Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba in a day: cave, museum, kayaking and a water slide.
Departs from Hanoi Old Quarter · 7 to 13.5 hours
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Sources: getyourguide.com. Checked November 2026. Photos: GetYourGuide.