Lan Ha is a bay located to the east of Cat Ba Island in the coastal city of Hai Phong. This place is the bridge between the famous Cat Ba Island and the magnificent Ha Long Bay. It only takes 30 minutes to travel between these two points. Lan Ha Bay is famous for its clear blue water, dotted by more than 400 large and small islands. For many people, Lan Ha Bay is no different from a small version of Ha Long Bay. In this article, we will discover what to do and visit during the 2-day cruise in Lan Ha Bay.

1. The best time to visit Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay Cat Ba is situated in the northern tourist region, experiencing all four seasons- spring, summer, fall, and winter, each with its own captivating beauty. You can plan your visit based on your preferences and schedule.

Typically, April to June is the summer season, with calm seas, sunny and windy weather, and clear skies, making it ideal for exploring the bay through sailing. From September onwards, it is off-season, making Lan Ha Bay a peaceful place to relax, ideal for those seeking a quiet environment. During this time, you can also engage in various sea activities such as sailing, surfing, and so on.

2. Activities in the 2-day trip in Lan Ha Bay

2.1. Enjoying Cruise trips

Visiting Lan Ha Bay, a must-do activity is taking a boat trip. It can be a short excursion on the water to soak in the scenery and go for a swim, or it can be an overnight cruise to spend the night in the bay. With these trips, travelers have the chance to get up close and personal with nature.

2.2. Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay

Kayaking is an extremely interesting form of island experience, you can both paddle and enjoy the scenery. On Lan Ha Bay, there are currently many places to rent kayaks with very reasonable prices.

Kayaking at Lan Ha Bay is only appropriate for "active" or healthy individuals. You will have to paddle against the current and squirm a lot because rowing demands a lot of strength. You need to hire a decent support person if your team is not functioning properly.

Some places to rent Kayak:

• Manh Nu raft house: Ben Beo, Cat Ba town, City. Hai Phong

• Cat Ba Venture: No. 223 1/4 Street, Cat Ba Town, TP. Hai Phong

• Monkey Island (Cat Dua Island)

Price from: 50,000 - 100,000 VND/boat/person and no time limit

2.3. Swimming in clear blue beaches

Swimming in Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam is a popular activity among tourists due to its clear waters and stunning scenery. The bay is known for its diverse landscape of karst formations, pristine beaches, and hidden lagoons. Visitors can explore the area by boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, and can stop to swim and sunbathe along the way. It is advised to take necessary precautions when swimming in open waters, such as wearing a life jacket and checking the weather and water conditions before entering.

2.4. Having fun with fishing activities

Fishing in Lan Ha Bay can be an enjoyable pastime, especially for tourists who have ample time to relax during their vacation. They board a fishing boat to venture into the depths of the bay and cast their lines in picturesque locations with abundant fish. The experience is even more delightful when combined with kayaking and swimming. You can prepare meals with caught fish straight on the boat, or you can go to the fisherman's raft.

2.5. Snorkeling in Lan Ha Bay

Besides taking a cruise, and admiring the beautiful natural wonders, one of the very favorite activities in Lan Ha Bay is snorkeling.

Lan Ha has countless different large & small beaches and scuba diving service points. You will easily choose a place to soak in the cool blue water, diving to see the coral bushes and sea creatures.

Location: Monkey Island Resort Dive Center (at Monkey Island)

Price from: 600,000 - 1,000,000 VND/person

3. Famous tourist attractions for 2 days in Lan Ha Bay

3.1. Lan Ha Bay Floating Market

If you have ever traveled to the West, you will probably imagine the floating market of the people here. However, Lan Ha Bay floating market has a smaller scale, mainly by fishermen looking after fish and shrimp rafts. You can visit this place to buy seafood as a gift.

3.2. Cai Beo fishing village

Cai Beo fishing village (also known as Vung O fishing village) is one of the largest ancient floating villages in the country in prehistoric times. This is a fishing village with about 300 households, the life of Cai Beo fishing village residents is associated with fishing activities and cage fish farming in the bay.

Thanks to the rich natural scenery, peaceful space and fresh sea specialties, in recent years, this ancient fishing village has become a tourist destination in Hai Phong that everyone who comes must visit.

3.3. Monkey Island

To get to Monkey Island, tourists usually take a boat from Beo wharf, which takes about 10 minutes, passing through Cai Beo fishing village, passing a few small islands and then going straight to Monkey Island. Monkey Island is an ideal destination for your Lan Ha Bay trip because the sea here is extremely clear and blue, along with two beautiful beaches of Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2.

This place is home to more than 20 monkeys brought by the rangers of Cat Ba National Park. They are quite friendly and often enjoy playing with visitors. You can explore their habitat, which will surely bring many memorable experiences.

3.4. Nam Cat Island

To get to this tourist destination, you move from Beo wharf towards Lan Ha Bay about 15 minutes to Nam Cat island. This island will be a good choice for visitors, especially for nature lovers. Nam Cat beach with pristine beaches will be a place where you can relax in the sun, and soak in the cool blue water. Unlike other beaches, this place has small sandy beaches that create your own private space.

The most ideal time to relax and swim in Nam Cat Island tours is at dawn or dusk. The gentle yellow-orange color of the sun creates an enchanting scene. Many tourists have taken advantage of this moment to save themselves the best pictures.

3.5. Three peach beaches (Ba Trai Dao)

Ba Trai Dao is an island located in Lan Ha Bay, close to the Southeast of Ha Long Bay, near Cat Ba Island, in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province. Ba Trai Dao has such a name because in the island there are 3 small rocky mountains, about 23m high, looking like 3 fairy peaches from afar. This place is also associated with the legend of the romantic love between the fairy and the fisherman.

Every year, Ba Trai Dao island attracts thousands of tourists to visit here. The rocky mountains are imprinted with the fading traces of time, standing tall on the blue sea. The majestic scenery of the country makes anyone admire.

Covering the mountains is a diverse and rich flora system, adorned with colorful wildflowers creating a vivid picture of nature.

Ba Trai Dao beach is famous for its very clear and clean water, on sunny days you can even see the bottom. Compared to other beaches in Ha Long Bay, the water here is somewhat shallower. The beach is also quite airtight because it is surrounded by rocky islands. Coming here, you not only can immerse yourself in the clear blue water but also admire the beautiful natural scenery and save memories.

3.6. Light Cave, Dark Cave

Light Cave, Dark Cave is known as one of the most unique caves in Lan Ha Bay because the formation of the cave is not on the water like many other caves. On the contrary, the cave is shaped by many different large and small islands, over time gradually creating a cave with a unique shape.

To explore the Light and Dark caves, the best way is to kayak or paddle into the area inside the cave. With a compact size, kayaks or bamboo boats will help you to explore the Light - Dark cave and easily immerse yourself in nature, feel a wild beauty and fresh air here.

It is very easy for visitors to get inside the Light cave area, but the Dark cave can be affected by the tide level, so caution should be taken when visiting the cave on special days. Going inside the cave, a unique space of the wet cave will lead visitors to a small lake located between the rocky islands, in the bay.

4. What to eat in Lan Ha Bay in a 2-day cruise?

4.1. Grilled lobsters

Lobsters found in Lan Ha Bay make excellent ingredients for seafood dishes cooked with wine. Additionally, the locals have a unique method of preparing lobsters by grilling them with egg sauce. For those who believe that travel is not just about visiting new places but also about trying the local cuisine, the lobsters are a must-try. The local cooking and seasoning techniques might add a special touch to your culinary experience.

4.2. Oven-roasted crabs with salt

This crab dish is not only exclusive to Lan Ha Bay but also incredibly juicy and flavorful, making it unforgettable. The oven-roasted crabs seasoned with salt are especially popular among food enthusiasts who appreciate both the crab meat and the taste. The seasoning with salt blends well, making it appealing to all palates and leaving you craving more. The juicy crab meat, golden-brown garlic, salt, and other ingredients combine to create these delicious specialties that are sure to make your mouth water at first sight. Don't miss the chance to try the crabs in Lan Ha Bay and compare the taste to that of Ca Mau crabs. Only you can tell the difference. Oven-roasted crabs are available on luxurious Lan Ha Bay cruises such as Heritage Cruise or Ylang Cruise.

4.3. The steamed geoducks

Geoduck (scientific name: Lutraria rhynchaena) is a popular seafood in Lan Ha Bay that is usually steamed to retain its juicy flavor. People often steam it with citronella for its fresh fragrance and health benefits. Other seasonings like chili and pineapple can enhance the aroma and taste. Eating a hot pot of steamed geoduck during the winter is a great way to warm both the body and mind. So, make sure to include a pot of steamed geoduck on your menu when traveling in Lan Ha Bay. The geoducks in this area are said to be juicier than those found elsewhere, so give it a try and taste the difference. Grilled geoduck is another option that will delight guests with its enticing aroma and irresistible taste.

4.4. Green mussel grilled with spring onions

"Vem", also known as Perna viridis, is a type of green mussel that is excellent for grilling with spring onions and peanuts. Its appetizing aroma and visually appealing color will draw you in and its taste will leave you completely satisfied.

We have extensive experience in the travel and tourism sector since we provide a wide range of itineraries to visit Vietnam. To learn additional advice, check out our travel guide:

=> Top 10 luxury cruises in Lan Ha Bay 

=> How to travel to Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi. 

=> What to do during the 2-day cruise in Lan Ha Bay?