Overnight on Lan Ha Bay floating farmstay - An exclusive adventure

Lan Ha – the emerald gem south of Ha Long Bay – has long been considered a true haven for travelers seeking tranquility, authentic experiences, and the untouched beauty of Northern Vietnam’s sea and islands. If an overnight cruise offers luxury, and staying in a hotel in Cat Ba brings comfort, then sleeping on a floating raft in Lan Ha Bay is a completely different journey: rustic – unique – deeply local – and profoundly moving. Get ready for an experience full of emotions, where you truly “live with the sea.” In this article, you will discover:

• Why overnight raft stays are becoming a rising trend in Cat Ba
• What makes spending a night “living on the bay” so special
• A detailed comparison: floating farmstay vs. hotel vs. cruise
• Tips for choosing the right floating farmstay
• A suggested itinerary for nature lovers

Lan Ha Bay

1. Overnight on a floating farmstay in Lan Ha Bay – The most authentic way to feel the sea

If you ask local Cat Ba fishermen where to fully feel the soul of Lan Ha Bay, they will immediately say: “Out on the raft, in the floating fishing village.” Staying overnight on a raft is not just accommodation—it’s an opportunity to:

• Watch sunrise right above the water
• Hear gentle waves tapping against the raft
• Admire hundreds of limestone karsts in mystical shapes
• Immerse yourself in the rhythm of the fishing village
• Disconnect completely from noise and crowds

This experience is especially ideal for:

• Nature lovers
• Couples seeking a romantic, memorable journey
• Travelers interested in local culture
• Those who need peace and quiet
• Families with children who want to explore marine life

Floating farmstay on Lan Ha Bay 

2. What makes an overnight raft stay so captivating?

2.1. A “million-view” space – open your eyes and the sea is right there

Unlike hotels or cruises, where spaces are enclosed, sleeping on a raft gives you the feeling of touching the sea the moment you wake up. Just a few steps outside your wooden terrace, you will see:

• Calm, emerald-green waters – the signature color of Lan Ha Bay
• The sound of seabirds calling at dawn
• The lively scene of fishermen preparing to head offshore
• Occasional calls of langurs echoing through the cliffs

This feeling is peaceful yet mesmerizing—many travelers call it “Lan Ha’s rustic paradise.”

Sunset View from floating farmstay 

2.2. Slow living, connected to the fishermen’s way of life

Most overnight rafts are located in Cai Beo or Ang Vem floating villages—home to hundreds of families living on the water for decades. Here, you can:

• Talk to fishermen
• Learn how they raise fish in floating cages
• Hear fascinating stories about the sea
• Go kayaking to explore hidden corners of Lan Ha

This is a cultural encounter you won’t find on cruises.

Private room on floating farmstay with ocean view

2.3. A night of absolute tranquility

No car horns, no city lights—only the sound of gentle waves, the cool night breeze, and majestic limestone silhouettes under the moon.

A night on the raft gives you true “slow living”—so peaceful that many guests describe it as “meditation on the sea.”

2.4. Close to exciting activities

Guests staying overnight on floating rafts can enjoy activities deeply connected to fishermen’s daily life:

• Kayaking or bamboo boats through caves and lagoons
• Swimming and snorkeling in clear blue waters
• Fishing directly from the raft
• Experiencing “a day as a fisherman”
• Night squid fishing or kayaking to spot bioluminescent plankton

These moments make the trip both relaxing and adventurous.

Check in Floating farmstay 

3. Overnight floating farmstay  experience review – A real traveler’s perspective

⭐ Afternoon – Boat ride into Lan Ha Bay

A shuttle picks you up in Cat Ba town or you head to Beo Pier on your own.
As the boat leaves Cai Beo, you feel like stepping into another world—quiet, vast, pure.
Emerald water surrounds small islands like scenes from a movie.

Cai Beo fishing -floating village 

⭐ Visit Lan Ha Bay – Kayaking & Swimming

The boat takes you to the heart of the bay where you can admire its mystical beauty and enjoy kayaking and swimming.

⭐ Sunset – Hanging over the sea

The boat heads to the floating raft. After check-in, you witness the sky turning gold, orange, then pink.
Just sit on the wooden deck, sip tea, and enjoy a moment you’ll never find on land.

Kayaking on Lan Ha Bay

⭐ Dinner on the raft – Fresh seafood you handpick

Enjoy freshly caught and cooked seafood right at the raft.

⭐ Night squid fishing – Bioluminescent magic

Join night squid fishing or nighttime kayaking to spot bioluminescent plankton—an extraordinary experience exclusive to Lan Ha Bay.

Night kayaking to explore plankton

⭐ Nightfall – Hypnotic stillness

Lan Ha at night is so beautiful that many guests say they don’t want to sleep.
From your sea-facing room, you’ll hear soft waves, see moonlit cliffs, and sometimes the blue glow of plankton.

⭐ Morning – A pure, breathtaking sunrise

Wake up in the middle of the sea and watch the sunrise—an unforgettable experience.

Sunrise on Lan Ha Bay 

4. Detailed comparison: Raft vs. Cat Ba hotel vs. Lan Ha cruise

4.1. Overall experience

Type	Experience	Best for
Overnight floating farmstay	Rustic, close to locals, peaceful, deeply authentic	Nature lovers, couples, culture-seekers
Cat Ba hotel	Comfortable, convenient, family-friendly	Travelers wanting full amenities
Lan Ha cruise	Luxury, 4–5-star service, many activities	Couples, families, high-budget travelers

 

4.2. Space & scenery

Type	Scenery
Floating farmstay	360° views in the heart of the bay, right on the water
Hotel	Bay view from afar or town view
Cruise	Changing views as the ship moves

 

4.3. Activities

Type	Activities
Raft	Kayak, fishing, BBQ, swimming, SUP, bioluminescence, squid fishing, karaoke, sunset & sunrise
Hotel	Limited to hotel facilities, varies by level
Cruise	Lan Ha itinerary with kayaking, pool, jacuzzi, dinner, cooking class, etc.

 

4.4. Privacy

• Raft: Very private, few guests, secluded
• Hotel: Crowded, especially in peak season
• Cruise: Semi-private but still busy on weekends

4.5. Cost

Type	Price Range
Overnight floating farmstay	1,000,000–1,500,000 VND/person (all-inclusive)
Hotel	500,000–1,500,000 VND/room/night
Cruise	2,500,000–4,000,000 VND/person/night

Conclusion: Raft = unique + reasonable price → the most worthwhile option for travelers seeking something new without overspending.

5. Pros & cons of staying overnight on a Lan Ha Bay floating farmstay

5.1. Pros

✓ A truly unique experience found nowhere else
✓ Absolute quiet—perfect for guests escaping stress
✓ Wonderful for mental healing
✓ Close to the best kayaking spots in Lan Ha
✓ Affordable and deeply local

5.2. Cons

✗ Not as comfortable as hotels or cruises
✗ Weather dependent
✗ Not ideal for those sensitive to motion

Chill with Sunset

6. Tips for choosing the right Lan Ha overnight floating farmstay 

✔ Choose rafts with good reviews and full safety licenses
✔ Confirm room facilities: AC? Private or shared bathroom? Evening electricity?
✔ Check the raft’s location—farther means quieter but requires boat transport
✔ Pack light and smart: seasonal clothing, insect repellent, swimwear, waterproof bags
✔ Book 2–3 days in advance, especially weekends and summer

Nighttime on Lan Ha Bay 

7. Conclusion – Why you should try an overnight floating farm -stay in Lan Ha at least once

If cruises offer luxury and hotels offer comfort, then overnight rafts represent the soul of Lan Ha—a place where you feel:

• The sea close enough to touch
• Silence deep enough to hear each wave
• The everyday life of fishing villages
• The raw beauty untouched by commercial tourism

This is not just a place to sleep. It is a living experience—a chance to slow down, breathe, and truly merge with nature.

If there is one message to leave you with, it is: Try sleeping on a floating raft in Lan Ha Bay at least once—to feel the sea in its most authentic form.