Which Cat Ba day tour is best? Detailed guide to choose the right one

1. Why you should think carefully before choosing a Cat Ba 1-day tour

Cat Ba – often called the “green pearl” of the Gulf of Tonkin – is a beloved destination thanks to its perfect blend of islands, beaches, primeval forest and peaceful fishing villages. For travellers with limited time, a Cat Ba 1-day tour departing from Hanoi or Hai Phong is a very popular choice.

However, a “Cat Ba 1-day tour” is not just one single itinerary. Depending on your interests, fitness level and travel purpose, you can choose between:

1. Cat Ba – Lan Ha Bay 1- Day Tour
2. Cat Ba National Park – Viet Hai Village Trekking 1-Day Tour
3. Ha Long – Cat Ba 1-Day Tour

Each type of tour has its own itinerary, activity level, experiences and ideal target guests. This article serves as a review and advice guide, helping you understand each tour in detail and choose the best Cat Ba day tour for you.

Cat Ba island

2. What types of Cat Ba 1-day tours are there?

• Cat Ba – Lan Ha Bay 1 day tour
  → Focuses on islands, bay scenery, kayaking, swimming and sightseeing.
• Cat Ba National Park – Viet Hai Village 1 day trekking tour
  → For travellers who enjoy long walks, forest exploration, traditional villages and wild nature.
• Ha Long Bay – Lan Ha Bay 1 day tour
  → Ideal for guests who want a “2-in-1” experience: seeing both Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba/Lan Ha in a single day.

Sunset view from Cannon Fort on Cat Ba island

3. Detailed comparison of Cat Ba 1-day tours

3.1 Cat Ba – Lan Ha Bay 1-Day Tour

✔ Who should choose this tour?

• First-time visitors to Cat Ba who want a true island and bay experience.
• Families with small children or seniors who still enjoy boat trips, scenic views and light swimming.
• Groups of friends who love taking photos, chilling on the sundeck, kayaking and swimming but don’t want overly intense activities.

Lan Ha Bay

✔ Sample itinerary from Hanoi / Hai Phong

• Morning: Pick-up in central Hanoi/Hai Phong, transfer by highway to Dong Bai Pier (Hai Phong), then take a speedboat/ferry to Cat Ba Island.
• Noon: Board the boat to visit Lan Ha Bay – a quieter, more peaceful bay area, have lunch on board with local seafood dishes.
• Afternoon:
• Go kayaking and swimming in calm areas of the bay or near small hidden beaches.
• Enjoy the views of limestone mountains, floating villages and check in at beautiful viewpoints around the bay.
• Relax with an afternoon tea party on board.
• Late afternoon: The boat returns to the pier, and the bus takes you back to Hanoi/Hai Phong.

Cái Bèo Floating village

✔ Pros

• Offers a complete Cat Ba – Lan Ha sea and island experience in just 1 day.
• Moderate activity level, suitable for many age groups.
• Plenty of beautiful moments for photos and “Instagrammable” shots, plus the chance to catch a sunset on the bay if the schedule allows.
• Great choice for friends, families and couples.

Ba Trai Dao beach area

✔ Cons

• Mainly focuses on sightseeing around Lan Ha Bay by boat, with little to no time to explore Cat Ba Island town or Cat Ba National Park.
• If you especially love forests, mountains and long treks, this tour might feel not “adventurous enough”.

Lan Ha Bay day cruise

For tour details: Cat Ba - Lan Ha Bay 1 day tour

3.2 Cat Ba National Park – Viet Hai Village Trekking 1-Day Tour

✔ Who should choose this tour?

• Travellers who love trekking, light climbing and physical activities, and want to experience wild, unspoiled nature.
• Those who want to avoid crowds and feel like they have “escaped into an ancient forest”.
• Young and active guests with generally good health; not suitable for people with serious heart or bone/joint problems.

Ngu Lam peak - Cat Ba National Park

✔ Sample itinerary from Hanoi / Hai Phong:

• Morning: Transfer from Hanoi/Hai Phong to Cat Ba, then continue by car into Cat Ba National Park.
• Start trekking through the primeval forest along a trail leading to Viet Hai Village (about 12 km in length).
• Noon: Enjoy lunch at a local homestay/restaurant in Viet Hai Village, with regional specialities.
• Afternoon:
• Cycle or walk around the village, discover local life, rice fields and mountain scenery.
• Board a boat to visit Lan Ha Bay, swim, go kayaking and enjoy a Sunset Party on the way back to the town.
• Late afternoon: The bus takes you back to the pier, then you return to Hai Phong/Hanoi.

Frog pond on Cat Ba Jungle

✔ Pros

• Lets you experience the mountains and forest side of Cat Ba – something many beach-only visitors usually miss.
• Offers great physical activity and fresh air, a perfect “detox” after busy working days.
• Brings a feeling of peace and simplicity when walking around Viet Hai Village: less crowded and less commercial.
• Combines Lan Ha Bay sightseeing, swimming and kayaking in the same day.
• Avoids route repetition: trek out via the forest, return by sea, creating a more varied experience.

Navy peak

✔ Cons

• Activity level ranges from medium to high, with several uphill sections – not suitable for those with weak fitness.
• The main focus is trekking and nature, so if you are strongly “addicted to the sea”, you may feel there is not enough beach time.
• In rainy and humid weather, the trail can be slippery and more difficult to walk.

Cycling to Viet Hai village

For tour details: Cat Ba National Park - Viet Hai 1 day trekking tour

3.3 Ha Long – Lan Hạ – Cat Ba 1-Day Tour

✔ Who should choose this tour?

• Travellers with very limited time who still want to see both Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba/Lan Ha in a single day.
• People who like a “check-in and see as much as possible” style, prioritising the number of sights over deep, slow experiences.

Ha Long - Lan Ha bay day cruise

✔ Sample itinerary from Hanoi / Hai Phong:

• Early morning: Depart from Hanoi/Hai Phong to Ha Long (Quang Ninh Province).
• Board a boat to visit Ha Long Bay: cruise past famous areas and enjoy lunch on board.
• Early / mid-afternoon: Transfer by boat or speedboat to the Lan Ha Bay area.
• Take an electric car to Cat Ba National Park, visit Hospital Cave (Hang Quân Y) or Trung Trang Cave.
• Go kayaking in Lan Ha Bay, swim and enjoy a sunset tea party on the bay.
• Late afternoon: The boat/bus returns to shore and you travel back to Hanoi.

Trung trang cave

✔ Pros

• A true “2-in-1” experience: you get to see Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and the Cat Ba/Lan Ha area in the same day.
• Ideal for guests who want to maximise the number of destinations in a very short period of time.

Kayaking on Lan Ha Bay

✔ Cons

• Limited time in each place, so you cannot experience either Ha Long or Cat Ba as deeply as with dedicated single-destination tours.
• Less suitable for families with young children, elderly travellers or those who prefer a slow, relaxing travel style.

Sunset Party

For tour details: Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay - Cat Ba island 1 day tour

4. Quick comparison table of the Cat Ba 1-day tour types

Criteria	Cat Ba – Lan Ha 1-Day	Cat Ba National Park – Viet Hai 1 day trekking tour	Ha Long – Cat Ba 1-Day
Main experience	Sea & islands, bay, kayaking, swimming	Forest, trekking, traditional village, wild nature	Sightseeing Ha Long + Cat Ba/Lan Ha
Activity level	Light – moderate	Moderate – high	Moderate (with a lot of travelling)
Best suited for	Families, friends, couples	Young travellers, trekking & adventure lovers	Time-poor travellers wanting “2-in-1”
Travel time	Moderate	Quite long	Quite long
Biggest advantage	Beautiful sea, great photos, easy to join	Wild nature, fewer crowds	See both Ha Long and Cat Ba
Main drawback	Not ideal for people with severe seasickness	Requires good fitness, not much pure beach time	Little time at each stop, can be tiring

For other different Cat Ba 1 day tours: Cat Ba 1 day tour checklists

5. Tips to choose the most suitable Cat Ba 1-day tour

There is no single “best tour” for everyone – only the tour that is best for your needs:

• If this is your first time in Cat Ba, you travel with family, friends or your partner, and you want great photos, island and bay experiences, kayaking and swimming →Choose Cat Ba – Lan Ha Bay 1-Day Tour
• If you love nature, enjoy walking, want to feel like you are “escaping from the world” and don’t mind being active →Choose Cat Ba National Park – Viet Hai Trekking 1-Day Tour.
• If your time is extremely limited but you still want to “check in” both Ha Long and Cat Ba in one single day → Choose  Ha Long – Cat Ba 1-Day Tour and be ready for a tighter, more intense schedule.

Cát Cò 1 beach

A few practical tips when booking a tour:

• Ask clearly about the means of transport (bus, boat, speedboat, ferry, etc.).
• Check the detailed itinerary to avoid “rushed tours” with too many stops in too little time.
• Confirm in advance about meals, travel insurance, group size on the boat, and cancellation/refund policies in case of bad weather.
• Prefer to book through reputable tour operators based in Cat Ba – Hai Phong – Hanoi, with clear office addresses and professional consultation such as: Cat Ba Du Ky Travel JSC

Once you are clear about what you like, your physical condition and what you expect from the trip, it becomes very easy to choose a Cat Ba 1-day tour that truly fits you and feels “worth every penny”.