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עבריתAn island night,a day on Lan Ha.
Cross to Cat Ba Island, walk through Trung Trang Cave and end the day with fresh seafood by the harbour. The next morning a private boat takes you into Lan Ha Bay for kayaking, swimming and lunch among the limestone islands.
The quiet side of the bay.
Ha Long gets the crowds. Lan Ha, its southern half, has the same limestone islands with calmer water, small sandy coves and floating fishing villages. Cat Ba Island sits right beside it, so you sleep there and start on the bay before the day boats arrive.
On the first afternoon you walk through Trung Trang Cave in Cat Ba National Park, then watch the light go from the harbour and choose your seafood for dinner. On the second day your own boat follows the route your guide picks for the weather: lagoons by kayak, a swim from a quiet beach and lunch on deck. We bring you back to Hanoi or Ninh Binh that evening.
Two days, island and bay.
Two days, door to door. Pick-up and drop-off can each be in Hanoi or Ninh Binh, whichever suits you, and the times below follow your choice.
Times are flexible. This is a private tour, so the day runs at your pace. The drive includes the short car ferry across to Cat Ba. On the boat day your guide picks the order of the stops to suit the tide and the weather. Drive times are approximate.
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Day 01Lunch · Dinner
To the island, into the cave, seafood by the harbour
We drive to the coast and cross on the short car ferry to Cat Ba Island. After lunch and check-in, your guide takes you into Cat Ba National Park to walk through Trung Trang Cave, a long cave of chambers and rock formations. In the evening you pick your seafood at a harbourside restaurant in Cat Ba town.
- Pick-up at your hotel in Hanoi
- Car ferry across to Cat Ba Island
- Check in to your hotel, then lunch in Cat Ba town
- Trung Trang Cave in Cat Ba National Park, an easy walk through its chambers with your guide
- Free time on the beach or at your hotel, or the climb to Cannon Fort for the view at sunset
- Seafood dinner by the harbour: choose your fish, squid, clams and prawns, cooked the way you like
Cave walkNight on Cat Ba -
Day 02Breakfast · LunchA private boat day on Lan Ha Bay
Your own boat leaves from Cat Ba's harbour and heads into Lan Ha Bay, past floating fishing villages and hundreds of limestone islets. You kayak, swim and have lunch on deck, and your guide chooses the order of the stops for the tide and the weather. In the afternoon we cross back to the mainland and drive you home.
- Breakfast, then a short drive to the pier
- Board your private boat and cruise past the floating fishing villages
- Your morning on the bay, chosen on the day:
Morning on the bay · pick oneFinal choice on the day, depending on tide and weather- Seafood lunch on deck while the boat drifts between the islands
- A last swim, then cruise back to Cat Ba
- Ferry back to the mainland and start the drive home
- Drop-off at your hotel in Hanoi
Private boatKayak & swim
One night on Cat Ba, your way.
Choose the kind of stay you want on Cat Ba. Everything else stays the same: the car, the guide, the boat and the plan. Philip confirms the exact hotel when he sends your quote.
Town hotel
A comfortable 3★ hotel in Cat Ba town- A short walk to the harbour, the night market and the seafood restaurants
- Clean, simple rooms with air-conditioning
- The best value
Sea-view hotel
A 4★ hotel facing Cat Ba bay, or similar- A room with a balcony over the bay
- Breakfast with a sea view, a short walk to the pier
- The best balance of comfort and setting
Beach resort
e.g. a 5★ beach resort on Cat Ba, or similar- Spacious rooms with a sea view, steps from the sand
- Pools, spa and fine dining
- Ideal for honeymoons and special trips
Hotels are chosen for each trip. If one is full on your dates, Philip offers another of the same standard. Prices depend on the stay and your group size, and Philip quotes them with your plan.
Clear prices, per person.
The more of you there are, the lower the price per person, because you share one private car and one guide. Choose a stay above or a group size below to compare.
| Group size | Town hotel | Sea-view hotel | Beach resort |
|---|
Pay in USD, EUR or GBP, whichever suits you. Philip confirms the final price in writing before you book.
Children 1–4 travel free, ages 5–11 pay 50% of the adult price. Add their ages in the form.
Travelling solo, or a group of 10 or more? Message Philip for a tailored price.
The bay, month by month.
The sea sets the calendar here. Tap a month to see what the weather, the water and the crowds are usually like.
Clear and warm
Everything taken care of.
Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Hanoi or Ninh Binh (they can be different), in a private air-conditioned car with a driver for both days, car ferry included
- Private English-speaking local guide
- 1 night on Cat Ba in the stay style you choose
- A private boat for the whole day on Lan Ha Bay, with kayaks
- All meals listed: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches (one on the boat) and the seafood dinner
- Trung Trang Cave and Lan Ha Bay entrance fees
- Bottled water every day
Not included
- Flights and Vietnam visa
- Drinks with meals, and premium seafood such as lobster beyond the set dinner
- Tips for your guide, driver and boat crew (always optional)
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
- Extras you add, such as an extra night or an airport transfer
Pack light:
- Swimwear and a towel
- Sandals for the boat
- Shoes with grip for the cave
- Hat & sun cream
- A dry bag for your phone
- Light rain jacket
- A warm layer (Dec–Feb)
- Some cash for the night market
Make it yours.
Tell us where to pick you up, how you'd like to stay and when you want to go. Philip replies with your plan and a firm price. Nothing is booked or paid until you're happy with it.
Book once you're sure.
Nothing to pay until your plan and price are agreed. Then four simple steps.
- 1
Agree your plan
Philip sends your itinerary and a firm price on WhatsApp (+84 84 635 9779). Ask anything and change anything. There's nothing to pay yet.
- 2
Pay the deposit 15%
When the dates and price are confirmed, scan the Moreta Pay QR and pay 15% with your own card. This books your stays, car and guide.
- 3
You're booked
Philip confirms on WhatsApp (+84 84 635 9779) with your booking details, pick-up time and your guide's name.
- 4
Pay the balance
Pay the rest on the tour, or in cash once you are in Hanoi or Ninh Binh, in USD, EUR or GBP, whichever suits you.
Cancellation
- Over 72 hours before
- Full refund
- 48–72 hours before
- 30% fee
- Under 48 hours before
- 100% fee
Children
- Age 1–4
- Free
- Age 5–11
- 50% of the adult price
- Age 12 and over
- Adult price
Only pay after Philip confirms. The deposit goes to the account on this card, and only after Philip has confirmed your dates and price on WhatsApp (+84 84 635 9779).
Islands, coves and calm water.
Lan Ha Bay and the islands around Cat Ba, the waters you spend your second day on.
Questions, answered.
Anything else? Ask Philip on WhatsApp, +84 84 635 9779, or by email at philopentours@gmail.com.
Average fitness is enough. Trung Trang Cave is an easy walk with some steps and low ceilings in places. Kayaking is gentle and your guide stays with you. The Cannon Fort climb and the National Park trek are optional. Tell us about any limits and we'll plan around them.
Yes. The boat, the car, the driver and the guide are for your party only, and no other travellers join. Your guide can change the order of the stops, add a swim or come back earlier.
Boats on Lan Ha only sail when the harbour allows it. If a storm warning closes the bay, Philip moves your boat day, swaps in Cat Ba National Park and the beaches, or arranges a refund for the boat. Storms are most likely from July to September.
Yes. Life jackets are on board and in every kayak, and you can stay on deck or in shallow water. Let us know in the form and your guide will choose calm spots.
Yes. Pick-up is included from any hotel in Hanoi or Ninh Binh. We can also start at Noi Bai or Cat Bi airport, or from Ha Long. Add a note and Philip will adjust the price if needed.
Send the form or message Philip. You'll get a written plan and price. Once your dates and price are agreed, Philip confirms on WhatsApp (+84 84 635 9779) and you pay a 15% deposit by Moreta Pay QR to book the services. The balance is paid on the tour, or in cash once you are in Hanoi or Ninh Binh. Cancel more than 72 hours ahead for a full refund. Please never pay anyone before Philip's confirmation.
Your island escape starts with one message.
Tell Philip your dates and where you're staying. He'll reply with the plan, a firm price and honest advice on the sea and the season.