Lan Ha Bay vs. Halong Bay - Which Should You Visit in Vietnam?

So, Lan Ha Bay is the laid-back little sister of Ha Long Bay and is great, especially if you're after raw beauty and trying to avoid the masses. Situated off the northern coast of Vietnam, it measures over 7,000 hectares with more than 350 limestone islands, beautiful beaches, and secret lagoons. This guide contains all the key information you will need in planning a great tour to Lan Ha Bay.

Why go to Lan Ha Bay?

Lan Ha Bay is a super chill place with breathtakingly beautiful scenery. Unlike Ha Long Bay, it is never crowded, which is what one wants when he wants to relax or simply be alone with nature. It has fabulous green waters, hidden sandy beaches, and a load of fun outdoor activities. As the Bay is a part of the Cat Ba Archipelago's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the bay has an immense volume of wildlife and some exciting things to see around the floating villages.

As of writing this Ha Long Bay is suffering from over tourism and trash floating in some places in the bay. Local governments have started some cleaning initiatives which might take some long time to show results. Meanwhile, Lan Ha Bay is pretty clean comparatively and feels less touristy!

How to Get to Lan Ha Bay

Reaching Lan Ha Bay, tourists often make their trips through Cat Ba Island or Tuan Chau Port:

From Hanoi:

• To Cat Ba Island: Your cheapest option would be to catch a train from Hanoi train station to Hai Phong using the Vexere app or book directly at the train station. Otherwise just take the bus or car to Hai Phong (2 hours / 120 km), and then take the ferry or take a cable car to Cat Ba (Ferry should cost approx $4). Cable car should cost around $16 which counts among the most extensive cable cars over sea. 
  Then, from here onwards, the boats or cruises will directly reach Lan Ha Bay.

• To Tuan Chau Port: Combined transportation directly to Tuan Chau Port, Quang Ninh Province, for entry to Lan Ha Bay is given through the operators of luxury cruises.

Getting Around:

• Book transportation in advance during peak seasons: September through November and March through May. Use Grab app for hassle free taxi where you get exactly what you pay for.

• Many luxury cruises include transfers from Hanoi. A lot of tour operators operate from Hanoi old quarter where you can bargain directly and get a better price for a tour which should include transportation/food/cruise all inclusive in the tour.
  Believe it or not but we got a way better deal from our homestay in Hanoi for the Lan Ha bay cruise. We would recommend you to always check with your homestay/hotel first for an offer before checking online as sometimes they get better last minute deals!

Top Activities in Lan Ha Bay

Riding through green, beautiful waters

Take a one-day or multi-day cruise through this bay and be able to enjoy the striking scenery of Lan Ha Bay. Most of them offer sightseeing at iconic sites, food onboard, and certain activities, including morning Tai Chi or traditional cooking.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Explore the hidden lagoons and caves that are accessible only by kayak. These will be tranquil beauty areas, appealing to a more adventurous mind. A lot of cruise tours include this in the package so do check before booking your tour.

Visit Floating Villages

Pay a visit to Cai Beo or Van Boi fishing village in order to see how fishermen here are living and working in water. Some tours even let you try some fresh seafood made by the locals.

Enjoy its tranquil beaches

Moreover, numerous beaches are present in Lan Ha Bay and are considered great spots for swimming and snorkeling—Ba Trai Dao, or the Three Peaches, and one more, the Nam Cat Island.

Trekking and biking in Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba National Park has some very good trekking trails, while Viet Hai Village is surrounded by spectacular landscapes and is another great place for cycling. Trekking level should be beginner to moderate level and can be done by yourself without a guide for most routes.

Wildlife watching

This was supposed to have a rich marine life, coral reefs, and the seriously endangered Cat Ba langur. You will be able to see this cool biodiversity when you go snorkeling or trekking.

Best Time to Visit Lan Ha Bay

• May to October: Generally good, and warm, good for water sports but with occasional typhoons.

• November to April: Cooler and less rainy, making it perfect for exploring and sightseeing. December to February can be chilly, so pack accordingly.

Suggested itinerary

• Day 1: From Hanoi, depart to Cat Ba Island or Tuan Chau Port. The full-day boat cruise in Lan Ha Bay allows you to visit Bright and Dark Caves. Paddle into hidden lagoons and relax on Ba Trai Dao Beach.

• Day 2: Do a trek in Cat Ba National Park or cycle in Viet Hai Village. Check out a floating fishing village and sample some seafood. Return to Hanoi in the evening.

Lan Ha Bay vs. Ha Long Bay: Which is better?

While both bays create one great geological area, each totally caters to different traveler tastes:

• Crowds: Much less crowded, Lan Ha Bay has that chill atmosphere, while Ha Long Bay is always full of many boats at any hotspots. We personally loved Lan Ha bay more and if you are travelling as a couple for a romantic cruise, 100% choose Lan Ha bay!

• Activities: Ha Long Bay is famous for huge caves including Sung Sot and Thien Cung, but the caves of Lan Ha are smaller and far less visited, including Dark and Bright Cave, ideal to be kayaked or taken by sampan.

• Beaches: Beaches in Lan Ha Bay are more isolated, like Ba Trai Dao and Van Boi Beach, for quiet swims and sunbaths, while those in Ha Long are larger but crowded, as in the case of Titov Island. If you thrive in social events and are extra social then Ha Long bay might be better for you.

• Cruises: While cruises in Lan Ha are small and more modern, many are fitted with private balconies and other facilities that speak of luxury, in Ha Long Bay, one can get cruises from budget to luxury. Obviously you will have more options and price range in Ha Long bay since it's heavily commercialised now.

Our take: If you ask us if Lan Ha Bay is better than Ha Long Bay, we would answer YES!

We tried both and absolutely loved Lan Ha Bay over Ha Long Bay.

Anyways it will be subjective for every person and if you are a party animal or someone who would like to mingle with other travelers then Halong Bay cruises would be a better choice!

Cruise Exploration of Lan Ha Bay

For taking in Lan Ha Bay, cruises are the best option. Cruises in Lan Ha Bay are often less packed, so you'll get less of an overcrowded scenery. You can expect:

• Emerald Cruise: Lan Ha Bay is all about luxury, super personalized service, and a really cool way of exploring the beauty of the bay up close.

• Mon Cheri and Ginger Cruises: These are fitted with state-of-the-art amenities, from sprawling cabins with balconies down to restaurants affording views of the bay.

• Adventure Cruises: The most common activities are kayaking, cycling on Cat Ba Island, and visits to floating villages like Cai Beo.

Weather in Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay is tropical, meaning you can visit at any time! Still, the best time to visit Lan Ha Bay is in the dry season, outside of the summer rainy periods: between March and May and from September to November, when it is usually sunny and fine for outdoors. Summers, between June and August, are sweltering hot but sometimes have sudden rain showers; winters, between December and February, are cool yet foggy, super magical.

Note: In September 2024, Vietnam suffered devastating typhoon Yagi which damaged a lot of ships/boats in both Halong bay and Lan Ha bay.
As of writing this article, Lan Ha bay has reopened for tourism and most of the tour activities have resumed.

Picking a Lan Ha Bay tour

They range from day trips to 2-day or 3-day tours. Day tours shall be ideal for tourists who are in a hurry, while overnight cruises can go all the way to night fishing and early morning kayaking. Prices start from low-budget ones at $120 up to more than $200 for a high-end cruise.

Some cruise tours offer dinner on deck facilities which would be worth it for you if you like a nice sunset over the ocean while sipping delicious wine with your friends / significant other!