Lan Ha Bay is part of the Cat Ba Archipelago, which lies off Vietnam's northeastern coast. With its jagged karst limestone pillars rising from the turquoise water and pristine beaches, Lan Ha Bay offers an excellent cruising experience similar to Halong Bay but more tranquil and quiet. In this post, let’s get some insights into Lan Ha Bay and its cruising activity for first-time visitors.
1. Where is Lan Ha Bay?
Lan Ha Bay is nestled between the eastern side of the Cat Ba Archipelago and Halong Bay, about 30 kilometers from Hai Phong. From Cat Ba Island, tourists can get there by boat in 30 minutes.
Lan Ha Bay is comprised of about 400 limestone islands and islets, covering an area of over 7000 hectares. The bay also boasts hundreds of gorgeous white-sand beaches for visitors who like swimming and relaxing. Some sandy beaches hide among rocky mountains, creating a secluded and peaceful corner to chill out. Compared to the neighboring star, Lan Ha is less touristy and perfect for those seeking a pleasant and tranquil cruising experience.
2. Why choose Lan Ha Bay?
As a World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is well-known for its breathtaking seascape of limestone islands and islets, and there is no dispute about its splendor. Thousands of people visit and return each year, but for some, the crowded destination may put them down. Don’t give up and head your attention to Lan Ha Bay. It’s renowned as the twin of Halong Bay, an unexplored land and water that has seen a surge in tourism during the last decade. Travelers may now completely enjoy the bay’s beauty with an overnight cruise trip.
3. Best time to visit Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay is worth visiting all year round because of its fresh and cool weather conditions and the distinct beauty it has in each season. The usual temperature here is around 25-28 degrees Celsius. As can be seen, June, July, and August are the months when most Vietnamese travelers opt to visit Halong Bay since this is the summer time and school break, perfect for family trips.
If you want to avoid tourist crowds and enjoy temperate weather, the ideal times to visit the Bay are October through December and January through April. The climate is comfortable, with no extremes in temperature, and the breeze over the bay will make your holiday delightful.
4. How to get to Lan Ha Bay
Most visitors choose to book a cruise through a Hanoi-based cruise operator; these cruise packages often include a return shuttle to and from Hanoi as well as full board overnight on a cruise ship. And with this option, you will travel to Tuan Chau Marina or Halong International Cruise Port to embark your cruise or take a speedboat/tender transfer to the cruise in Lan Ha Bay.
Another option for those being in a Cat Ba Island trip is to take a boat ride from Beo Harbor, located around 2 kilometers from the island town.
5. Best activities in Lan Ha Bay
Staying overnight on cruise
For those seeking a one-of-a-kind experience in Lan Ha Bay, an overnight cruise tour is highly recommended. You will have the chance to experience a cruise ship with the facilities and service of a floating boutique hotel.
Sunbathing on beaches
It is said that Lan Ha Bay boasts 139 sandy beaches that make up its “blue straits” and guarantee to entice beachgoers. Manu seclude beaches, with smooth sand and crystal-clear water, are perfect for unwinding and sunbathing. Ba Trai Dao Beach, also known as Three Peaches Beach, is one of the most beautiful, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.
Swimming
While you’re onboard a cruise, depending on its itinerary, the vessel will stop at one of the islands so that guests can swim in the green water. Some cruises will also allow guests to swim around their ships at the anchored spot.
Kayaking
Kayaking is one of the most favorite activities when exploring Lan Ha Bay. You can paddle yourself along the rocky karsts, see the strange shapes of the limestone, and enjoy the serene surroundings. Most cruise itineraries will include kayaking, and the popular spots for this activity in Lan Ha are Dark & Bright Cave, Ao Ech area, and Ba Trai Dao. You can also hire a kayak yourself from local shops in Cat Ba Island.
Cave exploring
Lan Ha Bay is home to a myriad of caverns waiting to be discovered. The Dark and Bright Cave, for example, provide a one-of-a-kind caving experience in which you can navigate an 80-meter-long cave on water and enter a hidden lagoon inside. Another choice is Trung Trang Cave in Cat Ba Island, which is famous for its natural beauty and historical significance.
Biking at Viet Hai Village
Cycling to Viet Hai village in Cat Ba Island is part of some cruise’s activities. You will pedal through the classic Vietnamese countryside scenery and surely feel at ease during the exploration.
Trekking in Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba National Park is one of Vietnam's largest natural special-use forests and a UNESCO-listed world biosphere reserve as well. Here, a wide variety of endangered plants and animals are being protected, providing viewers with a visually pleasing experience. In addition to taking scenic strolls, visitors can opt for trekking or mountain climbing.
Wandering on sandy beaches, basking in the tropical sunlight, kayaking around limestone karsts, and taking in the ocean breeze from your cruise sundeck, your trip to Lan Ha Bay will undoubtedly be a wonderful highlight of your visit to Vietnam. If you’re looking for a good choice of cruise in Lan Ha Bay, don’t hesitate to contact our travel consultants at Halong Bay Cruise website for detailed information.
