Lan Ha OvernightOff the night bus at 07:00, taxi to check-in, and straight onto the small-group overnight boat at 07:45 — floating village, kayak caves, Viet Hai by bike, a night at anchor, Dau Be the next day.
Overnight sleeper bus to Cat Ba — a cabin bus from Sapa, a standard sleeper from Cao Bang. Pick-up point and exact departure time are confirmed with your request.
The bus drops you at the Cat Ba bus station around 07:00.
A short taxi ride from the bus station to the overnight boat's office in Cat Ba town, where you check in from 07:45. Breakfast on the way is at your own cost.
The trip starts cruising through the floating fishing village — one of the oldest villages in Vietnam — where your guide shares the life of the fishermen and their families. Enjoy hundreds of amazing limestone island landscapes on Lan Ha Bay: turtle islets, toad islets, candle islets and more. At the border between Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, kayak for about an hour and a half through the Bright Cave, Dark Cave and Bat Cave to explore hidden lagoons. Then move to a quiet private swimming zone in the middle of Ha Long Bay — Cam lagoon — to swim in blue, clear water and jump from the deck of the boat.
Lunch with Vietnamese food, seafood and vegetarian dishes on the boat.
Blow off some steam sleeping in the boat or sit on the deck sunbathing and taking photos while we return by another route towards Viet Hai harbour.
From Viet Hai harbour, cycle across rice fields to Viet Hai village. Stroll around the village to meet friendly locals and learn about their life and culture — join their farm work if you like (seasonal), and experience the famous fish foot massage.
Dinner is served on the boat with traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Try squid fishing or kayak at night to see bioluminescent plankton, then enjoy the fresh night air on the bay before going to sleep on board.
Get up, have breakfast, watch the dawn and breathe the fresh air on the bay.
Cruise to Ho Ba Ham to discover Ha Long Bay. Visit Dau Be Island, relax on a deserted beach, and kayak to explore Ho Ba Ham — the three hidden lagoons.
Lunch cooked the local way on board.
Return to Lan Ha Bay — kayak around the limestone islands, swim at private deserted beaches, or sunbathe on the boat.
Arrive back in Cat Ba town. End of the 2-day 1-night boat tour.
After the boat returns to town around 15:00, the 15:30 bus takes you to Hanoi (arrives about 19:00). Prefer Ninh Binh? Pick the bus or the limousine to Ninh Binh in the booking panel — the price follows your choice.
Included: all meals on the boat — Vietnamese food, seafood and vegetarian options for lunch and dinner on Day 1, breakfast and local-style lunch on Day 2. A big bottle of water per guest is included.
Routes can change for weather or authority restrictions. Availability, guest requirements, pickup and final total are confirmed in writing.
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