Cat Ba Island
2 days, 1 night
AH-HP08
6/10
CUSTOMIZE TOUR Book Now
DESCRIBE

Trek the deep jungle. Paddle the glowing waters. Discover the hidden village. This action-packed 2-day expedition is the ultimate way to fully experience Cat Ba’s diverse ecosystems. Challenge yourself with a hike through the dense primary forest of Cat Ba National Park, stopping at the unique Frog Lake, before arriving at Viet Hai—an isolated ancient village accessible only by foot or boat. The adventure continues as night falls with a magical kayak excursion to hunt for glowing bioluminescent plankton. Crowned with a daytime paddle through the spectacular Dark & Bright Cave area, this journey promises memories that will last a lifetime.

Highlights

  • Exciting trekking through the pristine Cat Ba National Park.

  • Kayaking to explore the magnificent Bright Cave (Hang Sang) area.

  • Night kayaking to witness the magical bioluminescent plankton.

  • Authentic overnight homestay experience in the isolated Viet Hai Village.

SUMMARY

  • Departure Point: Hanoi

  • Duration: 2 days, 1 night

  • Destination: Cat Ba Island

  • Activities: Trekking

  • Min : 6 people

  • Best time: Year-round

  • Max : 15 people

  • Difficulty level: 6/10

ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi – Cat Ba National Park – Viet Hai Village

08:00 Board the bus to Cat Ba. Upon arriving at Cat Hai, we will take a ferry crossing to Cat Ba Island. Continue the bus ride to Cat Ba National Park.

11:30 Arrive at Cat Ba National Park. Prepare the equipment and start trekking through the jungle to Viet Hai, an isolated ancient village located in a large valley that can only be reached by trekking or by boat from Lan Ha Bay. After about 2 hours of walking, we will stop for lunch at Frog Lake (Ao Ech) - a small swamp and frog paradise at an altitude of 100 meters above sea level. Our lunch is a compact picnic lunch distributed to everyone before the hike. After lunch at Frog Lake, we will continue hiking to Viet Hai. Along the route, we will have many stops to rest and take photos.

18:00 After about 5-6 hours of walking, we will arrive at Viet Hai village. Check-in, take a shower, and rest.

19:30 Have dinner at the homestay.

20:30 Take an electric car to Viet Hai pier to board a boat to Lan Ha Bay for bioluminescent plankton hunting. The boat will take us to a floating house on the bay to get kayaks for this amazing experience. The guide will take us to a suitable spot in the Van Boi area with the best chance of seeing the plankton. After viewing and taking photos, we will return to the boat and head back to Viet Hai.

22:30 Return to Viet Hai. End of evening activities.

Accommodation in Viet Hai Village: Local homestays have various room types for 2, 3, or 4 people. Depending on the group size or room availability, we will arrange suitable rooms for the group.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Viet Hai Village – Lan Ha Bay – Dark Cave & Bright Cave – Cat Ba – Hanoi

07:00 Have breakfast at the homestay.

08:00 After breakfast, we will take an electric car to Viet Hai pier. The road from the village to the pier is very beautiful; we will ride on a small road through the forest and then along the coastline. At the pier, we will board a boat to the Dark & Bright Cave area, the most beautiful seascape furthest away from Cat Ba. Kayak to explore Bright Cave and the surrounding areas. After kayaking, we will get back on the boat for lunch. While having lunch, the boat will cruise back to Cat Ba through Ba Trai Dao and Lan Ha.

13:00 Return to Cat Ba. Take a bus to the sea-crossing cable car station. We will cross the sea to Cat Hai by cable car, enjoying panoramic views from above. Board the bus back to Hanoi. The program will end when we arrive in Hanoi around 19:00.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION

Inclusion: 

Exclusion: 

  • Round-trip bus Hanoi – Cat Ba - Hanoi
  • Personal expenses
  • Meals as the schedule on the itinerary
  • Transportation fee before and after the trip
  • Tour guides
  • Beverages during meal
  • Kayak and life jacket
  • Other kinds of beverage unlist in the tour program
  • Homestay in Viet Hai Village

 

  • Evening bioluminescent plankton experience

 

  • Electric car in Viet Hai

 

  • Daily drinking water

 

  • Entrance tickets to Cat Ba National Park and Lan Ha Bay

 

  • Travel insurance

 

THE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY

Equipment provided by VAH:

What to bring:

Also recommended:

  • Trekking pole
  • Gloves
  • headlamp
  • First-aid kit
  • Backpack (10L)
  • Reusable bottle
  • Kayak sit – on- top and accessories
  • Life jacket

 

  • Water shoes / water sandals
  • Backpack (10L–30L)
  • clothing: long-sleeved swimwear (rash guard) or T-shirt and shorts
  • Sun protection: hat/cap, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen
  • Personal medications
  • Electronics (Mobile phone, camera, power bank...), appropriate waterproof cases
  • ID or passport
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Spare clothing
  • Waterproof phone pouch
  • Multi - tool

 

TOUR EQUIPMENT
IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Kayaking and Trekking Notes

  • Distance: The paddling route is approximately 4 km and the trekking route is about 7 to 8 km
  • Terrain: We will trek through an old – growth forest along dense, overgrown trails. Most of the route consists of narrow paths, with many steep sections and rugged rocky outcrops. We paddle across a stunning bay with clear, cool blue waters, dotted with small islands rising randomly from the sea. There are also many white sandy beaches where we can stop to rest, relax, play, and swim
  • Suitability: This route requires good physical fitness and solid experience in outdoor activities. This level is generally not suitable for children
  • Before starting the kayaking activity, the guide will provide instructions on paddling techniques, safety precautions, and the route. All participants are required to wear life jackets.
  • While paddling in the bay, you should watch out for obstacles such as submerged rocks and boats. Avoid paddling too close to cliff faces when there are waves, as they can push you into sharp rock surfaces.
  • Our kayaking location is in the Dark Cave & Bright Cave area. Due to regulations set by the Lan Ha Bay Management Board, we will only kayak to explore Bright Cave. The water at this SUP/kayaking spot is calm, and the paddling distance is not long, making it suitable even for those with little or no prior kayaking experience

2. Responsible Travel & Environmental Protection

  • Leave No Trace: We strictly follow and promote the Leave No Trace principles in all our outdoor programs. We encourage our guests and partners to apply these ethics to minimize our impact on the natural environment. [See details about Leave No Trace here]
  • Reduce Plastic Waste: To limit single-use plastics, we encourage everyone to bring a reusable Reusable bottle (minimum 1L capacity). Refill stations will be provided throughout the trip.
  • Local Regulations: We kindly ask all guests to comply with the specific environmental regulations and instructions provided by our guides at the destination.

3. Health & Safety

  • Medical Considerations: Your safety is our priority. If you have a history of cardiovascular conditions or chronic joint issues (knees, ankles, shoulders, etc.), please consult with your doctor before booking this trip.
  • Physical fitness: Train by running or kayaking/SUP at least two weeks in advance. Run 2–3 sessions per week, about 5 km per session. Alternatively, paddle 2–3 sessions per week, covering 5–7 km per session.
  • Transparency: Please inform our tour guide of any existing health conditions or allergies at the start of the journey so we can support you best.