Cat Ba Island
2 days, 1 night
AH- HP01
7/10
$182 USD
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DESCRIBE

This tour is a great choice for travelers who want to experience both the wild beauty of Cat Ba National Park and the peaceful charm of Lan Ha Bay in one trip. It combines a rewarding trek through the national park to the remote Viet Hai Village, a scenic cycling route from the village to the pier, and a relaxing SUP or kayak experience in Lan Ha Bay, where quiet beaches and limestone landscapes create a truly special setting. Viet Hai Village is widely described as a hidden village deep inside Cat Ba National Park, reachable by trekking or by boat, while Lan Ha Bay is known for its peaceful scenery, many small beaches, and limestone islands.

Highlights

  • Trekking through exciting Cat Ba National Park
  • Staying at homestay in Viet Hai village
  • Padding SUP to explore the vast, pristine Lan Ha Bay  
  • Having support boat accompanying the entire paddling route
  • Having professional and experienced tour guides

 

SUMMARY

  • Departure Point: Hanoi

  • Duration: 2 days, 1 night

  • Destination: Cat Ba Island

  • Activities: Cycling

  • Min : 5 people

  • Best time: Year-round

  • Max : 15 people

  • Difficulty level: 7/10

ITINERARY
Day 1: Ha Noi – Cat Ba National Park – Viet Hai village

08:00 Depart from Hanoi for Cat Ba. Upon arriving in Cat Hai, we will take the ferry to Cat Ba Island, then continue by vehicle to Cat Ba National Park.

11:30 Arrive at Cat Ba National Park. Prepare the equipment and begin the forest trek to Viet Hai Village, an ancient village hidden in a large valley and accessible only by crossing the forest or by boat from Lan Ha Bay.

After around 2 hours of trekking, we will stop for lunch at Ao Ech, a small wetland known as a natural habitat for frogs, located about 100 meters above sea level. Lunch will be a light picnic lunch, prepared and distributed to each participant before the trek begins.

After lunch at Ao Ech, we will continue trekking uphill toward Viet Hai Village. Along the way, there will be several stops for resting and taking photos.

18:00 After approximately 5–6 hours of trekking, we will arrive at Viet Hai Village. Check in, shower, and relax.

19:30 Dinner at the homestay. After dinner, enjoy some relaxing time around the campfire before going to bed.

Accommodation in Viet Hai Village:
The homestay offers rooms for 2, 3, or 4 guests. Depending on the group size and room availability, Umove Adventure will arrange the most suitable room option for the group.

* Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

* Trekking distance: 12 km

 

Day 2: Viet Hai village – Lan Ha Bay – Ba Trai Dao Bay – Cat Ba – Ha Noi

08:00 Breakfast at the ecolodge. After breakfast, we will cycle to Viet Hai Pier. The route from the village to the pier is very scenic, passing through forest trails and between towering limestone cliffs.

10:00 Arrive at the pier and board the boat to Lan Ha Bay. Here, we will receive the SUP boards and begin exploring the bay. This area is home to many quiet and unspoiled beaches.

12:30 After exploring several beaches, we will have lunch on the boat. After lunch, the boat returns to Cat Ba.

13:30 Arrive at Ben Beo Pier. Transfer by vehicle to the cable car station to cross to Cat Hai. From Cat Hai, the car will take you back to Hanoi.

The trip ends when we arrive in Hanoi at around 19:30.

* Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

* Cycling distance: 10 km

* SUP paddling: 2 hours
* If you do not want to paddle a SUP, you can choose a kayak instead.

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION

Inclusion:

  • Supporting boat
  • Round-trip bus: Ha Noi – Cat Ba – Ha Noi
  • SUP & trekking gear
  • Homestay at Viet Hai village
  • Meals as the schedule on the itinerary
  • Tour guides
  • Drinking water
  • Fee for entrance tickets
  • Travel insurance 

Exclusion:

  • Other kinds of beverage unlist in the tour program
  • Personal expenses
  • Transportation fee before and after the trip
  • Beverages during meals

 

 

THE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY

Equipment provided by VAH:

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

      What to bring: 

  • Hikking shoes / walking sandals
  • Backpack (10L–30L)
  • Reusable bottle
  • Trekking clothing: Summer: quick-dry clothing, wide-brim hat; Winter: waterproof windbreaker, fleece or sweatshirt, thermal base layers, trekking pants or quick-dry pants, thermal pants
  • SUP 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

     Also recommended:

  • Hand sanitizer
  • Spare clothing
  • Waterproof phone pouch
  • Multi-tool  
 
TOUR EQUIPMENT
IMPORTANT NOTES

1. SUP paddling & Trekking notes.

  • Distance: The trekking route is approximately 7-8 km and 4 km for paddling route.
  • 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. At times, we may even need to use both our hands and feet to climb, as there are no clearly defined trails.
  • Suitability: This route is ideal for most fitness levels, including beginners. Not for childrenunder 14 years old.
  • The trekking route is not too difficult, with about two-thirds of the distance consisting of easy-to-walk trails. The remaining one-third, before reaching Viet Hai, is more challenging, with some sections requiring the use of hands for climbing.
  • The duration of our SUP paddling route will be determined by the guide, depending on weather conditions, timing, and the fitness levels of the group. Inside Lan Ha Bay, the water is generally calm; however, near Ba Trai Đao, we will cross a more open area with waves. The guide will provide instructions to ensure that we paddle safely

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.