Set off on an unforgettable adventure from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island, where emerald waters, towering limestone peaks, and hidden treasures lie around each bend. This stunning journey brings together the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay with the forested splendor of the Cat Ba Archipelago, the ideal combination for travelers of cruising, kayaking in Lan Ha Bay, and trekking within Cat Ba National Park. Whether you’re planning a Halong 1-day trip or venturing deeper into Halong Bay and Cat Ba’s secrets, this guide is the key to the most thrilling experience between Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island.
Why Combine Halong Bay & Cat Ba Island in One Trip?
Why travel to Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island as part of a combined tour? Because the best part is experiencing two lovely locations simultaneously!
The route from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island is short, scenic, and full of surprises. You’ll cruise through Lan Ha Bay, surrounded by big and small islands, before arriving at the peaceful charm of Cat Ba Town. It’s a smooth transition from the towering cliffs of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Halong Bay to the wild nature of Cat Ba National Park.
Each destination is special in some way: Halong Bay offers spectacular scenery, Cat Ba for hiking, kayaking, and relaxing on private beaches. Best for day trips or weekend getaways, this duo is ideal for individuals who want to have more in less time.
Whether you travel from Halong to Cat Ba, Cat Ba to Halong, or do a full Cat Ba Halong Bay tour, this journey is a complete beach experience. If you’re busy, our 1-day tour of Halong is the most efficient way to experience it all — fast, convenient, and unforgettable. Don’t miss out on it! Book your trip from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island today.
Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island (Source: dulichviet)
How to Get from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island
Route Options: Best Ways to Go from Halong to Cat Ba
Option 1: By Public Ferry – Tuan Chau to Gia Luan
Route: From Tuan Chau International Port (Halong City) to Gia Luan Pier (Cat Ba Island)
Duration: ~45–60 minutes
Price:
Adult: 80,000 – 100,000 VND
Motorbike: ~50,000 VND
Car (4–7 seats): ~450,000 – 600,000 VND
Schedule:
Morning: 7:30 / 9:00 / 11:30
Afternoon: 13:30 / 15:00
Where to buy tickets: In person at the Tuan Chau Port ticket counter. No booking in advance, but arrive 30 minutes early during high season.
Best for: Car arrival or overnight stay in Cat Ba Town.
Address: Tuan Chau International Marina – Tuan Chau Island, Halong City, Quang Ninh
Public Ferry halong bay to cat ba island (Source: plo)
Option 2: By Speedboat – Ben Got to Cai Vieng
Route: From Ben Got Pier (Cat Hai Island, accessed by road from Halong City) to Cai Vieng Pier (Cat Ba Island)
Duration: ~10–12 minutes
Price:
Adult: ~120,000 – 150,000 VND (one-way)
Shuttle bus from Halong: 100,000 – 150,000 VND
Where to buy: Buy at Ben Got, or book from local operators (ask the hotel/agency in Halong)
Best for: Fastest option for day trips and a 1-day itinerary in Halong
Note: Also a favorite transfer for travelers taking Cat Ba Halong Bay tours or those who want to get back from Cat Ba Island to Halong Bay quickly.
Speedboat Halong bay to Cat Ba island (Source: daiichitravel)
Option 3: By Cable Car + Shuttle – Cat Hai to Phu Long / Cat Ba Town
Route:
Cable car from Cat Hai Station to Phu Long Station
Shuttle bus to Cat Ba Town
Duration: 9 minutes by cable car + 25–30 minutes by shuttle
Price:
Round-trip: ~200,000 VND/person
Shuttle bus: ~30,000 – 50,000 VND
Operating Hours:
Weekdays: 9:00 – 16:00
Weekends: 9:00 – 17:00
Where to buy: At Cat Hai Cable Car Station or via the VinWonders app
Best for: Stunning views and a family-friendly travel experience
Address: Ga cap treo Cat Hai, Huyen Cat Hai, Hai Phong
Cable Car (Source: crystalbay)
Travel Duration & Estimated Costs Comparison
Mode
Duration
Cost (VND)
Best for
Ferry
45–60 min
80,000 – 100,000
Budget travelers, vehicles
Speedboat
10–12 min
120,000 – 150,000
Day-trippers, quick transfers
Cable car + bus
30–45 min total
~200,000 (RT)
Families, sightseers
Local Tips from an Experienced Guide
Fewer tourists, please! Go early morning (before 8:00) or after 16:00. Avoid weekends and holidays.
Time pressed? Catch the speedboat from Ben Got — the fastest way from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island.
Photography and scenery are your top priorities? Cable car at sunset can’t be beat!
Want to have a plan without stress? Our 1-day Halong tour organizes everything, transfer, cruise, lunch, and even a kayak in Lan Ha Bay!
One-Day Suggested Itinerary: Halong Bay – Lan Ha – Cat Ba Island
07:30 – Depart from Halong
The day begins early with a ferry ride from Tuan Chau or a speedboat ride from Ben Got, going straight from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island. Along the way, marvel at the limestone cliffs of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and sail along Lan Ha Bay, which is dotted with big and small islands rising out of emerald waters.
09:00 – Explore Cannon Fort or Trung Trang Cave
Arrive at Gia Luan or Cai Vieng pier, off to one of the treasures of Cat Ba Island’s past! Your choice between the panoramic views of the Cannon Fort or venture into the ancient wonder of Trung Trang Cave, part of Cat Ba National Park. Either one is a must-visit destination here for any curious adventurer.
11:00 – Cruise Through Lan Ha Bay
Now the magic begins, a cruise through Lan Ha Bay, Halong Bay’s lesser-known but just as lovely sister. You’ll pass by floating villages, secluded coves, and lush karsts. It’s a perfect spot for kayaking or boarding a traditional bamboo boat to get up close to nature. If you’re choosing between Cat Ba Island vs Halong Bay, this peaceful bay shows that you don’t have to do both!
13:00 – Seafood Lunch on a Floating Restaurant
You’ll enjoy a fresh seafood lunch either on a floating restaurant or aboard your cruise. Expect local favorites like steamed shrimp, grilled squid, and juicy geoduck. Dining with a view doesn’t get better than this!
14:30 – Swim or Relax at Monkey Island or Cat Co Beaches
After lunch, make your way to some much-needed bathing and relaxation time. Take your pick between the fun-filled beaches of Monkey Island (yes, there are actual monkeys!) or the tranquil, sandy Cat Co 1, 2, or 3 beaches close to Cat Ba Town. Towel, sunblock, and good vibes are a must!
16:30 – Return to Halong or Stay Overnight
Time to end your adventure. You can either return to Cat Ba from Halong the same evening, or overnight in charmingCat Ba Townfor more local flavor. Buses and boats return from Cat Ba Island to Halong Bay in the early evening, so it’s straightforward to arrange.
Cruise Through Lan Ha Bay (Source: vinhlanha)
What to Pack for a Seamless Trip from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island
Essential Items for Your Day Trip
Swimwear: You’ll want to enjoy a refreshing dip, especially at Monkey Island or the beaches around Cat Ba Town.
Reef-safe sunscreen: Protect your skin and preserve the delicate ecosystems in Lan Ha Bay and the Cat Ba Archipelago.
Dry bag: A must-have for kayaking or boat rides, keep your phone, camera, and passport safe!
Towel & flip-flops: Perfect for beach stops and post-bathing comfort.
Hat & sunglasses: The sun gets intense on day trips, especially at midday.
Anti-nausea tablets: If you’re prone to seasickness on the ferry or speedboat between Cat Ba and Halong, be prepared.
Portable charger: There are heaps of photo ops between Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island — don’t run out of battery!
Cash: Small notes for entry fees, snacks, or local transport, especially in areas such as Gia Luan or remote beach cafés.
Insider Tip from Your Tour Guide
If you’re planning a tour of Halong 1 day, keep things light and smart. You’ll be hopping between big and small islands, maybe hiking in Cat Ba National Park, kayaking, or swimming, so comfort and mobility are key!
In addition, the weather in coastal areas such as Halong Bay and Cat Ba can shift rapidly, and therefore, a small poncho or lightweight windbreaker might be useful, particularly from May to August.
Book Your Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island Tour with Impress Travel
When organizing a trip from Halong Bay to Cat Ba, reserving a space with Impress Travel is an intelligent and trustworthy option. More than 15 years of experience, Impress Travel is an expert at operating well-organized, authentic, and culturally rich tours all around Vietnam. Their Cat Ba Halong Bay tour is ideal for those interested in visiting Lan Ha Bay, kayaking between limestone karsts, relaxing on beaches like Monkey Island, or absorbing nature at Cat Ba National Park, all under the care of well-trained, multilingual local guides. For busy travelers, the firm’s Halong 1 day tour is a preferred option that includes transfers, cruise life, lunch, and island attractions, giving the total Halong Bay and Cat Ba experience within a day.
Impress Travel booking is easy and hassle-free. You may contact them directly for private tours or group tours — you’re traveling from Halong to Cat Ba, returning from Cat Ba Island to Halong Bay, or departing from Halong City or Gia Luan. Their consultants are present and responsive within 24 hours with clear information based on your travel needs. Below is how to get in touch:
Hanoi Office: 125 Hoang Ngan, Trung Hoa, Cau Giay, Hanoi
Saigon Office: 155 Ben Van Don, Rivergate Residence, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
Conclusion
In only a day, the journey from Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island features stunning seascapes, indigenous culture, and natural wonders — an ideal choice for short-term visitors. From tranquil moments in Lan Ha Bay to sunbathing in Cat Ba Town, this journey is filled with magic. And if time permits, an overnight stay reveals further secrets. Feeling like viewing both Halong Bay and Cat Ba in one easy journey? Check out our trusted tour Halong 1 day packages and start your oceanic adventure today!
Ranana
You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Ebrahim
Tour of Vietnam
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
Solly Pochee
The tour was fantastic
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating! We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC. The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T". I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all. Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team. Sulaiman Pochee
Bernard Lim
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
Derek.Schooling
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress. Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide). Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
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Tour from Hanoi to Halong bay is one of the most amazing package tour in the North Vietnam. Our tours bring you to explore the seascape of Ha Long Bay is synonymous with Vietnam. Cruises sail emerald green waters among thousands of rugged islands and islets, stopping at spectacular caves through which visitors can wander, viewing impressive, centuries-old formations.
You will take an experience of stunning scenery, sumptuous sea food and excellent service with 6 hours cruise tour among the bay that is also a great option for travelers to discover the nature wonder. We ensure you will have memorable trip to visit one of seven World nature wonder.
Tour explores the most magnificent beauty of nature in the world ( Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay). You will not only see many fantastically shaped islands, beautiful beaches, and great natural caves, but you will also learn more about its history and local people and join to ocean activities.
Authentic Halong Tour: 3 days (2 nights on cruise)
This tour is 3 days and 2 nights staying on cruises. To explore further paths to hidden corner of Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Halong Bay & Bai Tu Long Bay. To take part in marine activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, rock climbing or swimming at the pristine and untouched beaches.
This tour with 4 days/3 nights on boat/cruises to explore Halong Bay & Bai Tu Long bay off the beaten track where is not touristic area, the feeling so tranquil of the fresh atmosphere. And discover the local people where you can see and learn about negative fishermen and floating fishing village around Tonkin Gulf.
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