| Discover Lan Ha Bay: The Hidden Gem Next to Ha Long Bay
Why It's the Better Choice?
Ha Long Bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam, but unfortunately it has become a victim of its own success. Due to the large number of tourists and boats visiting the bay, the water quality has deteriorated and there is a lot of crowding and noise. People also often complain about the large groups of tourists visiting the bay and the lack of privacy. Therefore, it may be a good idea to opt for an alternative, such as Lan Ha Bay, which is less crowded and offers a more pristine and authentic experience.
We ourselves visited Lan Ha Bay during our big trip to Vietnam in late 2022 and we can highly recommend it! Here you can read why, and which are the best cruises.
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About Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay is a bay located in the Gulf of Tonkin, in the northeastern coast of Vietnam. It is known for its beautiful beaches and clear blue waters, as well as its numerous limestone islands and caves. The bay is a popular tourist destination and is home to several national parks, including Cat Ba National Park. It is also a popular spot for activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and rock climbing.
Lan Ha Bay is located to the south of Ha Long Bay, both are in the Gulf of Tonkin, and the two bays share similar characteristics such as limestone islands and caves. However, Lan Ha Bay is less touristy than Ha Long Bay, and the islands and beaches in Lan Ha Bay are generally quieter and more secluded. Additionally, the water in Lan Ha Bay tends to be clearer and more shallow, making it ideal for swimming and other water activities.
While Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site and more famous, Lan Ha Bay can be considered as a more natural and less crowded alternative for people who are looking for a more peaceful and authentic experience. We would definitely recommend doing a cruise here instead of Ha Long Bay.
Why Lan Ha Bay over Ha Long Bay?
A cruise through Lan Ha Bay in Vietnam offers numerous advantages over a cruise through Ha Long Bay.
Firstly, Lan Ha Bay is less crowded than Ha Long Bay, offering a quieter and more pristine experience. There are fewer tourists and boats, allowing you to admire the beautiful nature of the bay in peace. Plus, the waters are much less polluted than in Ha Long Bay.
If you’re looking for that perfect picture of the limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay. You’re more likely to find it in Lan Ha Bay!
Secondly, Lan Ha Bay offers a greater diversity of activities than Ha Long Bay. Besides visiting caves and karst formations, you can take part in activities such as swimming in clear waters, kayaking, rock climbing, cycling and even kite-surfing.
Thirdly, Lan Ha Bay offers the opportunity to explore the bay on a smaller boat, which provides a more intimate experience. But more importantly, with that smaller boat, you can visit Cat Ba Island. The largest, and according to many, the most beautiful island in the Ha Long Bay area.
Cat Ba Island
For those who want to take a cruise along the limestone cliffs of Lan Ha Bay, we definitely recommend going for three days and two nights, because then you will also visit Cat Ba Island. This beautiful location is also listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, for good reason.
One of the main reasons you would want to visit Cat Ba Island is because of its National Park, Cat Ba National Park, which covers more than half of the island. The national park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including many endangered species such as the Cat Ba Langur and the Delacour’s Langur. Visitors can take guided tours to explore the park and see the wildlife, as well as take in the scenic views of the island.
Another reason you would want to visit Cat Ba Island is for its beaches and water activities. The island has several beautiful beaches, such as Cat Co Beach, which is known for its clear blue waters and soft white sand. You can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking in the bay, or take a boat tour to explore the surrounding islands and caves.
Cat Ba Island also offers a glimpse into the local culture and history, with small fishing villages, local markets and seafood restaurants.
The best cruise through Lan Ha Bay?
Booking the right cruise through Lan Ha Bay is important because you don’t want to be “stuck” for several days on an outdated ship with bad food. In our own experience, Dora Cruise is a very nice luxury cruise through Lan Ha Bay.
Dora Cruise is a luxury cruise that operates exclusively in Lan Ha Bay. It is known for its high-end services and amenities, as well as its comfortable and spacious rooms. The cruise has a variety of room options, including deluxe cabins and suites, all of which are equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning, private bathrooms, and balconies from which you can take in the beautiful views of the bay. See, for instance, the picture below which we made from our own little balcony.
The Dora Cruise also offers a high standard of service, with a friendly and professional crew that – on top from serving great cocktails 😊 – is dedicated to ensuring that all of the guests have a memorable and enjoyable experience. Plus, the food is really great!
If this cruise is fully booked, it is also possible to visit Lan Ha Bay with the Doris, which is its sister ship. Although we haven’t sailed with them ourselves, we have spoken to guests of the Doris who were also very enthusiastic about it.
How to get to Lan Ha Bay?
The journey to Lan Ha Bay is actually very easy. For a cruise through this bay, you embark at the port of Halong, which is about a 3-hour drive from Hanoi, depending on the exact transportation method you choose. But you can also travel directly to Cat Ba Island, which is the main attraction of Lan Ha Bay.
The most common ways to get to Lan Ha Bay are:
With an organized tour: There are many travel agencies that offer organized tours from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay. These tours usually include transportation from Hanoi, a cruise through the bay, and accommodation on Cat Ba Island. This can be a convenient and stress-free way to visit Lan Ha Bay if you don’t want to arrange everything yourself.
The minibus: There are also minibuses available that drive from Hanoi to Halong and/or Cat Ba Island. These minibuses are usually faster than regular buses and the travel time is about 3 hours. If you go on a cruise, such as the Dora Cruise, you can also book the minibus through them, then you know for sure that you will be taken to exactly the right place.
By bus: If you want to visit Lan Ha Bay on a tighter budget, there are several buses that depart from Hanoi and go directly to Cat Ba Island, where Lan Ha Bay is located. The journey from the bus station in Hanoi takes about 4 hours, depending on traffic conditions and road congestion.
The taxi: If you prefer more comfort and privacy, you can also take a taxi from Hanoi to Hai Phong City, where you can take the fastest ferry to Cat Ba Island. The taxi ride takes about 2.5 hours and the ferry takes about 45 minutes.
Regardless of which option you choose, it is advisable to make a reservation in advance to prevent disappointments, especially during high season.
Hi! We are Samira & Maurits, two travel enthusiasts with an enormous passion for photography.
With our free travel guides, we hope to inspire you and help you plan your dream holiday. We also provide important tips and tricks for making new journeys, but also for capturing those precious memories in your own travel photos.
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