3 days 2 nights tour to Cat Ba: 3 days wandering between the sea, mountains and natural alleys
Cat Ba 3 days 2 nights tour itinerary, you will have enough time to fully experience the beauty of this island, from scenery to cuisine.
Cat Ba is not only famous for its beautiful landscape but also recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. This place harmoniously combines sea, forest, caves and ancient fishing village culture. With 3 days 2 nights, you can:
- Explore Lan Ha Bay, known as "miniature Ha Long Bay".
- Visit Cat Ba National Park with diverse flora and fauna.
- Relax at Cat Co beaches and experience kayaking.
- Enjoy fresh seafood and learn about fishermen's life at Cai Beo fishing village.
- The ideal time to go to Cat Ba
- Transportation to Cat Ba
- Where in Cat Ba
- Detailed 3-day, 2-night Cat Ba travel itinerary
- Day 1: Hanoi/Hai Phong - Cat Ba - Cat Ba National Park - Cat Co Beach
- Day 2: Lan Ha Bay - Cai Beo fishing village - Kayaking - Ba Trai Dao beach
- Day 3: Cannon Fort - Viet Hai Fishing Village - Return
- What to eat in Cat Ba: Dishes not to be missed
- Estimated cost for a 3-day, 2-night trip to Cat Ba
- Tips for a perfect Cat Ba trip
- Conclude
The ideal time to go to Cat Ba
Cat Ba weather is typical of the North, with summer (April - October) being the best time for swimming and exploring. In particular, from May to July, the weather is cool, with few storms, very suitable for outdoor activities. However, this is also the peak season, so you need to book bus tickets, hotels and tours early to avoid "running out" of services.
If you want to avoid crowds, choose August or September, but check the weather forecast to avoid storms.
Transportation to Cat Ba
Cat Ba is about 120km from Hanoi and 20km from Hai Phong. You can choose the following means of transport:
| Vehicle | Time | Cost (VND) | Advantage | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus + High-speed train | 3.5 - 4 hours | 270,000 - 400,000 | Economical and convenient | Can be crowded during peak season |
| Dong Bai Ferry | 4 - 5 hours | 12,000 (pedestrians), 190,000 (cars under 9 seats) | Sea view, cheap price | Long waits on weekends |
| Cat Ba Cable Car | 20 minutes | 100,000/turn | Fast, panoramic view of the bay | Closed every Tuesday |
Tips:If traveling from Hanoi, choose high-quality buses from these companies to shorten travel time (about 3.5 hours).
Where in Cat Ba
Cat Ba has many accommodation options from 2-star hotels to 5-star resorts. Some suggestions:
- 2-3 star hotel:Price from 800,000 - 1,700,000 VND/room/night.
- Luxury Resort:Price from 1,900,000 VND/room/night.
- Yacht:5-star cruise costs about 9,580,000 VND/cabin for 2 people/night.
Detailed 3-day, 2-night Cat Ba travel itinerary
Below is a detailed 3-day, 2-night Cat Va travel itinerary to help you fully explore the island's beauty while still saving your budget.
Day 1: Hanoi/Hai Phong - Cat Ba - Cat Ba National Park - Cat Co Beach
Morning: Move to Cat Ba
- 7:30:Depart from Hanoi (pick-up point at 106 Tran Nhat Duat, Hoan Kiem) or Hai Phong (Ben Binh) by bus or speedboat.
- 11:30:Arrive Cat Ba, check in hotel and have lunch at a local restaurant. Suggestion: Hai Yen Restaurant or Yummy Restaurant with seafood dishes such as lobster, grilled squid.
Afternoon: Explore Cat Ba National Park
- 14:00:Rent a motorbike (VND 200,000/day) or take the electric car to Cat Ba National Park (15km from town). Entrance fee: VND 80,000/adult, VND 50,000/child.
- Join the short trekking route (2-3km) to Ngu Lam peak to see the whole view of the primeval forest. If you have the energy, explore Trung Trang cave with its sparkling stalactites.
Evening: Relax at Cat Co beach
- 17:00:Swim at Cat Co 1 or Cat Co 2 beach, where there is fine white sand and clear blue water.
- 19:00:Have dinner at a beach restaurant, then stroll around Cat Ba Square, enjoy coffee or watch street performances.
Day 2: Lan Ha Bay - Cai Beo fishing village - Kayaking - Ba Trai Dao beach
Morning: Explore Lan Ha Bay
- 7:30:Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Then, the car will pick you up at the hotel and take you to Beo wharf to start the Lan Ha Bay tour (tour price is about 200,000 - 350,000 VND/person, including lunch).
- 8:30:Board a boat and visit Cai Beo fishing village - the oldest fishing village in Vietnam with over 400 years of history. Learn about the fishermen's lives and buy fresh seafood.
- 10:00:Kayak in the Dark and Bright Cave area, explore small caves and admire the scenery of Lan Ha Bay with hundreds of unique limestone islands.
Afternoon: Swimming at Ba Trai Dao
- 12:00:Lunch on board with fresh seafood dishes such as steamed grouper and fried shrimp.
- 13:30:Swim at Ba Trai Dao beach, where the water is shallow, the sand is fine and the scenery is peaceful.
Afternoon: Return to town
- 15:30:The boat takes you to Beo wharf, the car picks you up to the hotel to rest.
- 18:00:Dinner, free to explore Cat Ba night market or join night squid fishing activities (price about 500,000 VND/person, need to book in advance through the hotel).
Day 3: Cannon Fort - Viet Hai Fishing Village - Return
Morning: Visit Cannon Fort
- 7:30:Breakfast, then move to Cannon Fort (Hill 177), a historical relic from the war against France and America. From here, you can see the whole view of Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba archipelago.
- 9:30:Cycle or take the electric car to Viet Hai fishing village, explore the ancient banyan forest and experience fish massage (about 50,000 VND/trip).
Noon: Check out and have lunch
- 11:30:Check out of hotel, have lunch at local restaurant.
- 13:00:Buy specialties such as dried squid and Cat Ba fish sauce at Cat Ba market as gifts.
Afternoon: Return to Hanoi/Hai Phong
- 14:30:Take the bus or speedboat back to Hanoi/Hai Phong. End of trip at approximately 19:30.
What to eat in Cat Ba: Dishes not to be missed
Seafood in Cat Ba is caught directly from Lan Ha Bay and surrounding areas, ensuring freshness and quality. Below is a list of specialties that tourists whisper to each other:
- Sea cucumber:Grilled or sweet and sour stir-fried sea urchins are popular choices, with rich flavor and firm meat. Reference price: 500,000 - 700,000 VND/pair.
- Geoduck:High-class seafood, often steamed or grilled with cheese, crispy, sweet meat. Price: 200,000 - 250,000 VND/kg.
- Lobster:Cat Ba lobsters are large, with firm meat, often steamed or grilled with garlic butter. Price: 600,000 – 1,800,000 VND/kg, depending on size.
- Grouper:Steamed or hot pot grouper has a sweet taste and often appears in meals on cruise ships.
- Surface:Salt and chili fried mantis shrimp or steamed with beer is a favorite snack, priced around 300,000 - 500,000 VND/kg.
- Sea snake:A unique specialty, often cooked as porridge or fried, rich in nutrients.
- Types of screws:Snails, cockles, and apple snails are prepared in a variety of ways, such as grilled or stir-fried with tamarind.
- Shrimp noodles:Popular breakfast dish, sweet broth from fresh shrimp, price about 40,000 - 60,000 VND/bowl.
Estimated cost for a 3-day, 2-night trip to Cat Ba
To help you plan your finances, here is a sample cost chart for one person:
| Category | Cost (VND) |
|---|---|
| Round trip bus/train ticket | 270,000 - 400,000 |
| Hotel (2 nights) | 800,000 - 1,900,000 |
| Food (7 meals) | 1,000,000 - 1,500,000 |
| Lan Ha Bay Tour | 200,000 - 350,000 |
| Entrance tickets (National Park, Fort) | 100,000 - 150,000 |
| Total | 2,370,000 - 4,300,000 |
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Tips for a perfect Cat Ba trip
- Service Reservation:Especially during peak season (April-August), book bus tickets, hotels and tours early to avoid running out of space.
- Bring necessary items:Sunscreen, hat, sneakers for trekking, and swimsuit for beach activities.
- Avoid the festive season:On holidays 4/30-5/1 and 9/2, service prices increase and it is crowded.
Cat Ba 3 days 2 nights tour is an ideal journey to explore the natural beauty and unique culture of the pearl island. With a detailed schedule, specific costs and useful tips shared in the article, you will easily plan a complete trip.
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