Beka Travel · Hanoi pickup, Ben Beo harbour
Bus from Hanoi to Ben Beo, an afternoon of kayaking and swimming in Lan Ha, a night paddle for glowing plankton, then a jungle bungalow in Viet Hai village inside Cat Ba National Park. Pick it if you want the bay and the island, and a night on land rather than on a ship.
Day one starts with a 7:00 pickup in the Hanoi Old Quarter and a long ride: the boat leaves Ben Beo on Cat Ba at 12:15. From there you are in Lan Ha for the rest of the trip, with lunch on board, a lagoon kayak, a swim at Ba Trai Dao, a fish farm with a spring-roll session, and, after dark, a paddle to see plankton light up around the blades. The glow is nature, so it varies from night to night.
You sleep in Viet Hai, a village about 10 km from Cat Ba town inside the national park, in a private room in a jungle bungalow for 2 to 4 people. Morning brings a bike ride and a fish massage in the stream, then the boat to Monkey Island for a swim and a short trek to the viewpoint. If the authorities close Monkey Island, the crew switches to another swim spot or a hike up Navy Peak. The boat is back at the harbour around 11:30, and the Hanoi transfer follows on the option you booked.
Four meals are included (two lunches, one dinner, one breakfast), as are the bay tickets. Drinks, taxes and personal spending are not. Kayaking is on the itinerary; on some days crews switch to a rowed bamboo boat at the caves, because Lan Ha's kayaking rules have changed several times since late 2024. The operator lists the trip as unsuitable for people with mobility problems, heart conditions or high blood pressure. At 4.6 it rates a little below the day boats, and most 5-star reviews mention the night paddle.
Old Quarter hotel pickup, bus and car ferry to Cat Ba. At Ben Beo the guide hands out bay tickets and you board for lunch on deck.
Kayak a conservation-area lagoon (the spot depends on the tide), then swim and jump off the boat at Ba Trai Dao.
Visit a floating fish farm and roll spring rolls. From 19:00, follow the guide by kayak to see the plankton glow.
Arrive at your bungalow in Viet Hai, about 10 km from Cat Ba town, for dinner and the night.
Breakfast, then a bike ride around the village and a fish massage in the stream before check-out.
Swim at the beach or trek to the viewpoint, lunch on board, and arrive at the harbour around 11:30 for your onward transfer.
★★★★★It was such an awesome 2 days with a good mix relaxing and fun activities. The bioluminescent night kayaking was a highlight! Alex and Charlie were amazing guides with top tier banter.
★★★★★Super fun and so stunning! Like legit the best euros I spent ever hahaha so many fun activities and hardly ever any boats anywhere. Truley felt like how it must have been 200 years ago. Loved the food too (lots of seafood) and the rooms had AC and the beds were super comfy. Definetly recommend!
★★★★★We had a wonderful time with our Family. Both guides were very professional, well informed and extremely helpful. The activities were interesting and Nice. The Crew on the boat was very friendly and the meals very good (just too much for us). The homestay was charming. We really enjoyed the trip!
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With a 7:00 hotel pickup in the Hanoi Old Quarter. The boat itself leaves from Ben Beo harbour on Cat Ba at 12:15, so you are in Lan Ha from the start, with no Ha Long crossing.
In a private room in a jungle bungalow in Viet Hai village, inside Cat Ba National Park, about 10 km from Cat Ba town. Rooms take 2 to 4 people.
No. The night paddle runs 19:00 to 20:30, but the glow depends on the night. Kayaking itself can also be switched to a rowed bamboo boat on some days.
The operator moves the stop to another swimming area or a hike up Navy Peak.
Ready to book
Kayak Lan Ha by day and sleep in Viet Hai village, inside Cat Ba National Park, with hiking and biking.
Venezia 2-Day Lan Ha Bay CruiseBoards at Ben Beo on Cat Ba and stays in Lan Ha: small boat, Ba Trai Dao kayak and a Viet Hai bike ride.★ 4.7 · 2 days · from $125
Beka Day Boat: Lan Ha Bay Full DayBen Beo day boat with lagoon kayaking, a Ba Trai Dao swim and spring rolls on deck; Cat Ba or 5:30 Hanoi pickup.★ 4.8 · 8 hours · from $34
2-Day Ha Long & Lan Ha 5-Star CruiseThe most booked overnight: balcony and bathtub cabin, caves by kayak or bamboo boat, all meals, from Tuan Chau.★ 4.8 · 2 days · from $126