Cat Ba to Viet Hai Kayaking Tour with Ha Long Bay Viewpoint

Kayak through limestone caves, sleep in a forest village, climb to a panorama of Ha Long Bay

This 2-day kayaking trip from Cat Ba combines paddling through Lan Ha Bay's Tay Keo tunnel cave to a blue lagoon, an overnight stay in a homestay in Viet Hai ancient village, and a sunrise hike to a viewpoint 259 meters above sea level with views across Ha Long Bay. A live English or Vietnamese-speaking guide leads the group. Pickup from Cat Ba town, all meals, kayak and bicycle use, and transport by boat and electric van are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Lan Ha Bay trip and Viet Hai village stay

• Pick up at Cat Ba town island
• Bus to Cai Beo tourist harbor
• Boat visit to Lan Ha Bay and Cai Beo fishing village
• Kayak through Tay Keo tunnel cave to blue lagoon
• Enjoy sunset on Lan Ha Bay
• Boat to Viet Hai harbor
• Cycling or electric van to Viet Hai ancient village
• Check in homestay
• Dinner at homestay or grilled dish in village

Day 2: Hike and return to Cat Ba town island

• Sunrise breakfast at homestay
• Cycling or electric van to forest edge
• Hike and climb limestone mountain trail
• View Ha Long Bay from mountain peak
• Return to homestay and relax
• Check out and have lunch
• Electric van to Viet Hai harbor
• Boat through Lan Ha Bay to Cai Beo harbor
• Van back to Cat Ba town island

The experience

The first afternoon starts with a 2:30 pm pickup in Cat Ba town and a bus ride to Cai Beo harbor. From there, a boat takes you into Lan Ha Bay to see the Cai Beo fishing floating village before you paddle a kayak through the Tay Keo tunnel cave to reach a blue lagoon ringed by limestone mountains. You watch the sunset from the water, then the boat carries you to Viet Hai harbor by 6 pm. From there, you either cycle or ride an electric van through Cat Ba National Park jungle to Viet Hai ancient village, where you check into a homestay and eat dinner cooked by the homestay's chef or order grilled dishes to eat in the village.

The second morning begins with sunrise breakfast at the homestay. At 9:30 am, you cycle or take the electric van to the forest edge, then hike and climb a limestone mountain trail for about 45 minutes to reach the 259-meter peak. From the top, you see the entire panorama of Ha Long Bay. You return to the homestay by 11:30 am, rest, check out, and have lunch from the homestay menu or a packed option. At 12:30 pm, the electric van takes you back through the tunnel cave and jungle to Viet Hai harbor, where a boat carries you across Lan Ha Bay to Cai Beo harbor. A van waits there to drive you back to Cat Ba town, arriving around 2:30 pm.

The homestay night includes a foot fish massage. Drinking water comes with both the sunset kayaking and the hiking trip. A local guide speaks English or Vietnamese throughout, and all transport, kayak, bicycle, meals and park fees are covered in the price.

What’s included

• Kayak and bicycle use.
• local guide in English or Vietnamese.
• pickup from Cat Ba town.
• all transport by bus, boat and electric van.
• one night in the Viet Hai homestay.
• dinner, breakfast and lunch.
• drinking water during kayaking and hiking.
• foot fish massage at the homestay.
• all park fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDeparts at 14:30

AgesAdult (17 to 70 years) · Senior (71 and older) · Youth (10 to 16 years) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cat Ba Freedom Tourism and Trade

Is this one for you?This trip suits travelers with moderate fitness who want to combine water and land activities without arranging transport or meals themselves. The overnight homestay in a national park village and the early morning hike to the viewpoint are built into the schedule, so you experience both the bay at sunset and the panorama at sunrise without backtracking.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 16 years); Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Tay Keo tunnel cave like when you kayak through it?

Tay Keo tunnel cave is a limestone passage you paddle through by kayak to reach a blue lagoon surrounded by lush green mountains. The operator describes it as one of the attractions of the Lan Ha Bay area, and you pass through it both on the first day's sunset paddle and again on the return journey the next morning.

Where do you sleep on this 2-day trip?

Viet Hai ancient village has a homestay in the middle of Cat Ba National Park's primeval forest, where you stay overnight in a room at the homestay. Dinner and sunrise breakfast are cooked there, and you have access to a foot fish massage in the evening.

How long does the hike to the Ha Long Bay viewpoint take?

The hike and climb on the limestone mountain trail takes about 45 minutes to reach the 259-meter peak. You start at 9:30 am from the forest edge after a short ride from the homestay, and return by 11:30 am.

What meals are included in the price?

Dinner on the first evening, sunrise breakfast on the second morning, and lunch after the hike are all included. Dinner and breakfast are cooked by the homestay's chef, and you can order from their menu or choose grilled dishes. Lunch comes from the homestay menu or as a packed option.

Does the price include pickup from my hotel in Cat Ba?

Pickup from Cat Ba town is included at 2:30 pm on the first day. All transport by bus, boat and electric van throughout the 2 days is covered in the price, along with kayak and bicycle use.