Cat Ba Island, the jewel of the Gulf of Tonkin, is the perfect destination for those who love blue sea, white sand, and pristine nature. With more than 367 islands, the poetic Lan Ha Bay, and Cat Ba National Park - a world biosphere reserve, Cat Ba attracts more than 2 million visitors each year, according to Hai Phong tourism statistics 2024. In 2025, tours from Hanoi to Cat Ba are expected to increase by 20% thanks to the sea-crossing cable car and events such as the show "Symphony of Green Island" (May 15 - September 30).
This article provides a detailed itinerary, specific costs, and savings tips for a 3-day, 2-night Cat Ba trip , suitable for both beginners and experienced “backpackers” who want to experience effectively. Let’s explore the emotional journey on this pearl island!
Why choose Cat Ba 3 days 2 nights tour?
Cat Ba, located in Hai Phong, about 150km from Hanoi , is famous for Cat Co beach, Lan Ha Bay, and activities such as kayaking and trekking in the National Park. According to VnExpress (2024), Cat Ba is ranked in the top 10 most beautiful island destinations in Southeast Asia thanks to its majestic landscape and diverse ecosystem with more than 1,400 species of plants and 60 rare species of animals.
A 3-day, 2-night tour from Hanoi allows you to fully explore the highlights, enjoy fresh seafood such as geoducks and mantis shrimp, and participate in adventurous activities such as mountain climbing and scuba diving. The average cost is from 2.5-5 million VND/person, suitable for individuals, families, or businesses organizing team building.
FAQ: How to enjoy Cat Ba fully in 3 days? Follow the detailed itinerary below!
Prepare before joining the 3 days 2 nights Cat Ba tour
To make your trip go smoothly, you need to prepare carefully. Here are the specific steps:
Book a tour: Choose a reputable company such as PYS Travel (0939 311 911), Cat Ba Express (098 365 6663), or Daiichi Travel (1900 6677). The tour package price ranges from 2.5-5 million VND, including tourist car, speedboat, 2-5 star hotel, and 5 main meals (200,000-350,000 VND/meal).
Transportation: From Hanoi to Hai Phong (3 hours, Hanoi - Hai Phong expressway), use tourist car (Hyundai Universe, Ford Transit, 300,000-600,000 VND/round trip). Speedboat from Got wharf to Cai Vieng (6-10 minutes, 250,000-270,000 VND/trip) or cable car (10 minutes, 200,000 VND/round trip). On the island, rent a motorbike (100,000-200,000 VND/day) or electric car (10,000 VND/trip).
Accommodation: 2-3 star hotels like Cat Ba Sandy Beach (800,000-1,500,000 VND/night) or luxury resorts like Flamingo Cat Ba Resort (1,500,000-3,000,000 VND/night). Homestays like Green Homestay (300,000-600,000 VND/night) are suitable for young groups. Book through Booking.com, Klook to receive discounts.
Packing list: Bring swimsuit, sunscreen (SPF 50+), hat, trekking shoes, digestive medicine, and ID card. Bring cash because ATMs on the island are limited. Prepare a light jacket for the evening.
Supported applications: Use Google Maps, Vietmap for location. Book train tickets via Klook, bus tickets via Vexere. Follow the weather on AccuWeather to avoid storms (August).
Tip: Book your tour 1-2 months in advance to get 10-20% discount. Check the cancellation policy (free 30 days in advance, 50-100% if cancelled within 7-21 days). Wear protective shoes when trekking in the National Park.
Detailed itinerary for Cat Ba tour 3 days 2 nights
Day 1: Hanoi – Cat Ba – Cat Co Beach – Vui Fest Night Market
6:00: Car and tour guide pick you up at Hanoi Opera House or meeting point (Bac Ninh: 6:30, Hai Duong: 7:00). Depart via Hanoi - Hai Phong highway, stop at Hai Duong rest stop for breakfast (VND 30,000-50,000/portion).
9:30: Arrive at Got wharf (Hai Phong), take the Daiichi speedboat (250,000 VND/trip, 6-10 minutes) or cable car (200,000 VND/round trip) to Cai Vieng wharf. Shuttle bus (40 minutes) takes the group to Cat Ba center, check in at Cat Ba Sandy Beach hotel (3 stars, 800,000 VND/night).
11:30: Lunch at Hai Yen restaurant (200,000 VND/meal) with specialties such as grilled geoducks, salt-roasted mantis shrimp, steamed grouper. Rest at the hotel.
15:00: Visit Cat Co 1, 2, 3 beaches (1km from the center, 10,000 VND/trip by electric car), famous for its fine white sand and clear blue water. Swim in the sea, play beach volleyball, or check-in on the coastal road connecting Cat Co 1 and 3.
18:30: Dinner at Green Mango restaurant (250,000 VND/meal) with grilled egg crab, jellyfish salad. Free to explore Vui Fest night market (19:00-23:00, free entrance), enjoy coffee at Cat Ba Santorini Bar (50,000-80,000 VND/cup) or watch the international Jetski show (free, May 31-September 30). Overnight at the hotel.
Tip: Book a table at Green Mango via hotline (0978 123 456) to avoid running out of seats. Bring a light jacket when going to the night market because of the sea breeze. Rent a bicycle (50,000 VND/hour) to explore the town.
Day 2: Lan Ha Bay – Kayaking – Cai Beo Fishing Village – Cannon Fort
6:00: Wake up early, watch the sunrise at Cat Co 1-3 coastal road. Have breakfast at the hotel (seafood noodles, 40,000 VND/portion).
8:15: The car picks up the group at the hotel, goes to Beo wharf (5 minutes, electric car 10,000 VND/trip). Get on the Serenity Premium cruise (500,000-700,000 VND/person, book through Cat Ba Express: 098 365 6663) to explore Lan Ha Bay - one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Visit Cai Beo fishing village, Turtle island, Candle island, and kayak through Tai Keo cave (free in the tour).
11:30: Lunch on the cruise (200,000 VND/meal) with fresh seafood. Swimming at Ba Trai Dao beach, shallow, clear water, ideal for snorkeling (250,000 VND/person, at your own expense).
14:00: Return to the hotel, rest. Afternoon, rent a motorbike (100,000 VND/day) to Than Cong Fort (ticket 40,000 VND/person), enjoy panoramic view of Lan Ha Bay from a height of 177m. Check-in at majestic photo spots.
18:30: BBQ dinner at Floating Restaurant (300,000 VND/meal) with green crabs and grilled squid. Free to join the night squid fishing tour (300,000 VND/person, book through Kavo Travel: 0962 705 533). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Cat Ba National Park – Trung Trang Cave – Return to Hanoi
6:30: Have breakfast at the hotel (seafood pho, 40,000 VND/portion). Rent a motorbike (100,000 VND/day) or electric car (1,200,000 VND/car/12 people) to Cat Ba National Park (ticket 40,000 VND/person). Go for a short trek (2 hours, Ngu Lam peak) or explore Trung Trang Cave (ticket 80,000 VND/person) with magical stalactites.
10:00: Visit Cat Ba seafood market, buy specialties such as dried squid (600,000 VND/kg), dried mackerel (350,000 VND/kg) as gifts.
11:30: Check out of hotel, have lunch at Hai Yen restaurant (200,000 VND/meal). Take shuttle bus to Cai Vieng wharf, take speedboat (250,000 VND/trip) to Got wharf.
13:15: Get on the tourist bus back to Hanoi, stop in Hai Duong to buy green bean cakes (50,000-100,000 VND/box). Expected to arrive in Hanoi at 16:30, tour guide says goodbye to the group, end of tour.
Compare package tours and self-guided tours
Choosing a package tour or going on your own depends on your needs and budget. Here is a comparison table:
| Form | Cost (VND/person) | Preparation time | Advantage | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package tour | 2.5-5 million | 1-2 weeks | Save time, tour guide support, including car, train, food, hotel | Fixed schedule, little flexibility |
| Self-sufficient | 2.5-3.5 million | 1-2 months | Flexible, free to choose destination, more economical | Time consuming planning, weather risks, booking services |
Tips to save money when traveling to Cat Ba
To optimize your budget, apply the following tips:
Book early: Book through PYS Travel, Cat Ba Express 1-2 months in advance to receive 10-20% discount. Check tour cancellation policy (free 30 days in advance, 50-100% if cancelled within 7-21 days).
Choose a homestay: Stay at Green Homestay, Cat Ba Countryside (VND 300,000-600,000/night) instead of a 4-5 star resort to save 40%. Book through Booking.com.
Eating at the market: Enjoy seafood at Cat Ba market (100,000-150,000 VND/meal) instead of restaurants near the beach (200,000-300,000 VND/meal).
Getting around the island: Rent a motorbike (100,000 VND/day) instead of an electric car (1,200,000 VND/car) if you are in a small group. Walk to Cat Co beach to save on electric car fees.
Join a group tour: Lan Ha Bay tour (500,000-700,000 VND/person) including boat, kayak, lunch, cheaper than renting a boat yourself (2,200,000 VND/trip).
Note: Traveling in low season (September-April) saves 30%. Bring enough cash because ATMs on the island are limited. Contact your tour guide if you are stuck due to a storm (additional cost about 500,000 VND/day).
Frequently asked questions about Cat Ba 3 days 2 nights tour
1. What is the ideal time to travel to Cat Ba?
April-July is ideal, cool weather, few storms. Avoid August due to risk of storms. Book a tour every Friday to fit your schedule.
2. How much does a 3-day, 2-night tour to Cat Ba cost?
Package from 2.5-5 million VND/person, including car, train, hotel, food. Self-sufficient about 2.5-3.5 million VND, but need to book the service yourself.
3. Is the tour suitable for families with young children?
Yes, children under 5 years old are free (sleeping with parents), 5-9 years old get 50-75% discount on tour price. Activities such as swimming at Cat Co beach, visiting Cai Beo fishing village are suitable for families.
4. What to do if stuck on an island due to a storm?
Contact tour guide to extend stay (VND 500,000/day). Monitor weather on AccuWeather and follow instructions from authorities. Tour company supports tour guide costs, but guests are responsible for additional food and accommodation costs.
5. Are there any outstanding activities besides swimming?
Kayaking, snorkeling, trekking the National Park, visiting Cannon Fort, and enjoying seafood BBQ. Lan Ha Bay tour (VND 500,000-700,000) is a popular choice.
Conclusion: Discover Cat Ba with a memorable 3-day, 2-night tour
Cat Ba 3 days 2 nights tour is an ideal journey to explore Lan Ha Bay, Cat Co Beach, Cat Ba National Park, and enjoy fresh seafood. With a detailed itinerary, specific costs, and 2025 saving tips, you can easily enjoy the pearl island without worrying about going over budget. Book your tour today through PYS Travel, Cat Ba Express, or Daiichi Travel to start your emotional trip!
Source: https://baodanang.vn/lich-trinh-du-lich-cat-ba-3-ngay-2-dem-chi-phi-lich-trinh-cu-the-3297862.html
![[Photo] Signing of cooperation between ministries, branches and localities of Vietnam and Senegal](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/7/24/6147c654b0ae4f2793188e982e272651)
Comment (0)