Cat Ba, the green pearl of Hai Phong, is the perfect destination for those who love pristine islands, majestic mountains and forests, and fresh seafood. With Lan Ha Bay - "the second Ha Long Bay", Than Cong fortress with panoramic views of the island, and poetic Cat Co beach, Cat Ba attracts more than 2.5 million visitors each year, according to the Hai Phong Department of Tourism (2024). In 2025, Cat Ba is expected to increase the number of visitors by 10% thanks to the new high-speed ferry route and events such as the "Cat Ba Sea Festival" (June-August).
This article provides a detailed itinerary, specific costs, and savings tips for a 2-day, 1-night self-guided tour of Cat Ba, suitable for both beginners and experienced backpackers.
Why choose Cat Ba 2 days 1 night tour?
Cat Ba, only 150km from Hanoi, is the largest archipelago in the Gulf of Tonkin with more than 367 small islands, highlighted by Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba National Park, and unique fishing culture. According to VnExpress (2024), Cat Ba is in the top 15 most beautiful island destinations in Southeast Asia thanks to its natural landscape and reasonable cost. A 2-day, 1-night self-sufficient trip allows you to fully explore destinations such as Monkey Island, Than Cong Fortress, and enjoy seafood such as grilled squid and geoducks. The average cost is from 1.5-3 million VND/person, suitable for young people, families, or team building groups.
FAQ: How to enjoy Cat Ba fully in 2 days? Follow the detailed itinerary below!
Prepare before traveling to Cat Ba on your own
To make your trip go smoothly, you need to prepare carefully. Here are the specific steps:
Book tickets: From Hanoi , take a bus to Ben Binh (150,000-200,000 VND/ticket, 2.5 hours) or motorbike via Hanoi - Hai Phong highway (2 hours). From Ben Binh, take a high-speed ferry (80,000 VND/person, 45 minutes) or high-speed boat (250,000 VND/person, 30 minutes) to Cat Ba. Rent a motorbike in Cat Ba (100,000-150,000 VND/day) for flexible travel.
Accommodation: 2-3 star hotels like Sea Pearl Hotel (600,000-1.2 million VND/night) or homestays like Cat Ba Eco Lodge (300,000-500,000 VND/night). Book through Booking.com, Agoda to receive 10-15% discount.
Estimated cost: 1.5-3 million VND/person, including transportation (400,000-600,000 VND), accommodation (300,000-1.2 million VND), meals (100,000-200,000 VND/meal), and entrance tickets (40,000-200,000 VND/site).
Supported apps: Use Google Maps, Vietmap for navigation. Book ferry/boat tickets via Cat Ba Express, Lan Ha Bay tour tickets via Klook. Follow the weather on AccuWeather to avoid storms (July-September).
Luggage: Swimsuit, sunscreen (SPF 50+), hat, sneakers, digestive medicine, ID card. Bring cash because ATMs in Cat Ba are limited.
Tip: Book your ferry/boat tickets early via Cat Ba Express (0947 123 456) to avoid sold out. Go on Tuesday-Thursday to avoid crowds. Bring your own water bottle and a cloth bag to buy dried seafood as souvenirs.
Detailed itinerary for 2 days 1 night self-guided Cat Ba tour
Day 1: Hanoi – Cat Ba – Lan Ha Bay – Monkey Island – Cannon Fort
6:00: Depart from Hanoi by bus (150,000 VND/ticket, Giap Bat bus station) to Binh wharf, Hai Phong (2.5 hours). From Binh wharf, take a high-speed ferry (80,000 VND/person, 45 minutes) to Cai Vieng wharf, Cat Ba. Rent a motorbike at the wharf (100,000 VND/day).
10:00: Check in at Sea Pearl Hotel (600,000 VND/night) or Cat Ba Eco Lodge homestay (300,000 VND/night). Have breakfast at Banh Mi Co Hien (12 Nui Ngoc, 30,000 VND/loaf) with pate bread and fried eggs.
11:00: Join the Lan Ha Bay tour (600,000 VND/person, book through Cat Ba Ventures: 0988 456 789). Board a boat from Beo wharf, explore Lan Ha Bay with hundreds of limestone islands, kayak through Sang Cave, Toi Cave (free in the tour). Swim at Van Boi beach.
14:00: Lunch on the boat with seafood (150,000 VND/meal) including king prawns, grilled fish, steamed squid. Move to Monkey Island (ticket 40,000 VND), watch monkeys in the wild and swim at Cat Dua beach.
17:00: Return to Cat Ba center, visit Cannon Fort (50,000 VND/ticket). See the whole view of Cat Ba island from a height of 177m, take sunset photos. Enjoy coffee at Cannon Fort (40,000 VND/cup).
19:00: Dinner at Hai San Xanh restaurant (1/4 of a street, 200,000 VND/serving) with salt-roasted crab, grilled geoduck with cheese. Free to explore Cat Ba night market (19:00-22:00, free), try seafood pancakes (50,000 VND/serving). Overnight at hotel.
Tip: Book a Lan Ha Bay tour through Klook to get a 10% discount. Wear non-slip shoes when visiting Monkey Island. Book a table at Hai San Xanh via hotline (031 388 1234) to avoid running out of seats.
Day 2: Cat Co Beach – Cat Ba National Park – Return to Hanoi
7:00: Have breakfast at Pho Bo Co Mai (15 Nui Ngoc, 40,000 VND/bowl). Rent a motorbike to Cat Co 1, 2, 3 beaches (2km, free). Swim at Cat Co 2 - the most beautiful beach with fine sand and clear water. Rent a lounge chair (50,000 VND/chair) and enjoy coconut water (20,000 VND/fruit).
10:00: Visit Cat Ba National Park (15km, ticket 80,000 VND). Trekking the short route (2 hours, 2km) through the primeval forest, admire diverse flora and fauna and Ngu Lam peak. If you have the strength, climb Ao Ech peak (3 hours, more difficult).
12:30: Lunch at Lang Viet restaurant (near the national park, 150,000 VND/meal) with hill chicken and grilled squid. Buy dried squid specialties (500,000 VND/kg), Cat Hai fish sauce (100,000 VND/liter) at Cat Ba market.
14:00: Check out of hotel, take high-speed ferry (80,000 VND/person) or high-speed boat (250,000 VND/person) to Binh wharf. From Binh wharf, take bus (150,000 VND/ticket) to Hanoi (2.5 hours).
18:00: Arrive in Hanoi, end of trip. Stop in Hai Duong to buy green bean cake (50,000 VND/box) as a gift.
Tip: Book ferry/boat tickets through Cat Ba Express to avoid sold out. Wear sneakers when trekking in the national park. Check your luggage before leaving the hotel.
Compare package tours and self-guided tours
Choosing a package tour or a self-guided tour depends on your experience and budget. Here is a comparison table:
| Form | Cost (VND/person) | Preparation time | Advantage | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package tour | 2-3.5 million | 1-2 weeks | Tour guide support, save time, including car, hotel, entrance tickets | Fixed schedule, little flexibility |
| Self-sufficient | 1.5-3 million | 1-2 weeks | Flexible, free to choose destination, more economical | Time consuming planning, weather risks |
Tip: Package tours are suitable for beginners or international visitors who want to hear cultural explanations. Self-guided tours are ideal for young people who like freedom, but you need to book ferry/boat tickets in advance via Cat Ba Express.
Tips to save money when traveling to Cat Ba on your own
To optimize your budget, apply the following tips:
Choose a homestay: Stay at a homestay like Cat Ba Eco Lodge (VND 300,000/night) instead of a 3-star hotel (VND 1.2 million/night) to save 50%.
Local food: Choose a restaurant like Banh Mi Co Hien (VND 30,000) instead of a tourist restaurant (VND 200,000/meal). Try seafood at the night market (VND 100,000/meal).
Travel economically: Rent a motorbike (100,000 VND/day) instead of a taxi (200,000 VND/trip). Walk around the center of Cat Ba to reduce costs.
Join a group tour: Lan Ha Bay tour (600,000 VND/person) including boat, kayak, lunch, cheaper than renting a boat yourself (1.5 million VND/trip).
Note: Travel in low season (September-April) to save 20%. Bring cash as ATMs in Cat Ba are limited. Avoid eating in tourist areas to avoid being overcharged.
Frequently asked questions about Cat Ba 2 days 1 night tour
1. What is the ideal time to travel to Cat Ba?
April-June and September-October, dry weather, beautiful sea. Avoid July-September due to storms. Go on Tuesday-Thursday to avoid crowds.
2. How much does it cost to travel to Cat Ba on your own?
Self-sufficient from 1.5-3 million VND/person, package tour 2-3.5 million VND, depending on service and number of attractions.
3. Is Cat Ba tourism suitable for families?
Yes, Cat Co beach, Lan Ha bay is safe for children. Homestays like Cat Ba Eco Lodge have family rooms (500,000 VND/night). Let us know in advance if you have children so we can adjust the menu.
4. What to do if the weather is bad?
Visit Cannon Fort and Cat Ba Market instead of going to the beach. Follow AccuWeather and contact Cat Ba Ventures (0988 456 789) to adjust the schedule.
5. Are there any outstanding activities besides swimming?
Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay, trekking in the national park, watching the sunset at Than Cong fortress, and enjoying seafood. Cat Ba night market and kayak tour (100,000 VND) are also very interesting.
Conclusion: Discover the island paradise with Cat Ba 2 days 1 night tour
A 2-day, 1-night self-guided tour of Cat Ba is a great way to explore Lan Ha Bay, Monkey Island, Cannon Fort, and Cat Co Beach. With a detailed itinerary, specific costs, and 2025 savings tips, you can easily enjoy the island paradise without worrying about going over budget. Plan today, book tickets through Cat Ba Express, and prepare for an emotional trip!
Source: https://baodanang.vn/vien-ngoc-xanh-cua-hai-phong-don-hon-2-5-trieu-luot-khach-moi-nam-3298100.html
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