Want to combine Ninh Binh’s limestone rivers with Cat Ba’s island scenery and Lan Ha Bay in one trip? This 4-day, 3-night Ninh Binh – Cat Ba tour takes you from Hanoi to Cat Ba National Park, Viet Hai Village, Lan Ha Bay overnight cruise, kayaking or swimming, Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, Mua Cave, Trang An, and back to Hanoi.
View Itinerary Book This TourThis tour combines two rising northern Vietnam destinations in one route: Cat Ba and Ninh Binh. Trek through Cat Ba National Park to Viet Hai Village, cruise through Lan Ha Bay, kayak or swim in turquoise waters, then continue to Ninh Binh for Hoa Lu, Mua Cave, Trang An, and dramatic limestone scenery.
Hike through primary forest, Frog Lake scenery, and wildlife habitat on the way to Viet Hai Village.
Stay in a local bungalow and experience a quieter village side of Cat Ba Island.
Cruise past Chan Voi, Van Boi, and Tra Bau while enjoying meals and bay scenery on board.
Choose an off-board activity around Tra Bau or Van Boi’s clear water and white sand beach.
Bike to Mua Cave and hike up for one of Ninh Binh’s most famous panoramic views.
Glide through caves, rivers, limestone towers, villages, and rice fields in a UNESCO-listed landscape.
Follow the journey step by step, from Hanoi to Cat Ba National Park, Viet Hai Village, Lan Ha Bay overnight cruise, Tam Coc, Mua Cave, Trang An, and your return to Hanoi.
Travel from Hanoi to Cat Ba and begin exploring Cat Ba National Park, known for its rare Cat Ba langur and rich forest ecosystem.
Take the challenging 9 km hiking trail through the national park toward Viet Hai Village, with chances for bird watching, sightseeing in the primary forest, and passing Frog Lake.
Stay overnight at a local bungalow in Viet Hai Village after the national park trek.
After breakfast, check out and ride a bicycle from the center of Viet Hai Village to the pier.
Visit a local family to learn how rice wine is brewed, then take a motorboat from the pier to Beo Port.
Ride the cruise tender boat to Tuan Chau Marina, enjoy a welcome drink, and listen to the Cruise Manager’s orientation before the boat begins its journey toward Lan Ha Bay.
Enjoy lunch while the cruise passes Chan Voi, Van Boi, and the Tra Bau area.
In the afternoon, choose between kayaking or swimming to explore turquoise waters and the white sand beach around Tra Bau or Van Boi.
Return to the cruise boat for a relaxing evening and special dinner in the restaurant before sleeping overnight on board.
Greet the new day on the sundeck with Taichi, followed by a light breakfast as the cruise continues through Lan Ha Bay.
Explore Hang Sang – Hang Toi by smaller motorized tender boat, one of Lan Ha Bay’s peaceful and scenic attractions.
Check out of your cabin and enjoy a Vietnamese cuisine brunch buffet before returning by cruise tender to Tuan Chau Marina.
Set off on the 3.5-hour car ride to Tam Coc in Ninh Binh Province, where you stay overnight at a bungalow.
Explore Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital, and visit the Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh Temples to learn more about the country’s early history and architecture.
Enjoy a bike ride to Mua Cave, then hike up Ngoa Long Mountain for spectacular views over Ninh Binh’s limestone landscape.
In the afternoon, visit Trang An for a 2.5-hour bamboo boat tour through majestic caves, rivers, villages, mountains, and rice fields.
Get in the car for your ride back to Hanoi, ending the 4-day Ninh Binh – Cat Ba adventure at your hotel.
Review the main inclusions and exclusions before sending your request, so you can better understand what is covered in this 4-day Ninh Binh – Cat Ba tour.
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Who will be with you on this journey?
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Real stories from travelers who joined YESD for authentic, responsible, and locally connected travel experiences in Vietnam.
Well what can I say about my Ha Chiang loop trip I did with Yesd. They were excellent from start to finish. As a 54 year old man I did the loop solo with my driver Chinh as I wanted to avoid the happy water and karaoke aspect. Chinh understood this perfectly and took me on a fabulous trip. We took local routes when he could, avoiding some of main routes. He kept ahead of the ‘Mongolian army’ as he called the throngs of other loopers and often arrived at view points before they arrived …
It was a unique experience that allowed me to truly experience sustainable tourism. The activities took place in breathtaking landscapes and gave us the opportunity to learn firsthand about the traditions and lifestyle of the local communities. The team was very attentive and took care of every detail to ensure we enjoyed our stay to the fullest.
Realmente lo recomiendo! es una manera hermosa de descubrir Ha Giang y, al mismo tiempo, contribuir a un turismo responsable.
An amazing experience! Incredible guides! You almost feel privileged compared to other groups. The accommodation is top-notch; the house, the welcome, the meals—everything is perfect. The mountain trek is magical, the motorbike trek is insane, incredible views the whole time, and super enriching stories. Thank you again to the entire YESD Travel team; they are truly wonderful people.
Practical answers to help you understand the route, Cat Ba hike, Lan Ha Bay cruise, Ninh Binh activities, inclusions, and whether this 4-day northern Vietnam tour is the right fit for your itinerary.
This tour lasts 4 days and 3 nights, starting from Hanoi and traveling through Cat Ba, Lan Ha Bay, Ninh Binh, and back to Hanoi.
The itinerary includes Cat Ba National Park, Viet Hai Village, Lan Ha Bay, Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, Mua Cave, Trang An, and Hanoi return transfer.
Yes. The Viet Hai trail is described as a challenging 9 km hike through the park and is best done with a guide, proper hiking shoes, rain protection, and enough water.
Yes. Day 2 includes an overnight cruise on Lan Ha Bay after kayaking or swimming and dinner on board.
Yes. Kayaking is included, with an option to kayak or swim around Tra Bau or Van Boi during the Lan Ha Bay cruise section.
The Ninh Binh section includes Hoa Lu ancient capital, a bike ride to Mua Cave, a hike up Ngoa Long Mountain, and a 2.5-hour Trang An bamboo boat tour.
Yes. Bikes, kayak, sampan boat, welcome drinks, sightseeing tickets, and activities mentioned in the itinerary are listed as included.
The itinerary includes a local bungalow in Viet Hai, an overnight cruise on Lan Ha Bay, and a bungalow stay in Tam Coc.
Yes. The itinerary may change or be cancelled due to weather conditions.