Pre-arrival guide
Everything to know before you land in Cat Ba.
When to come, what to pack, how to pay, what the weather does to a kayak day. Real answers from local guides.
When to visit
The four faces of Cat Ba
Each window offers a different mood. Pick yours.
Mar – May
Best overallWarm but not hot. Calm seas, clear visibility for kayaking, langur trekking comfortable. Our favourite shoulder window.
Jun – Aug
Hot & busyPeak Vietnamese summer. Boat tours run daily, water is warm, bays can be crowded. Book ahead 2–3 weeks.
Sep – Nov
Sweet spotCooling temps, sunsets get cinematic. Occasional typhoon early Sep — we flex routes around weather.
Dec – Feb
Cool & quietCool, sometimes overcast. Trekking is fantastic. Boat tours run with wetsuit-grade resilience — quieter bays, fewer tourists.
Packing
What to bring
Three quick lists — boat, trek, always.
On the boat
- Swimsuit + quick-dry layer
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Hat & sunglasses
- Light jacket (sea breeze)
- Dry-bag — we provide one but bring your own if you have it
On the trek
- Closed shoes with grip (no flip-flops)
- Insect repellent
- Refillable water bottle (1L+)
- Light long sleeves for jungle
- Phone in zip-bag (humidity)
Always
- Photo ID + travel insurance copy
- Some cash in VND for snacks/drinks
- Power bank
- Motion-sickness tablets if you're sensitive
FAQs
Frequently asked
Is Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay the same as Halong Bay?+
Different. Lan Ha Bay sits south of Halong Bay — same stunning karst topography but with fewer cruise boats, hidden lagoons, and far better swimming/kayaking. Most of our boat tours stay in Lan Ha and don't enter the busy Halong Bay zone.
How do I get to Cat Ba?+
Bus + speedboat from Hanoi (~3.5h), bus + ferry from Ninh Binh (~4.5h), or speedboat from Hai Phong (~2h). Full schedule and prices on our Transport page. We can also arrange private cars and airport pick-ups.
Do I need to book in advance?+
For peak season (October–April for international guests, June–August and Vietnamese holidays domestically) book 2–3 weeks ahead — overnight cruises sell out first. Off-season 3–5 days is usually enough.
What payment methods do you accept?+
Card (Visa / Mastercard / JCB via VTC Pay) — international cards carry a 3.9% gateway fee, shown on the VTC Pay checkout page before you pay. Cash or the card terminal at our office is possible on request — message us first. 100% payment confirms the booking — no partial deposits.
What's your cancellation policy?+
Standard schedule: 14 days or more before departure 100% · 7–13 days 70% · 3–6 days 50% · 24–72 hours 30% · under 24 hours or no-show 0%. Overnight cruises sold on the operator's conditions are non-refundable within 7 or 10 days of departure, depending on the boat — stated on the tour page. Refunds never exceed what we recover from the supplier. Full details on our Policies page.
What if the weather is bad?+
If the captain or the port authority calls a no-go for safety, we offer a new date or a credit first, and refund the undelivered services less any supplier costs we cannot recover. Light rain or grey skies aren't usually a cancellation — Lan Ha is beautiful in all weathers and our boats have covered cabins. Safety changes to the route, boat or timing don't in themselves entitle you to a refund.
Are tours suitable for kids?+
Yes — most boat tours welcome children. Each tour page shows its own child fares (typically under 5 free, 50% off ages 5–10; overnight cruises differ). For trekking, kids should be comfortable walking 2–3h.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?+
No. We provide life jackets for all kayaking and swimming. If you can't swim, tell your guide — we'll keep you in shallow water and on stable kayaks.
What about wifi & SIM cards?+
Hotels and most restaurants have wifi. For 4G data, grab a Viettel or Mobifone tourist SIM (~150–200k VND for 30 days, plenty of data). Coverage on Cat Ba is solid; out at sea it gets patchy — perfect excuse to look up.
Is there ATM access on Cat Ba?+
Yes — several ATMs in Cat Ba Town accept Visa/Mastercard. Bring some cash from Hanoi/Hai Phong as a buffer; small restaurants and beach vendors are cash-only.
What language do guides speak?+
Translations help you read and understand our travel information. Our main service language is English; we can use translation tools for other languages. If you would like to book a guide who speaks your language, please send us a request before booking. Availability and any additional cost must be confirmed separately.
Can I change my booking date?+
Yes — tell us in writing as early as you can. A date change takes effect once we confirm it and the supplier has accepted it; it costs 500,000 VND per change, plus any price difference and supplier fees. If the supplier cannot accept the change, the request is handled under the cancellation schedule.
Still have a question?
We reply on WhatsApp, Zalo or email — usually in minutes, 7:00–21:00 (GMT+7). WhatsApp (+44) 7450 136010 · Zalo (+84) 965 379 497.