Lan Ha bay is much more better and less touristic to venture off the beaten tracks like no Other. Halong bay is real factory of tourists

Liên hệ ngay với Cat Ba Express, Nhà điều hành du lịch này đang tổ chức tour du lịch Vịnh Lan Hạ 1 ngày từ Hà Nội

You can choose Rosa Bus and do a tour with Serenity Cruises. Ferry departure time from Tuan Chau 7h30 9h00 11h30 13h30 15h00

Catbavision was a very nice little crew. A very good time with them. Cheap and smart in a very little groop. No problem for accomodations on the pier. Cat Ba is a very good choice.

Google seach : Cat Ba Island Cruises for more information

Should do it from the last week of March due to weather. Should check weather before going. good luck!

250k is a half day tour. Depart & finish at Beo habour in cat ba island.

I arranged everything myself using Tripadvisor do book room at Xinh Floating house.I stayed at Xinh Floating house three nights (this is a very simple place, I visited during the dry season they had almost no water left since they collect rain water in about ten big plastic tanks, a shower might not be a good thing). I still do recommend staying with the Xinh family at their floating house. They prepare excellent food, Internet is available but there is no Electricity 220 VAC or 110 VAC only battery power. If one is prepared for a little simpler life than in a hotel this is an absolute wonderful place to visit. The family does not speak English but Mr. Xinh has a brother so he will call him for help. Explain what you want and the brother explains for Mr. Xinh. I did four different tours in Mr. Xinhs boat to three different parts in La Ha bay and Halon Bay. These are absolute fantastic boat journeys one day a kayak was brought with the boat so one could visit Cat Ba national park in a Kayak. The near surroundings of Xinh floating house is very good for kayak tours. You can easily spend several days in this fantastic landscape if you are prepared to stay in a little simple room for a while. You will find Xinh Floating house on Tripadvisor. You ca easily travel from Hanoi to Cat Ba with Cat Ba Exspress it takes about four hours with departure at 11:00. This is a nice cheap bus journey which a do recommend. Book one night in Cat Ba town go to Cai Beo next day and Mr Xinh will come with his boat and pick you up! You can pay at Cat Ba Climbing in Cat Ba and the brother will take you in his car to Cai Beo. This tour is a memory for a life time but not for everyone!

I would stick with the Day trip; I have heard the overnight tends to be uncomfortable and really, you can see all you need/want in a full day. We travelled in Jan and booked when we got there - it may be more crowded at the time you want to visit so ask your hotel to recommend agency/book in advance - there are several recommended agencies down on the water-front; the one we used was immediately to the Right as you came down the hill towards the water and they did an excellent job.

you can hire a private boat for $60 for four to five hours through most hotels. Highly recommended