Cat Ba Island — Ferry & Ticket Prices 2026
Complete price guide for ferries, speedboats, Lan Ha Bay entrance, and island attractions — updated by Lan Homestay
Last updated: October 2026
Dong Bai – Cai Vieng Ferry (Main Route to Cat Ba Island)
The Dong Bai–Cai Vieng ferry connects Cat Hai to Cat Ba Island. Crossing time is approximately 10–15 minutes. This is the main route used by vehicles and foot passengers.
| Item | Price / Information |
|---|---|
| Foot passenger (walk-on) | 10,000 – 14,000 VND / trip (~$0.40–0.55 USD) |
| Peak season hours (to island) | 5:00 – 19:30 |
| Peak season hours (return to mainland) | 4:30 – 19:00 |
| Low season hours (to island) | 5:30 – 18:30 |
| Low season hours (return) | 5:00 – 18:00 |
Speedboat (Hai Phong → Cat Ba)
| Route | Duration | Price (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hai Phong Pier → Cat Ba Town | ~45 minutes | 200,000 – 250,000 VND | Fastest option; runs multiple times daily |
| Gia Luan Port → Cat Ba Town (island internal) | ~15 minutes | varies | Used when arriving via Gia Luan from Hanoi buses |
Lan Ha Bay Entrance Fee
All visitors to Lan Ha Bay are required to pay a bay entrance fee. This is collected at the port or by tour operators before departure.
| Category | Price (VND) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult — day visit | 120,000 VND (~$5 USD) | Standard day trip |
| Children | 60,000 VND | Under 1.2m height |
| Overnight guests on bay | 380,000 VND | Cruise/boat stays |
| Peak season surcharge — weekdays (2 May–30 Aug) | +50,000 VND/person | Added on top of base price |
| Peak season surcharge — weekends | +100,000 VND/person | Fri–Sun during summer |
| Day cruise tour (reference price) | 600,000 – 1,200,000 VND/person | Full day boat with activities |
| Overnight cruise (reference price) | 2,200,000 – 7,000,000 VND/person/night | Junk boat; varies by standard |
Cat Ba Island Attractions
| Attraction | Entrance Fee |
|---|---|
| Cat Ba National Park — Adults | 80,000 VND (~$3.20 USD) |
| Cat Ba National Park — Children (under 1.2m) | 40,000 VND |
| Cannon Fort (best sunset viewpoint on the island) | Free* |
| Cat Co Beaches 1, 2, and 3 | Free |
*A service fee may apply at certain times — please confirm on arrival.
Price Comparison: Getting to Lan Ha Bay
| Route | Time | Cost (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi → Cat Ba (limousine bus + ferry, all-in) | 3.5–4 hrs | 320,000 VND — departs Old Quarter 06:00 or 07:30; we book it for you | Easiest, most popular |
| Hanoi → Hai Phong → Cat Ba (public bus + speedboat) | 4–5 hrs | 150,000–200,000 VND | Budget travellers |
| Hanoi → Hai Phong (drive or bus) + ferry with car | 4–5 hrs | 400,000–600,000 VND total | Travelling by private vehicle |
| Ha Long City → Cat Ba (speedboat) | ~1.5 hrs | 250,000–350,000 VND | Combining Ha Long + Cat Ba |
Gia Luan harbour — the northern crossing
Gia Luan sits at the north end of Cat Ba Island and faces Tuan Chau, on the Ha Long side. People use it when they are coming from Ha Long rather than from Hai Phong. It is a seasonal service and the timetable changes more often than the Dong Bai crossing does, so we do not print times or fares here that we cannot confirm for your dates. Message us with your travel day and we will check what is actually running that week.
From 1 April 2026 there are also four inter-bay routes, VHL3 to VHL6, sold from Tuan Chau and Ha Long International port since 4 April 2026. VHL5 and VHL6 finish on the Viet Hai side of the island. No combined fare has been published for these, so we will not guess at one.
The last stretch: getting on to Viet Hai
Arriving on Cat Ba Island is not the same as arriving in our village. Viet Hai has no road in, so the last part is done by water.
| Leg | How long | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Beo harbour to Viet Hai by speedboat | About 15 minutes | Message us — it moves with the season and group size |
| Viet Hai harbour to the house by electric cart | About 10 minutes | 50,000 VND per person each way |
| Lan Ha Bay entrance | — | 120,000 VND adult, 60,000 VND child |
If you tell us your arrival time we will have the boat waiting rather than leave you to find one at the harbour.
Common questions
Which ferry do I take from Hai Phong to Cat Ba?
The Dong Bai to Cai Vieng crossing. The old Got terminal is closed, so Dong Bai is the route every bus and car uses now. From Hanoi the whole journey takes about 3 to 3.5 hours.
How do I get from Cat Bi airport to Cat Ba?
Road to Dong Bai, then the ferry across. Allow about 90 minutes for the whole thing, longer on a summer weekend.
Does the Lan Ha Bay entrance fee include tours?
No. The bay entrance fee is separate from the cost of a tour. When you book a tour through a licensed operator the entrance fee is normally included in what you pay.
Can cars take the ferry to Cat Ba?
Yes, on the Dong Bai to Cai Vieng ferry. Note the summer 2026 weekend restriction between 9am and 1pm, when cars and trucks are not carried toward the island. Foot passengers are not affected.
What about Ben Binh?
Ben Binh is the old passenger pier in Hai Phong city. Speedboat services have moved around in recent years, so check with us before planning around it rather than relying on an old timetable you found online.
Is it busy on summer weekends?
Very. Boats and rooms fill days in advance and prices carry peak surcharges. Mid-week travel, or booking at least a week ahead, makes a real difference.
Read next
- Hai Phong to Cat Ba — the full route, step by step
- Hanoi to Cat Ba — bus, limousine and what each costs you in time
- Cat Bi airport to Cat Ba — landing and carrying on the same day
- How to get to Viet Hai village — the last leg across the bay
- Getting around Cat Ba without a motorbike — if you do not ride
Prices compiled from public sources and checked in October 2026. They change without notice. Message us for the figures that apply to your dates.
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