Navy Peak Hike & Sunset Kayak — Full Day in Viet Hai
Small group, never more than 10 — and the only day here that takes you from the jungle to the water. Trek in the morning, cook-at-home lunch, kayak at sunset. Just want the trek? The half day on its own is 450,000₫ (≈$18) — see the bottom of this page.
Standing at the summit of Navy Peak, you are rewarded with one of the most breathtaking panoramas in all of northern Vietnam — a 360° view over Cat Ba National Park, the emerald waters of Lan Ha Bay, and hundreds of limestone islands stretching to the horizon. This is the view that graces every Cat Ba Island travel poster, and it can only be reached on foot.
Starting from Viet Hai Village, this full day begins with a trek through Cat Ba National Park on a jungle trail through primary rainforest — home to wild macaques, tropical birds and rare flora — up to the summit. The climb is demanding but deeply rewarding, and unlike the crowded viewpoints near Cat Ba Town, Navy Peak feels genuinely wild and uncrowded. After lunch at the homestay, the afternoon moves to the water: a kayak out into Lan Ha Bay, staying out for the sunset.
✨ Why This Day, and Not Another Boat Trip
- Jungle in the morning, open water at sunset — most visitors to Cat Ba see one or the other. This is the only day here that gives you both, and the contrast is the whole point.
- Never more than 10 of you — no waiting on a big group, no queue at the summit, no shouting over an engine. The boat tours run up to 30.
- Navy Peak — the old radar summit, and the best 360° view on Cat Ba: Ha Long Bay on one side, Lan Ha Bay on the other, Viet Hai valley below.
- Primary jungle, and a trail nobody else is on — reachable only from the Viet Hai side. Wild macaques, hornbills, rare plants, and your guide knows all of them by name.
- Lunch with the family at Lan Homestay — what we eat, cooked the way we cook it, with time to shower and put your feet up before the afternoon.
- The sunset hour on the water — the light goes red and gold on the karsts and you are sitting on the bay, not watching it from a deck.
- One guide, both halves — the person who walks you up is the person who paddles out with you.
✅ Included
- Experienced local guide
- National park entrance fee
- Drinking water
- Walking sticks (on request)
- Light snack at summit
❌ Not Included
- Transfer from Cat Ba Town
- Travel insurance
- Hiking boots (bring your own)
- Lunch (available at homestay)
- Tips for guide
🗓️ The Day, Hour by Hour
The two best things in Viet Hai on the same day, and the pair works better than either alone. You climb in the cool of the morning, eat properly, then go out on the water in the softest light of the day. Small groups only — never more than 10 people, so nobody is waiting on anybody.
$65 USD per person · 09:00 to about 18:00 · starts and ends at Lan Homestay · lunch included
Trail briefing, water and snacks, and straight out of the village into Cat Ba National Park. No early alarm — the morning is cool enough at nine.
Rice paddies first, then jungle canopy and a steady climb over limestone. Your guide stops for the macaques, the birds and the plants worth knowing about.
Ha Long Bay on one side, Lan Ha Bay on the other, the whole of Viet Hai valley below. The best panorama on Cat Ba, and you will have it to yourselves.
Home cooking at the long table — what the family eats. Time to shower, change and put your feet up before the afternoon.
Down to the pier and into the kayaks. Paddle out among the limestone karsts, into the quiet channels and hidden lagoons that the day boats never reach, with a swim stop when the water is warm.
The hour the whole afternoon is built around. The light goes red and gold on the cliffs, the water goes still, and you are sitting on it rather than looking at it from a deck.
Ashore and back to the house as the light goes. Dinner at the homestay if you want it — just tell us in the morning.
✅ Included in the full day
- Experienced local guide for both the trek and the paddle
- National park entrance fee
- Kayak, paddle and life jacket
- Lunch at Lan Homestay
- Drinking water and a snack at the summit
- Walking sticks on request
- Small group — maximum 10 people
❌ Not included
- Accommodation — this day starts and ends in Viet Hai, so you need a room in the village
- Transfer from Cat Ba Town
- Hiking shoes — bring your own, with grip
- Dinner, drinks and travel insurance
- Tips for the guide
Book the full day — $65 per person Ask us on WhatsApp
⛰️ Short on Time? The Trek on Its Own
If you only have half a day, or you would rather not be on your feet and on the water in the same day, we run the Navy Peak trek by itself: an early start, about five hours, maximum 8 people, 450,000₫ (≈$18) per person. No lunch and no kayak — just the climb and the view.
Gather at the homestay. Your guide briefs you on the trail, safety guidelines, and what to expect. Collect water and snacks.
Walk from Viet Hai Village into the national park. The trail begins with a gentle path through rice paddies before entering the jungle canopy.
The trail steepens as you climb through dense primary forest. Look out for Cat Ba macaques, giant butterflies, and rare orchids along the route.
Reach the top and take in the extraordinary panorama. See Viet Hai Village below, Lan Ha Bay’s islands stretching to the sea, and the green canopy of the national park in every direction. Rest, photograph and enjoy the view.
Return via a different trail through the forest, spotting different wildlife and plant species. Your guide explains the national park’s conservation efforts.
Trek ends at the village. Lunch at Lan Homestay is recommended to refuel after the hike (booking required).
📸 Gallery
🎒 What to Bring
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes or hiking boots (essential)
- Light, breathable clothing — long sleeves recommended (insects)
- At least 1.5L of water per person
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Small backpack for personal items
- Camera — the summit views are unmissable
⚠️ Important Notes
- The trail is steep in sections — a moderate fitness level is required
- Not recommended for guests with knee problems or limited mobility
- Minimum age: 10 years old
- Trail can be slippery after rain — wear appropriate footwear
- The trek is only accessible from the Viet Hai Village side (not from Cat Ba Town)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is the hike to Navy Peak?
Moderate to challenging. The ascent takes about 90 minutes on a jungle trail with some steep sections. A reasonable fitness level is needed. The descent is easier and takes about 75 minutes.
Can I do the sunrise hike?
Yes — this is magical. We offer a special 5:00 AM departure to reach the summit at sunrise. The light on Lan Ha Bay at dawn is extraordinary. Book in advance.
What wildlife might I see?
Cat Ba macaques are frequently spotted near the summit. Birds, butterflies and tropical lizards are common. With luck you may spot a red-shanked douc langur — one of the world’s most endangered primates.
Can I combine this with a boat tour?
This day already is the combination — the hike in the morning and the sunset kayak in the afternoon. If you want a full day on a boat as well, add the Full-Day Boat Tour on another day of your stay.
Jungle in the Morning, the Bay at Sunset
Book directly with the family. Never more than 10 of you, one local guide for both halves of the day.
| What it involves | 259 metres of climb, about three hours there and back, steep near the top. We send a guide with you. Go early, before the heat, and wear shoes with grip rather than sandals. |
| What it costs | Rates move with the season and the size of the group, so we quote per booking rather than print a price that goes stale. Ask and we send the current one, with what is included and what is paid at the gate. |
| Fixed state fees | Lan Ha Bay ticket 120,000 VND (≈$5) adult / 60,000 VND (≈$2.40) child · electric cart between the pier and the house 50,000 VND (≈$2) per person each way. The same for everyone, set by the state. |
| Paying | Nothing is charged online. You settle at the homestay before you leave — see payment information. |
| If the weather turns | We do not sail when the harbour master closes the water. A cancelled trip is moved to the next clear day or refunded — we never run a boat we would not put our own family on. |
| Getting here | Three to three and a half hours from Hanoi, then thirty minutes across the water. We arrange the whole chain — see getting to Lan Homestay. |
| Who answers you | Chilly and the family, at the house in Viet Hai. No agency in between. Usually within a few hours, Vietnam time (GMT+7). |