Buzz
Compared to Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh), Lan Ha Bay (Hai Phong) remains lesser-known. However, no one can deny its enchanting and romantic allure.
Arriving at Lan Ha Bay, I finally understood why Leonardo DiCaprio showered praise: The untouched beauty of this 'forgotten paradise' amidst Hai Phong is truly breathtaking.
Surrounding Cat Ba Island, adjacent to Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay is an archipelago spanning over 7,000 hectares with various fascinating formations, creating a mystical natural masterpiece. What's unique is that nearly 400 islands here are covered in lush greenery, vastly different from Ha Long Bay.
Despite being relatively undiscovered, Lan Ha Bay is regarded as one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam. Even Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio couldn't resist its romantic allure. On his personal Instagram page, the actor shared stunning images of Lan Ha Bay and urged everyone to join hands in preserving its environment.
'This is a traditional fishing village in Lan Ha Bay (Vietnam), nestled amidst towering limestone cliffs above the emerald waters,' described Leonardo DiCaprio. According to him, 'this place is like paradise.'
In the clip shared by the Oscar-winning actor, Lan Ha Bay is captured from an elevated perspective, showcasing limestone karsts rising majestically from the emerald green waters, exuding a stunning beauty and grandeur that leaves viewers in awe. Currently, this clip has garnered over 1 million views on Instagram.
What to do in Lan Ha Bay?
Luon Cave
Located on Bo Hon Island, Luon Cave entices visitors with its unique shape, a rarity found in few places. Here, you can admire the towering cliffs standing against the tranquil green waters all year round. In front of the cave is Turtle Island, while on the right is Heaven's Gate.
Monkey Island
Just a 10-minute boat ride from Ben Beo, you'll reach Monkey Island, also known as Pineapple Island. It's an ideal spot for tour groups with children. The island is home to a lively troop of around 20 monkeys, often seen climbing and playing, eagerly receiving treats from visitors. Moreover, Cat Dua Beach – the most beautiful satellite beach of Cat Ba Island – is a favorite destination. The sensation of swimming in the crystal-clear sea, leisurely gazing at the undulating mountain ranges, is truly an exhilarating experience.
Nam Cat Island
Surrounded by forests and sea on all sides, Nam Cat Island retains its pristine and tranquil allure, a haven sought after by many travelers. Here, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and participate in various exploration and entertainment activities such as swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing... Additionally, three large wooden stilt houses and six bamboo bungalows provide facilities for visitors to organize campfires and group activities at night.
Moreover, there are other notable attractions worth visiting here such as Turtle Island, Bell Island, Guoc Island, and Vạn Bội Beach...
What to keep in mind when visiting Lan Ha Bay?
Weather
Lan Ha Bay enjoys a cool and refreshing climate year-round, allowing visitors to explore at any time. Typically, domestic travelers prefer to visit from April to October to experience the cool sea breezes while cruising and admiring the beauty of the bay. International tourists tend to visit during the remaining months.
Getting Around
From the center of Cat Ba Island, you can head to Ben Beo to purchase tour tickets, then rent a boat to venture out into the bay. If you prefer not to venture too deep into the bay, you can rent a motorboat from the locals here.
Tickets to Lan Ha Bay cost 80,000 VND/person, but boat rental prices range from approximately 1-4 million VND/trip, not to mention the long waiting times. Therefore, tourists often opt for private tours, saving costs while participating in activities such as kayaking, swimming in the 'golden sand, calm waves' bays within the bay. Currently, many yachts on Lan Ha Bay offer overnight cruise tours, such as Orchid Cruise, Era Cruise, Mon Cheri Cruise, which are very interesting.
Accommodation
The Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay area offer a wide range of accommodation options, from 1-star to 4-star hotels, for travelers to choose from comfortably.
– 1-star: Whisper Nature Bungalow, JOYSTAY, CatBa Skyview Hotel... These are highly rated but relatively distant homestays from the beach.
– 2-star: Cat Ba Oasis Bungalow, Cat Ba Sea View, Minh Hieu Hotel...
– 3-star: Cannon Fort Cat Ba Hotel, Green Catba Hotel, Quang Tung Hotel...
– 4-5 star: Hotel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – Mgallery, Tropical Beach Villa Resort, D’Home Homestay Cat Ba, Nam Cat Island Resort, Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort...
According to Trí Thức Trẻ
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourJune 9, 2020
