Cat Ba
2 days 1 night
Kayaking, trekking
6/10
5 (0 Customer rating)
5.135.000 VNĐ
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Tour overview

This is the most thrilling itinerary to fully explore the natural wonders of Cat Ba Island. Trekking through the ancient forest, spending the night in Viet Hai village, and kayaking to discover the Bright Cave - Dark Cave area will give you incredible experiences—but that's not all. The highlight is kayaking at night to witness the bioluminescent plankton (often called "glowing plankton" or "sea sparkle")—a truly unique and mesmerizing experience you'll never forget.

Highlights

  • Thrilling trekking through Cat Ba National Park
  • Kayaking to explore Bright Cave (Hang Sáng)
  • Evening kayaking to witness bioluminescent plankton (glowing sea sparkle)
  • Staying overnight at a homestay in Viet Hai village
Summary

  • Departure from: Hà Nội

  • Min: 6 people

  • Destination: Cat Ba

  • Max: 15 people

  • Duration: 2 days 1 night

  • Best season: Cả năm

  • Activities: Kayaking, trekking

  • Level: 6/10

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Itinerary
Ngày 1: Hanoi – Cat Ba NP – Viet Hai Village

06:30 Depart by bus to Cat Ba. Upon arriving at Cat Hai, we'll board the ferry to cross to Cat Ba Island. Continue by bus to Cat Ba National Park.

10:00 Arrive at Cat Ba National Park. Prepare equipment and start trekking through the ancient forest to Viet Hai village—an isolated ancient village nestled in a vast valley, accessible only by trekking through the jungle or by boat from the Lan Ha Bay side. After about 2 hours of walking, we'll stop for lunch at Frog Pond (Ao Ếch), a small wetland and paradise for frogs at 100m above sea level. Lunch is a light picnic provided to each person before the trek begins. After lunch at Frog Pond, we'll continue hiking uphill to Viet Hai. Along the way, there will be plenty of stops for rest and photos.

16:30 After approximately 5–6 hours of trekking, we arrive at Viet Hai village. Check in, shower, and relax.

18:30 Dinner at the homestay.

19:30 Board the bus to Viet Hai pier, then take a boat out to Lan Ha Bay for bioluminescent plankton hunting (glowing plankton). The boat will take us to a floating house on the bay to pick up kayaks for this magical night adventure. Your guide will lead us to the best viewing spot in the Van Boi area, where the bioluminescence is usually at its strongest. After enjoying and photographing the glowing plankton, we'll return by boat to Viet Hai village.

21:00 Return to Viet Hai. End of evening activities.

Accommodation in Viet Hai village: The homestay offers various room types for 2, 3, or 4 people. Depending on group size or room availability, Umove Adventure will arrange suitable rooms for the group.

Meals included: Lunch & dinner.

Ngày 2: Viet Hai Village – Kayaking Lan Ha Bay – Bright Cave – Cat Ba – Hanoi

07:00 Breakfast at the homestay.

08:00 After breakfast, we'll hop on an electric car to head to Viet Hai pier. The route from the village to the pier is incredibly scenic—we'll travel along a narrow road winding through the forest and then along the coastline. At the pier, we'll board a boat to the Dark Cave - Bright Cave area, one of the most beautiful and remote spots in Lan Ha Bay, farthest from the main Cat Ba town. Kayak exploration of Bright Cave (Hang Sáng) and the surrounding area. After kayaking, we'll board the boat for lunch. While enjoying lunch, the boat will cruise back toward Cat Ba, passing through the stunning Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches) islets and Lan Ha Bay.

13:00 Arrive back in Cat Ba town. Transfer by bus to the cable car station on the Cat Ba side. We'll cross the sea to Cat Hai by cable car. Pick-up bus at the Cat Hai cable car station. Depart by bus back to Hanoi. The program ends upon arrival in Hanoi around 19:00.

Meals included: Breakfast & lunch.

Inclusion & Exclusion

 

Inclusion:

  • Tourist boat in Lan Ha Bay
  • Round-trip bus transfers: Hanoi – Cat Ba – Hanoi
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Kayak & accessories
  • Trekking poles
  • Homestay accommodation in Viet Hai village
  • Bioluminescent plankton watching
  • Electric car (shuttle) in Viet Hai
  • English-speaking guide
  • Drinking water
  • Entrance fees
  • Travel insurance

 

Exclusion:

  • Beverages during meals
  • Transportation before and after the tour
  • Other personal expenses

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Departure schedule
Departure day Finish day   Tour cost
Difficulty of the activity

Difficulty Level (6/10): Most people can participate in the tour, children from 6 years old and above also can join with parents. It will be easier and more comfortable for you to experience outdoor activities if you have good preparation for physical training before the trip. The duration of each trip is 2 days generally. With those trekking tours at this level, it might take 2 – 3 hours/day to do the trek with the quite easy terrain. At the same level, the kayaking and SUP tours, 2 – 3 hours/ days paddling with the large water surface, and plenty of times to take photos and rest as well.

Suggested physical training: Practice running or kayaking/SUP 1 - 2 weeks in advance. Run twice a week, each session 3 - 5km every night. Or paddling from 2- 3 times, each time is 5 km.

Equipment

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Equipment provided by UA:

  • Kayak & accessories
  • Dry-bag
  • Trekking pole
  • Gloves
  • First-aid

Essential stuff you need to bring:

  • Water shoes (for wading in water, kayaking, and wet landings)
  • Trekking shoes 
  • Reusable water bottle (approximately 1L capacity)
  • Daypack (10–20L) 
  • Flashlight or headlamp 
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Phone, camera, power bank
  • ID or passport

Optional items to bring:

  • Spare / change of clothes
  • Personal medications
  • Towel and hand sanitizer
  • Waterproof phone pouch
Umove Adventure equipment provided
Essential info

1. Travel Insurance

  • Umove Adventure partners with Bảo Việt Insurance, providing coverage with a maximum payout of 100,000,000 VND per person per incident.
  • For full policy details, please refer to Bảo Việt's official insurance terms: Quy tắc bảo hiểm Bảo Việt.

2. Cancellation & Postponement Policy 

  • For the detailed Cancellation & Postponement Policy, please read it carefully here: view full policy

3. Reading and signing the exclude all liability before departing 

  • The customers who buy adventure tours from Umove Adventure have enough awareness about the level of challenge as well as other physical challenges and other potential dangers during the tour. Hence the customer is asked to read and sign the Exclude all Liability form before departing. Find the form below and read it carefully.
  • Download and review the Release of Liability Form [here]                        

4. Notes on the Kayaking and Trekking Routes:

  • The trekking route through the forest is not overly difficult: about 2/3 of the trail consists of easy, well-defined paths. The remaining 1/3, just before reaching Viet Hai, is more challenging, with some sections requiring hand-assisted climbing (using hands to pull yourself up).
  • Our kayaking spot is in the Dark Cave & Bright Cave area. Due to regulations from the Lan Ha Bay Management Board, we will only kayak to explore Bright Cave (Hang Sáng). This kayaking point features calm, still water and a short paddling distance, making it suitable and not difficult for beginners or those with little to no prior kayaking experience.
  • Before starting the kayak session, your guide will provide a full briefing on how to paddle, along with safety tips and the planned route. While paddling on the bay, please pay attention to avoid obstacles such as submerged rocks, other boats, or floating structures. Avoid paddling too close to cliff walls if there are waves, as they could push you against sharp barnacle-covered rocks.
  • We will have a support boat accompanying the group throughout the entire kayaking time. If at any point you prefer to stop kayaking and switch to the boat, just let your guide know.

5. Food & Drinks:

  • Except for the picnic lunch during the forest trek (a light packed lunch including sandwiches, fresh fruit, and dessert snacks), all other meals are hearty, hot, and freshly prepared.
  • For drinking water during the trek, each person should bring their own (about 1 liter recommended). To help reduce single-use plastic waste, we encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle and refill it from the large water containers on the bus.

6. Environmental responsibility

  • Umove Adventure follows Leave No Trace principles and encourages all participants to do the same. Learn more here: Leave No Trace Guidelines.
  • Help minimize plastic waste by using reusable bottles and bags.
  • Please follow all local environmental regulations and guide instructions at the destinations.

7. Health & medical assistance

  • If you have cardiovascular conditions, joint issues (knees, ankles, shoulders, etc.), or any pre-existing health concerns, consult your doctor before booking.
  • Basic first aid is available on tour, but we do not provide oral medications. Please bring any personal or precautionary medicines you may need.

 

Q&A
What is the best time to go on this program?

Summer is the ideal time to visit Cat Ba.
From April to October is the most suitable period for water-based activities like kayaking, swimming, and exploring the bays.
From November to March, the island is much quieter and less crowded, making it the perfect time for nature exploration, peaceful trekking, and relaxing getaways.
However, July and August are typically the peak of the stormy season (with rough seas and potential typhoons), so visitors should check the weather forecast 3–5 days in advance to ensure there are no incoming rainstorms or bad weather.

What is the minimum age for children to join this tour?

This tour is suitable for children aged 12 and older, who must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult at all times.

I've never tried SUP or kayaking before—can I still join this tour?

This tour is rated 6/10 in difficulty, so even complete beginners who have never tried SUP before can join comfortably. Before getting on the water, the guide will provide the whole group with a clear briefing on basic paddling techniques and essential safety skills for SUP. You'll also have plenty of time to practice and get familiar with the board before starting the actual paddle.

Can I join this tour if I’m going alone?

Yes, definitely! This join-in adventure is perfectly suitable for solo travelers. Many of our guests join individually and end up making new friends around the campfire, during paddling, or on the hike. You'll be paired with others for shared tents (same-gender unless otherwise requested) or can upgrade to a single tent for an additional fee (subject to availability—please inquire when booking). Our professional guide and team ensure everyone feels included, safe, and supported throughout the trip—no prior companions needed. 

How much do I need to deposit when registering? When is the remaining amount due?

Deposit requirement to secure your booking, a 50% deposit of the total tour price is required at the time of registration.

Payment Methods:

  • Bank transfer
  • Credit/debit card via OnePay (secure online payment gateway)

Final Payment: The remaining 50% balance must be paid no later than 1 day before the departure date, using the same payment methods (bank transfer or OnePay).

Important note: Umove Adventure will only confirm your booking once the deposit has been received. You will receive a confirmation email with full details shortly after payment.

We recommend completing payment early to guarantee your spot, especially during peak seasons!

If I am vegetarian (or have a dietary restriction), can the tour accommodate this?

Please inform Umove Adventure of any vegetarian preferences or other dietary restrictions before booking the tour. We will verify whether the tour destination and meal providers can accommodate your needs and get back to you promptly. In most cases, vegetarian options are available, though this may vary depending on the specific tour location and local suppliers.

Is it 100% guaranteed that we'll see the bioluminescent plankton?

Although the chance of seeing bioluminescent plankton (lân tinh) is very high from April to September (over 80%), some natural factors can still affect the quality of the experience.

Bioluminescence in the sea comes from tiny plankton (usually dinoflagellates or other microscopic algae) that glow when the water is disturbed—such as when you paddle, splash, or create waves. The higher the plankton density, the stronger and more vibrant the glow; the darker the night sky, the more spectacular and magical it appears.

However, certain natural conditions can reduce plankton numbers in the water or make the sky less dark, which may impact the experience:

  • Recent or ongoing rain (freshwater runoff can temporarily lower plankton concentration)
  • A very bright moon (full moon or near-full moon nights make the sky too light, washing out the glow)
  • Other factors like strong winds, high waves, or unusually clear water with lower nutrient levels
While paddling SUP/kayak, if I get really tired and can't paddle anymore, is it okay to stop?

If you become too tired to keep paddling during the activity, promptly let the guide or support boat know so you can receive help. The majority of Umove Adventure tours include a following motorboat for support. If you're fatigued and can't paddle anymore, you can hop on the motorboat to rejoin the group for the remaining part of the tour.

Is it possible to join the tour if I don't know how to swim?

Non-swimmers can still join, provided you absolutely follow the guide's safety instructions at all times. Anyone paddling SUP and wanting to swim or get in the water must wear a life jacket — no exceptions.

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