The Vietnam Guides
Cat Ba Island travel guide

Where to Stay on Cat Ba Island 2026: Town Hotels and Beach Resorts

· 1 min read City Guide
Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island

Contents

  1. Cat Ba Town
  2. Beach resort area
  3. Practical booking

Cat Ba Town is where the ferry arrives and where most accommodation is located. The town has a range from budget hostels to mid-range hotels. Resort-style options exist on the quieter parts of the island but require transport.

Cat Ba Town

The town is functional rather than beautiful — a strip of guesthouses and restaurants on the waterfront, with better-value accommodation on the streets one block back. Most visitors base themselves here for the rock climbing and kayaking.

Pros: Everything is accessible — tour desks, kayak rental, Asia Outdoors, restaurants, ferry terminal. Easy to walk everywhere.

Cons: The seafront strip is touristy and noisy in the evening. Street-facing rooms can be loud.

Price range: Budget guesthouses ₫250,000–600,000 ($10–24). Mid-range hotels ₫600,000–1,500,000 ($24–60). Seafront hotels command a premium for the view.

Beach resort area

Cat Ba Island has a quieter resort zone around Cat Ba Island Resort and similar properties. These are accessed by a short boat transfer from Cat Ba Town (10 minutes) or by island road.

Pros: Much quieter. Beach access. Pool facilities. Better for families or those prioritising relaxation.

Cons: Isolated — you need a boat or motorbike to reach any restaurant or activity operator. Higher prices.

Price range: ₫1,500,000–5,000,000+ ($60–200+).

Practical booking

Cat Ba fills up in peak season (July–August, October half-term and the climbing season peak of October–November). Book at least a week ahead in these periods. The town is small enough that walking around to compare options is feasible in low season.