How do I get from Haiphong to Cat Ba Island?

Ferry from Ben Binh pier runs 4-6 times daily. Journey time is 1.5 hours, costing 110,000-140,000 VND ($4.40-5.60) each way. Arrive 20-30 minutes before departure.

Can I do Cat Ba Island as a day trip from Haiphong?

Possible but not recommended - the ferry schedule means arriving mid-morning and leaving by late afternoon, only enough time for one activity. Staying one or two nights on Cat Ba gives a significantly better experience.

Is Do Son Beach near Haiphong worth visiting?

Do Son Peninsula (25km south, 30 minutes by bus) has grey sand beaches that are not impressive, but the Dinh Huong Lighthouse Pagoda on a rocky promontory with bay views is more interesting. Worth a half-day if you have time to fill.

Day Trips from Haiphong | The Vietnam Guides

Haiphong’s best day trips are on the water. Cat Ba Island is the primary destination - close enough for a day trip but better as an overnight.

Cat Ba Island

The most worthwhile day trip from Haiphong. The ferry from Ben Binh pier runs 4–6 times daily (1.5 hours, ₫110,000–140,000 / $4.40–5.60 each way). Cat Ba Island offers rock climbing, sea kayaking, hiking in the national park, and beaches - a full range of activities in one location.

Honest assessment: A day trip gives enough time for one activity (morning rock climbing session or kayak trip) but the ferry schedule means arriving mid-morning and leaving by late afternoon. Staying one or two nights on Cat Ba is a significantly better experience.

Getting there: Ben Binh pier, 10-minute xe om ride from the city centre. Ferries depart on schedule - arrive 20–30 minutes before departure.

Lan Ha Bay boat trip

A day boat trip from Haiphong (through Cat Ba Island connection) can access Lan Ha Bay - the cleaner, less crowded bay south of Cat Ba with karst formations, caves, and floating villages. Several tour operators run day trips: ₫600,000–1,000,000 ($24–40) per person including boat, kayaking, and lunch. Browse Haiphong and Cat Ba tours for organised Lan Ha Bay boat day trips.

Do Son Peninsula

25km south of Haiphong by road, Do Son is a narrow peninsula with several beaches and a hilltop pagoda (Dinh Huong). The beaches are not impressive - grey sand, murky water - but the area is a popular local resort and has a different character from the city.

How to get there: Local bus from Haiphong central bus station to Do Son (30 minutes, ₫20,000 / $0.80) or taxi/xe om. Worth a half-day if you’re stuck in Haiphong without ferry options.

Dinh Huong (Lighthouse Pagoda): The highlight of Do Son. A hilltop pagoda on a rocky promontory with bay views. More interesting than the beaches.

Do Nghi Island (Bach Long Vi)

A remote island 120km from Haiphong in the Gulf of Tonkin. Undeveloped, clean beaches, good fishing. Accessible only by overnight boat (8–10 hours) or irregular charter. Not practical for a day trip - mentioned for completeness if you’re researching extended offshore itineraries.

Hai Phong to Ha Noi (reverse day trip)

For Haiphong residents or travellers based there, Hanoi is a day trip in reverse: 2 hours by express bus, with the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and all major Hanoi sights accessible for a full day before returning by evening bus. ₫100,000–150,000 ($4–6) each way.

Practical logistics from Haiphong

Destination	Transport	Journey Time	Cost
Cat Ba Island	Ferry from Ben Binh	1.5 hours	₫110,000–140,000
Do Son	Local bus or taxi	30–45 min	₫20,000–80,000
Hanoi	Express bus	2 hours	₫100,000–150,000
Ha Long City	Bus	1.5 hours	₫80,000–120,000

Eating before the ferry

If you’re catching a morning ferry to Cat Ba, several com binh dan (Vietnamese rice plate) restaurants on Ben Binh Street near the pier open from 06:00. A full breakfast rice plate with grilled pork or fish costs ₫40,000–70,000 ($1.60–2.80) as of 2026. Banh mi vendors operate on the same street from 06:30. Take food on the boat rather than relying on ferry catering.

Combining destinations

The most common multi-day route from Haiphong combines Cat Ba Island with a Ha Long Bay cruise:

Haiphong ferry to Cat Ba Town
1–2 nights on Cat Ba (rock climbing, kayaking)
Join a Lan Ha Bay or Ha Long Bay cruise from Cat Ba
Return by cruise boat to Ha Long City, then bus to Hanoi

This avoids the need to backtrack to Ha Long City from Haiphong and gives a more complete picture of the bay. Browse Cat Ba and Ha Long Bay tours for cruise departures that include the Haiphong ferry route.

Solo ferry users: The Ben Binh to Cat Ba ferry is the correct option for independent travellers. The tourist speed boat services promoted in some hotels are significantly more expensive (₫300,000–400,000 vs ₫140,000) and not meaningfully faster door-to-door.

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Day Trips from Haiphong 2026: Cat Ba Island, Do Son and Ha Long Bay

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