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

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.

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