Viet Hai Village 2026: Cycling Cat Ba’s Hidden Valley

By Jimmy Nguyen, Founder & Director of Asia Travel Expert Co., Ltd.

Viet Hai Village (Làng Việt Hải) is a small farming village hidden in a valley inside Cat Ba National Park, Hai Phong, surrounded by limestone mountains. Visitors arrive by boat across Lan Ha Bay to Viet Hai pier, then cycle or take an electric buggy 4–5 km into the village. It is a favourite stop on Lan Ha cruises and Cat Ba day boats for rice fields, quiet lanes and homestays.

Status (checked October 2026): open to visitors as normal. Since 1 July 2025 the former Viet Hai commune has been part of the Cat Hai Special Zone of Hai Phong city. Boats to Viet Hai pier stop when storm warnings are issued.

Why Viet Hai Village is worth seeing:

Car-free valley ringed by forested karst peaks.
Easy cycling on a flat concrete lane from the pier.
Rural life: rice paddies, buffalo, gardens and traditional houses.
Combines bay and land on one day out from Cat Ba Island.
Homestays for an overnight stay in total quiet.

Viet Hai Village at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Làng Việt Hải
Location	Inside Cat Ba National Park, Cat Hai Special Zone, Hai Phong city (former Viet Hai commune)
Size	A small community of several dozen households
Access	Boat to Viet Hai pier (about 45–60 minutes from Ben Beo, Cat Ba), then 4–5 km by bike or electric buggy; or a full-day trek through the national park
Recognition	Within Cat Ba National Park and the UNESCO Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago (2023)
Fees	No village ticket; bike or buggy hire and bay fees usually included in tours
Time needed	2–3 hours, or overnight in a homestay
Best time	March–May and September–November
Nearby	Lan Ha Bay, Trung Trang Cave, Ao Ech
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Cat Ba National Park on Wikipedia

Is Viet Hai Village Worth Visiting?

Yes. A ride into Viet Hai is a welcome break from boats and beaches and shows a side of Cat Ba few visitors see. It is easy enough for most travellers, though summer heat can make cycling tiring.

Coastal scenery of Cat Ba Island with karst hills — The hills of Cat Ba Island surround remote villages such as Viet Hai. Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Best for: cyclists, families, photographers and anyone who enjoys rural scenery.
Skip if: you dislike heat or cycling; choose the electric buggy instead.
Short on time: many 2-day Lan Ha cruises include Viet Hai, so you need no extra day.

Background of Viet Hai Village

Viet Hai was settled by farming and fishing families who found shelter and fertile land in this enclosed valley on the east side of Cat Ba. For generations the only link to the outside world was by boat or forest path, which kept village life traditional. The valley lies within Cat Ba National Park, established in 1986, and, since 2023, within the World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago. Under the 2025 local-government reform, Viet Hai commune was merged into the Cat Hai Special Zone.

What to See at Viet Hai Village

1. The Cycle Ride from the Pier

A 4–5 km concrete lane runs from Viet Hai pier through a forested gap into the valley, mostly flat with a few gentle slopes.

2. Rice Fields and Gardens

The valley floor is a patchwork of paddies, vegetable gardens and fruit trees, green in spring and summer and golden before harvest.

3. Village Houses and Daily Life

Traditional houses, small shops and cafés line the lanes; some families open homestays and serve home-cooked meals.

4. National Park Trek

Fit walkers can arrive on foot via a full-day forest trek across Cat Ba National Park with a licensed guide, often passing the Frog Lake area (Ao Ech).

Fees and How to Visit

Item	Detail
Village entry	No ticket
Bicycle / electric buggy	Usually included on cruises; otherwise paid locally
Boat from Cat Ba	Included in Lan Ha day tours; private boats can be chartered

Book a Lan Ha day boat or cruise that includes Viet Hai, or charter a boat from Ben Beo Pier.
Pick up a bike or buggy at Viet Hai pier.
Ride into the village, stop for a drink or lunch, and return to the pier.

How to Get to Viet Hai Village

From	How	Time
Ben Beo Pier (Cat Ba town)	Boat to Viet Hai pier, then bike or buggy	About 45–60 minutes + 20–30 minutes
Lan Ha cruise	Cruise stop with bikes	Part of the itinerary
Cat Ba National Park HQ (Trung Trang)	Guided forest trek	A full day

See our Cat Ba Island guide for getting to Cat Ba from Hanoi.

Best Time to Visit Viet Hai Village

When	What to expect
March–May	Mild, green fields, comfortable cycling
June–August	Hot and humid; go early
September–November	Pleasant, golden fields before harvest
December–February	Cool and misty; good for walking

Local Expert Tips for Viet Hai Village

These tips come from years of arranging Halong and Lan Ha tours for international travellers.

Cycle early or late in the day in summer.
Carry water and a little cash for drinks and snacks.
Stay overnight in a homestay for a truly quiet evening.
Respect villagers’ privacy and ask before photographing.
Read our Halong travel tips for packing advice.

Viet Hai Village vs Vung Vieng Fishing Village

	Viet Hai Village	Vung Vieng Fishing Village
Type	Farming village on land	Floating fishing village
Bay	Lan Ha (Hai Phong)	Halong / Bai Tu Long (Quang Ninh)
Activity	Cycling, walking	Bamboo boat, kayaking

Our view: Vung Vieng shows life on the water; Viet Hai shows rural life on land. Both are worth it.

Nearby Attractions

Lan Ha Bay – islands and beaches.
Trung Trang Cave – walk-through cave.
Ao Ech Area – calm lagoon and forest lake.
Dark and Bright Cave and Ba Trai Dao Islets.

Halong Area for First-Time Visitors: Where Viet Hai Village Fits

After Hanoi, a 2-day Lan Ha cruise or a stay on Cat Ba usually includes Viet Hai, adding a rural touch to your bay experience.

Plan your trip with our Halong Bay travel guide and Halong Bay and Lan Ha tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Viet Hai Village

1. Where is Viet Hai Village?

Viet Hai Village is in a valley inside Cat Ba National Park on Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong.

2. How do I get to Viet Hai Village?

Take a boat to Viet Hai pier, then cycle or ride an electric buggy 4–5 km to Viet Hai Village.

3. How long is the boat from Cat Ba to Viet Hai Village?

The boat from Ben Beo Pier to Viet Hai pier takes about 45–60 minutes, then a short ride to Viet Hai Village.

4. Is there an entrance fee for Viet Hai Village?

No. Viet Hai Village has no entrance ticket; bike or buggy hire may cost extra.

5. Can I stay overnight in Viet Hai Village?

Yes. Several families in Viet Hai Village offer homestays.

6. Is cycling to Viet Hai Village difficult?

No. The 4–5 km lane to Viet Hai Village is mostly flat with a few gentle slopes.

7. Do Lan Ha Bay cruises stop at Viet Hai Village?

Yes. Many Lan Ha Bay cruises include a cycling stop at Viet Hai Village.

8. Can I hike to Viet Hai Village?

Yes. A full-day guided trek across Cat Ba National Park ends at Viet Hai Village.

9. What is the best time to visit Viet Hai Village?

March–May and September–November are the most comfortable times for Viet Hai Village.

10. How long should I spend in Viet Hai Village?

Two to three hours is enough for Viet Hai Village, or stay overnight for a quiet evening.

11. Is Viet Hai Village suitable for children?

Yes. Children can ride in the electric buggy or on a bike to Viet Hai Village.

12. Are there restaurants in Viet Hai Village?

Viet Hai Village has a few simple cafés and homestays serving local meals.

13. Is Viet Hai Village part of the UNESCO site?

Viet Hai Village lies within Cat Ba National Park, part of the UNESCO site Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago.

14. What is near Viet Hai Village?

Near Viet Hai Village are Lan Ha Bay and Trung Trang Cave.

15. Can I rent a motorbike in Viet Hai Village?

Motorbikes are not the usual way to visit Viet Hai Village; bicycles and electric buggies are used from the pier.