Tour Introduction

Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam's most famous destinations — but most visitors only ever see one small, crowded corner of it, arriving by bus from Hanoi for the standard boat trip. This Halong Cat Ba motorcycle tour is designed for travellers who want to experience the bay differently. Spanning some 1,500 square kilometres, Ha Long is big enough to seek out a quieter, more beautiful side, and over four days you'll reach it the fun way — by motorbike and ferry rather than tour coach.

Riding out from Hanoi via the ceramic village of Bat Trang and the port city of Hai Phong, this Halong Cat Ba motorcycle tour crosses to Cat Ba Island, cruises the tranquil waters of Lan Ha Bay and the southern reaches of Ha Long, and explores the island's peaceful villages, caves and uncrowded beaches. Fully supported with a Honda CRF300L motorbike, an English-speaking guide, hotels, ferries and boat trips included, it's one of our favourite short north Vietnam tours — a perfect blend of easy coastal riding and world-famous bay scenery, far from the crowds.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi to Hai Phong (150 km)

The Halong Cat Ba motorcycle tour departs central Hanoi at 8 a.m., heading northeast. After just 15 km you'll stop at the historic Bat Trang ceramic village for a walking tour of its traditional pottery workshops, before continuing on to the port city of Hai Phong, arriving at the hotel around 3 p.m. The rest of the day is free to explore the city or relax.

Distance: 150 km · Meals: Lunch, Dinner · Stay: Hotel, Hai Phong

Day 2 — Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island

After breakfast, ride to Cat Ba Island via a local ferry (about a two-hour crossing). On arrival you'll board a boat to explore the beautiful, quieter waters of Lan Ha Bay and the southern part of Ha Long Bay, with a fresh seafood lunch served on board. Relax on the sun deck, swim at uncrowded beaches, visit floating fishing villages or kayak through stalactite caves, returning to Cat Ba in the late afternoon.

Meals: B, L, D · Stay: Hotel, Cat Ba

Day 3 — Cat Ba Island Discovery

A morning motorbike tour around Cat Ba Island, riding through peaceful villages tucked between the National Park and the sea and stopping at local caves. The tour wraps up around noon, leaving the afternoon free for beach time near your hotel. Cat Ba is the largest of the archipelago's 366 islands — half of it protected National Park and home to the endangered Cat Ba langur.

Meals: Breakfast · Stay: Hotel, Cat Ba town

Day 4 — Cat Ba to Ha Long Bay & Back to Hanoi

After breakfast, a short ride to Gia Luan wharf for a scenic 1.5-hour ferry through Ha Long Bay, with its famous limestone islands rising from the water. Enjoy lunch in Ha Long City before the ride back to Hanoi, completing the Halong Cat Ba motorcycle tour at around 4:30 p.m.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch · End: Hanoi (~4:30 p.m.)

Trip facts: 4 days / 3 nights · Hanoi – Hai Phong – Cat Ba Island – Ha Long Bay – Hanoi · Honda CRF300L motorbike (with helmet, tools, pump, spare tubes), English-speaking guide, hotels, all ferries & boat trips, entrance fees, water/snacks/fruit and most meals included. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner. Itinerary may vary with weather and ferry schedules.

Tour Conclusion

This Halong Cat Ba motorcycle tour is the ideal short escape for travellers who want to see Ha Long Bay the way few do — by motorbike and ferry, seeking out the quiet, beautiful corners the tour buses miss. In four easy days you'll ride from Hanoi through Bat Trang and Hai Phong, cruise the serene waters of Lan Ha Bay, discover the villages, caves and beaches of Cat Ba Island, and glide back through the limestone scenery of Ha Long Bay.

Fully guided and supported — with a Honda CRF300L motorbike, an English-speaking guide, hotels, ferries, boat trips and most meals included — it's a relaxed, scenic ride suitable for riders of all levels, and one of our best-loved short north Vietnam tours. Dates and details can be tailored to your group; get in touch to book your Halong Cat Ba motorcycle tour and see the bay differently.

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