Viet Hai is a fishing village on Cat Ba Island, nestled between forest and limestone mountains in Cat Ba National Park. On Day 2 of Mila Grand Cruises’ 3 Days 2 Nights itinerary, guests take a day boat to Viet Hai pier and cycle, or ride an electric car, about 30 minutes through a mountain tunnel into the village.
A 2 Days 1 Night cruise with Mila Grand Cruises shows you Lan Ha Bay from the water: Dark & Bright Cave, sunset on the Sundeck and Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island. Guests who choose the 3 Days 2 Nights itinerary gain a full extra day, centered on Viet Hai Village.
Viet Hai is an ancient fishing village set apart from the rest of the island, in a valley between forest and limestone mountains inside Cat Ba National Park. The way in, along a lagoon, up a small slope and down through a mountain tunnel, is a large part of its charm.
Here is what the day looks like, and how to prepare for it.
1. The Journey to the Village: A Dreamlike Bicycle Ride
Day 2 begins with Tai Chi on the Sundeck at 06:00, followed by breakfast on board. At 08:00, guests board the day boat, which reaches Viet Hai local pier at around 09:30. From here you cycle, or ride an electric car if you prefer not to pedal, for about 30 minutes into the village.
| Route Segment | Terrain | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Pier & Lagoon Road | Concrete road along a peaceful lagoon | An easy start beside calm water, with limestone mountains all around |
| Small Slope & Mountain Tunnel | A short climb, then a descent through a tunnel cave | The moment the road passes through the mountain into the valley |
| Green Forest Road | Road through the forest to the village | Viet Hai, a small village nestled between forest and limestone mountains |
Allow about 30 minutes in total. Coming out of the tunnel onto the forest road, you feel you have entered a hidden valley, which is exactly what Viet Hai is.
🌿 Nature Note:
Viet Hai lies on Cat Ba Island, part of the Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve and the only home of the critically endangered Cat Ba Langur. The village sits in a valley between forest and limestone mountains, which is why the ride passes through a tunnel cave before opening onto a green forest road. Keep to the road, keep your voice low near the stream, and leave plants and wildlife undisturbed.
2. What to See & Experience in Viet Hai Village
A. Everyday Village Life
Viet Hai keeps a quiet, everyday rhythm. Take your time along the village lanes, see how local families live in this sheltered valley, and look up at the forested limestone peaks that enclose it. It is a gentle, unhurried glimpse of local life on Cat Ba Island.
B. The Natural Stream Fish Massage
One of the village’s simple pleasures is a natural stream fish massage. Slip off your shoes, dip your feet into the stream and let small fish nibble gently: a ticklish, refreshing pause after the ride.
C. Lunch in the Village or on the Day Boat
At 12:30, lunch is served either in the village or on the day boat. Afterwards, the day boat continues to Ba Trai Dao beach, arriving at around 15:00.
🧭 Good to Know:
Day 2 of the 3D2N runs at an easy pace: Tai Chi at 06:00, the day boat at 08:00, Viet Hai pier at 09:30, lunch at 12:30, Ba Trai Dao at 15:00, and back aboard Mila Grand at 16:00 to rest before dinner. Wear shoes you can slip off quickly for the fish massage, pack your swimsuit for Ba Trai Dao, and keep a small dry bag for your phone.
3. Why the 3D2N Itinerary Is Worth Every Minute
Choosing the 3 Days 2 Nights voyage on Mila Grand Cruises adds a different rhythm to your trip:
1. A Full Day Beyond the Ship: From 08:00 to 16:00, the day boat takes you to Viet Hai and Ba Trai Dao at a relaxed pace, with lunch at 12:30.
2. Ba Trai Dao Beach: After Viet Hai, the day boat reaches Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches) Beach, where the water is very clear and you can see the bottom on sunny days. It is a safe and ideal place for swimming and kayaking.
3. A Second Evening Aboard: Back on Mila Grand, unwind in the outdoor heated Jacuzzi before dinner. On Day 3, visit Trung Trang Cave in the Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve, enjoy lunch on board, and arrive back at Tuan Chau at around 11:00.
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How physically demanding is the bicycle ride to Viet Hai?
It is a gentle ride for most guests. The route takes about 30 minutes on a concrete road along a peaceful lagoon, with one small slope before the road descends through a tunnel cave and continues along a green forest road. Guests who would rather not pedal can ride an electric car instead.
Can children and seniors visit Viet Hai without riding a bicycle?
Yes, an electric car is an alternative to cycling. Seniors, families with young children and anyone who prefers not to cycle can make the same journey by electric car; please mention any mobility needs when booking. On Mila Grand, one child under 5 sharing the parents’ bed travels free, children aged 5–10 are charged 75% of the adult rate, and guests aged 11 and over pay the adult rate.
Is Viet Hai Village included on the 2 Days 1 Night cruise?
No, Viet Hai is part of the 3 Days 2 Nights itinerary only. The excursion fills Day 2 of the 3D2N, from boarding the day boat at 08:00 to returning to Mila Grand at 16:00. The 2D1N focuses on Dark & Bright Cave by kayak or bamboo boat on Day 1 and Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island the next morning.
What footwear is best for cycling and the stream fish massage?
Comfortable sneakers or strapped sport sandals. Choose shoes that are secure for cycling but slip off easily, since you will take them off to dip your feet in the stream for the fish massage. Quick-drying sandals are also handy for swimming and kayaking at Ba Trai Dao later in the day.
What is included on the Viet Hai day?
Sightseeing tickets, meals according to the itinerary and water activities are included. The Mila Grand cruise price covers sightseeing tickets for all destinations, all meals according to the itinerary, kayaking and swimming (weather permitting) and an English–Vietnamese speaking guide on board. Hanoi–Tuan Chau transfers, spa services, drinks at the bar and restaurant, tips and personal expenses are not included; transfers can be booked as an add-on.
What happens if bad weather affects the cruise?
Some activities depend on the weather on the day. Kayaking, bamboo boating and swimming are offered weather permitting, so the crew may adjust the schedule in heavy rain or strong wind. If a sailing is cancelled because of storms, bad weather or a port authority ban, our force majeure policy applies: a full refund or a change of date by agreement.
Step Into the Living Heritage of Cat Ba with Mila Grand Cruises
Viet Hai Village offers a glimpse of a quieter, slower Vietnam, reached by water, bicycle and a tunnel through the mountain. It is an experience that lingers long after your cruise returns to port.
More Halong Bay Travel Guides
- Discovering Lan Ha Bay, the Quiet Neighbour of Halong Bay – what makes Lan Ha Bay different.
- Dark and Bright Cave in Lan Ha Bay: The Ultimate Kayaking & Lagoon Guide – kayaking into a hidden lagoon.
- Halong Bay in October: Weather, Highlights & Cruise Guide – what to expect on the bay in October.
👉 Discover the Mila Grand Cruises 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary & Reserve Your Voyage Today · 📱 Chien: +84 94 858 6226 · 📱 Ms Binh: +84 339259333 · 📧 info@milacruises.com
