The Dong Bai to Cai Vieng ferry is the main public route for travelers taking a ferry to Cat Ba Island from Hai Phong. The crossing connects Dong Bai Ferry Terminal on Cat Hai Island with Cai Vieng Pier on Cat Ba Island and takes around 20 to 30 minutes depending on operating conditions.
For most independent travelers the Cat Ba ferry is the practical choice if you are bringing a motorbike, a car, a bicycle or large luggage. This ferry to Cat Ba guide covers the 2026 Cat Ba ferry schedule, ticket prices, the current vehicle restrictions and onward transport from the pier.
Quick answer: boats leave Dong Bai from 05:30 to 18:00 and Cai Vieng from 05:00 to 17:30, roughly every 30 minutes through the day. A foot passenger pays 14,000 VND one way, a motorbike around 44,000 to 45,000 VND and a car under 9 seats around 194,000 VND. You do not book a specific sailing, and cars are restricted on the route between 09:00 and 13:00 at weekends through 30 September 2026.
What is the Dong Bai to Cai Vieng ferry schedule?
Departures run through the day from early morning until the evening, with sailings from Dong Bai between 05:30 and 18:00 and from Cai Vieng between 05:00 and 17:30. The timetable shifts with the season and with operating conditions, so check the current departure information before setting off for the terminal.
The useful point for anyone looking up a Cat Ba ferry schedule or a Cat Ba Island ferry schedule is that you do not reserve a specific sailing. Boats run all day and you join the queue for the next one, although waiting times rise sharply at busy periods, so allow 30 to 60 minutes before your preferred crossing when traveling with a car.
Dong Bai to Cai Vieng timetable from September 1, 2026
| Dong Bai departure | Cai Vieng departure |
|---|---|
| 05:30 | 05:00 |
| 06:00 | 05:30 |
| 06:30 | 06:00 |
| 07:00 | 06:30 |
| 07:40 | 07:00 |
| 08:20 | 07:40 |
| 09:00 | 08:20 |
| 09:30 | 09:00 |
| 10:00 | 09:30 |
| 10:30 | 10:00 |
| 11:00 | 10:30 |
| 11:30 | 11:00 |
| 12:00 | 11:30 |
| 12:30 | 12:00 |
| 13:00 | 12:30 |
| 13:40 | 13:00 |
| 14:20 | 13:40 |
| 15:00 | 14:20 |
| 15:30 | 15:00 |
| 16:00 | 15:30 |
| 16:30 | 16:00 |
| 17:00 | 16:30 |
| 17:30 | 17:00 |
| 18:00 | 17:30 |
Treat the published timetable as the reference point, since weather, traffic management and operating conditions can move individual crossings.
How much does the Dong Bai to Cai Vieng ferry cost?
Fares on the Dong Bai ferry are charged by what you bring rather than by distance, and the one-way prices below apply in 2026.
| Passenger or vehicle | Approximate one-way fare |
|---|---|
| Passenger on foot | 14,000 VND |
| Motorbike | Around 44,000 to 45,000 VND |
| Car under 9 seats | Around 194,000 VND |
| Larger vehicles | Charged on a rising scale by size |
The Hai Phong fee schedule was updated for 2026, so check the tariff board at the counter rather than relying on a figure found online. Foot passengers buy tickets directly at Dong Bai, and there is no need to book a standard public ferry ticket in advance.
Are there vehicle restrictions on the Dong Bai ferry in 2026?
Drivers need to know about one more thing. Under Notice No. 292/TB-SXD, the Department of Construction has temporarily suspended passenger cars and trucks on the Dong Bai ferry toward Cat Ba Island, to keep the access roads to the terminal clear and to reduce congestion in the Cat Hai Special Zone.
The suspension applied from 25 April to 3 May 2026 and applies on weekends from 9 May through 30 September 2026, in both cases between 09:00 and 13:00. Within those hours the notice directs travelers to the cable car, high-speed boats and buses instead, and drivers are asked to follow the road signs and the instructions of the traffic control staff on site.
How do you get from Cai Vieng pier to Cat Ba town?
Cai Vieng Pier sits on the western side of Cat Ba Island, approximately 20 km from Cat Ba Town, so a road transfer follows every crossing. This catches out travelers who assume the Cat Ba pier is in the town itself, and it is the single most important thing to plan before you board.
Searches for a Cat Ba port usually lead here as well, although Cai Vieng handles the vehicle ferry while passenger boats from Hai Phong city arrive elsewhere on the island. Three ways of covering the last 20 km are available at the pier.
Public bus
The local bus is the most economical choice for solo travelers and backpackers, taking approximately 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic and stops. It suits anyone with light luggage who is not in a hurry, and it meets the main arrivals rather than every sailing.
Private taxi
A private car or taxi is the more comfortable option for families, couples with luggage and small groups, and the drive to Cat Ba Town takes around 30 to 40 minutes. Booking a transfer in advance is worth it if your Cat Ba Island ferry lands on a busy weekend or holiday, when several boats arrive close together.
Electric cart
Electric carts also run for travelers who prefer an open-air ride and a slower look at the island on the way, taking around 45 minutes depending on the service and road conditions.
How do you get to the Dong Bai Ferry Terminal?
The Dong Bai ferry terminal is in Dong Bai, Cat Hai District, Hai Phong, on the mainland side of the route to Cat Ba. From Hanoi the drive runs along the Hanoi to Hai Phong expressway and continues toward Cat Hai, while from Hai Phong city center it takes approximately 45 minutes by car across the Tan Vu to Lach Huyen bridge.
Follow the signs for Dong Bai and Cat Ba rather than for the former Got Ferry Terminal, which no longer handles this service. The Dong Bai ferry station is well signposted, with separate lanes for vehicles and foot passengers, and it is worth arriving earlier at weekends and on public holidays because the queues grow considerably in peak season.
What is the Dong Bai ferry terminal, and why did it replace Got Pier?
Dong Bai replaced Got Pier as the mainland departure point for the Cat Ba route on 1 March 2024, when Hai Phong authorities stopped public ferry passenger services at Got and transferred them to the Dong Bai to Cai Vieng route. The new terminal is larger than the old Got facility and was built to improve traffic flow and increase capacity.
The reason was congestion. Got could not absorb the summer weekend and holiday traffic, and vehicle queues regularly backed up along the approach road. Anyone working from an older guide should note that the Dong Bai ferry to Cat Ba now departs from here, and that the ferry Cat Ba visitors need is no longer at Got.
Is there an alternative to the ferry?
Yes. The Cat Hai to Phu Long cable car is the main alternative for passengers traveling without a vehicle. The station sits close to Dong Bai and the crossing takes around 10 minutes, with elevated views over the mangroves and the water that the ferry cannot match.
It is not a straight replacement, though. The cable car carries people rather than cars and motorbikes, and its operating hours can be shorter than the ferry service, so check the times for your travel date before choosing it. Travelers coming from the city will find both options compared in our Hai Phong to Cat Ba guide.
What should you know before you go?
The busiest periods for the Cat Ba ferries are summer weekends, public holidays and long weekends, and vehicle queues grow far longer than passenger queues. If you are driving, travel early in the morning or on a weekday.
Keep your ticket until the crossing is complete, and have your onward transport arranged before you leave Cai Vieng if you are traveling with children, elderly passengers or heavy luggage. One point of terminology is worth fixing in your head: the Cat Ba ferry terminal at Cai Vieng is the island side, while Dong Bai is the mainland side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Dong Bai to Cat Ba ferry take?
The crossing from Dong Bai to Cai Vieng generally takes around 20 to 30 minutes depending on the boat and the conditions. The route itself is short, but the total time from arriving at the terminal to reaching Cat Ba Town is much longer once the queue and the road transfer are counted.
What time do Dong Bai ferries run?
The 2026 schedule starts at around 05:30 from Dong Bai and continues into the evening, with the final departure depending on the seasonal timetable. Check the current schedule before traveling, because operating times change through the year.
How much is the Dong Bai to Cat Ba ferry ticket?
A standard foot passenger ticket is around 14,000 VND one way. Motorbikes and cars are charged separately by vehicle type, and the 2026 official fee schedule at the terminal is the figure to go by.
How do I get from Cai Vieng pier to Cat Ba town?
By public bus, private taxi or electric cart. The distance is approximately 20 km and the journey takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on which you choose and on the traffic.
Are cars allowed on the Dong Bai ferry in 2026?
Not at all times. Under Notice No. 292/TB-SXD, passenger cars and trucks are suspended on the Dong Bai ferry toward Cat Ba between 09:00 and 13:00, on weekends from 9 May through 30 September 2026. Within those hours the notice points travelers to the cable car, high-speed boats and buses instead.
Should I book onward transport in advance?
At weekends, on public holidays and through the summer peak, yes. Several ferries can land within a short period and create a temporary shortage of taxis and cars at Cai Vieng, so arrange the transfer before you leave Dong Bai if you have a fixed hotel check-in or a cruise departure waiting.
Our Cat Ba Island travel guide covers what to do once you arrive, bay departures are listed on the Lan Ha Bay hub page, and current transfers are at bekatravel.com.
