Cat Ba Island—the "Pearl Island" of the Gulf of Tonkin—has always been a top destination for those who love nature and relaxation. With continuous advancements in transportation infrastructure, reaching the island has become easier than ever. Among the routes, the Dong Bai - Cai Vieng Ferry plays a vital role as the main artery, replacing the old Got Ferry terminal, providing a direct link for travelers from the Hai Phong mainland to the island.
Since the Got Ferry terminal officially ceased operations to facilitate infrastructure projects, Dong Bai Ferry Terminal (located in Cat Hai District, Hai Phong) has become the primary departure point. This terminal was designed to be more modern and spacious, aimed at solving the traffic congestion issues that were once a "nightmare" for travelers during weekends and holidays. Traveling from the mainland to the island via the ferry at Dong Bai is not only fast but also part of the travel experience, as you can enjoy the fresh sea breeze during the journey, which only takes about 30–40 minutes to dock at Cai Vieng (Cat Ba Island).
The ferry operates flexibly according to two distinct seasons to suit the needs of travelers:
Note: On weekends or major national holidays, the ferry will run continuously until all passengers have been transported. If you are traveling by private car during these times, be prepared for potential waits due to the high volume of incoming vehicles.
According to the latest regulations, fare prices are categorized specifically for each type of vehicle. Ferry fares for cars generally include the driver’s fee, but passengers traveling inside the vehicle must purchase separate tickets. Residents with permanent residency in Cat Hai District, Hai Phong are exempt from ferry fares for pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, and non-commercial cars under 9 seats (please have your ID card ready for verification).
Effective from August 25, 2026, to August 30, 2026.
| No. | Dong Bai Ferry Departure | Cai Vieng Ferry Departure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 05:30 | 05:00 |
| 2 | 06:00 | 05:30 |
| 3 | 06:30 | 06:00 |
| 4 | 07:30 | 07:00 |
| 5 | 08:00 | 07:30 |
| 6 | 08:30 | 08:00 |
| 7 | 09:00 | 08:30 |
| 8 | 09:30 | 09:00 |
| 9 | 10:00 | 09:30 |
| 10 | 10:45 | 10:00 |
| 11 | 11:30 | 10:45 |
| 12 | 12:15 | 11:30 |
| 13 | 13:00 | 12:15 |
| 14 | 13:30 | 13:00 |
| 15 | 14:00 | 13:30 |
| 16 | 14:30 | 14:00 |
| 17 | 15:00 | 14:30 |
| 18 | 15:30 | 15:00 |
| 19 | 16:00 | 15:30 |
| 20 | 16:30 | 16:00 |
| 21 | 17:00 | 16:30 |
| 22 | 17:30 | 17:00 |
| 23 | 18:00 | 17:30 |
| 24 | 18:30* | 18:00 |
| 25 | 19:00* | 18:30 |
*Note: Trips 24 and 25 are applied from April 25th to August 30th.
There is a distance of approximately 20km from Cai Vieng Pier to the center of Cat Ba Town. Here are the most popular travel options:
Advice from Beka Travel: If you are traveling during peak days, proactively book a taxi in advance. Upon docking, the crowds can make finding a taxi at Cai Vieng Pier difficult.
Traveling through the Dong Bai - Cai Vieng ferry is the essential "gateway" to the paradise of Cat Ba. While it can get crowded at times, with a little preparation regarding your schedule and transportation plan from Cai Vieng Pier, you can fully enjoy your trip in the most comfortable way possible. Beka Travel hopes this information serves as a useful "handbook" for your upcoming plans. Wishing you a journey of discovery to the Pearl Island of Cat Ba filled with joy and beautiful memories!
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