Dong Bai to Cai Vieng Ferry: 2026 Schedule and Travel Guide

Last updated: July 24, 2026

Quick Summary: The Dong Bai to Cai Vieng Ferry
The Dong Bai to Cai Vieng ferry is the main public route from Hai Phong's Cat Hai District to Cat Ba Island. The crossing takes about 25-30 minutes, with departures every 10-30 minutes depending on season. A walking ticket costs around 12,000 VND, a motorbike around 45,000 VND, and a car under 9 seats around 190,000 VND. From Cai Vieng pier, it's about a 20km, 30-60 minute onward trip to Cat Ba Town by bus or taxi.

The Dong Bai to Cai Vieng ferry is the main public sea route to Cat Ba Island, running from the Dong Bai terminal in Cat Hai District, Hai Phong, across to Cai Vieng pier. The crossing takes around 25-30 minutes, with ferries departing every 10-30 minutes depending on the season.

How do you get to the Dong Bai Ferry Terminal?

Before boarding the ferry, you need to reach the terminal in Cat Hai District, Hai Phong. If you're coming from Hanoi, the drive via the Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway takes about 2-2.5 hours directly to Cat Hai District. From Hai Phong city center, it's roughly a 45-minute drive via the Tan Vu-Lach Huyen bridge (the longest sea-crossing bridge in Vietnam) straight to the Dong Bai terminal.

What is the Dong Bai ferry terminal, and why did it replace Got Pier?

For many years, the older Got Ferry terminal was the main crossing point, but rising tourist numbers led to frequent traffic bottlenecks during peak season. Local authorities closed Got and redirected all traffic to the newly built Dong Bai Ferry Terminal in Cat Hai District.

The new terminal has larger waiting lounges, organized vehicle lanes, and modern boarding platforms built to handle the higher passenger volume without the multi-hour queues the old terminal used to see. The crossing itself takes about 25-30 minutes before docking at Cai Vieng terminal on the northern edge of Cat Ba Island.

What is the Dong Bai to Cai Vieng ferry schedule?

The route runs on a seasonal schedule. In summer peak season, ferries start as early as 04:30 AM and run until 19:30, departing every 10-15 minutes during busy morning and afternoon windows. In winter, service runs from about 05:00 AM to 18:00, on a slightly wider interval. During major holidays or summer weekends, operations can extend until all waiting passengers are transported.

*Trips 24 and 25 run only during summer peak season, April 25 to August 30.

How much does the Dong Bai to Cai Vieng ferry cost?

Fares are set per vehicle type, a car or bus ticket covers only the vehicle and its driver, so any extra passengers need their own separate walking ticket.

Cat Hai District residents with valid local ID get full fare exemptions for foot travel, bicycles, non-commercial motorbikes, and small private cars under 9 seats, have your ID or passport ready for the ticket officer to verify.

How do you get from Cai Vieng pier to Cat Ba town?

Cai Vieng pier is about 20km from Cat Ba Town center, and the overland stretch runs through the edge of the biosphere reserve. There are three common options.

Public bus

The local shuttle bus is the cheapest option, usually 20,000-30,000 VND per trip, taking 45-60 minutes along the coastal highway.

Private taxi

A private car or taxi costs roughly 300,000-400,000 VND and takes 30-40 minutes, a better fit for groups, luggage, or door-to-door convenience.

Electric cart

Open-air electric carts take about 45 minutes and give an unobstructed view of the karst scenery, for travelers who want to slow down rather than rush to town.

Beka Travel's advice: on busy weekends or summer holidays, several ferries can dock at once, making it hard to find an unbooked taxi at Cai Vieng. Arrange your onward transfer in advance if your trip lands on a peak day.

Is there an alternative to the ferry?

Right next to the Dong Bai ferry terminal is the Cat Hai-Phu Long cable car station, operated by Sun World. For a walking passenger without a vehicle, it's a fast alternative, about 10 minutes to cross, with aerial views over the mangroves and no dependence on tides or maritime traffic. Tickets run around 100,000 VND, though operating hours are generally shorter than the ferry's.

What should you know before you go?

• Avoid the rush: peak domestic travel runs late April through July. Cross mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) if you can, or arrive before 07:00 AM on weekends.
• Park and walk: if you're only exploring Cat Ba Town and Lan Ha Bay, consider parking your car at the monitored lot on the mainland side of Dong Bai and crossing as a foot passenger, it skips the vehicle boarding queue entirely.
• Pack light: the trip involves moving from a vehicle onto the ferry deck and then into a shuttle or taxi, so a compact bag is easier to manage than large rolling luggage.
• Check the schedule: tides and weather can shift departure times, confirm with a local operator like Beka Travel before you set off.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Dong Bai to Cat Ba ferry take?

The crossing from Dong Bai to Cai Vieng terminal takes about 25-30 minutes across calm water.

What time do Dong Bai ferries run?

Regular departures run from 05:30 to 18:00, with two extra late trips at 18:30 and 19:00 only during summer peak (April 25-August 30). From Cai Vieng, ferries run from 05:00 to 18:30.

How much is the Dong Bai to Cat Ba ferry ticket?

Around 12,000 VND for a walking passenger, 45,000 VND for a motorbike with driver, 190,000 VND for a car under 9 seats, and 330,000 VND for a bus over 32 seats. Cat Hai District residents are exempt with valid ID.

How do I get from Cai Vieng pier to Cat Ba town?

Cai Vieng is about 20km from Cat Ba town. Options are a public bus (20,000-30,000 VND, 45-60 minutes), a private car or taxi (300,000-400,000 VND, 30-40 minutes), or an open-air electric cart (about 45 minutes).

Should I book onward transport in advance?

Yes. On busy weekends and summer holidays, several ferries dock at once, so arranging a taxi or private car ahead of time avoids long waits at Cai Vieng pier.

Plan the rest of your trip with Beka Travel

Beka's guests typically stay on Cat Ba for an average of just 1.2 nights, so it's worth locking in your Lan Ha Bay tour before you cross rather than deciding once you land. For everything else on the island, browse the full Cat Ba Island Travel Guide.

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