A Night on a Private Island near Cat Ba: The One Island Escape
What a night at The One Island Escape near Cat Ba is like: private boat from Tran Chau, Hang Thung cave, a forest trek, a sunset party and dinner on the beach, hour by hour.
By AmGo Travel4 min read
A night on a private island near Cat Ba is a different way to see the bays of northern Vietnam. Instead of sleeping on a cruise, you stay on land, by a beach of your own, with the limestone islands of Lan Ha Bay all around. The One Island Escape is a 2-day, 1-night trip to exactly that kind of place, with transfers from Hanoi and a private boat from Cat Ba. This guide explains how the stay works, hour by hour, who it suits and what to pack, from the AmGo Travel team in Hanoi's Old Quarter.
What is The One Island Escape?
The One Island Escape is a small resort on a private island near Cat Ba Island, in the area of Lan Ha Bay. You sleep in a room right by the beach, eat on the sand under the lights and spend the afternoon swimming, kayaking or trekking through the island's forest. It suits travellers who want the scenery of the bays with more space and more time on a beach than a cruise usually gives.
How you get there from Hanoi
- Pick-up in Hanoi's Old Quarter at 8:00–8:30. Your guide and bus take the Hanoi – Hai Phong expressway and the Got ferry to Cat Ba Island.
- Tran Chau harbour: a working fishing port and storm shelter on Cat Ba, where you board a private boat to the island.
- Welcome drink and a briefing from the island manager on arrival.
Travelling independently? You can meet the boat at Tran Chau harbour if you arrive before 11:30.
Day 1: beach, cave, forest and a sunset party
- Lunch of local seafood dishes, then collect your room key.
- Free time: drinks at the outdoor bar, a walk on the beach, billiards, beach volleyball or a rest in your room.
- Hang Thung cave (tide permitting): a 10-minute boat ride to the entrance and a short climb to the top of a cavern shaped by the sea over millions of years. On high-tide days this visit is not possible.
- Forest trek to the Freedom rock cliffs: a 45–60 minute walk with island staff through primeval forest, followed by swimming, kayaking or volleyball.
- Sunset party with drinks and fresh fruit and music.
- Dinner on the beach under the lights.
- Evening: happy hour at the bar (buy two drinks, get one free), music, billiards, table tennis, a campfire and a walk on the sand. You fall asleep to the sound of the waves.
Day 2: sunrise and back to Hanoi
- Sunrise over the bay, then a combined breakfast and lunch buffet.
- Check-out: settle any extras at the bar.
- Private boat to Tran Chau harbour at 11:00, then the bus drops you at your Old Quarter hotel around 15:30.
What is included
- Shuttle bus from Hanoi's Old Quarter and private boat transfers to the island.
- A room on the island, with 1 bottle of water per person.
- 3 meals: 1 lunch, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast-and-lunch buffet, plus a welcome drink.
- Swimming, kayaking, billiards and the trek to the rock cliffs.
- Ticket insurance and service fees.
Drinks from the menu and personal expenses are extra. VAT is only added (8%) if you need a VAT invoice.
Who is the island stay for?
- Couples who want a quiet beach, a sunset party and dinner on the sand.
- Friends and small groups who like volleyball, billiards, table tennis and a campfire in the evening.
- Active travellers who want a forest trek, kayaking and swimming in one afternoon.
- Travellers who get seasick or simply prefer a bed on land to a cabin on the water.
It is less suited to anyone who wants a long list of sights in one day: the rhythm here is slow, and that is the point.
Island stay or cruise?
- Choose the island if you want a real beach, room to walk and a campfire evening on land.
- Choose a cruise if you want to sail between many islands and caves, sleep on the water and follow a fuller boat programme.
- Only one day? Our Lan Ha Bay day trip from Hanoi passes Cai Beo floating village, visits Viet Hai village and includes kayaking and swimming, back in Hanoi the same evening.
For more on the island itself, read our Cat Ba Island guide.
What to pack
- Sports shoes for the forest trek and mosquito spray.
- Swimwear, a towel and sun protection.
- A light layer for the evening on the beach.
- Cash or card for drinks at the bar, which are not included.
FAQ
Is The One Island Escape really on a private island? Yes. It is a resort on its own island near Cat Ba, reached by private boat from Tran Chau harbour.
Can I visit Hang Thung cave every day? Only when the tide allows. On high-tide days the cave visit is not possible.
Where can I book The One Island Escape? AmGo Travel, a Vietnamese team of trip planners and guides with an office at 61 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, books The One Island Escape with transfers from Hanoi's Old Quarter. You can book at amgotravel.com or message the team on WhatsApp.
Can I get there on my own? Yes. If you are already on Cat Ba, meet the private boat at Tran Chau harbour before 11:30.
What time do I get back to Hanoi? The boat leaves the island at 11:00 and the bus reaches your Old Quarter hotel around 15:30.
Private island stays near Cat Ba with AmGo Travel
See all Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha tours, or message AmGo Travel on WhatsApp and a trip planner will check dates and tides for your island night.
