Cat Ba Island to Van Don Private Car Transfer

Our private car service from Cat Ba Island to Van Don solves a problem that most other shuttle services don’t even consider. Cat Ba is an island, so before any vehicle can travel anywhere, you must first leave the island. We handle both options—the car ferry, which transports your vehicle off the island while you remain inside, or the Cat Ba Cable Car for those who want to glide gently over the bay and have another driver continue the journey on the other side. Whichever option you choose, once the car is back on the paved road, the remaining distance is 112 km along the Hai Phong–Mong Cai Expressway (CT06) to your destination in Van Don—about 1 hour and 33 minutes of comfortable driving on the expressway, door-to-door, at a fixed price agreed upon before you leave the hotel.

Here are some common issues travelers face when arranging this leg of the trip on their own: They book a bus that only goes as far as Van Don, or a taxi that refuses to accompany them on the ferry, and end up standing at the ferry terminal with luggage piled around them, trying to flag down a second vehicle. With Mui Ne Private Car, a single booking covers the entire journey—pickup at your hotel in Cat Ba, travel by water via your chosen mode of transport, and the CT06 route to Van Don—in a sedan, SUV, or a larger vehicle from our 2023–2026 fleet, fully air-conditioned and ready before you’ve even finished loading your luggage.

MUI NE PRIVATE CAR - private car transfer and rental service by Minh Khoi Tourism Co., Ltd. With over 8 years of experience arranging private transfers across Vietnam, including island-to-mainland routes in the north. Reviewed by travelers on GetYourGuide, 12Go, Viator, and Google Maps, all posted once the trip was already over.

Private Car Transfer from Cat Ba Island to Van Don via CT06 — Mui Ne Private Car

Cat Ba Island to Van Don Travel Q&A

1. Where is Van Don?

Van Don is a district and archipelago in Quang Ninh province, sitting between Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay along Vietnam's northeastern coast. It's home to Van Don International Airport, a growing string of resort developments, and its own scattering of limestone islands that get far fewer visitors than Ha Long. For anyone finishing an island stay on Cat Ba and continuing toward Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh's beaches, or a flight out of Van Don's airport, a private car from Cat Ba Island to Van Don is the most direct way to make that move without piecing together buses and boats on your own.

2. How far is Cat Ba Island from Van Don?

Measured from the point where you rejoin the mainland to your address in Van Don, the road distance is 112 km via the Hai Phong – Mong Cai Expressway (CT06). That figure doesn't include the short hop off Cat Ba Island itself — by ferry or cable car — which happens before the road leg begins.

3. The Route from Cat Ba Island to Van Don

The route from Cat Ba Island to Van Don via CT06

4. How long does the Cat Ba Island to Van Don transfer take?

The CT06 stretch takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes once you're driving — a smooth, flat expressway run with none of the switchbacks Cat Ba's own roads are known for. Add the water crossing on top: roughly 15 minutes if you take the cable car, or 30–45 minutes with the vehicle ferry depending on queues at the terminal. The first hour of additional waiting time along the way comes free of charge, and additional time beyond that is charged at 100,000 VND ($5) per hour.

5. How do you get off Cat Ba Island — ferry or cable car?

• Vehicle ferry: Your car rolls onto the ferry with you, your driver, and your luggage all still inside — no unloading, no walking across a gangway. The crossing takes around 30 minutes depending on the terminal. The ferry ticket for the vehicle is already included in the price we quote you.
• Cable car: The Cat Ba cable car crosses the same stretch of water in about 8–9 minutes and gives you a view over the bay that the ferry can't match — but it carries passengers only, not vehicles. You and your luggage cross on foot, and a second car from our fleet is waiting for you on the other side to continue straight onto the CT06. The cable car ticket is paid by you separately, at the counter or booked online in advance, since it's a different mode of transport from the car itself.
• Public bus and shared ferry: Technically possible, but it means queuing for a shared crossing, then finding onward transport from the mainland terminal to Van Don yourself — usually with a change of vehicle and no guarantee of a seat during busy periods.

Tell us at booking which crossing you'd prefer. We arrange the vehicle and driver assignment around it, so there's no scrambling for a car once you step off the ferry or cable car.

6. How to book

For your private car service from Cat Ba Island to Van Don, reach us through any of the following:

📞 Hotline / Zalo / WhatsApp / Viber: +84 976 694 384

📧 Email: muineprivatecarservice@gmail.com

🌐 Booking Online: muineprivatecar.net

Mui Ne Private Car (Reviews from Google Maps and Tripadvisor) - company sign & pickup boards at the terminal

CAT BA ISLAND TO VAN DON PRIVATE CAR TRANSFER

I. Cat Ba Island — Pickup and Island Crossing

Hotel Pickup in Cat Ba

Your driver collects you at your hotel, resort, or homestay anywhere on Cat Ba Island, with the vehicle ready and the air conditioning already running. Before you set off, the driver confirms which crossing you've chosen — ferry or cable car — and your exact drop-off point in Van Don, so both ends of the trip are locked in before the wheels turn.

Crossing the Water — Ferry or Cable Car

If you've chosen the vehicle ferry, the car drives straight onto the deck and you stay in your seat for the roughly 30-minute crossing — open water on both sides, Cat Ba's limestone cliffs shrinking behind you. The ferry ticket for the car is already covered in your fare. If you've chosen the cable car, your driver drops you at the station, you cross on foot in about 8–9 minutes suspended over the bay, and a second driver from our team meets you at the arrival platform with your next vehicle already loaded and waiting. You pay for the cable car ticket yourself, either in advance online or at the counter, since it moves people rather than vehicles.

On the Road — CT06 to Van Don

Once you're back on solid ground, the car joins the Hai Phong – Mong Cai Expressway (CT06), a modern dual carriageway running along Vietnam's northeastern edge. It's a fast, uncomplicated stretch of driving — wide lanes, minimal traffic outside of holiday weekends, and glimpses of Ha Long Bay's outer islands off to one side as you approach Van Don. The first hour of additional waiting time is included at no charge if you want to stop for photos or a quick break. Beyond that, extra time is charged at 100,000 VND (approximately $5 USD) per hour.

Arrival in Van Don

The driver takes you directly to your Van Don address — resort, homestay, marina, or the airport terminal if you're catching a flight. Luggage is unloaded at the door, and the driver runs a quick check of the vehicle before pulling away, so nothing gets left behind after the crossing and the drive. Any remaining balance is settled here.

II. What to Provide at Booking

• Your full name and contact number
• Pickup address on Cat Ba Island (hotel name or full address)
• Preferred crossing: vehicle ferry or cable car
• Drop-off address in Van Don (resort, marina, airport, or landmark)
• Preferred departure time
• Number of passengers and luggage pieces

Tip: Flying out of Van Don International Airport the same day? Let us know your flight time when booking. We build in the ferry or cable car crossing, the CT06 drive, and a comfortable buffer, so you're not cutting it close after an island departure.

III. Van Don to Cat Ba Island (Return Transfer)

Landing at Van Don and heading to Cat Ba for the next leg of your trip, or wrapping up time in Quang Ninh and returning to the island? The reverse transfer runs the same way: pickup from your Van Don address, the CT06 drive to the crossing point, and either the ferry or cable car back onto Cat Ba, with your driver's vehicle waiting to take you straight to your hotel.

Round-trip bookings are available at a combined rate — send us both dates over WhatsApp and we'll confirm both legs together, crossing method included.

Customer Reviews

A few notes from travelers who made the Cat Ba – Van Don crossing with Mui Ne Private Car.

Van Don Travel Guide

Best Time to Visit

Van Don is at its best from April to June, before the summer crowds peak and while the bay stays relatively calm. July and August bring the heaviest domestic tourism along with the season's occasional typhoon risk, which can affect ferry and cable car schedules on the Cat Ba side. September to November offers clearer skies and cooler air, arguably the sharpest visibility for the islands of Bai Tu Long Bay. The CT06 itself is drivable year-round; it's the sea crossing off Cat Ba that occasionally pauses in bad weather.

What to See in Van Don

• Bai Tu Long Bay - Often described as Ha Long Bay's quieter sibling, with a similar cluster of limestone islets but a fraction of the boat traffic. Cruises and kayaking trips depart from Van Don's piers, and the water here tends to stay clearer for longer into the season.
• Quan Lan Island - A short boat ride from the mainland, known for long, sparsely developed beaches and a slower pace than Cat Ba or Ha Long. A popular add-on for travelers who want one more island stop before flying home from Van Don.
• Cai Rong Market - Van Don's main town market, worth an early visit for fresh seafood straight off the boats and a look at daily life away from the resort strip.
• Van Don International Airport - One of Vietnam's newer airports, built to serve the growing Ha Long – Bai Tu Long tourism corridor. A convenient exit point if your itinerary ends here rather than looping back through Hai Phong.

Why Book Your Cat Ba Island to Van Don Private Car with Us?

• One booking covers the whole crossing: Hotel pickup on Cat Ba, the ferry or cable car, and the CT06 drive into Van Don are arranged as a single trip — you're not left coordinating a second vehicle on your own once you reach the mainland.
• Your choice of crossing, handled either way: Prefer to stay in the car the whole time? Take the ferry. Want the aerial view? Take the cable car and let a second driver meet you on the other side. We plan around whichever you pick.
• No surprise costs at the terminal: The ferry ticket for the vehicle is built into your quoted price from the start. The only separate cost is the cable car ticket, if you choose that option, and we tell you that up front.
• First hour of waiting included free: A stop for photos at the crossing point or a short break on the CT06 costs nothing extra for the first hour. Beyond that: 100,000 VND ($5) per hour. Mention your plan at booking.
• Drop off anywhere in Van Don: Resort, homestay, marina, or the airport terminal — we confirm the exact address at booking and the driver goes there directly.
• Modern, clean, non-smoking fleet: Latest models from 2023–2026, sanitised before each journey. Sedan, medium SUV, and large SUV at fixed rates. 16-seat Van available on request — contact us for current availability and pricing.
• Flexible payment: A 50% deposit secures the booking. The balance is paid in cash on arrival, or via PayPal, bank transfer, or credit card.

Related routes around Cat Ba, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh:

• Cat Ba Island to Cao Bang Private Car
• Cat Ba Island to Halong Bay Private Car
• Cat Ba Island to Sapa Private Car
• Cat Ba Island to Ha Giang Private Car
• Hanoi to Quang Ninh Private Car

How to Use This Service

1. Driver and crossing details — confirmed the evening before
   No later than 21:00 Vietnam time the night before your trip, you receive a WhatsApp or email confirmation with your driver's name, phone number, vehicle details, and the confirmed crossing method (ferry or cable car).
2. Pickup on Cat Ba Island — on time, ready to go
   Your driver arrives at your hotel before the scheduled time with the vehicle running. Luggage is loaded, your crossing preference is reconfirmed, and your Van Don drop-off address is checked before you set off.
3. Arrival in Van Don — end of service
   You are delivered directly to your:

• Resort or hotel anywhere in Van Don
• Marina or pier for an onward boat trip
• Van Don International Airport terminal
• Any specific address you provide at booking

Inclusion & Exclusion

Cancellation Policy

Our policy for the Cat Ba Island to Van Don private car transfer:

• Free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure.
• Cancel less than 24 hours before departure: 50% fee may apply.
• No-show without prior notice: full fare charged, no refund.

Ferry and cable car schedules can shift with weather — tell us as early as possible if that affects your plans.

Best Way from Cat Ba Island to Van Don in 2026?

FAQs: Private Car from Cat Ba Island to Van Don

Contact — Mui Ne Private Car