We Skipped Hạ Long Bay for Cát Bà Island - Was It a Mistake?

Hi! We are Retired Rick and Daphne, a retired couple slow traveling the world one month at a time with just a carry-on, a backpack, and a $5000 monthly budget. This week, we’re diving into our first impressions of Cát Bà Island, a lesser-known alternative to Hạ Long Bay that promised fewer tourists and a more tranquil vibe. But… did it deliver?

We’re nearing the end of our Vietnam travels and made our way here after stops in Hoi An and Da Nang, with Hanoi still to come. Cát Bà was the stop we were most excited about, especially after reading glowing reviews of Lan Ha Bay, a stunning, more pristine and quieter option only accessible from this island.

In this video, we cover:
• Our travel journey from Da Nang to Cát Bà Island via Hanoi
• Honest first impressions of Cát Bà Town
• Our $63/night hotel stay — what we loved and what we’d do differently
• The surprising amount of construction (Vegas-on-the-beach vibes?!)
• Walkability, food scene, and what to expect on the ground
• The absolute highlight: our unforgettable Lan Ha Bay tour
• Why this spot didn’t resonate with us personally — and what we’d recommend instead

We hope our experience helps you decide if staying on Cát Bà Island is the right choice for your Vietnam adventure — especially if you’re choosing between a stay here or a cruise on Hạ Long Bay. Just because it wasn’t the perfect fit for us doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.

Special thanks to Lisa Wheeler from the Texas Hill Country and Jay & Brooke for buying us coffees — your support means the world to us!

➡️ Be sure to subscribe and join us next week as we share our first impressions of Hanoi, our final stop in Southeast Asia before heading home. After that, we’ll break down the cost of our final two weeks in Vietnam.

Thanks for watching Retired Nomad Adventures!
Until next time, bye!
Rick & Daphne

Want to add fuel 🍻☕️😊 to our day, consider:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RetiredR...

What we packed for 5 months of International Travel in South East Asia Carry On Only Video:    • What we packed for 5 months of Internation...  

Who Are We? Our Journey to Retired Nomad Travel:    • Retired and Sold Everything: Our Journey t...  

Credit Cards We Use:
Chase IHG Card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21...
American Express Platinum: https://americanexpress.com/en-us/ref...

#SlowTravel #RetiredNomads #VietnamTravel #RetiringInVietnam #CostOfLivingVietnam #TravelTips #ExpatLife #LivingInVietnam #BudgetTravel #DigitalNomads #VietnamOnABudget #RetiredCoupleTravel #VietnamCostBreakdown

🔔 Subscribe for more videos about slow travel, retirement abroad, and living on a budget!

#CatBaIsland #LanHaBay #VietnamTravel #RetiredNomads #FirstImpressions #SlowTravel #HalongBayAlternative