Major city · Vietnam
Cai Rong
Spend a half‑day at the port to watch fishing and catch a ferry to Quan Lạn; add a night if you want a relaxed boat schedule.
Cai Rong is a small port town on Van Don island, the gateway to Quan Lạn and the surrounding karst scenery. The town itself is walkable, with a modern hotel and cheap ferries. One half‑day covers the port and a quick boat trip; add a night for a slower ferry or to rest before heading to other islands.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- VND
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (dry season, calmer seas)
- avoid May–Sep (rainy, rough seas)
- Airport
- VDO
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cai Rong113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cai Rong, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?VND in small notes (10k–100k) for stalls, markets, xe ôm and tips at spas.Vietnam-wide
- SIM or eSIMViettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport and a face photo are required for registration.Vietnam-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Vietnam-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.Vietnam-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Vietnam-wide
- SafetyCai Rong is generally safe; petty theft is rare but keep belongings secure on ferries and watch for sudden sea‑condition changes.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in cities and hotels; squat toilets and no paper in rural stops and on long buses — carry tissues.Vietnam-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 114 fire · 115 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday; the Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum is also closed on Friday and shuts for maintenance for about two months each year (usually…Vietnam-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVDO Van Don International Airport (60 km (37 mi) NE of Cai Rong; free bus to Ha Long, taxi ~800,000 ₫).VDO Van Don International Airport (37 mi (60 km) NE of Cai Rong; free bus to Ha Long, taxi ~800,000 ₫).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable; most visitors stay near the port and catch ferries from there.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealMeal at local market stall₫30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2)
- Budget bedHotel room, a night, per room₫200,000 (≈ US$8)
- Mid-range bedHotel room, a night, per room₫350,000 (≈ US$14)
- High-end bedHotel room, a night, per room₫600,000 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₫300,000 (≈ US$12) · Mid ₫500,000 (≈ US$20) · High ₫800,000 (≈ US$35)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VDO Van Don International Airport (60 km (37 mi) NE of Cai Rong; free bus to Ha Long, taxi ~800,000 ₫)VDO Van Don International Airport (37 mi (60 km) NE of Cai Rong; free bus to Ha Long, taxi ~800,000 ₫)
- Phrases
- Vietnamese phrasebook
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cai Rong: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable; most visitors stay near the port and catch ferries from there.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Quan Lạn island
goDoor to door: ≈1–2.5 h each way
Fast ferry from Cai Rong port, 1 h; slow ferry 2.5 h
Fast ferry departs 08:00 and 14:00; slow ferry 07:00 and 13:00, 60,000 ₫ each.Fast ferry departs 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM; slow ferry 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM, 60,000 ₫ each.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Modern hotel near the port
Visible on arrival; convenient for early ferries.
Small hotels
≈200,000 ₫ per night; may discount for short stays.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₫300,000–500,000 (≈ US$12–20) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₫500,000–800,000 (≈ US$20–35) excl. bed
- High
- ₫800,000 (≈ US$35)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel room1 × 1 night × ₫200,000 | ₫200,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₫300,000 | ₫300,000 |
| Fast ferry to Quan Lạn (round trip)1 × ₫60,000 · check | ₫60,000 |
| Van Don airport bus to Ha Long1 × ₫0 · free | ₫0 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₫56,000 |
| Trip total≈ ₫616,000 per person per day, bed included | ₫616,000≈ US$25 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Fast ferry to Quan Lạncheck schedule | ₫60,000 (≈ US$3) |
| Meal at local market stall | ₫30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2) |
| Taxi from airport to Cai Rong | ₫800,000 (≈ US$35) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry schedules can change; verify times at the port.
- Summer seas may cancel boat trips.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 114
- Ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Cai RongCai Rong
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Đến địa chỉ này, làm ơnTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Fire114
- Ambulance115
Embassy
US consulate in Ho Chi Minh City; nearest Vietnamese embassy in Hanoi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Van Don Airport → Cai Rong (free bus): Free, about 1 h
- Fast ferry Cai Rong → Quan Lạn: ≈₫60,000, 1 h (check schedule)
Say or show
- Xin chào — Hello (sin chow)
- Bao nhiêu tiền? — How much? (bao nyew tee-en)
- Cầu phà ở đâu? — Where is the ferry? (cow fa uh dow)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cai Rong. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr (dry season, calmer seas) · avoid May–Sep (rainy, rough seas) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Cai Rong
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