Visit floating villages in Halong Bay

Halong Bay, as one of the world’s heritage, has its beauty well-known all over the world. But people usually notice only the natural scenes without knowing there is also the abnormal beauty from floating villages there.

The story about the villages is also so incredible.

A floating village at dawn

Since when floating villages are formed?

Initially, the places which are now floating villages were for returning fishermen to sell fresh catch from the night before, but over the time, those people gathered and make them residences, which are floating villages today. Inhabitants lived and even went to school on these tiny, self-sufficient floating villages.

Each village is a completely self-contained society, in perfect harmony with the land and sea, and surviving everyday trials and tribulations by working together.

People grow vegetables on boat

Time flies, things change and so do the villages, same resilient people, unfettered by modern life issues but besides fishing, they are now also open to the hospitality industry.

Some years ago, the inhabitants moved inland in line with Government’s policy for a better life standard. Thus, people still live here but not full time as before.

Nowadays, these villages are open for tourists to join daily activities as if they were true fishermen to immerse in the local life.

THE 4 REMAINING HALONG BAY FLOATING VILLAGES:

1. Cua Van Floating Village

Belongs to Hung Thang Commune, Cua Van is just 20 km from the tourist boat wharf at Halong City; it can be accessed either from here or from Cat Ba Island.

The village in amidst calm waters with mountains surround is rated as one of the finest examples of ancient villages now have over 200 boats.

Cua Van floating village

2. Vung Vieng Floating Village

Located in the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay, Vung Vieng is about 40 km from Halong City. The village has picturesque scenes which makes it the top visited and residents now can earn a lot from tourism instead of living on mainly fishing and pearl farming as before.

Vung Vieng village

3. Cong Dam Floating Village

This is one of the smallest and oldest villages in the region, Cong Dam is famous for its mountains, reefs, and underwater lakes, this is one of the smallest and oldest villages in the bay. Gifted with beautiful beaches, the village make itself one of the most ideal stop over to cruise boats.

Spectacular mountains at Cong Dam village

4. Ba Hang Floating Village

The village is a home to 50 families, it small and lies in a peaceful strip of water between two karst formations. Over the time, Ba Hang now becomes a tourism spot rather than a fishing community.