Are you planning to visit Halong Bay and seek a unique Vietnamese experience?, Then you shouldn’t miss Cua Van fishing village. This charming village offers a unique glimpse into the traditional life of Vietnamese fishermen, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. This travel blog will give you all the information about this fishing village to help you plan a perfect itinerary for your Vietnam tours.
Location of Cua Van Floating Village
About 20 kilometers away from Tuan Chau Tourist Pier, Cua Van Fishing Village is situated in Hung Thang Commune, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province. It’s on a calm water area surrounded by Van Gia lime-stone Mountain. In between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, this fishing village originates from two fishing villages, namely Giang Vong and Truc Vong.
What makes Cua Van fishing village stand out?
- This is the biggest and most famous fishing village on Halong Bay.
- Top 16 most beautiful ancient villages in the world in 2012 according to the famous travel magazines in the world, Journeyetc.com.
- The allure of Cua Van floating village is formed by peaceful beauty and unique customs in daily life.
- The village comprises 176 households with a population of 733 people, with the local fishermen relying on the sea for their livelihood.
- Cua Van fishing village with majestic limestone mountains, and fishing villages on the river float.
- The village maintains a traditional way of life that has been passed down for generations
- The lives of the people here have not been disturbed that much by modern life.
- People of all environment-conscious efforts to preserve, everything is very clean, and tidy.
- People took turns rotating and scavenging sailing on the sea every day, water savings reduce the amount of waste to the marine environment.
When is the best time to visit Cua Van floating village?
The best time to visit Cua Van fishing village is from November to April. This dry season brings clear skies and calm waters to Halong Bay. Calm seas are ideal for exploring the village by boat or kayak, letting you get a closer look at the floating houses and surrounding limestone islets. Additionally, pleasant weather makes walking around the village and experiencing the local culture more enjoyable.
It’s advisable to avoid July and August because, in two months, there are usually a lot of tropical cyclones and depressions or rain and rough seas in Vietnam.
How to get to Cua Van floating village?
What to do and to see
Witness the beauty of the village
The village is a great place for taking stunning pictures. You can see through the colorful floating houses, boats, and shops, and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery around you. The limestone cliffs and clean-blue waters of Halong Bay make a perfect backdrop for this traditional village.
There are so many great photo opportunities, from the bright colors of the boats to the intricate details of the wooden structures. Even if you’re not a photographer, you’ll still find the village incredibly beautiful and memorable with its charming sights and sounds.
Kayak around the village
Kayaking is the best option if you want to take charge of your trip and independently explore every part of the fishing village of Cua Van. You can paddle through the narrow waterways, moving between the colorful boats and wooden platforms that make up the village. The calm water here provides the perfect setting for this adventurous activity.
Service fees:
- Hiring a kayak: 100.000 VND/h
- Hiring a local tour guide: 60.000 VND/h
Take a bamboo boat ride with a local
If you’re not confident in your abilities, let’s rent a wooden boat or a basketboat. Unlike luxury cruises, these boats can help you get closer to nature in Cua Van floating village.
It’s absolutely an in-depth experience when sitting in a little boat, floating in the calm sea, gazing out at the towering limestone mountains, and listening to the boatmen’s fascinating tales of fishing village life and “fishing hunting” tips.
Learn about the daily life of the local fisherman
Visiting Cua Van Fishing Village allows visitors to learn about the daily life of the local fishermen. Visitors can watch the fishermen as they work, using traditional methods to catch and prepare their seafood. The fishermen’s homes and workplaces are right on the water, so visitors can see how they live and operate.
You can also join in demonstrations of the fishermen’s skills, such as fixing nets or operating small boats. By talking with the locals, you can gain a better understanding of the challenges and traditions that shape the fishermen’s way of life.
Visit Cua Van Floating Cultural Center
The Cua Van Floating Culture Center is a specialized construction designed to display and preserve the traditional cultural values of a long-standing fishing village.
This site offers a wide range of educational and cultural exchange activities, as well as a collection of hundreds of archaeological artifacts, including ancient fishing tools dating back centuries.
Additionally, the center consistently exhibits an extraordinary series of documentaries and archival research pictures, allowing everyone to appreciate and understand the ancient image of the village.
“Matchmaking” sing – a traditional performance
Particularly, at the occasion of a wedding or celebration, tourists can enjoy the performance of traditional music called “hat gheo” and “hat cheo duong” which are special forms of oratorio with many endemic folk songs of Halong.
Throughout history, fishermen have used music to enrich their daily lives. These songs express cultural values, important traditions, and wisdom handed down through generations. They also offer insights into fishing through creative and unique dialogues between men and women.
Top famous tourist destinations near Cua Van Floating Village
To experience Ha Long Bay to the fullest, we recommend some attractions near Cua Van Floating Village:
- Sung Sot Cave: also known as “Surprise Cave,” is a huge cave system with impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient carvings.
- Ti Top Island: a small, beautiful island with stunning beaches, hiking trails, and panoramic bay views.
- Thien Cung Cave: famous for its extraordinary rock formations and colorful lighting, providing a surreal experience for visitors.
- Dau Go Island: houses Dau Go Cave and offers lovely beaches and hiking opportunities, showcasing unique and intricate rock structures.
Suggested Halong Bay cruise through Cua Van fishing village
From Halong Junk Cruise Team, a brand of Indochina Voyages!
