Top 4 Worth-visiting Floating Villages in Halong Bay

Halong does not only have marvelous and mysterious caves and islands, it also consists of a long-standing culture, which is hidden deep inside every monument, every traditional festival and every generation of people. Among these unique features, the traditional beauty of the floating villages in Halong Bay has left a long-lasting impression on both domestic and international tourists, making those who have had the opportunity to explore the culture remember forever.

In our discovery today, we will explore the top 4 most impressive floating villages in Halong Bay, which are typical for the custom as well as the daily life of the fisherman living in the middle of this world heritage site.

1. Cua Van Fishing Village

Highlights:

Cua Van fishing village ranks among the 16 most beautiful villages in the world. It was originally home to two ancient fishing villages, Giang Vong and Truc Vong. These villages, along with the surrounding islands, form a key part of Halong Bay’s heritage. Today, 176 families with over 750 people live here, mainly relying on fishing.

The village sits in a calm bay, protected by rocky mountains called Vo Gia – Cua Van. This location makes it a perfect anchorage for boats.

Visiting Cua Van, you’ll enjoy a peaceful and picturesque setting while experiencing the local fishermen’s way of life. The blue wooden fishing boats and brown bamboo coracles bob in front of each house. Friendly villagers welcome visitors with warm smiles. Children sail small boats across the water, while housewives wash clothes on floating rafts.

At night, you can join a boat tour with fishermen, try net fishing, and catch squid under the shimmering moonlight. The thrill of catching fish, shrimp, and squid makes for an unforgettable experience. On special occasions like festivals and weddings, locals host traditional performances on boats, featuring folk songs and operettas unique to Halong Bay.

A trip to Cua Van also includes visits to nearby attractions like Tien Ong Cave, Ba Ham Lake, and climb limestone mountains limestone mountains. You can fish with locals or simply take in the breathtaking scenery of Halong Bay.

Location: Cua Van, Hung Thang Ward, Halong City.

2. Vung Vieng Floating Village

Highlights:

Vung Vieng floating village is smaller than Cua Van but just as fascinating. The village’s name comes from an old legend. Long ago, passing merchants often stopped here for lunch. The sea breeze would blow off their pot lids, leading to the name “Vung Venh,” later changed to “Vung Vieng.”

To reach the village, you must take a small bamboo boat—the villagers’ main mode of transport. Along the way, you’ll pass through Cao Cave, a cross-water cave in Bai Tu Long Bay, known as the natural gateway to Vung Vieng.

Vung Vieng is a small, quiet fishing village with about 50 families and 300 residents, a third of whom are children. The scene is simple yet picturesque—fishing boats lean against limestone cliffs, and the calm waters reflect towering islets. The deeper you go, the more open and serene the space feels.

The village is also a major seafood farming area. Locals supply fresh fish and shellfish to restaurants in Halong and nearby provinces. Here, you can enjoy delicious seafood straight from the water—a must-try experience in Halong Bay.

Nearby, you can explore Cua Ong, Hon Gai, and Van Don Island or Tra Co beach. The village is also a gateway to Devil Face Island, Seven Wells, and ancient forests. A two-hour boat ride from Vung Vieng takes you to Quan Lan Island, home to a historic temple and archaeological relics from Van Don’s golden age as a trading port.

Location: About 25km from the land, in the northeast of Halong bay

3. Ba Hang Floating Village

Highlights:

Like Vung Vieng, Ba Hang Floating Village is small, with only about 50 households. Most families rely on fishing, though many have recently shifted to tourism.

The village offers a rare glimpse into a simple way of life. Families live in tiny floating houses, just 5–10 square meters in size, with only the essentials. Despite their modest lifestyle, the villagers are always welcoming and full of optimism.

Ba Hang sits near Thien Cung Cave, one of Halong Bay’s most famous attractions. Though small, its peaceful charm draws many visitors.

Tourists come not only for the scenery but also to experience the daily life of fishermen. You can join them on a night fishing trip, drop nets into the sea, and catch fish yourself. During the day, you can paddle around the bay, exploring nearby islands and caves.

Location: At the foot of Dau Go Island, near Thien Cung Cave.

4. Cong Dam Fishing Village

Highlights:

Cong Dam sits in Bai Tu Long Bay, surrounded by volcanic mountains and pristine beaches. Its remote location keeps the water crystal-clear and the landscape untouched.

The area is an outdoor geological museum, preserved for over 340 million years. The mountains here have a unique horizontal rock structure, unlike the vertical formations in Thien Cung and Dau Go Caves. Massive boulders stack on top of each other, creating a breathtaking natural sculpture.

Cong Dam is a small village with only about 120 residents, but it holds onto its deep-rooted fishing traditions. Here, you can fish with locals, hear their stories, and explore the village on a bamboo boat. A local girl might row you past floating houses and towering cliffs, offering a closer look at daily life.

Unlike villages near the mainland, Cong Dam remains wild and peaceful. The area features coral reefs, underwater caves, and hidden lakes among the limestone mountains. You can swim in its secluded beaches, where the sand is white and the water is unbelievably clear.

Location: Bai Tu Long Bay, far from the mainland.

>> Check Out Our Tour To Discover Secrets of Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay!

II. Extra Tips to Visit Floating Villages in Halong Bay

• In order to visit these fishing villages, you can choose a lot of tour packages of tourism companies, which include almost all the activities in these villages.
• There is another option for you, which is a cruise to explore the whole Halong Bay, through many other well-known destinations such as Sung Sot Cave, Trong Mai Islets, Thien Cung Carven and Poem Mountain.
• During the cruise, you will have a short break in a fishing village, which is a wonderful chance for you to contemplate and experience the daily life of fishermen here.
• If you have any questions, you can ask the tour guide or the local fishermen, who are extremely friendly and helpful.
• While going on a boat, don’t forget to wear a life-jacket to ensure your safety. In addition, you should protect the environment of Halong Bay in general and the floating villages in particular.

Fishing villages in Halong Bay is one of the most attractive features in the culture of this world heritage, with the values that are preserved by generations to generations. During the trip to Ha Long, if you want to discover the typical fishing village culture, do not forget to visit the beautiful rendezvous of the bay here such as Cua Van, Vung Vieng, Ba Hang and Cong Dam fishing villages.