Floating Villages in Halong Bay: Unique Travel Experiences

Beyond its amazing scenery, Halong Bay boasts something equally intriguing: floating villages. These floating villages in Halong Bay provide a window into an unusual way of existence spanning millennia. What then precisely are floating communities, and why should you be particularly interested in them?  Let MOTOGO Tours explore.

What Are Floating Villages?

Floating villages in Halong Bay are communities that live on water. People here construct dwellings on rafts or floating platforms, gently floating with the tides rather than conventional residences on land. This way of life has evolved in harmony with the surroundings and goes millennia ago. For their means of survival, the residents of these settlements rely on aquaculture, fishing, and the nearby seas.

These floating villages are cultural icons rather than only tourist attractions. The sea is very dear to the people who call it home; their life revolves on its rhythms. From building floating homes to adopting age-old fishing techniques, they have evolved special means of preserving their way of life over decades.

Top Floating Villages in Halong Bay

These floating villages in Halong Bay, where life revolves around the sea, are evidence of the harmony and fortitude of the native people with their surroundings. Here is a closer view of some of Halong Bay’s best floating villages, each providing a distinctive window into traditional life on the sea.

Vung Vieng Floating Village

• Location: Located in the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay, Vung Vieng lies about 40 km from Halong City.

Considered among Halong Bay’s most exquisite floating villages is Vung Vieng floating village. Nestled among tall limestone islands and glistening clean seas, the community radiates peace and appeal. Originally a center for pearl farming and fishing, the community currently mostly depends on tourism, however its traditional fishing customs is still very much intact.

Visitors to Vung Vieng can tour the local pearl fields, investigate the floating homes, and enjoy a calm bamboo boat trip across the rivers. Apart from being a breathtaking location, the town presents a special chance for one to fully experience the centuries-standing traditional way of life.

Viet Hai Fishing Village

• Location: About 18 km from Cat Ba Island, Viet Hai Village is located in Cat Hai District, Hai Phong Province, and lies within the boundaries of Cat Ba National Park.

Among the most mesmerizing and distinctive floating villages in the area is Viet Hai Village. Though regarded as one of the less rich areas in the area, Viet Hai locals are renowned for their friendliness, optimism, and strong feeling of community. The community presents a great chance to discover traditional stilt homes, verdant surroundings, and engage in kayaking, swimming, hiking, and fishing among other fascinating sports.

Viet Hai is beautiful not only in its natural surroundings but also in its active and close-knit society. For those looking for a real experience, this is a really unique place because of the residents’ tenacity and happiness in the face of few resources.

Cua Van Floating Village

• Location: Situated in Hung Thang Commune, approximately 20 km from Halong City, Cua Van Floating Village is nestled between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

Cua Van floating village is a calm haven providing the ideal picture of Vietnam’s traditional seaside way of life. The floating settlement feels unspoiled by time since it lies among calm waves surrounded by verdant mountains. The town is well-known for its traditional fishing methods, which have been handed down through the years and provide guests an opportunity to interact with the nearby fisherman and discover old customs.

One of the best-preserved fishing towns in Southeast Asia, Cua Van has more than just picturesque appeal listed on famous travel blogs. Discover the village by kayak or bamboo boat, engage with the friendly residents, and learn about the everyday activities maintaining the floating town alive at this living museum of culture.

Cong Dam Floating Village

• Location: Tucked away in the pristine waters of Bai Tu Long Bay, Cong Dam is located far from the mainland, making it one of the most isolated villages in the region.

Cong Dam is one of the most untouched and real floating towns in Halong Bay, despite its modest population—just about 120 people. This hidden gem presents an opportunity to engage in a range of activities with the residents, including kayaking, squid fishing, and fishing, thereby allowing one to personally enjoy the traditional fishing way of life.

Towering limestone mountains, blue seas, and coral reefs encircle Cong Dam, creating a naturalist’s dream come true. Visitors can kayak across the serene waves, explore underground cavernues, and learn about the quiet way of life lived by the local fishermen.

Ba Hang Floating Village

• Location: Situated in the heart of Halong Bay, Ba Hang is located near Dau Go Island, about 3 km south of Tuan Chau International Port.

Ba Hang Floating Village is small yet picturesque, with about fifty families living in floating homes along a serene length of water. The village enjoys a calm and breathtaking backdrop from the magnificent limestone mountains all around. A main draw for tourists, Ba Hang is well-known for its unusual trio of caverns. Enjoy the fresh air and take in the stunning karst formations rising sharply from the sea as you negotiate the seas.

Although the town was once mostly a fishing community, many of its people nowadays work in tourism. Interacting with the locals, learning about their everyday lives, and seeing their age-old fishing techniques handed down through the years will help visitors understand them.

Cap La Floating Village

• Location: Nestled between Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, Cap La Floating Village is situated in one of the bay’s most remote corners.

One of the less well-known treasures of Halong Bay, Cap La Floating Village provides a quiet haven apart from the busyness of popular travel. Over 200 people call the town home; they live in wooden homes on top of the lake, run generators rather than a national energy system.

For people looking for peace and a real experience, Cap La is a perfect place. Along with interacting with the residents, visitors may take in the calm surroundings and learn about the ingenuity needed to survive in such an unusual setting.

How to Visit Floating Villages in Halong Bay

Best Time to Visit

October and April is the ideal time to see the floating towns at Halong Bay. These are calm and pleasant months for exploring the natural beauties of the bay and floating settlements; the weather is ideal. Steer clear of going during the hottest summer when the area could get packed with visitors.

Tours and Activities Available

There are lots of activities available when visiting the floating towns at Halong Bay. The most often used means of visiting the communities is boat trips. You will be able to tour the floating homes, watch how the residents fish traditionally, and engage with them. Many trips also involve kayaking, which lets you close-up explore the limestone cliffs and caverns of the bay.

Kayaking and Exploring by Boat

One of the greatest approaches to see Halong Bay’s floating villages is kayaking. Go across still waterways, past floating houses and conventional fish farms. Gliding across the bay will allow you to see the daily activities of the residents and enjoy the peace of this special surroundings.

Overnight Stays and Local Experiences

Those seeking a more immersive experience could want to arrange an overnight stay with a nearby household. Spending the evening on the lake lets you enjoy the calm of the hamlet once the visitors of the day go. Many trips include homestays, where you could eat native cuisine and engage in neighborhood events.

Local Cuisine and Traditions in Floating Villages

Traditional Dishes You Must Try

Like the floating villages itself, the food of Halong Bay is distinctive. With delicacies like grilled squid, steaming fish, and clams with lemongrass local favorites, seafood takes front stage in the performance. Many times, these meals are made using fresh food fished right from the rivers around the settlements.

Cultural Customs and Rituals

The floating villages’ residents of Halong Bay have a rich cultural background. From festivities to fishing ceremonies, these customs define village life in every aspect. The fish worship ceremony is one well-known custom whereby residents pray for abundant waters in the next year and thank you for a nice catch.

The floating villages in Halong Bay are evidence of the tranquility and fortitude of the people living there. These communities provide a window into a distinctive way of life that has not altered for ages. Visiting the floating villages is an experience you won’t forget whether your interests are in local culture, eco-friendly travel, or just Halong Bay’s beauty.