Life on the floating villages today
To understand what you are actually visiting, it helps to know how much these communities have changed. The floating villages in Halong Bay are not quite what the postcards suggest, and being clear about that makes for a more honest and rewarding visit.
What the floating villages are
At their simplest, the floating villages are communities of homes, rafts, and fish farms built on the water, kept stable on the bay’s calm, sheltered surface. Historically they were home to fishing families who lived permanently on the water, relying on the bay’s rich supply of fish and seafood for their living. The naturally protected waters, free from storms and strong currents, made year-round life on the water not just possible but practical, and these communities did it for generations.
How they’ve changed
Here is the honest part. In a government resettlement program in 2014, most residents of the floating villages in Halong Bay were moved to a new settlement on the mainland, near Halong City, for better access to schooling and healthcare and to help protect the bay from pollution. As a result, few people now live on the water full-time. Many still come out to work the floating farms, staying for days at a time, but their families live ashore, where the children go to school. So while these are sometimes described as “living cultural museums” preserved for heritage and tourism, that is only half the story.
What they farm
What has not changed is the work. The floating villages remain genuine, active aquaculture areas, where people raise fish, crab, squid, and shellfish using traditional methods, along with pearl farming in some spots. These farms still supply fresh seafood to local markets, and the work continues much as it has for years, even as the living arrangements around it have shifted to the mainland.
Where the floating villages are
The floating villages in Halong Bay are not all in Halong Bay itself. They are spread across three connected bays, all sharing the same calm, sheltered waters that made life on the water possible in the first place. Knowing roughly where each one sits helps you understand which you are likely to see, as it depends entirely on the route your cruise takes.
Central Halong Bay holds the most visited villages, including the well-known Cua Van. To the south, around Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay has its own historic village. And to the northeast, the quieter Bai Tu Long Bay is home to the most peaceful and least commercialised of the floating villages, further from the main tourist routes. The sections below cover the main villages worth knowing in each of these three bays.
It is worth knowing that floating fish farms are not unique to this corner of Vietnam. The same way of life, raising seafood in floating cages and rafts, can be found in several places along the Vietnamese coast, from the lobster farms of Van Phong Bay in Khanh Hoa and the sheltered waters off the Phu Yen coast to the vast floating fish farms of the Mekong Delta further south. The floating villages in Halong Bay are the most famous and the most geared to visitors, but they are part of a much wider tradition.
Floating villages in Halong Bay
Halong Bay itself, the central and most visited of the three bays, is home to the best-known of the floating villages. These are the ones most cruises pass or stop at, so they are the floating villages in Halong Bay that most visitors end up seeing.
Cua Van
Cua Van is the largest and most famous of the floating villages, set in a sheltered spot ringed by dramatic limestone cliffs. It was once home to several hundred residents, and although most have since moved ashore, it remains the classic village stop, with a cultural centre where you can learn about its history and the old way of life on the water. Its scenery and size make it a regular fixture on cruise itineraries. Read more in our guide to Cua Van floating village.
Ba Hang
Ba Hang is a smaller village in the western part of the bay, close to the famous Thien Cung and Dau Go caves and a short hop from Luon Cave and Ti Top Island. With only a small number of families now connected to it, much of its activity has shifted towards tourism, and it is often included on cruise routes thanks to its handy location among the headline sights. More in our guide to Ba Hang floating village.
Floating villages in Lan Ha Bay
To the south, around Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay has its own historic floating community. It sees fewer of the big cruise crowds than central Halong, which makes the floating villages in Lan Ha Bay feel a little more low-key, and it is easily reached if you are based on Cat Ba.
Cai Beo
Cai Beo, near Cat Ba Island, is believed to be one of the oldest floating villages in Vietnam, with roots going back thousands of years. While most families no longer live here full-time, it remains an active part of the local fishing industry, and a boat tour among its floating houses and farms offers a quieter, more off-the-beaten-path experience than the busier villages further north. Read more in our guide to Cai Beo floating village.
Floating villages in Bai Tu Long Bay
To the northeast lies Bai Tu Long Bay, the quietest and least commercialised of the three bays. The floating villages in Bai Tu Long Bay are the most peaceful and authentic-feeling of the lot, sitting well away from the main tourist routes, so they suit travelers on the quieter cruises through this part of the water.
Vung Vieng
Vung Vieng is the best known of the villages here, and one of the more authentic anywhere in the area. Reached by bamboo boat rowed by locals, it sits in a calm, cliff-ringed setting and remains an active fishing and aquaculture community. The peace and the lack of crowds are its real draw, offering a closer, more unhurried look at life and work on the water. More in our guide to Vung Vieng floating village.
Cong Dam
Cong Dam is the most remote and least visited of these floating villages, set deep in Bai Tu Long Bay among striking karst scenery. It sees very few tourists and has a wilder, more natural feel, which makes it a rewarding stop for those on the rare itineraries that reach it. Read more in our guide to Cong Dam floating village.
How to visit the floating villages in Halong Bay
The floating villages in Halong Bay all sit out on the water, so the only way to reach them is by boat. There are a few different ways to do that, depending on the kind of trip you are taking.
By cruise
The most common way to visit is as part of a cruise. Most multi-day cruises, and some day tours, include a village stop or pass close to one, and even when there is no set stop, you will almost always glide past floating farms along the way. Because not every itinerary actually stops, it is worth confirming with the operator if visiting a village matters to you.
By kayak or bamboo boat
Many cruises also let you explore the floating villages more closely by kayak or bamboo boat. The bamboo boats are usually rowed by locals, which gives them a bit of extra income and you a more relaxed ride, while kayaking lets you paddle among the floating houses and farms at your own pace. Both bring you far closer than the cruise boat can.
By seaplane
For a completely different perspective, a scenic seaplane flight over Halong Bay gives you a bird’s-eye view of the floating villages, the limestone cliffs, and the water below. It is a pricey option and more about the overall spectacle than the villages themselves, but it is a memorable way to take in the scale of the bay.
Tips for visiting the floating villages in Halong Bay
A few practical things help you make the most of a visit to the floating villages in Halong Bay, and treat the communities with the respect they deserve.
What to bring
Pack a waterproof or dry bag to protect your phone and valuables, especially if you plan to kayak or take a bamboo boat, as you will be right at water level. Lightweight, breathable clothing suits the warm, humid weather, and a hat and sunscreen are worth having, since the water reflects the sun and there is little shade out on the bay.
Respect the community
Remember that these are real working places, not staged attractions. People still farm and fish here, so be considerate: ask before stepping onto anyone’s raft or floating farm, as these are their workplaces and sometimes homes, and keep a respectful distance when taking photos. Avoid littering and do not disturb the wildlife or the fish farms, the calm, clean environment is part of what keeps these places special.
Check your cruise itinerary
If actually visiting a village, rather than just passing one, is a priority, double-check the cruise itinerary before booking. Many cruises only sail past the floating villages, and not all stop or allow time to explore by kayak or bamboo boat. Choosing a cruise that specifically includes a village visit is the only way to be sure you will get one.
