Cua Van Fishing Village in Ha Long Bay draws visitors with unique culture and floating life

Just beyond a ridge of limestone peaks lies Cua Van Fishing Village, an appealing stop on any journey through Ha Long Bay.

Located along Route 3 of Ha Long Bay’s sightseeing circuit, Cua Van Fishing Village offers a rhythm of life distinctly different from the bustling Routes 1 and 2 nearby. Surrounded by towering limestone karsts and emerald waters, the village retains the tranquil charm of a traditional fishing community, inviting visitors to discover the simple yet fascinating daily life of the bay’s fishing residents.

One of the most distinctive experiences in the area is visiting an “underwater wine cellar,” where bottles of wine and ba kich herbal liquor are aged beneath the waters of Ha Long Bay.

Over time, marine life such as oysters and barnacles attach themselves to the bottles, forming a rough, textured layer on the glass. When the bottles are brought to the surface, each one bears the imprint of the sea, resembling a natural sculpture shaped by ocean currents and marine life.

Just beyond a ridge of limestone peaks lies Cua Van Fishing Village, an appealing stop on any journey through Ha Long Bay. Long regarded as one of the most picturesque and culturally rich fishing villages in the bay, Cua Van has preserved a vibrant identity closely tied to the lives of local fishermen.

Shaped by the waters of Ha Long Bay, bottles of wine and ba kich herbal liquor take on a rugged, barnacle-covered appearance, looking as though they have come straight out of a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean.

Visitors can gain insight into the daily routines of fishing families, explore floating houses gently anchored on the water, and listen to the traditional love duet songs performed by villagers. With no stage or elaborate setting, the simple melodies rise from small boats and floating homes, drifting across the vast seascape. The experience offers a rare glimpse into the cultural life of the bay’s fishing community and leaves a lasting impression on travelers.

Today, as tourism in Ha Long Bay continues to flourish, Cua Van Fishing Village is gradually combining the preservation of traditional culture with the development of community-based tourism. Experiences such as discovering the daily life of fishing communities, exploring the maritime culture of the bay, and immersing oneself in the surrounding natural landscape are becoming a magnet for visitors from Vietnam and around the world.

Amid the vast seascape of Ha Long Bay, life in Cua Van Fishing Village continues at its own gentle pace. From the soft sound of oars gliding across the water to the melodies of traditional love duet songs drifting from floating homes, together with the growing community-based tourism activities, all contribute to preserving the cultural identity of the bay’s fishing communities while offering visitors a closer connection to nature and life at sea.

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