Vung Vieng Fishing Village, Halong Bay: 2026 History, Bamboo Boat Guide & How to Visit

Vung Vieng Fishing Village 2026: Bamboo Boats, Floating Houses and How to Visit

Vung Vieng is a floating fishing village in a lagoon ringed by limestone in the quieter eastern part of Halong Bay, about 25 km from the mainland. Since 2016 a cooperative of returning families has kept fish and pearl farming and community tourism alive, and visitors explore by rowed bamboo boat, entering through the Hang Cao rock arch. It is on official route VHL4 and is the most rewarding fishing-village visit on cruises sold as Bai Tu Long Bay trips.

Good to know (checked October 2026): Most residents moved ashore in 2014, so Vung Vieng Fishing Village is smaller than older photos suggest; reported household numbers today range from about 30 to 50. Bamboo boat tours run daily. Typhoon Yagi destroyed the village’s rowing-boat service in September 2024; it has since been rebuilt. Life jackets are required.

Vung Vieng Fishing Village at a Glance

Location	Eastern Halong Bay, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh; route VHL4
Distance	About 25 km from the mainland (published figures range from 20 to 30 km)
Before 2014	About 60 floating houses and 260 residents
Today	Around 30–50 households working fish and pearl rafts and rowing boats (figures vary)
Known for	Floating houses, the Hang Cao arch, pearl rafts, bamboo boat rowing
Visit time	40–60 minutes by bamboo boat
Route	VHL4, with Thien Canh Son Cave
Ticket	VHL4 route ticket (200,000 VND, Management Board 2025); rowing boat included on most cruises
Best time	Morning; September–November or March–May
Find it	Google Maps · TripAdvisor

Is Vung Vieng worth it? Yes. It is calmer and feels more lived-in than Cua Van, and the bamboo boat ride is one of the most peaceful hours you can spend in the bay.

Vung Vieng Fishing Village colorful floating houses on the emerald waters of Bai Tu Long Bay, surrounded by limestone cliffs, Vietnam — Floating houses of Vung Vieng Fishing Village in eastern Halong Bay

What Makes Vung Vieng Special

A working floating village

Families still tend fish cages and pearl rafts and row visitors themselves, so what you see is daily work rather than a show.

The Hang Cao arch

A natural tunnel through the rock forms the gateway into the lagoon; its clearance changes with the tide.

Fewer boats

The eastern bay sees far less traffic than route VHL2, so the lagoon stays quiet even in high season.

History of Vung Vieng

The village and its name

Vung Vieng has existed since at least the 19th century. One local story says the name imitates the rattling of pot lids in strong wind, heard by traders passing at midday on their way to China.

Resettlement and return

Before 2014 the village had about 60 floating houses and 260 residents. In 2014 most families moved ashore to Ha Phong ward under Quang Ninh’s resettlement programme. From mid-2016 a USAID-funded pilot let 32 households return to 32 floating houses and rafts in five clusters, managed by the Van Chai cooperative founded in 2008, to preserve fishing culture and run community tourism. The story is told in detail by Bao Phap Luat.

Recognition

Vietnamese tourism sources often describe Vung Vieng Fishing Village as one of the world’s 16 most beautiful fishing villages. We have not been able to identify the original ranking, so treat it as a popular description rather than an award.

Bamboo boat passing through the natural limestone arch of Cao Cave, the gateway to Vung Vieng Fishing Village, Bai Tu Long Bay Vietnam — A bamboo boat passing under the Hang Cao arch at Vung Vieng

Things to Do in Vung Vieng

1. Bamboo boat ride

Local rowers, many of them women from village families, take two to four guests through the lagoon in 40–60 minutes.

2. Pass under Hang Cao

The most photographed moment: gliding through the rock arch into the lagoon.

Pearl cultivation and fish farming cages at Vung Vieng Fishing Village, Bai Tu Long Bay — the village's primary livelihood for remaining aquaculture families — Pearl rafts and fish cages at Vung Vieng

3. See the pearl rafts

Ha Long Pearl, which also runs Tung Sau Pearl Farm, farms pearls near Vung Vieng; some tours stop at a raft.

4. Kayak

Some cruises offer kayaks in the lagoon instead of or after the boat ride.

5. Photography

Morning mist and still reflections make this one of the most photogenic spots in the eastern bay.

Tickets and Etiquette

Item	Details (checked October 2026)
Ticket	VHL4 route ticket, included in cruise prices
Boat	Rowing boat usually included; tipping the rower is welcome
Etiquette	Ask before photographing people and homes; do not climb onto rafts
Safety	Life jackets mandatory

How to Get to Vung Vieng

Option	How it works	Notes
Eastern bay / Bai Tu Long cruise	Usually Day 1 afternoon or Day 2 morning	Best way
VHL4 day boat	About 8 hours from the port	Long day
Private cruise	We can arrange it	Flexible timing

Best Time to Visit

Months	Conditions
September–November	Clear, calm, best light
March–May	Mild, some mist
June–August	Hot; storm risk
December–February	Cool and misty, atmospheric

See the best time to visit Halong Bay.

Vung Vieng vs Cua Van

	Vung Vieng	Cua Van
Location	Eastern Halong Bay (VHL4)	Central Halong Bay (VHL3)
Residents	Returning cooperative households	Very few
Feel	Lived-in, quiet	Heritage site