By Jimmy, Halong Bay cruise specialist · Updated
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.
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.
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 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 |
Our view: Choose Vung Vieng Fishing Village if a fishing village matters to you. Read our Cua Van guide for comparison.
How Vung Vieng Fits a Cruise
- Sail east from Ha Long
- Visit Thien Canh Son Cave and its beach
- Row through Vung Vieng Fishing Village by bamboo boat
- On three-day trips, kayak around Cap La
Cruises that visit include Athena Royal Cruise, Cycad Cruise, Signature Cruise and L’amour Private Junk.
Local Expert Tips
These tips come from more than a decade of arranging Halong Bay trips for international travellers.
- Bring small notes to tip your rower
- Pick an early visit for mist and calm water
- Keep phones in a dry bag
- Avoid souvenirs made from coral or shells
Plan Your Visit
Compare Bai Tu Long Bay cruises or message us on WhatsApp +84 886 261 368. Best Price Guarantee included.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vung Vieng Fishing Village
1. Where is Vung Vieng Fishing Village?
Vung Vieng is in eastern Halong Bay, about 25 km from the mainland, on route VHL4. Read our Halong Bay guide.
2. Is Vung Vieng in Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay?
Officially in Halong Bay (route VHL4); cruise companies often sell it as Bai Tu Long Bay.
3. Do people still live in Vung Vieng?
Yes, a cooperative of returning households farms fish and pearls and runs boat tours; most others moved ashore in 2014.
4. How many people lived in Vung Vieng before 2014?
About 260 people in about 60 floating houses.
5. Is Vung Vieng a real village or a tourist show?
A real working village, though much smaller than in the past.
6. How much does Vung Vieng cost?
It is covered by the VHL4 route ticket, included in cruise prices.
7. Is the bamboo boat included at Vung Vieng?
On most cruises yes; check the itinerary or ask on our contact page.
8. What is Hang Cao in Vung Vieng?
A natural rock arch that forms the gateway into the lagoon.
9. Can I visit Vung Vieng on a day trip?
Yes on a long VHL4 day boat, but an overnight cruise is more relaxed.
10. Which cruises go to Vung Vieng?
Many Bai Tu Long Bay cruises, for example Cycad Cruise.
11. Vung Vieng or Cua Van: which is better?
Vung Vieng feels more lived-in; see our Cua Van guide.
12. Is Vung Vieng one of the world’s most beautiful fishing villages?
It is often described that way, but the original ranking is unclear.
13. Is there a pearl farm in Vung Vieng?
Yes, pearl rafts operate nearby; compare with Tung Sau Pearl Farm.
14. Is it ethical to visit Vung Vieng?
Yes if respectful: tip the rower and ask before photos. More in our Halong Bay FAQs.
15. When is the best time to visit Vung Vieng?
September–November; see our best time guide.
16. How long is the Vung Vieng bamboo boat tour?
About 40–60 minutes. Plan Vung Vieng into your cruise with us.
