Bai Tu Long Bay is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Ha Long Bay. This lesser-known paradise boasts the same breathtaking limestone karsts and emerald waters but with a fraction of the tourists. What truly sets Bai Tu Long Bay apart, however, is its rich tapestry of local culture and traditions, best experienced through its enchanting fishing villages.
Bai Tu Long Bay
Bai Tu Long Bay is part of the larger Ha Long Bay area, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its outstanding natural beauty. Spanning approximately 15,000 hectares, this bay is characterized by thousands of limestone islands and islets rising dramatically from the sea. The area’s biodiversity is remarkable, hosting a variety of ecosystems including coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds.
While the landscapes are undoubtedly awe-inspiring, it’s the human element that adds depth to the bay’s allure. Dotted throughout the waters are floating fishing villages, each a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the local people who have called these waters home for generations.
Even now, some floating villages have been moved to the mainland but its remain the pristine beauty
On the 3 day 2 night cruise with Treasure Junk, you will visit Vung Vieng fishing village and enjoy the stunning beauty of local life here .
Origins of fishing villages in the bay
The fishing villages of Bai Tu Long Bay have a history that stretches back centuries. The earliest settlers are believed to have arrived in the area over 600 years ago, drawn by the abundance of marine life and the natural protection offered by the bay’s numerous islands.
These early inhabitants, primarily from the Kinh ethnic group, developed a unique way of life adapted to the aquatic environment. They built floating homes on wooden rafts or stilts, creating entire communities that rose and fell with the tides. Over time, these villages evolved into self-sufficient societies with their own customs, traditions, and social structures.
The villagers’ lives have always been intrinsically linked to the sea. Fishing became not just a means of sustenance but a way of life, shaping every aspect of their culture from their daily routines to their spiritual beliefs. Today, while modernization has brought changes, many of these age-old traditions continue to thrive in the fishing villages of Bai Tu Long Bay.
Vung Vieng Village
Vung Vieng is perhaps the most well-known of Bai Tu Long Bay’s fishing villages. Home to about 50 families, it’s a picturesque community of colorful floating houses surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. The village is renowned for its pearl farming, a practice that has been passed down through generations. Visitors can observe the intricate process of cultivating pearls and even purchase some of these lustrous gems directly from the locals.
The Halong Bay Management Board decided to relocate the village to the mainland in 2012, but some floating houses still remain, with locals residing there and earning a living through fishing and rowing bamboo boats for tourists.
Cong Dam Village
Cong Dam Village offers a glimpse into a more traditional way of life. This village is famous for its unique location, nestled within a system of caves and grottoes. The villagers here have adapted to their environment in remarkable ways, using the natural rock formations as part of their homes and daily lives. Cong Dam is also known for its traditional fishing methods, including the use of bamboo-frame fishing nets, a technique that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
There is only some floating houses now in Cong Dam and they live on fishing somewhere in the bay
Cong Lao Vong Village
Cong Lao Vong fishing village on Bai Tu Long Bay has many households living off fishing and aquaculture. The village is less known by tourists. It is part of a new tourism route that includes Ao Tien port, Tay Hoi Island, Hon Meo May Man (Lazy Cat Island), Ban Sen Island, Nha Tro Cave, Phat Co Cave, a pearl farm (Hon Da Den), Hon Cong Vien, Cong Lao Vong fishing village, Tra Ngo Lon Island, Hon Thien Nga, Cai De area, an overnight anchorage at Mang Ha, and Tra Than inlet (on Tra Ngo Lon Island). This is one of 10 new tourism routes on Bai Tu Long Bay that will be opened for visitors. You will be very surprised when visiting this fishing village!
Cap La Village
Cap La Village stands out for its efforts to preserve traditional culture while adapting to modern times. This village has embraced eco-tourism, offering homestays that allow visitors to experience life in a floating village firsthand.
Highlighted activities in fishing villages
Visiting the fishing villages of Bai Tu Long Bay offers a wealth of unique experiences that provide insight into local culture and traditions:
- Fishing with locals: Visitors can join fishermen on their boats, learning traditional fishing techniques and experiencing the daily life of a Bai Tu Long Bay fisherman.
- Pearl farm tours: In villages like Vung Vieng, tourists can visit pearl farms to learn about the cultivation process and even try their hand at oyster harvesting.
- Kayaking through villages: Exploring the villages by kayak allows for a close-up view of daily life and the unique architecture of floating homes.
The fishing villages of Bai Tu Long Bay offer more than just picturesque views; they provide a window into a way of life that has endured for centuries. As Vietnam continues to develop and modernize, these villages stand as living museums, preserving traditions and customs that might otherwise be lost to time.