Vung Vieng Fishing Village 2026: Bamboo Boats & Tips

By Jimmy Nguyen, Founder & Director of Asia Travel Expert Co., Ltd.

Vung Vieng Fishing Village (Làng chài Vông Viêng) is a floating fishing village in a ring of limestone islands on the Bai Tu Long side of Halong Bay, about 20 km south-east of Tuan Chau port. Visitors explore it by bamboo rowing boat or kayak on route VHL4 cruises, seeing fish farms, floating houses and a natural rock arch; the route fee is 200,000 VND.

Status (checked October 2026): open to cruise visitors as normal on Ha Long Bay route VHL4. Most families were resettled on the mainland from 2014, so today you see a smaller working community of fish farms and floating homes rather than a full village; boats stop in storm warnings.

Why Vung Vieng Fishing Village is worth seeing:

Bamboo boat ride rowed by local villagers between floating homes and karst cliffs.
The rock arch “village gate”, a natural stone arch at the entrance to the lagoon.
Calmer than Cua Van, the floating village on central Halong routes.
Fishing culture: fish farms, nets and traditional boats, and a pearl-farming tradition in the area.
Kayaking in sheltered, flat water.

Vung Vieng Fishing Village at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Làng chài Vông Viêng (often written Vung Viêng)
Location	Vong Vieng area, north-east Halong Bay towards Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh
Distance	About 20 km south-east of Tuan Chau International Port
Known for	Floating homes, fish farms, bamboo rowing boats, natural rock arch
Official route	Ha Long Bay route VHL4
Entrance fee	Route VHL4: 200,000 VND day visit; 500,000 VND for 1 night; bamboo boat often extra or included by cruise
Time needed	About 45–60 minutes
Best time	Morning or late afternoon; March–May and September–November
Nearby	Thien Canh Son Cave, Cap La, Cong Do
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor

Is Vung Vieng Fishing Village Worth Visiting?

Yes. For many travellers the quiet bamboo-boat ride through Vung Vieng is the most memorable moment of a Bai Tu Long cruise: no engines, just the sound of oars between cliffs and floating homes. Be realistic, though: the village is smaller than in the past because most families now live on land.

Floating houses and fish farms among karsts in Bai Tu Long Bay — Floating houses and fish farms are part of fishing life in Bai Tu Long Bay. Photo: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Best for: photographers, families and anyone interested in daily life on the bay.
Skip if: you expect a large, busy village with shops.
Short on time: Cua Van Fishing Village on route VHL3 is the alternative closer to central Halong.

History of Vung Vieng Fishing Village

Fishing families lived on the water in the Vong Vieng area for generations, sheltered by the surrounding islands from wind and waves. Their homes were built on floating platforms, and life revolved around fishing, aquaculture and boat-building.

From 2014 Quang Ninh province began relocating Halong Bay’s floating communities to the mainland to give families better access to schools, healthcare and social services and to protect the bay’s water quality. Some residents now work in tourism, rowing visitors in bamboo boats and keeping fish farms in the lagoon.

What to See at Vung Vieng Fishing Village

1. Bamboo Boat Ride

Local rowers take two to four passengers per boat through the lagoon for about 30–45 minutes. It is the classic way to see Vung Vieng.

2. The Rock Arch “Village Gate”

A huge natural stone arch frames the entrance to the village area; locals call it the village gate (cổng làng). It is the best photo spot.

3. Floating Homes and Fish Farms

Wooden platforms hold homes, nets and fish cages, often with dogs on guard and laundry drying in the sun.

4. Pearl Craft

The Ha Long Bay Management Board lists watching pearl craftsmanship among the area’s activities; some cruises stop at a pearl workshop nearby.

5. Kayaking

Kayaks let you explore the sheltered channels on your own; follow your guide’s instructions and keep a respectful distance from homes.

Tickets and Fees

Item	Price
Route VHL4 day visit	200,000 VND per adult (about US$8)
Route VHL4 overnight	500,000 VND (1 night), 650,000 VND (2 nights)
Bamboo boat	Charged per boat or included by your cruise; ask in advance
Children	Under 1.2 m or under 7 free; ages 7–16 discounted

Fees are set by Quang Ninh province and published by the Ha Long Bay Management Board; check the official fee list.

Village Etiquette

Ask before photographing people and their homes.
Stay seated in the bamboo boat and wear the life jacket provided.
Do not throw anything into the water; the village depends on clean water.
A small tip for your rower is appreciated.

How to Get to Vung Vieng Fishing Village

From	How	Time
Hanoi	Shuttle or car to Ha Long ports, then a route VHL4 / Bai Tu Long cruise	About 2.5–3 hours by road + about 2 hours sailing
Tuan Chau International Port	Cruise or chartered boat	About 20 km by sea
Halong City	Cruise from Ha Long International Passenger Port	About 1.5–2 hours

Road options are in our Hanoi to Halong Bay guide.

Best Time to Visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village

When	What to expect
March–May	Mild, good light, calm water
June–August	Hot and bright; storms can cancel cruises
September–November	Clear, comfortable weather
December–February	Cool and misty, atmospheric photos
Time of day	Early morning or late afternoon for soft light and quiet water

Local Expert Tips for Vung Vieng Fishing Village

These tips come from years of arranging Halong and Bai Tu Long tours for international travellers.

Choose the bamboo boat over kayaks at least once; it supports local families.
Bring a hat and sunscreen: there is no shade on the boats.
Overnight cruises often visit in the early morning, the calmest time.
Check the route: only cruises on VHL4 or Bai Tu Long itineraries stop here; see our cruise guide.

Vung Vieng vs Cua Van Fishing Village

	Vung Vieng	Cua Van
Route	VHL4 (Bai Tu Long side)	VHL3 (central-south Halong)
Crowds	Lower	Higher
Highlights	Rock arch, bamboo boats, quiet lagoon	Former floating culture centre, Tien Ong Cave nearby

Our view: Vung Vieng is the more peaceful experience; Cua Van is easier to fit into a standard Halong cruise.

Nearby Attractions

Thien Canh Son Cave – small cave above a beach.
Cap La Island – cave and kayaking.
Cong Dam Area – remote lagoons.
Bai Tu Long Bay – the wider quiet bay.
Halong Bay – UNESCO-listed classic routes.

Halong Area for First-Time Visitors: Where Vung Vieng Fishing Village Fits

After two or three days in Hanoi, a Bai Tu Long cruise with a Vung Vieng stop is a calm way to see the bay. Combine it with our Halong travel tips for packing and timing.

Plan your trip with our Halong Bay travel guide and Halong Bay tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Vung Vieng Fishing Village

1. Where is Vung Vieng Fishing Village?

Vung Vieng Fishing Village lies in the Vong Vieng area of north-eastern Halong Bay towards Bai Tu Long Bay, about 20 km south-east of Tuan Chau port.

2. How do I get to Vung Vieng Fishing Village?

Vung Vieng Fishing Village is reached by cruise on Ha Long Bay route VHL4 or a Bai Tu Long itinerary from the Ha Long ports.

3. How much does it cost to visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village?

Vung Vieng Fishing Village is covered by the VHL4 route fee of 200,000 VND per day visit or 500,000 VND for one night; bamboo boats may cost extra.

4. Do people still live in Vung Vieng Fishing Village?

A small community still works at Vung Vieng Fishing Village, but most families were relocated to the mainland from 2014.

5. What can I do at Vung Vieng Fishing Village?

At Vung Vieng Fishing Village you can take a bamboo boat ride, kayak, see fish farms and floating homes, and photograph the rock arch.

6. How long is the bamboo boat ride in Vung Vieng Fishing Village?

The bamboo boat ride at Vung Vieng Fishing Village usually lasts about 30–45 minutes.

7. Is Vung Vieng Fishing Village better than Cua Van?

Vung Vieng Fishing Village is quieter, while Cua Van is easier to reach on central Halong cruises.

8. Can I kayak at Vung Vieng Fishing Village?

Yes. Kayaking is offered at Vung Vieng Fishing Village on many cruises, in sheltered calm water.

9. Is Vung Vieng Fishing Village in Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay?

Vung Vieng Fishing Village is managed as part of Ha Long Bay route VHL4 and lies on the Bai Tu Long side of the bay.

10. What is the best time to visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village?

Morning or late afternoon from March to May or September to November is best for Vung Vieng Fishing Village.

11. Can I visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village on a day trip?

Yes, some day boats on route VHL4 visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village, though overnight cruises give more time.

12. Is Vung Vieng Fishing Village suitable for children?

Yes. Vung Vieng Fishing Village is easy for children: life jackets are provided on bamboo boats.

13. Should I tip at Vung Vieng Fishing Village?

A small tip for your rower at Vung Vieng Fishing Village is appreciated but not compulsory.

14. Is there a pearl farm at Vung Vieng Fishing Village?

Pearl craftsmanship is one of the listed activities in the Vung Vieng Fishing Village area, and some cruises include a pearl workshop.

15. Can I stay overnight in Vung Vieng Fishing Village?

There are no homestays in Vung Vieng Fishing Village; overnight cruises anchor nearby instead.