Halong Bay is one of the famous tourist destinations in Vietnam. Scattered along the bay are numerous floating villages, including Cua Van, Ba Hang, Cong Tau, and Vung Vieng. These villages are home to approximately 1,500 people who live on boats or floating houses above the water.
Halong Bay is a bay covering approximately 1,500 square kilometers in northern Vietnam, with a coastline of 120 kilometers. It is situated within the Tonkin Gulf near the border with the People’s Republic of China and is about 170 kilometers away from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. In Vietnamese, Halong Bay translates to ‘Descending Dragon Bay.’ Since 1994, Halong Bay has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2012, it was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World by the New 7 Wonders Foundation. The bay consists of 1,969 spectacular limestone islands that rise dramatically from the sea, some of which have a significant number of caves.
The floating villages in Halong Bay hold a special allure for tourists. Nestled among the towering limestone cliffs, these villages are a beautiful sight. There is no solid ground to be found here; when you open the doors of the houses, all you see is the water.
These villages are an ideal place to witness the daily life of the local population and to enjoy the stunning natural beauty. In this article, we will delve deeper into the floating villages of Halong Bay.
The floating villages in Halong Bay have existed for hundreds of years. Originally, these villages were built as shelters for fishermen from storms and large waves in Halong Bay. The villages also provided an ideal location for fishing and collecting shellfish.
In the past, the houses in these villages were built on bamboo rafts known as ‘thung chai.’ However, over time, floating houses became more common as they were easier to construct and offered better protection against storms.
Life in the floating villages of Halong Bay is vastly different from life on land. The village residents spend most of their time on the water and rely on the sea to meet their daily needs.
The village population consists of fishermen and fish farmers who make their living from the sea’s bounty. They also offer a unique experience for tourists by selling their fresh catches, such as shrimp, crabs, and fish.
Additionally, village residents sell handicrafts made from shells and other natural materials to tourists. They also operate tour boats to take visitors around the village and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.
The floating village offers many fascinating tourist activities. Visitors can explore the traditional market in the village and purchase unique and captivating handicrafts. Moreover, tourists can visit a museum of marine life to learn more about the marine ecosystem in Halong Bay.
Tourists can also savor fresh and delicious seafood served in the village’s restaurants. They can enjoy spectacular views from tour boats that cruise around the village.”
