Cua Van Fishing Village

A floating village in the bay, where generations were born and raised on the water.

Cua Van was the largest floating village in Ha Long bay: hundreds of raft houses moored in clusters in a sheltered inlet, with a floating school, and many people here who never lived on land in their lives. From 2014 most residents were resettled ashore for environmental and safety reasons, so what remains today is part of the village kept as a cultural site, along with a floating culture centre displaying fishing gear and the old way of living. Visitors come by sampan rowed by local people, threading between sheer limestone walls. Know this in advance so you do not expect a fishing village still in full swing.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Cua Van Fishing Village?

October to December, calm water

How much does it cost to visit Cua Van Fishing Village?

Sampan fare charged on top of the bay ticket

How long do you need at Cua Van Fishing Village?

1.5 hours

What are the opening hours of Cua Van Fishing Village?

07:30 - 17:00

Did you know

Cua Van was once the largest floating village in Ha Long bay, and had a floating school.
From 2014 most residents were resettled on land.
The remaining part of the village is kept as a cultural site with a floating culture centre.
Visitors travel by sampan rowed by local people.

Travel tips

This is no longer a fully inhabited fishing village — knowing that in advance saves disappointment.
Take the locally rowed sampan rather than a motorboat; it is quieter and truer to the place.

Source: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/4730877540

Updated: 2026-08-16