While the central areas of Ha Long Bay are famous for their colossal and magnificent caves, Vietnamstory wants to take you on a journey to a place that offers something much deeper, something more soulful: a glimpse into a beautiful and vanishing floating way of life. Welcome to the incredible Vung Vieng Fishing Village. Nestled in the serene and pristine waters of the quieter Bai Tu Long Bay, this floating village is a true hidden gem. It has been frequently cited as one of the 16 most beautiful traditional fishing villages in the world. At Vietnamstory, we highly recommend a visit to Vung Vieng for our Indian travelers who are seeking peace, authentic cultural interaction, and a more sustainable, “off-the-beaten-path” experience, far away from the heavy crowds you might find in other parts of the bay.
Location of Vung Vieng Fishing Village and The Iconic “Stone Gate”
The magic of Vung Vieng is defined by its beautiful isolation and its absolutely spectacular natural entrance. This is not a village you can simply drive to; it is a hidden world protected by nature itself. Let’s explore its unique geography.
Vung Vieng is situated approximately 20–25 km east of the main Tuan Chau International Marina, tucked away within the beautiful Vung Ha archipelago of Bai Tu Long Bay.
The “Village Gate” (Hang Cao) is what makes the entrance to Vung Vieng so unforgettable. Unlike any other village in the world, Vung Vieng has a literal, natural gate—a massive, 50-meter-wide natural limestone archway called Hang Cao. Depending on the tide, this incredible arch stands between 5 to 8 meters high, and all visitors must pass under this magnificent “cathedral of stone” in a small boat or a kayak to enter the peaceful community hidden within.
Vung Vieng is an exclusive destination that can only be reached by cruises that are licensed to operate on Route 4, the route that is dedicated to exploring the serene Bai Tu Long Bay. The standard 4-6 hour day trips from the main harbor cannot reach Vung Vieng due to the long distance. To have this incredible experience, you must book an overnight cruise (a 2-Day, 1-Night or a 3-Day, 2-Night itinerary).
READ MORE: Bai Tu Long National Park: Ha Long Bay’s Serene, Untouched Twin
A “Living Museum”: The floating community in 2025
Vung Vieng has gracefully transitioned from a bustling residential hub of hundreds of families into a beautifully preserved cultural sanctuary, offering a poignant look into a traditional way of life. The story of the village today is one of resilience and adaptation. Let’s look at the community.
In an effort to provide the local children with better access to education and healthcare, the government initiated a program between 2012 and 2021 where most of the original 50 families were moved to new homes on the mainland. Today, the village functions as a beautiful hybrid between a working community and a living museum. Roughly 30 households remain on the water, not as full-time residents, but as custodians of their heritage. They now manage the local aquaculture, farming beautiful pearls and raising fish like sea bass and grouper.
The layout of the Floating Village:
- The Floating Communal House: This is the heart of the village, a central floating platform where community meetings were once held and where you can now see cultural displays about the village’s history.
- The Floating Schoolroom: One of the most touching sights is the old floating schoolroom, where the village children used to study. It is a powerful reminder of the challenges and the unique joys of growing up on the water.
- The Architecture: The village is made up of small, colorful floating houses (each about 30 square meters), all connected by charming wooden walkways and floating on traditional bamboo and modern plastic buoy systems.
How you can experience the Village beyond just sightseeing?
Vung Vieng is an “active” destination, a place where you are invited to learn and participate, not just to watch from a distance. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the culture and the nature of the bay.
- The Bamboo Rowboat Ride: This is the most popular and peaceful way to explore. You will sit in a traditional bamboo boat, skillfully rowed by one of the local village women. The ride is almost completely silent, allowing you to hear the gentle lap of the water against the boat and the sounds of the seabirds. It is an incredibly serene and beautiful 20-30 minute experience.
- Independent Kayaking: For the more adventurous, you can take a kayak and navigate the limestone “alleyways” and hidden lagoons that surround the village perimeter at your own pace.
- The Pearl Farming Experience: One of the most fascinating activities is a visit to the local pearl farms. Here, you can learn all about the process of culturing the famous Akoya and South Sea pearls, from the 7-stage cleaning process to the delicate art of harvesting, a process they call the “Moonlight Collection.”
- “For a Green Ha Long”: You can even participate in a meaningful sustainability project. Many cruises, in partnership with a USAID-supported initiative, will invite guests to join the locals in using nets to collect any floating debris in the bay, allowing you to actively contribute to keeping this beautiful place pristine.
Tailoring the Vung Vieng experience for Indian guests
At Vietnamstory, we understand the specific needs and preferences of our Indian guests, and a visit to Vung Vieng can be a perfect fit. Here is why this destination works so well for Indian travelers.
- Vegetarian & Jain dining: Because the cruises that travel on Route 4 to Vung Vieng are often smaller, more boutique luxury vessels (like the beautiful Dragon Legend Cruise), the chefs on board are able to provide a much more highly personalized dining service. They are very experienced and happy to prepare delicious, authentic Indian-style vegetarian, Jain, or Halal menus for you.
- Perfect for multi-generational travel: The traditional bamboo boat rides are exceptionally stable and safe, making them the perfect and most comfortable activity for both seniors and young children. It is a wonderful and worry-free way for the entire family to experience the beauty of the bay together.
- Incredible photography: The morning light (between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM) is absolutely magical here. The way the soft light reflects off the colorful floating houses and illuminates the magnificent Hang Cao archway provides some of the most beautiful and “Instagrammable” moments of your entire cruise.
Planning your 2026 visit and Expert insights from Vietnamstory
A little bit of planning will ensure your visit to this serene paradise is perfect. Here are our final tips and some rare insights that other guides might miss.
- Best time to visit: The dry season, from October to May, offers the calmest seas and the most pleasant weather. The period from April to June provides the best and most brilliant sunlight for your photography.
- Combine your trip: A visit to Vung Vieng is usually perfectly paired with an exploration of the magnificent Thien Canh Son Cave (The “Cave of the Heavenly Landscape”) and a stop for swimming at one of the pristine, white-sand beaches in the Cong Do area.
- Respectful etiquette: The people of the village are warm and welcoming, but it is always polite to ask for permission before taking a close-up photograph of the residents, especially inside their homes.
READ MORE: Is Ha Long Bay Worth Visiting in 2026?
What other guides might miss it?
As your bamboo boat glides through the water, watch your rower closely. You will notice that many of the local women use their feet to help propel the oars, a traditional and incredibly skillful technique that is unique to the fishing communities of Northern Vietnam.
The floating school, which once educated the village’s children, now serves a new and important purpose. In 2025, it functions as a secondary vocational center, where the teenagers of the community learn the skills of sustainable tourism, marking a beautiful transition from a traditional fishing past to a future as the proud eco-stewards of their home.
Conclusion
A visit to Vung Vieng Fishing Village offers a connection that goes far deeper than just a beautiful view. It is an authentic and heartfelt glimpse into a way of life that is in perfect, peaceful harmony with the sea. It is the gentle smile of the woman rowing your bamboo boat, the quiet dedication of the pearl farmer, and the poignant sight of the old floating schoolhouse. These are the moments that allow you to connect not just with the landscape of Bai Tu Long Bay, but with its very soul. It is an experience of true, uncommercialized authenticity.
At Vietnamstory, our passion is to guide you to these kinds of deep and meaningful connections. Let us help you find the perfect cruise that will take you to the quiet heart of our maritime heritage. Contact us today, and let’s start planning a journey that is as authentic as it is beautiful.