Cua Van fishing village, a hidden gem amidst the magnificent Ha Long Bay, has long been an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists. More than just an integral part of exploring Ha Long, Cua Van offers a unique experience, taking visitors into a peaceful world where life is closely connected to the sea and traditional cultural values are preserved through generations. Let “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel the World) guide you to discover the beauty and fascinating aspects of this historic fishing village.
1. Journey to Cua Van Ancient Fishing Village
Geographical Location and History
Cua Van fishing village is located in Hung Thang commune, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province, about 20km from Bai Chay tourist wharf. Situated in the core area of Ha Long Bay, surrounded by majestic limestone mountains, Cua Van not only boasts a prime geographical location but also has a unique history of formation and development.
According to historical records and local legends, Cua Van fishing village has existed for a very long time, possibly hundreds of years. Initially, it was just a small boat anchorage for a few fishing families. Gradually, with its favorable, sheltered location and abundant seafood resources, more and more families came to settle and establish themselves, forming a crowded and prosperous fishing community. The name “Cua Van” (Van Gate) originates from the village’s location, at the gateway to a sea area with many small bays and inlets, where “ten thousand” boats could anchor.
Through historical ups and downs, Cua Van fishing village still retains its pristine beauty and traditional cultural identity of a coastal fishing village. It is not only home to hundreds of households but also a valuable intangible cultural heritage of Ha Long Bay.
Peaceful scenery of Cua Van fishing village in Ha Long Bay
Detailed Directions
To reach Cua Van fishing village, visitors can choose from various means of transportation, depending on their preferences and budget:
- Tourist boat: This is the most popular and convenient way to visit Cua Van fishing village, especially suitable for large groups. Tourist boats usually have fixed itineraries, combining a visit to the fishing village with other famous attractions in Ha Long Bay.
- Canoe/Speedboat: Canoes are a suitable option for visitors who want to save travel time and have a more flexible schedule. Canoes move faster than boats, giving visitors more time to explore the fishing village and surrounding areas.
- Cruise ship: For a luxurious and high-class experience, visitors can choose a cruise ship. 3-star, 4-star, or 5-star cruises often have Ha Long Bay itineraries that include Cua Van fishing village, combined with upscale resort, dining, and entertainment activities.
- Tour package: Booking a full-package tour is a convenient solution, especially for first-time visitors to Ha Long or those who do not have much time to plan on their own. Travel agencies often offer group tours or private tours, including transportation, entrance tickets, meals, and tour guides.
Regardless of the chosen means of transport, the journey to Cua Van fishing village will offer visitors exciting experiences, as they admire the majestic beauty of Ha Long Bay and feel the tranquility of fishing village life.
Ideal Time to Visit
Weather is also an important factor affecting the travel experience to Cua Van fishing village. The best time to visit is in the summer, from April to June. At this time, the weather in Ha Long is quite beautiful, sunny, and less rainy, very suitable for sightseeing and exploration activities at sea.
However, in the summer, the number of tourists visiting Ha Long is often very high, especially during holidays and weekends. If you want to avoid crowds and noise, visitors can choose to come to Cua Van in the autumn (September – November) or spring (February – April). The weather in autumn and spring is also quite pleasant, cool, and less rainy, suitable for relaxing and cultural exploration trips.
Colorful floating houses in Cua Van fishing village
2. Unique Beauty of Cua Van Ancient Fishing Village
Unique Floating House Architecture and Daily Life
The most distinctive feature of Cua Van fishing village is its unique floating house architecture. Hundreds of houses are built on rafts, close together, creating a unique architectural complex, standing out against the blue water of Ha Long Bay. These floating houses are not only homes but also places for living, working, and trading for the villagers.
Daily life in Cua Van fishing village is very simple and peaceful. In the morning, at sunrise, people start a new day with fishing, aquaculture, or preparing for tourism services. Children go to school on small boats, their laughter echoing throughout the bay. In the afternoon, as the sun sets, the fishing village becomes quieter and more romantic than ever.
Visitors to Cua Van can experience the daily life of the villagers by participating in activities such as kayaking, visiting fish farms, learning how to fish, or simply sitting on a boat, enjoying the scenery and feeling the peace of life here.
Culture and People of Cua Van
The people of Cua Van fishing village are famous for their gentleness, simplicity, and hospitality. They live closely with the sea, relying on it for survival and development. Cua Van fishing village culture also bears the distinct characteristics of marine culture, with unique customs, habits, festivals, and beliefs.
One of the cultural beauties of Cua Van is the community spirit and environmental awareness. The villagers are always united, helping each other in life and work. They are also very conscious of maintaining environmental hygiene, protecting seafood resources and the natural landscape of Ha Long Bay. Every day, people voluntarily collect waste at sea, contributing to keeping the marine environment green, clean, and beautiful.
Coming to Cua Van, visitors not only discover the natural beauty but also learn about the culture and people here, feeling the warmth and sincerity of the villagers.
Unique Experience Activities
Cua Van fishing village offers visitors many unique and interesting experiences:
- Kayaking: Exploring the beauty of the fishing village and the surrounding caves and limestone mountains by kayak is an unmissable experience. Visitors can paddle themselves or hire a boat with a driver to explore the hidden corners of the fishing village and enjoy the peaceful and quiet space.
- Visiting fish farms: Visitors can visit aquaculture farms to learn about the process of raising fish, shrimp, squid, and enjoy fresh seafood on the spot.
- Cultural exchange: Meet and chat with the villagers, learn about their lives, culture, and interesting stories about Cua Van fishing village. Visitors can also participate in local traditional cultural and artistic activities if there is an opportunity.
- Enjoying seafood cuisine: Fresh seafood is a must-try specialty when coming to Cua Van. Visitors can enjoy dishes made from fresh seafood right at the fish farms or restaurants on the bay.
Kayaking activity to explore Cua Van fishing village
3. Notes and Experiences for Traveling to Cua Van Ancient Fishing Village
To have a complete and meaningful trip to Cua Van fishing village, visitors should note the following experiences:
- Prepare luggage: You should bring comfortable, cool clothes, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and swimwear (if you want to swim). If you are prone to seasickness, you should prepare motion sickness medicine.
- Book accommodation in advance (if staying overnight): Although there are not many luxury hotels or guesthouses, there are some simple guesthouses or homestays in Cua Van. If you want to stay overnight to experience fishing village life, you should book in advance, especially during peak season.
- Respect local culture: When visiting the fishing village, visitors should dress politely and discreetly, respecting the customs, habits, and culture of the local people. Avoid making noise, disturbing order, and littering indiscriminately.
- Buy local specialties: Fresh seafood and handicraft products are meaningful gifts that visitors can buy as gifts for relatives and friends.
- Combine visiting other attractions: Cua Van fishing village is located near many other famous attractions of Ha Long Bay such as Sung Sot cave, Thien Cung cave, Hon Ga Choi (Fighting Cock islet)… Visitors can combine visiting the fishing village with these destinations to have a diverse and rich Ha Long exploration journey.
Beautiful sunset scenery at Cua Van fishing village
Conclusion
Cua Van ancient fishing village is not only a unique tourist destination but also a cultural symbol of Ha Long Bay. It offers visitors memorable experiences of natural beauty, simple life, and traditional culture of the villagers. If you are looking for a peaceful destination, close to nature and rich in cultural values, come to Cua Van fishing village to explore and feel the wonderful things it offers. Surely, the journey to Cua Van will be an unforgettable memory in your Ha Long exploration trip.