Value of the culture of fishing villages in Halong Bay

It was in the 19th century that the fishermen of Giang Vong and Truc Vong appeared in Halong Bay. Today, their descendants continue their life at the water's edge in the floating villages of Ba Hang, Cong Tau, Vung Vieng and Cua Van.

These men and women knew how to forge over the centuries an original cultural identity of a region known worldwide for its exceptional natural and geological values, Halong Bay.

Cua Van fishing village

Who says Halong, also says Cua Van, it's a most famous fishing village which can be seen by the colourful rustic floating houses. This peaceful community represents a witness perfectly attached to its ancestral culture.

Found between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, Cua Van stretches from Tung Sau to Hang Trai Island, about 20 km south of the old Bai Chay Wharf, in the core of the natural wonder of the world, Halong Bay. Consisting of two ancient villages of Giang Vong and Truc Vong, Cua Van is nestled in a quiet cove surrounded by the karst mountains Va Gia - Cua Van. Hiding from the wind, the place is an ideal place where many boats stop.

Not just a living aquaculture hamlet, this little floating world is a top cultural rendezvous for all anglers in Halong Bay and neighbouring bays.

Hat giao duyen or traditional songs between lovers aboard a sampan

Every year, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a special event, bringing together many people from all over Halong and Bai Tu Long. Traditional songs between lovers take place for the happiness of young men and women.

Community tourism in favour of fishing villages

In the spirit of improving the living conditions of fishing villages, the province of Quang Ninh set up 2013 the construction project of the relocation area of Cai Xa Cong in the Ha Phong district of Halong City. This has enabled 330 families or nearly three thousand people to settle and create varied sources of income. They benefit from professional training and financial support to create new jobs and repair or renovate their boats... Some remain faithful to fishing while others begin to stay in the tourism industry in Halong Bay.

Historical Values of Halong Bay

View from above from the Poem mountain

Listed as a UNESCO natural heritage site for its magical beauty, Halong Bay is also known for its important historical imprints. The first is the historical mountain Bai Tho (Poem) where we find the stone engraving of a Chinese poem by Emperor Le Thanh Tong, dated from 1468 during his tour in the Eastern Sea and the autobiography of Lord Trinh Cuong in 1729.

Bai Chay found in the west of the bay, according to legend, is associated with the event when the military ships carrying food of the Nguyen - Mong (Mongols) were burned by the Tran army under the command of Tran Khanh Du from the 13th century. The fire took over the entire forest, hence we have the current name of Bai Chay (Burnt Beach).

Hang Dau Go (Dau Go Cave), also known as the Cave of Wonders, one of the most beautiful caves in Halong, takes its name from the wooden stakes that General Tran Hung Dao had driven into the bed of the Bach Dang River historical. These traces, which together with the mouth of the Bach Dang river not far away, are glorious witnesses of two naval battles in the fight against the invaders from the North centuries ago.

>> Read more: The top 6 most beautiful caves to visit in Halong Bay

Fishing Villages - Specialized Tourism Promotion Models

To support a community and responsible tourism for local people in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh has launched the project “Preservation and Promotion of Tourism Products for Halong Fishing Villages” for the period 2014-2020. With this in mind, each village unfolds a specialized model for joint tourism promotion efforts.

A number of activities have been deployed in all the villages in Halong Bay, including the reproduction of classroom models and floating libraries, teaching and presenting the traditional songs between lovers on board sampans, and training in ancestral practices of net knitting.

Cua Van fishing village

The Ba Hang fishing village engages in multiple actions, namely the preservation of the mangrove ecosystem, reforestation, welcoming visitors, kayak rental and the sale of souvenirs.

As for the Hoa Cuong fishing village, it is embarking on fish farming in cages, a seafood market, an introduction to aquaculture techniques, the supply of equipment and catering.

Cua Van Fishing Village integrates its activities within the framework of the Halong floating museum also known as Cua Van Cultural Centre where a community space is exhibited for the preservation and enhancement of the cultural heritages and natural heritage of the world. Catering, accommodation, visiting fishing villages, exploring forest ecosystems, climbing, and observing wild animals in the mountains are some of the services offered by local inhabitants.

Cua Van Cultural Centre, the first floating museum in Halong Bay

While visiting the Vung Vieng fishing village, you can try fishing with traditional tools and take a tour of the pearl farming workshops to learn a bit about local traditional crafts.

The Cai Xa Cong relocation area is an exemplary redeveloped fishing village where seafood, souvenirs and handicrafts are sold.

Visitors will have an overview of the daily life and customs of people living in Halong Bay for generations through about twenty restored floating houses. These houses with the Cua Van Cultural Centre are certainly a place for meeting and sharing that are worth the detour during your discovery in Halong Bay.

In parallel with the support for fishing villages, Quang Ninh has implemented numerous actions to promote organized tours and cruises in Halong Bay. This allows for a better understanding of humanity's natural heritage by travellers from all over the world, while also sensitizing residents to the community and responsible tourism.

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