January
17°C ~ 63°F
8 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
Ha Long Bay
Cua Van Floating Village
A fishing community living on rafts in the bay, visited by rowing boat or kayak.
- Time needed
- From 1 hour
- Entry fee
- 100,000 – 150,000 VND
- Best months
- Sep – Nov
- Best time
- Morning, when the water is calm
Overview
Cua Van is one of the few remaining floating villages in Ha Long Bay. Families live on wooden houses on the water, with fish farms underneath, and move between homes and shops by small rowing boat.
Visitors see the village from a bamboo boat or a kayak, and some cruises add a stop at a pearl farm or a small floating shop. It gives a glimpse of how local people have lived on the bay for generations, and it is much quieter than the main cave stops.
Highlights
- Row around the village in a bamboo boat
- Watch fish farming on the water
- Kayak quietly between the houses
- Stop at a pearl farm on some routes
Visitor information
| Opening hours | Daily, daytime |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | Usually included in cruise tickets Rowing boat: about 100,000 – 150,000 VND per person if sold separately |
| Time needed | 1 – 1.5 hours |
| Best time of day | Morning, when the water is calm |
| Good for | Culture seekers, photographers, kayakers |
| Accessibility | Small boats and ladders; not ideal for limited mobility |
| Facilities | Boat pickup, small floating shops |
Prices and hours can change. Check the official source before you go.
Best time to visit
Weather in Ha Long Bay by month.
February
17.8°C ~ 64°F
7 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
March
20.9°C ~ 70°F
11 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
April
24°C ~ 75°F
12 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
May
27°C ~ 81°F
19 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
June
28.9°C ~ 84°F
22 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
July
28.7°C ~ 84°F
24 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
August
28.2°C ~ 83°F
26 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
27.5°C ~ 82°F
22 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
October
25°C ~ 77°F
11 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
November
22.3°C ~ 72°F
9 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
December
18.1°C ~ 65°F
5 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
How to get there
From Ha Long Bay centre
Cua Van is reached by cruise boat or by small boat from Bai Chay wharf, about 1 hour. Most visitors go on a day trip or overnight cruise that includes it.
Tips before you go
- Ask your guide what you can photograph, and be polite near homes
- Bring a hat and sunscreen for the open water
- Consider tipping the rower; it is optional
- Some fishing families have moved ashore, so the number of houses has dropped
Location
Cua Van, Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh
Inside Ha Long Bay, about 1 hour by boat from the wharf
More attractions in Ha Long Bay
FAQs
Do people still live in Cua Van?
Some families still live on the water, though the number has fallen as many have moved ashore.
Can I kayak there?
Yes. Many cruises include kayaking in the quiet water around the village.
Is it a tourist attraction or a real village?
It is both: a real fishing community that is also visited. Be respectful and ask before taking photos of people.