Category Archives: Travelling Tips

  • Kayaking or bamboo boat rides through the floating houses and fish farms.
  • Interacting with local fishermen to learn about their aquaculture and fishing methods.
  • Participating in daily activities such as net casting, oyster farming, or simply observing the peaceful rhythm of the floating community. The best moments to visit are early in the morning or at sunset, when the water turns golden and the entire bay glows in warm, soft light — perfect for photography and quiet reflection. Tra Bau is more than just a stop on the cruise — it’s a peaceful retreat that captures the soul of Lan Ha Bay, where nature and human life coexist in perfect balance

Tra Bau Floating Village – A Tranquil Fishing Haven

Hidden amidst the calm waters of Lan Ha Bay, Tra Bau Floating Village remains one of the most serene and authentic fishing villages in the area. Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters, it offers a glimpse into the traditional life of local fishermen who have lived on the bay for generations.
Visitors to Tra Bau can enjoy:

Dark & Bright Cave – The Hidden Beauty of Lan Ha Bay

Located at the natural border between Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, the Dark & Bright Cave (Hang Tối – Hang Sáng) is a fascinating natural limestone formation sculpted over thousands of years by wind and water.
The cave is divided into two parts:
• The Bright Cave (Hang Sáng) – where sunlight filters through the arch, illuminating emerald-green waters and limestone reflections that sparkle like crystals. • The Dark Cave (Hang Tối) – a mysterious passage with calm waters, ideal for quiet moments of discovery.
Visitors can only explore the cave by kayak or small bamboo boat, paddling through a waterway about 100 meters long under the stone arch. The experience is both peaceful and mesmerizing — when sunlight hits the surface of the water, it creates a shimmering mirror of nature’s artistry.
The best time to visit is from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, when the tide level allows safe passage through the cave. This is one of Lan Ha Bay’s must-see highlights for anyone seeking the harmony of light, water, and stone.

Viet Hai Village – A Peaceful Ancient Village in the Heart of Cat Ba National Park

Nestled deep within the lush greenery of Cat Ba National Park, Viet Hai Village is a hidden gem that preserves the traditional charm of a coastal community. Covering an area of around 150 hectares, the village is home to roughly 70 households who still maintain their simple, rustic lifestyle surrounded by majestic limestone mountains and tranquil rice fields.
Viet Hai offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience authentic Vietnamese rural life — where houses are built from bamboo, wood, and clay, and daily life moves at a calm, peaceful pace.
There are two ways to reach the village:
• A scenic boat trip through Lan Ha Bay, followed by a short transfer by bicycle or electric car. • Or a trekking route of 7–8 km through the dense forest of Cat Ba National Park, ideal for adventure lovers.
While exploring, guests can enjoy cycling around the village, learning about the locals’ fishing and farming traditions, and immersing themselves in the serene landscape where mountains, forests, and the sea meet in harmony.
Viet Hai is not just a sightseeing stop — it’s an authentic cultural journey that connects travelers with the simplicity and warmth of island life.

Exciting activities on Ha Long cruise

In recent years, choosing to enjoy the scenery of Ha Long Bay and spend the night on yachts has gradually become a trend of many Vietnamese tourists. Along with admiring the beautiful natural scenery here,  overnight tours on Ha Long cruise  also bring visitors extremely interesting experiences. So  what activities does Ha Long cruise  have that attract tourists so much? Here are some outstanding activities that only overnight on a cruise in Ha Long you will have the opportunity to experience:

Watching the sunset on Ha Long Bay:  It can be said that nowhere in this country of Vietnam has an ideal place to watch the sunset on the sea. The sunset scene of Ha Long is completely different from many other places in the country. Coming here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the sunset scenery mixed with the scenery of thousands of limestone islands to create a magical space that nowhere else in the country has. Besides, during this time, the yachts often have promotions “happy hour” selling drinks at cheap prices. So what’s more wonderful than sipping a drink and enjoying the fresh and romantic air when the night is slowly falling. Perhaps this is the best time for you to take beautiful pictures and freely “live virtual” on social networking sites.

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Watch the sunset on Ha Long Bay

Visiting the bay:  Considered a unique work of art created by “Mother Nature” with an area of ​​​​about 1,553 km2 and 1,969 islands with different shapes – large and small, creating a scene for Ha Long. The beauty of Ha Long is just like the world cultural celebrity Nguyen Trai once commented about Ha Long as “a wonder of the earth built in the sky”. If you stay at hotels on the shore, you usually only participate in a 4-hour sightseeing journey on the Bay with destinations such as: Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Titop Island, Lu Huong Peak, Trong Mai Islet… If you stay overnight on the cruise, you will have the opportunity to go deeper into the heart of the heritage area where there are attractive, unspoiled destinations that are much more famous than the 4-hour cruise on the bay.

Vinh Halong

Kayaking:  This is considered one of the most attractive and is an activity that most visitors to Ha Long want to experience once. Currently, the management of Ha Long Bay has re-planned a number of kayaking spots with beautiful scenery, you will be completely immersed in a wild landscape of Ha Long. When participating in kayaking in the journey of  Ha Long cruise ship,  you will be taken to places with the most pristine and beautiful scenery to experience this activity such as: Dong Tien Lake area, Drum cave, Luon cave, Tung Sau-pearl farm…


Kayaking on the Bay is one of the most enjoyable activities for tourists

Climbing and swimming at Titop Island, Soi Sim Island: This is considered the most famous island of Ha Long Bay. The reason it is known by many domestic and foreign tourists is because Titop Island is the first and only island now you can try your hand at climbing to the top after passing about 400 stone steps. Enjoy a unique experience that is: See Ha Long from above (most of the beautiful photos from above in Ha Long are taken here) With a 360-degree view, you can fully enjoy the view. panoramic view of the bay from many different angles. It won’t be worth your effort to climb a bit if you can see the beauty of Ha Long Bay from the top of Ti Top – especially young tourists who have a hobby of taking pictures and checking in… After a while of relaxing, enjoying the fresh air and watching The scene went up and down the mountain and immersed in the clear blue water of the beach here.


Swimming on the bay also gives visitors a different and exciting feeling

Explore the cave: With a system of different large and small cave populations scattered in the core area of ​​the world natural heritage, creating one of the factors attracting tourists. The cave system was discovered and named according to the imagination of visitors. Among the most beautiful are: Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Sung Sot Cave, Me Cung Cave, Tien Ong Cave, Trinh Nu Cave, Bo Nau Cave, Thien Canh Son Cave…. Among the caves mentioned above, Dong Thien Cung, Dau Go Cave, Sung Sot Cave, Me Cung Cave and Thien Canh Son Cave are the destinations of the most tourists because it belongs to the main sightseeing route currently under the Ha Long Bay Management Board. license planning. It can be said that the stalactite system in Ha Long is very diverse, with many types of bamboo shoots, stalactites … creating a feeling of magnificence and magnificence and this is also one of the highlights to attract tourists to Ha Long.

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You can’t miss the activities to explore the beautiful caves on the bay

Cooking program + Squid fishing + Free tai chi practice:  An attractive activity that only when you join the night cruise program you will have the opportunity to experience for free is: Squid fishing and learn cooking. The chef will teach you how to make some typical dishes of traditional Vietnamese cuisine such as fried spring rolls or fresh spring rolls combined with dipping sauces to highlight the flavor of Vietnamese cuisine. In addition, you can also try your luck when fishing for squid – a unique experience that only you have the option of sleeping on a yacht in Ha Long Bay. If you are lucky, you can catch fresh squid and process it, enjoy it at the boat. Currently, all cruise ships in Ha Long provide these two services free of charge.


Most cruises on Ha Long have a cooking program

Singing karaoke on the yacht:  This type of service is only applicable to groups that charter a yacht. The yacht is also completely free to use. You can freely immerse yourself in the songs performed by the members of your group (Singing time from: after meals to 12pm)…

squid fishing
Visitors fishing for squid on a yacht


If you choose a number of cruises going to Bai Tu Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Cat Ba Island, you will have the opportunity to participate in a cycling program to visit Viet Hai Fishing Village and take a walk around Bai Tu Long National Forest.

Above are some activities that only when you choose to sleep overnight on a cruise in Ha Long you will have the opportunity to experience and that is indeed one of the highlights that makes more and more tourists choose. choose to spend the night on a cruise in Ha Long Bay – which is known as a natural wonder of the world and recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage.

Source: Dulichhalong.net compiled

Experience a day as a fisherman on Ha Long Bay

Here, visitors can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery, enjoy the fresh air, but also participate in a special one-day Ha Long tour on a Ha Long cruise, be a fisherman and kayak, explore Ferry interesting points in the middle of the sea.
Passenger cruise ships depart from Bai Chay tourist port early in the morning and follow the direction to Bai Tu Long Bay. On the journey to the fishing village, the ship passed quite a few rocky islands with various shapes on the shimmering and fanciful water surface. Local people name the islands according to their shape, such as Hon Am, Hon Face, Hon Oan…

Experience a day as a fisherman on Ha Long Bay
Experience a day as a fisherman on Ha Long Bay

 

Joining the Ha Long tour “One day as a fisherman”, tourists from many places want to discover the daily life of fishermen at sea. When being introduced by the tour guide about the one-day program as a fisherman, visitors can not only discover the natural beauty of Ha Long Bay but also live with the fishermen and participate in activities taking place in the bay’s fishing village. Ha Long as fishing, rafting, kayaking around the cave and living right at the raft houses on Ha Long Bay….

After nearly 4 hours on the cruise ship, the group of tourists set foot on the rafts of the fishermen of Vung Vieng fishing village. 24 km from the mainland, Vung Vieng fishing village is located in a quiet, peaceful location with charming scenery. More than 160 residents living in the fishing village still retain the traditional activities of the fishing community on Ha Long Bay. That is also the reason why this fishing village has become a tourist product exploited by many tour operators.

Vung Vieng fishing village

The group of tourists was divided into small groups, equipped with life jackets and put on bamboo boats. The boat is brought to a position where the fishermen think there are many fish and tourists can row and fish like real fishermen. First, the fishermen guide tourists to cast their nets. This job looks simple at first glance, but it requires a lot of ingenuity because if not careful, the net will get tangled. After casting the net, the fishermen let the boat run around. The next job that visitors have to do is knocking to attract the attention of fish into the net.

Near noon, when everyone in the group felt tired and hungry, the fishermen signaled to pull the nets to harvest fish. This is the most interesting stage for everyone. The net pulled up was laden with white scale fish glistening in the sea sun. Non-professional fishermen are taught how to remove fish so as not to tear the net. Everyone is satisfied and happy when pulling a fresh catch of fish.
Lunch consisting of dishes made from fresh fish is quickly displayed on the table. These are rustic, unfussy dishes prepared by the women of Vung Vieng fishing village in the vast space between the sky and the sea, giving people indescribable emotions.

On the train back to the port, the tourists all had the same mood that was joy mixed with regret. A day to become real fishermen has brought visitors both strange and interesting experiences, thereby helping them understand more things about the life of fishermen in the sea.

TI TOP ISLAND: THE COMPLETE GUIDE

Ti Top island is located about 14 kilometers to the east of Bai Chay tourist harbor. It has a beach that is shaped like a crescent moon and is known for its tranquility and beautiful still blue waters. The sands of the beach have been dyed white by the ocean’s surf creating a perfect picture of paradise.

1. In A Nutshell

The island has a total area of 3,7 hectares (0,037 km²).

The island was named by the most respected hero of Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh, after the Russian cosmonaut Gherman Titov on the occasion of his first visit to Ha Long Bay in 1962.

With a summit height at 110 meters (360 ft), the mountain on Ti Top island is taking about 450 steps to reach its peak.

Ti Top island is regarded as one of the most attractive sites for both international and domestic tourists to Ha Long Bay.

2. The name

The island was named after the Russian cosmonaut Gherman Stepanovich Titov who, together with President Ho Chi Minh, visited the island in 1962. Titop island has since become a popular tourist destination and provides many services catered to tourists.

3. Activities

Because of the immaculate white sand and the calm waters, the beach is perfect for water-based recreational activities like swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports. There is a bar on the island where you can rent all kinds of swim gear and, of course, stop for a few drinks if you’re that way inclined!

Deckchairs are available but you will be asked to buy some food and/or beverages. If you take your own, then you will have to pay a little fee. The beach offers welcome refreshments in the hot summer months and even after sundown you can go for a walk and enjoy the moonlit beach for all its nocturnal glory.

After a refreshing day at the beach, please try some of the wonderful local seafood specialties. You won’t regret it!

4. Top 5 interesting tourism activities in Ti Top Island

Coming to Titop Island Vietnam, you can not only enjoy nature but also participate in multiple types of tourism activities as below:

4.1. Swimming at Ti Top Beach

Besides the beautiful natural scenery and charming mountains, Ti Top Beach, or Vang Trang Beach, contributes to the unique features of the island. The beach is not too big compared to the others, yet the island mesmerizes tourists with its pure white sand and clear blue seawater in the four seasons. Therefore, this place is definitely an ideal destination for your holiday getaway.

4.2. Viewing Ha Long Bay from above at the peak of Ti Top Island

Climbing on Titop Island is an activity that you cannot miss. By taking 400 steep steps, you can conquer the peak of the mountain, which gives you a chance to grasp the immensity and majesty of Ha Long Bay at a 100-meter altitude. In this way, you can see the various changes in this wonder according to the time of day.

4.3. Kayaking – An indispensable activity in Ti Top Island

Kayaking is an indispensable activity when coming to Ti Top. In this activity, you will control a tiny kayak on your own and wriggle through the caves to discover the beauty of nature. To avoid tipping over, you must know how to keep your balance and paddle evenly. The kayak rental price to explore Ti Top is about 150,000 VND/hour.

4.4. Taking towed buoys – A water-based activity to join with friends

Despite not being a new activity, taking towed buoys is among the most enjoyable activities in this wonderful island. Specifically, the buoy is tied to a canoe or a motor and is dragged across the water at a speed of 50 – 80 km/h. This kind of sport is very suitable for groups of young people, especially for company team-building purposes.

5. Some notes for your perfect trip to Ti Top Beach

To make your perfect getaway a reality, some information below will be helpful to you:

Ti Top Beach is relatively sunny in the summer, so sunscreen is necessary for you to not get sunburnt.

There are very few catering services on the island so you should remember to bring snacks with you.

You should not forget to take along a portable charger to save your moments with your devices.

To ensure safety on the way to the peak of Ti Top, you should mind your steps during climbing or descending.

EXPLORING THE QUANG NINH MUSEUM AND LIBRARY

Designed by Spanish architect Salavador Perez Arroyo, another must-visit in Ha Long is the Quang Ninh Museum. It is part of a collection of museums located in the Hong Hai ward in Ha Long City.

Overview

The building looks like a giant mirror meant to reflect the beauty of Ha Long Bay. It showcases exhibits on Vietnamese culture, history, and nature in a modern and contemporary light.

The museum has three floors that represent the different stages of development of the Quang Ninh province; From ancient times to the present day, and from the mountains to the bay.

Structure

The first floor represents nature. There are four columns that are meant to serve as the images of mountains and a light show which is meant to reenact the shimmering of light coming off the water. Walking through the first floor feels as if you’re having a stroll in the beautiful Ha Long Bay.

On the second floor, you can find exhibits on the history of Quang Ninh. Archaeological findings are in display going back as far as prehistoric times.

The third floor is about the culture of the province and its people. Mining and coal has played a pivotal part in the development of the region and a lot of objects related to this industry are exhibited.

A visit is well-recommended to anyone interested in the history and culture of the Quang Ninh province. It offers a unique glimpse into the development and history of the region and of the daily lives of its inhabitants over the centuries.

 

Useful Information

Opening Times: Opening times are Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 15 p.m.

 

Entrance Fees: Tickets are 40.000 VND as of July 2019. Discounts are offered for students and children.

Address: Trần Quốc Nghiễn, Tuần Châu, Thành phố Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh (Maps and directions)

Website: http://www.baotangquangninh.vn/

SUNG SOT (SURPRISE) CAVE: THE ‘SURPRISING’ STORY BEHIND HA LONG BAY’S LARGEST CAVE

Of all of Ha Long’s caves, Sung Sot cave is the largest, perhaps the most renowned, and likely the most visited of all.

Among the 1,969 sunken limestone towers submerged in the indigo waters of Ha Long Bay are a series of ancient caves and grottoes – many of which remained unexplored. To date, there are 59 caves listed on the official registry (this includes the most recent discovery of 23 ‘new’ caves), all of which have a special belonging in Ha Long Bay’s distinctive ecosystem. Undoubtedly the most famous of them all is Sung Sot Cave, which has rightfully earned its near-legendary status among visitors to the world-famous bay.

Location

Largely considered to be the center of Ha Long Bay, Sung Sot Cave is located on Bo Hon Island, a close neighbor of several other famous attractions such as Titov Island, Bo Nau Grotto, Me Cung Cave and Luon Cave.

Bo Hon Island is one of the largest in the area, its resident cave is also comparatively large. Located on the same island is Trinh Nu Cave, another example of the folklore that Ha Long Bay is laden with (if you fancy reading about the estranged lovers whose tragic story ended in Trinh Nu Cave with a dramatic death you can read about that here).

History & Formation of Sung Sot Cave

Sung Sot Cave was allegedly first discovered by the French in 1901, who took it upon themselves to name it “Grotte des Surprises”, or Surprising Cave, because of its ‘surprising’ beauty (although the name didn’t catch on until a good 40 years later). The cave welcomed its first visitors in 1993, a mere one year before Ha Long Bay would receive its first bestowment of World Heritage site status from UNESCO.

From 520-470 million BC, Ha Long Bay was subject to intense tectonic plate movements, along with severe rainfall and flooding which caused the formation of underwater mountains. Millions of years on, the Ha Long Bay area began to experience a period of extreme heat and drought.

The change in weather patterns is what eventually contributed to the emergence of the thick limestone formations that we can still see today. The steady erosion of these sea mountains eventually delivered to us the much-coveted caves of Ha Long Bay. The advancement of the sea and its effects on the formation of the caves can be seen on the ceilings, where a ripple-like pattern is often visible.

What You’ll See at Sung Sot Cave

There’s a small dock at the bottom of Bo Hon Island, where you’ll dismount your boat and begin the climb up 100 or so steps to the mouth of Sung Sot Cave. The cave covers a staggering 10,000 square meters (that’s twice the size of the White House if that’s anything to go by). The cave is about 30 meters high and sports a 500-meter long passage (good news for the claustrophobics among us).

 

The interior is separated into 2 caverns, the first of which is a small amphitheater type of space connected by a small passageway to the larger cavern next door, which is big enough to hold 1,000 people or more. The entire cave is bestrewn with stalactites and stalagmites, which serve as endless material for the legend and ‘lore of the area.

Folklore

Appointing recognizable shapes, animals, and patterns to the formations within the caves has become a much-loved tradition within Ha Long Bay, and Sung Sot Cave is no exception. A generous stretch of the imagination is needed in a lot of cases, but it’s part of the fun of the expedition- and if you have a good tour guide who knows their stuff it will make all the difference.

During your trip to Sung Sot Cave, you are likely to be told that one of the stalactites greatly resembles a horse and a long sword (maybe if you squint, like, really hard…). You see it? Yes, of course, you do… That horse and sword belong to the legend of Thanh Giong (Thanh can be translated to Saint in English) who is a pretty famous figure in Vietnamese folklore, who left these items here to protect Ha Long Bay from evil demons.

Among the other ‘recognizable’ formations in Sung Sot Cave are mammoths, elephants, seals, flowers, and even a general gathering his troops.

Shaft of light entering through an opening in sung sot cave

Whether or not your imagination stretches far enough to see a mammoth, it’s hard not to be captivated by this place

How to Get There

The best way to see Ha Long Bay has always been by boat. Among the numerous cruise companies that tour through the bay, a pretty large amount will visit Sung Sot Cave. Get in touch with us if you want to book a cruise visiting Sung Sot Cave!

 

CUA VAN FLOATING VILLAGE: A LIVING LIFE MUSEUM IN HA LONG BAY

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-recognized Natural World Heritage Site, has gained a name for the picturesque scenery of the coast and islands, but have you ever heard of Cua Van floating village as a precious gem to be found alongside the shoreline? If the answer is “No”, don’t hesitate to come by Cua Van for a visit at no time.

Cua Van floating village has been ranked among the most beautiful ancient villages on the planet. Within minutes, its distinctive cultural pattern and tradition are guaranteed to make a lasting impression on tourists from all over the globe.

Location: Hung Thang Precinct, Quang Ninh Province – attached to Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay

 I. Overview of Cua Van Floating Village

Cua Van floating village belongs to one of Ha Long Bay’s tourism development programs, including other famous tourist attractions like Ba Ham Lake, Tieng Ong Cave… To be more specific, the village is situated 20km away from Tuan Chau Island nearby, which is equivalent to an approximately 2-hour trip by boat.

For your information, Cua Van of former times used to be among the biggest floating villages in the Ha Long Bay residential area. Despite being in the middle of the sea, Cua Van village is not disturbed by the strong wind blowing in different directions. The main reason behind that is the surrounding cluster of islands which prevents the rush of air from completely getting through, acting as an important contributing place for boats to anchor themselves when a storm hits the zone.

In 2014, the authority started resettling families and residents to the mainland in order that they could reap more benefits from the flourishing economy and tourism development. However, a minority of Cua Van local people chose to remain offshore in the daytime, and earn a living by traditional fishing or running services for tourists.

1. Best Time to Visit Cua Van Floating Village

When is the best time to visit Cua Van fishing village in a year? The answer is from October to September next year. Especially, you are highly advised to avoid July and August due to the fact that in two months, there are usually a lot of tropical cyclones and depressions or rain and rough sea in Vietnam.

The period from October to September next year is also divided into two peak seasons, one for domestic tourists and the other for foreign tourists. The peak season of foreign tourists in Vinh Ha Long, in common, and Cua Van, in particular, is from October to April next year. Maybe this period in foreign countries is the winter vacation and new year holiday and tropical countries with higher average temperatures and cheap costs are ideal choices.

2. Highlights of Cua Van Floating Village

Why has Cua Van become so well-liked by not only domestic tourists but also foreign visitors? What are the unique features of the fishing village attracting a lot of tourists?

To be honest, everyone who pays Cua Van a visit would be struck by its beauty which is almost nowhere else to be found, not to mention the grandiose scenery of Ha Long Bay.

Leave the bustle and hustle of big cities behind and find yourself here immersed in tranquility. There are over 300 households in the area, living in houseboats tightly attached to each other so that they stand fewer chances of being blown by strong winds.

One of the most original characteristics of the Cua Van floating village is a whole host of small boats and rafts anchored in front of every house, embodying the spirit of fishermen who hope to bring a brighter future to their kids and family. The native residents of Cua Van are warm, hospitable, and friendly, always trying to make people feel welcome. If you happen to meet some kids, don’t forget to wave, they’ll be all smiles and happy to show you all the village’s hidden attractions.

Your trip to Cua Van would not be fulfilled unless you experience all the following stuff: enjoying the special cuisines cooked by the locals; joining in a variety of cultural activities including boat sailing and listening to people singing out at night, or go catching some cuttlefish.

Tell me if I’m wrong, but you should never find a better experience than enjoying the appetizing aroma of “marine barbeque” right on the high seas.

II. What to See and Do at Cua Van Floating Village?

Normally, it is advised to spend about 1 day and 1 night discovering Cua Van fishing village since there are many interesting things for you to experience to get unforgettable memories as priceless gifts.

Cua Van fishing village is nearly the farthest point in Ha Long Bay and it is the endpoint of almost Ha Long Bay discovering tours. After spending the first day getting a view of Ha Long Bay by boat or cruise, you will stop at Cua Van at the end of the itinerary, where you will have wonderful experiences at night and the next day.

1. Cua Van ‘Floating’ Culture Center

Cua Van floating culture center is a construction specialized for displaying and preserving traditional values of culture which originate from the long-standing fishing village.

This site introduces a whole host of educational, and cultural exchange activities, not to mention hundreds of archeological antique collections including ancient fishing tools that trace back centuries ago.

In addition, extraordinary sequences of documentaries and archival research pictures are consistently exhibited so that everyone can admire and get the gist of the village’s ancient image.

2. Daily Life of Local Fishermen

As aforementioned, despite the fact that the majority of residents have moved to the mainland, a number of local families chose to maintain their living here during the daytime. To most of the fishermen, the sea is regarded as their hometown, and the boat as their shelter, as if it was all a matter of common sense for the fact that they shared weal and woe and blended in harmony with the sea.

Their kids are used to swimming and sailing, even dealing with risks and danger from a very early age. Besides, strange as it may sound, the people of Cua Van often believe in spiritual practice or avoiding forbidden customs, such as preventing women from getting on the boat before heading for the open.

3. Kayak/Boat-sailing

Apart from fishing, the local people also earn their living by providing kayak services or tour guides who know the village like the back of their hand and help you steer the boat properly. Surprisingly, kayak sailing is among the most requested services by foreign tourists, because it is so amazing scene that can help them to take incredible and one-of-a-kind pictures.

Service fees:

Hiring a kayak: 100.000 VND/h

Hiring a local tour guide: 60.000 VND/h

III. How to Get to Cua Van Floating Village?

Cua Van floating village is dozens of kilometers away from the coastline, which probably takes much of a boat trip to arrive here. There is a wide range of cruising boats for you to choose from, maybe included in some full-package tours offered by large tourism corporations. However, the 2 following ways are the most favorable to foreign guests:

If you decide to spend only 1 day visiting Cua Van village: Feel free to buy boat tickets directly at the wharf, or through telephones, or even some online registering platforms associated with the service providers.

If you’re into a longer trip that can last up to 2-3 days: You must have a detailed plan ahead of time, making sure that you (and your group) should get precise information on time and places, means of transport… As a result, many would prefer a full-package cruising tour of 3 days and 2 nights, considered to be more economical and money-saving than going on your own without any help from travel agencies.

IV. Extra Tips

Bring your power bank and some other everyday-carry tools to help charge your phone and deal with anything else if necessary.

Bring at least a flashlight, and power banks because electricity in the village is created from generators.

Pay attention to the additional fees when booking a full-package tour, some can charge you for their meals and drinks instead.

Make the most of your time and money by visiting the Vung Vieng floating village by taking a 20-minute boat trip from Cua Van and the Ham Rong Mountain nearby. Vung Vieng village is famous for its limpid stream of ocean water a fantastic experience to talk about for your entire life.

Bring mosquito repellent, anti-motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, and some usual medicine because if you get sick at night, it takes much time to take you to the hospital.

Do not give money or candy to children when you visit. Why? Since if you give them money, they won’t like to go to school. If possible you may prepare some notebooks, and pencils for them.

MOST COMMON SCAMS WHEN BOOKING A CRUISE IN HA LONG BAY

Consumer trends have indicated that most travelers go online to conduct travel research. Nowadays, more and more travelers prefer to book their vacations online. The arrival of online booking websites has made everything so much easier and more flexible for everyone.

If you are planning to dwell in the best views of Ha Long Bay, cruising is a wonderful choice for a dream holiday that matches any passengers’ expectations. The cruise industry is gaining popularity more than ever in the leisure travel market owing to innovative designs and a variety of destinations. To minimize the chance of falling for a booking scam, first-time cruisers should be aware of all the tricks and try to avoid.

 

Common Types of Scams

Many travelers may not realize that travel scams start right on their personal computers and smartphones. One of the most common scams you may experience is stumbled upon a fake travel website on the internet. The same scams can apply to other pages as well, like hotel accommodation, Facebook, and airline tickets. There are plenty of fake and imitation websites that look identical to the real ones which makes it almost impossible to tell the fake site from the real one. In most cases, cybercriminals will use a domain name similar to the original one by modifying some words.

Since cruises have become more accessible and convenient than ever before, everyone’s been eager to fulfill their ultimate dream cruise which exposes them as an easy target for cyber thieves.

Many individuals have received some sort of promotional emails, pop-ups, or online advertisements for a free cruise at least once in a while. In many situations, these scams come at very cheap prices to lure travelers who opt for the budget. When clicking on these ads, you might be transferred to an unsafe website that urges you to deposit a large amount of money to secure a holiday.

Booking a cruise online using an unsecured network raises higher security concerns. Sometimes convenience seems to outweigh the risks, especially with mobile device users. Using free public Wi-fi networks means that travelers are going to confront with the serious risk of personal account details being exposed.

In a survey by McAfee, a cyber-security company, 62% of users admitted that they have connected to public wifi in an airport while 49% use the hotel’s wifi. Public Wi-fi often lacks encryption which can protect the information sent from your device to the router. As you surf the web using unprotected wifi, a cybercriminal can monitor all your activity and wait for an opportunity to copy your info such as passwords, online banking, or financial data.

 

How to Avoid Scams

No one denies that the evolution of the Internet has changed the way we shop, bank, and communicate with the world. Scammers can be inventive and keep coming up with new tricks to rip off the innocents. Precaution is always better than cure and it requires just some effort and attention to protect yourself from these harms.

The smartest way to identify a website is by taking a couple of minutes to double-check the domain name. Make sure that the website has domains that end with .net or .org and provides authentic contact and address information.

Some websites appear to offer legitimate services but are only available through message or email. Typing errors, low-resolution pictures, and logos can also be indications of a scammer’s creation. Another way to check the website is to look for a padlock icon before the website’s URL means the site is encrypted. All payments should be conducted through a trusted platform to protect your data from hackers.

As the internet becomes our daily tool, travelers should carefully research before settling down with a cruise. Always choose a legitimate cruise if you are planning to spend wonderful days surrounded by the magnificent landscape and exotic islands. Run a background check if you have never heard of this cruise. You can research to see feedback from the passengers to evaluate the trustworthiness of the site on OTA channels.

For example, if you are looking for a cruise in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, you can do the first skim on booking.com. After customizing your categories, you can easily locate the best cruises for your preferences. Le Journey Cruise offers a system from 3 – 5 star cruises in Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. You can make decisions based on your budget and plan.

Nobody wants to be a helpless victim or has a disaster vacation. This is why potential cruise passengers should pay attention and watch out for all the tricks to book the best vacation that they’ve worked hard for.