Cai Beo Fishing Village: The Floating Community Most Tourists Miss in Vietnam
My Experience Exploring Cai Beo Fishing Village
Cai Beo Fishing Village is one of Cat Ba’s most distinct locations, and if you’re wondering whether it’s worth the trip, the short answer is yes.
I spent two days on Cat Ba Island, and honestly, it was the most picturesque part of my entire trip. Floating past local fisheries, watching how people actually live out on the water, it gave me something that no busy tourist spot ever could. That quiet, unfiltered look at real life.
Getting there is simpler than you’d expect. It’s not far from the pier at all, and once you’re on a boat drifting through rows of floating homes and fish cages, you start to understand why people talk about this place the way they do.
If you’re travelling solo or with a partner and you want something that actually stays with you, this is the kind of experience that does exactly that. This guide covers how to get to Cai Beo, what to expect when you arrive, and whether it’s worth carving time out of your Cat Ba itinerary for it.
Spoiler. It is.
Read my guide to the best things to do in Cat Ba and where to stay in Cat Ba Island, too.
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Where Is Cai Beo Fishing Village
You can find Cai Beo Fishing Village about 800 metres from the Hai Phong Cai Beo Ferry Terminal.
How To Visit Cai Beo Fishing Village?
You can get to the fishing village by taking a ferry from the pier.
When I visited, it was part of an amazing guided tour that included kayaking around Lan Ha Bay, swimming on small, pristine beaches, visiting Monkey Island, and of course, passing through the fishing village.
The tour was fantastic; however, we did not get to stop in the village and could only appreciate it from the boat.
You can rent a private boat to take you around the bay from the ladies who are there. I chatted with one and was quoted a trip to Monkey Island, but I opted for the group tour experience.
You can choose to stop off in the village if you want to see how it functions more closely.
Read My Guide To Monkey Island Near Cai Beo Fishing Village.
History Of The Village
Cai Beo Floating Village is one of the oldest and biggest traditional villages in the whole country.
It actually dates back 7,000 years, with archaeological items found from the Hoa Binh Bac Son culture, who came from the mainland to these islands, known as Cat Ba today.
The name translates to “big bay”, referring to Lan Ha Bay, and when I visited, the name really made sense. It is huge, with lots of fishermen using the floating village for their catch.
More recently, in 1938, Madeleine Colani found the site where ceramic tombs and kitchen hearths were found.
The floating village in Cat Ba was bombed ruthlessly by American aircraft when they would not stop using the sea.
Cai Beo Fishing Village and Cat Ba are not just a place for fun and games, though it can be. It has a seriously important historical significance in Vietnamese military history.
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My Experience
When I visited the pier, I could see local fishermen in much smaller boats paddling across to the fishing village.
I wanted to get my own boat straight away, head out, and chat to the locals, but I did not have the time.
The water looked greener than blue, and when the tide was out, it looked a little muddy. Still, passing around the bay on the boat was an exciting part of the tour, even if it only lasted a few minutes.
There were some larger fishing trawlers coming in and out, and seeing a woman paddle around with the non-la protecting her from the sun was a beautiful moment.
Conclusion
Cai Beo Floating Village was a fun, different part of my tour around Lan Ha Bay.
I visited the pier a few times to check it out and fly my drone, and I have to admit it is one of the coolest things to see. If I visited again, I would take a private boat out so I could get closer to the fisheries and spend longer seeing how they operate and chatting to the locals.
However, when you only have a few days in Cat Ba, it is hard to dedicate that much time to it. In my view, it is best to make it part of a group tour.
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Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
How Do I Get To The Floating Village In Cat Ba?
You can get to the pier by taking a Grab, motorbike, or electric buggy. Once at the pier, you can take a private boat or a group tour to Cai Beo Fishing Village, where you will float past the homes and fish farms and see the size and engineering of the structures up close.
Where Is The Floating Village In Vietnam?
The floating village in Cat Ba sits near Cai Beo Pier. This is the access point to Lan Ha Bay, and it is where you will find the floating village. It is an interesting place to see in Cat Ba and is worth a visit, especially when done as part of a group tour.
Where Is Cat Ba Island In Vietnam?
Cat Ba Island is found in north-east Vietnam, close to the border with China and Ha Long Bay. Hai Phong is the nearest city, and it is where you can see one of the oldest floating villages in Vietnam.
- Cai Beo Fishing Village: The Floating Community Most Tourists Miss in Vietnam
- Monkey Island, Cat Ba: What Happened When We Arrived Unprepared
- Where to Stay in Cat Ba Island (Best Areas & Hotels Guide)
- 9 Things to Do in Cat Ba Island You Can’t Miss
- Bai Dinh Pagoda Travel Guide: Tickets, Tips, and Honest Review
