A peaceful place in the heart of heritage
Vung Vieng fishing village (also known as Vong Vieng fishing village) is located in Bai Tu Long Bay, about 25km from the mainland. The village was formed in the 19th century, a place for ancient fishermen to stop, anchor and trade.
The name Vung Vieng comes from an interesting story circulating in folk. In the past, traders from Hai Phong through this area often stopped to cook rice at noon. The waves rowed the boat, causing the pot lid to cry "waitless", and that name was gradually nicknamed "Vung Vieng" as it is today.
As one of the four fishing villages located in the World Heritage Area of Ha Long Bay, Vung Vieng fishing village is less known to tourists than Ba Hang, Cua Van or Cap La. Perhaps that is why this place still retains its wild, original and peaceful appearance like the rhythm of life of the fishing village people.
The journey to the fishing village starts from Tuan Chau port or Hon Gai port, visitors can rent a boat or take tours on the Gulf. After arriving at the shuttle point, visitors can choose rustic means such as crab boats, boats or kayaking on their own to get to the village. The time from the transit point to the fishing village lasts about 30 - 40 minutes, enough for visitors to clearly feel the peace and wildness of the fishing village far from the city.
The first impression for visitors is the village gate - Cao cave, a majestic trans-water cave with a cave arch from 5 to 8 meters high and about 50 meters wide. Depending on the time of day, when the sea level rises and falls differently, visitors can see the cave entrance with wide - narrow, high - low on the sea level.
Passing through the cave, the village stands out in the middle of the sea and sky, surrounded by towering rocky mountains like a shield protecting the village. Taking a boat around the fishing village, visitors can see small houses interspersed with floating rafts, where people raise aquatic products to supply the mainland.
In the middle of the village is a floating community house, which used to be a school, a place for meetings and events of the villagers. Now, the community house has become a place to welcome tourists, displaying hundreds of beautiful and valuable photos of Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay... along with traditional fishing tools such as fishing nets, crab traps, snails...
Also here, visitors can experience unique activities: kayaking, fishing with fishermen, exploring fish rafts, visiting pearl breeding sites or simply sitting quietly watching the village drift gently in the sunset.
Tourism changes the face of fishing villages
Previously, Vung Vieng fishing village was the home of hundreds of fishing households who have made a living by fishing and aquaculture for many generations. Since 2014, the Quang Ninh provincial government has supported the relocation of most households to shore to improve their lives and livelihoods. Currently, only a few households remain to raise aquatic products, do tourism and preserve traditional culture.
Mr. Tang Van Phien, Director of Vung Vieng Fishing Village Tourism Service Cooperative, said that today, Vung Vieng has become a model community tourism destination, a place of harmony between conservation and development, traditional culture and sustainable tourism.
Vung Vieng Fishing Village Tourism Cooperative was established in 2008 and currently has 110 members who are aquatic residents here and neighboring fishing villages.
Mr. Phien shared: Since the development of tourism, people have lived more responsibly with the community, each family has a trash can to keep the common hygiene. All of the cost of studying, pens, and clothes for students come from tourism activities.
In addition to aquaculture and trading, the villagers also have additional income from rowing boats, crab boats, selling handicrafts, traditional items, doing tourism... everyone is happy and excited".
According to Mr. Phien, Vung Vieng fishing village currently has only 27 fish cages. Fishermen who directly raise fish are allowed to stay and do regular activities in the fishing village. The rest of the family, children and others working in tourism in the fishing village had to return to the mainland to live and study.
Mr. Phien said that the most important thing to preserve the soul of Vung Vieng fishing village is to preserve the presence of the people living here.
Fishermen are the core, helping to extend the traditional fishing profession of our ancestors. It is necessary to have human life, activities, and breathing to preserve the fishing village vividly. A fishing village with only a few houses and a few water roofs will not be able to solve anything," said Mr. Phien.
Today, with the development of tourism in Vung Vieng fishing village, this place is not only a destination that attracts international visitors but also domestic tourists. Tourists can participate in long-term tour schedules or on a day to explore Ha Long Bay.
Amidst the monsters of the rising waves, Vung Vieng is like a small crib that holds the memories of the ancient village, of the values that are gradually fading away. The peaceful little village in the middle of the heritage area, not noisy, bustling but deep enough to remember, beautiful enough to return.
